A half-day trip to the roofless brick-Gothic ruins of Chorin Monastery, set in the forested Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve, with an optional walk to nearby Amtssee lake.
Chorin lies about 75 km northeast of Potsdam, reached in roughly 1h 30min by regional train via Berlin Hauptbahnhof, followed by a 20-minute walk or seasonal shuttle bus from Chorin station to the monastery. The Cistercian ruins, founded in 1273 and left roofless since 16th-century secularization, sit in a forest clearing within the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve, giving the site a quiet, wooded setting distinct from Potsdam's palace parks. A half-day covers the monastery grounds and a short walk to the nearby Amtssee lake, which offers a view of the ruins from across the water; those visiting in summer can time a trip around the Choriner Musiksommer, a classical concert series staged inside the roofless nave. Because the site has limited food options nearby, bringing a packed lunch or eating before departing Potsdam is worthwhile.
| Distance | 75 km from Potsdam |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1h 30min by regional train via Berlin |
| Getting there | Regional train (RE3) from Potsdam Hauptbahnhof via Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Chorin station, then a 20-minute walk |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Amt Chorin 11a, 16230 Chorin, Germany |
How to get there
- Method
- Regional train (RE3)
- Journey
- Potsdam Hauptbahnhof → Berlin Hauptbahnhof → Chorin (about 1h 30min total)
- Cost eur
- Covered by Deutschlandticket (€58/month, ~$63)
- Method
- Car
- Journey
- Potsdam to Chorin via the A11, about 1h 10min
- Cost eur
- Fuel plus free parking near the monastery
Suggested itinerary
- Morning: train to Chorin station, then walk or take the seasonal shuttle to the monastery
- Midday: tour the monastery ruins and grounds
- Afternoon: walk the short trail to Amtssee lake before returning to the station
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Amt Chorin 11a, 16230 Chorin, Germany
52.8988, 13.9349 View on map
Highlights
- 13th-century brick-Gothic monastery ruins
- Choriner Musiksommer summer concert series
- Amtssee lake walking trail
- Schorfheide-Chorin UNESCO biosphere reserve
Tips for visiting
- Take the RE3 regional train to Chorin station, then walk or use the seasonal shuttle bus to the monastery
- Bring a packed lunch, as food options near the ruins are limited
- Book Choriner Musiksommer concert tickets well ahead, as summer performances sell out
- Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven stone flooring inside some of the ruin's interior sections
- Combine the visit with the Amtssee lake trail for a view of the ruins from across the water
When to visit
Early autumn for forest color around the ruins, or summer evenings during the Choriner Musiksommer concert season.
Accessibility
The main courtyard and church ruins are on level gravel and grass paths; some interior sections have uneven stone flooring.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Can Chorin Monastery be combined with another stop in one day?
Yes, the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve has additional walking and cycling trails nearby, though the monastery and Amtssee lake alone comfortably fill a half day.
Is Chorin Monastery an active religious site?
No, it has stood as a ruin since its 16th-century secularization and today functions as a historic site and summer concert venue.