A gherkin stand and shop on Lübben's Schlossinsel (castle island) run by the same family since the early 1990s, selling jarred Spreewaldgurken alongside horseradish, mustard, and other Spreewald specialties.
Gurken Paule sits on the Schlossinsel in Lübben (Spreewald), the small island formed by the Spree's channels beside the town's castle grounds, and has sold Spreewald gherkins and regional products from the same spot since the early 1990s. The shop stocks the classic PGI-protected Spreewaldgurken in several styles — dill, mustard-seed, and sweet-sour — alongside horseradish, cucumber relish, jams, and honey, most produced within the Spreewald biosphere reserve rather than imported. Because the shop sits directly on the walking route between Lübben's Kahnfährstelle (punting-boat landing) and the town center, it is one of the easiest gherkin stops to combine with a Spreewald boat trip without a detour. Jars are sold individually or in small gift sets, and the shop is cash-friendly with card accepted for larger purchases. Prices for a standard 720ml jar of gherkins run roughly €5–€8 depending on style and size.
| Hours | Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00; weekend hours vary seasonally |
|---|---|
| Price | €–€€ |
| Address | Ernst-von-Houwald-Damm, Schlossinsel, 15907 Lübben (Spreewald) |
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Ernst-von-Houwald-Damm, Schlossinsel, 15907 Lübben (Spreewald)
51.9398, 13.8993 View on map
Highlights
- Direct-from-region Spreewaldgurken with the EU PGI seal
- Horseradish and mustard-seed pickle varieties not commonly found in supermarkets
- Located on the walking route from Lübben's boat landing to the town center
Tips for visiting
- Carry cash; small producer stands in the Spreewald are not always set up for cards.
- A 720ml jar costs roughly €5–€8 (~$5.40–$8.64); gift sets of three small jars run about €12–€15 (~$12.96–$16.20).
- Ask which jars are dill-brined versus mustard-seed if a milder flavor is preferred; mustard-seed gherkins are sharper.
Frequently asked questions
Are the gherkins here genuine Spreewald PGI product?
Yes, the gherkins sold at Gurken Paule are grown and pickled within the Spreewald PGI zone and carry the protected designation, distinguishing them from generic pickled cucumbers sold elsewhere in Germany.
Can gherkin jars be carried home internationally?
Sealed glass jars of pickled vegetables can generally be checked in airline luggage; travelers should pack them well-cushioned and check their airline's liquid and glass-container rules for carry-on bags.