Lower Oder Valley Cruises
A tourist gem at your fingertips! This season, a water tram will run from Szczecin to Gartz via Mescherin, allowing you to discover the picturesque landscapes of the Lower Oder Valley.
The boat will operate every Saturday and Sunday of the summer from July 4th to September 5th*.
* EXCEPT 15 AND 16 AUGUST.
Starting point: Chrobry Boulevard (Jana z Kolna 7), Szczecin
The cruise from Szczecin to Mescherin and Gartz is a unique journey through one of the most ecologically valuable areas of the Polish-German border region. It offers the chance to discover the extraordinary landscapes of the Międzyodrze region and the vast floodplains of the Lower Oder Valley from the vantage point of a boat on the River Oder.
The Lower Oder Valley is one of Europe’s most valuable natural areas. A true, wild water maze where nature has reigned supreme for several decades, creating a paradise for canoeists and those who love to relax in harmony with nature – says tour guide Jacek Woch (North Guide)
Photo: Damian Róż
During the cruise, you’ll be able to spot cranes, white-tailed eagles, herons and cormorants, as well as remarkable aquatic vegetation and vast reed beds that create a unique landscape. Binoculars will be available on board for observing nature and the landscape, allowing for a more comfortable viewing experience and an even better appreciation of the Lower Oder Valley’s attractions.
Printed educational and tourist information materials will also be available to help you explore the region and its main attractions.
Furthermore, along the way you will be able to learn about the history of shipping on the Oder, the creation of Międzyodrze, and the historical events surrounding the crossing of the Oder during the Second World War. The Explore Oder app will make exploring from the ship’s deck easier. As you approach a particular point, a voiceover will tell you about the attractions in Polish, German and English. Disposable headphones for your mobile devices (3.5 mm round jack) will be available on board.
Explore the Lower Oder Valley from the deck of a boat or by bike.
The region is also ideal for active tourism. The popular Blue Velo bike trail runs along the route, taking you through flood defences, forests and landscapes along the Oder. A cruise can be the perfect combination of a water adventure and a cycling trip along the Polish-German border. You can bring your own bike on board.
Check out the cycling routes here, or view the route map here.
Photo: Andrzej Kraśnicki jr
The first, brief stop on the cruise route is Mescherin. The town charms visitors with its tranquillity and proximity to nature. If you decide to disembark in Mescherin, be sure to visit the distinctive “Flying Crane” observation tower and the viewpoint on Stettiner Berg, which offers a panoramic view of the Lower Oder Valley.
It’s also the perfect start to a cycling adventure.
The second stop is Gartz, where the boat will dock for around two and a half hours. During this time, you’ll be able to explore the town or go for lunch. Gartz on the Oder captivates visitors with its atmospheric historic buildings, the riverside promenade and routes leading through the hills and areas of natural beauty. You can explore the town by bike or on foot along a specially prepared route featuring QR codes that will tell you the town’s history in Polish, English and German.
See the map of attractions in Mescherin.
Photo: Steffen Herzberg
Once you arrive in Szczecin, you can make the most of the city’s wide range of attractions and enjoy a weekend full of activities. Szczecin’s boulevards along the Oder are the perfect place to take a stroll, relax in restaurants and cafés, and soak up the city’s harbour atmosphere. In summer, Szczecin comes alive with culture – concerts, open-air events, open-air cinema and numerous events taking place throughout the city.
Szczecin offers unique architecture, green parks, museums, a concert hall and numerous places to meet and relax. It is the perfect choice both for those looking for a peaceful weekend and for those who want to combine relaxation with the city’s energy and cultural offer.
A cruise from Mescherin and Gartz to Szczecin can be an attractive alternative to travelling by car – a comfortable, eco-friendly and unforgettable way to explore the region. It is a blend of nature, history and city life that creates a unique tourist experience for residents of the border region and anyone wishing to spend a special weekend on the Oder.
Timetable:
Szczecin - Mescherin - Gartz (Oder)
10:00 11:55-12:10 12:50
Gartz (Oder) - Mescherin - Szczecin
15:30 16:10-16:25 18:15
- The boat will run every Saturday and Sunday from 4 July to 5 September, except on 15 and 16 August.
- Departure from Szczecin: Chrobry Boulevard (Jana z Kolna 7)
Price list:
- Standard return ticket – 60 zł
- Reduced-price return ticket (children under 12) – 40 zł
- Standard single ticket – 40 zł
- Reduced-price single ticket – 30 zł
- Family 2+2 return ticket – 180 zł
- Family 2+2 single ticket – 120 zł
- Bicycle (regardless of whether return or single) - 10 zł
- Children under 3 travel free of charge.
Tickets will be available for purchase from 20 June HERE (+ service fee) or in person at the Tourist Information Centre in Szczecin (20 Żołnierza Polskiego Square)
Organisational information
As the cruise route crosses national borders, tourists wishing to take part in the cruise must, in addition to their purchased ticket, remember that they are required to carry documents confirming their identity and authorising their stay in Germany.
The following are available on board the ship:
- passenger toilet
- café area serving drinks and snacks
- bicycle storage area (bicycles may be carried on board)
- binoculars for observing nature and the scenery
- printed educational, information and tourist materials
- we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure
- passenger check-in closes 5 minutes before the cruise – after this time, boarding may not be possible
- during the first 30 minutes of the cruise, the upper deck will be temporarily unavailable due to passing under a bridge (low clearance of the bridge structures)
Accessibility:
- the vessel is equipped to assist passengers with reduced mobility when boarding
- prams and wheelchairs can be transported (please contact us in advance if you require transport for larger electric or specialist wheelchairs)
- the on-board toilet is not adapted for the needs of people with reduced mobility
What is important to note?
As the cruise route crosses national borders, tourists wishing to take part in the cruise must, in addition to their purchased ticket, remember that they are required to carry documents confirming their identity and authorising their stay in Germany.
Travellers who also choose to go on a cycling tour and wish to combine it with the cruise are required to cross the border at designated crossing points.
ŻSTW shall not be liable for the consequences of passengers failing to hold the necessary documents required to cross the border and stay in Germany, nor for the consequences of crossing the border at unauthorised points. Any delays, extended journey times or difficulties resulting from any border, police or administrative checks are beyond the organiser’s control. Passengers are obliged to comply with the applicable regulations regarding border crossings and tourist and cycle traffic on the Polish-German border.
Zobacz więcej
Szczecin’s top attractions or download the city guide.
See the attractions in Gartz and Mescherin.
The project "Cross Oder" No. INT0700177 is co-financed by the European Union under the Cooperation Programme Interreg VI A Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania / Brandenburg / Poland 2021-2027, within the scope of the specific objective 4.6: Culture and sustainable tourism.
