Eastern Brandenburg

Located in north-eastern Germany, East Brandenburg comprises the districts of Uckermark, Barnim, Märkisch-Oderland and Oder-Spree, as well as the independent city of Frankfurt (Oder). It borders the German capital, Berlin, to the west and the Republic of Poland to the east.
An increasing number of interesting centres are also emerging in the more rural regions, and investors appreciate the region’s location between European markets and its proximity to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). East Brandenburg has plenty of space for new businesses to set up. The region also offers a mix of different transport options for businesses and employees.
Every part of East Brandenburg has much to offer in terms of scenery, culture and the economy. Life unfolds between the capital and the Republic of Poland, right in the heart of Europe. Numerous commercial and service companies are based here, offering attractive jobs and training opportunities.
Picturesque towns, beautiful natural landscapes and many cultural monuments come together in East Brandenburg. Thanks to the numerous bodies of water, there are plenty of opportunities for all kinds of water sports in your free time, such as fishing, sailing, canoeing or motorboating. Each region is unique in its own right and is worth not just a visit, but a life spent there.

The Uckermark District is situated in the north-east of Brandenburg and is just over an hour’s drive from Berlin. The Polish city of Szczecin is also within easy reach. With a population of around 127,000, the region is sparsely populated and a very attractive destination for tourists. Popular destinations include the Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park, the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and the Lower Oder Valley National Park. With over 500 lakes, as well as thousands of small ponds, pools, moors, streams and rivers, the Uckermark is one of Germany’s most water-rich regions. The restored old town centres of the charming towns of Templin, Angermünde, Schwedt and Prenzlau are well worth a visit. Schwedt/Oder is a traditional industrial centre in the Uckermark (chemicals and paper).

The Barnim District is home to around 177,000 residents. Many businesses have set up in Barnim. There are also numerous retailers, restaurateurs and hoteliers. The Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and the Barnim Nature Park are among the region’s unspoilt natural treasures. The two main attractions in the Barnim region are the Niederfinow boat lift and the Cistercian monastery at Chorin. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities on the water along more than 100 kilometres of waterways. Culture enthusiasts will be delighted by the region’s old farmhouses and brick buildings, as well as its striking churches, monasteries and castles.

The Märkisch-Oderland district has a population of around 188,000. Popular destinations for day trips include the Strausberg forest and lake district, the Märkische Schweiz Nature Park and Lake Schermützel. Local attractions include the Brecht-Weigel House in Buckow, the Rüdersdorf Museum Park and Neuhardenberg Castle. Health and wellness tourism options are available in Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg’s oldest spa town, and in Buckow, Brandenburg’s only Kneipp spa town. Entertainment is provided by annual events such as the open-air classical concerts, the Reitwein Wedding Market and the Wriezen Dyke Day.

The Oder-Spree District is situated in the east of Brandenburg, directly on the Polish border. The district has a total population of around 179,000, of whom approximately 8,000 live in the district town of Beeskow. The Oder-Spree District is Brandenburg’s most densely forested region and a diverse tourist and recreational area. It is also home to many historical attractions, such as the Cistercian monastery at Neuzelle, the cathedral in Fürstenwalde and the castle in Beeskow. In the walled and turreted town of Beeskow, the elegant spa town of Bad Saarow and Wendisch Rietz on Lake Scharmützel, visitors can experience the region’s eventful history and vibrant present. Industrial centres in the Oder-Spree district include Eisenhüttenstadt (iron and steel industry), Fürstenwalde (machinery and plant engineering as well as the chemical industry) and Beeskow (wood processing industry).

The independent city of Frankfurt (Oder) is regarded as the ‘Gateway to the East’ and, as a border town, forms a bridge to neighbouring Poland. With a population of around 57,900, the city is nestled in beautiful countryside. Its cultural life is shaped, amongst other things, by the Brandenburg State Orchestra, which is based here, and the many cultural events held at the modern Kleistforum. The city’s lively pub scene also offers cultural highlights. Frankfurt (Oder) is home to Brandenburg’s largest brewery. With the Institute for Semiconductor Physics (IHP), the city is also well represented in the high-tech sector. Its direct link to the Polish town of Słubice makes this Hanseatic city particularly attractive.