Best Berlin Lakes
Best Berlin Lakes
There’s only a short window in Berlin when the temperature gauge hits 30 degrees. But, when it does, everyone in the city grabs swimsuits and heads to the lake. Read on as Archer Relocation highlights the best Berlin lakes when you need to escape the heat.
Krumme Lanke
This is the most idyllic lake in the city due to its small size and location in the middle of Grunewald forest. You can reach it easily with the U3 — getting off at the last stop Krumme Lanke and then walking down Fischerhüttenstraße for about 10 minutes. No need to be alarmed, as the FKK (nudist) section greets you first. Just keep going, and the sandy beach is a short walk on the other side of the lake.
Schlachtensee
A short walk down the Wolfsschluchtkanal will take you to the adjoining Schlachtensee with the popular Fischerhütte restaurant and beer garden. Have a refreshing drink while the kids have a swing on the playground, and then dive into the clear water. There are plenty of quiet spots along the shores that border Grunewald. If it is more of a party scene you are after, then head to the green meadow leading down from S-bahn Schlachtensee.
Schlachtensee is also a great lake for stand-up paddling. Steh Paddler rents stand-up boards by the hour and even leads yoga courses on the boards on Wednesday evenings.
Wannsee
The most popular of the Berlin lakes, and Europe’s longest inland beach, is Strandbad Wannsee. Dating back to 1907, there are literally tons of white sand imported from the Baltic coast, numerous dining options, boat hire options, beach volleyball, and those iconic wicker chairs popular in Germany. The lake has everything you need for a perfect day at the beach! Wannsee is easily accessible from S-Nikolassee, and admission costs €5.50 per adult.
Freibad Plötzensee
Plötzensee, in Berlin’s Wedding neighborhood, is a favorite amongst families – lots of clean sand, shallow waters, a water slide, jumping platoons and playgrounds. When hunger strikes, the Kastaniengarten on the northern end of the lake and the Diamond Beach club in the Strandbad will serve up currywurst, french fries, and the all-important ice cream. Alternatively, spread out on the grassy meadows in the Volkspark Rehburg with a picnic basket. The lake’s central location means it’s easily accessible by the S+U-bahn Westhafen or completely bikeable from most neighborhoods in the city center. To enter the Strandbad, you can expect to pay €5 per adult.
Arena Badeschiff
Technically, Badeschiff is a swimming pool and not a lake, but it makes our Berlin lakes’ cut since it is moored in the Spree. The pool was built from a converted barge and is definitely Berlin’s most unique place for a dip. The network of floating docks that lead to the pool make for great sunbathing. With a sandy beach, cocktail bar, lots of music and panoramic views of the city, this place is packed with hip locals long into the night.
Adults will pay €6.50 for a day pass, and there is also an option to join for the season for a €125 fee.
There is no shortage of water around the city center of Berlin to keep you cool in the hotter months. In fact, there are so many options, Take Me To The Lakes has written a book about 50 of the lakes surrounding Berlin, complete with transportation options and their take on the best swimming spots at each lake.
So grab your swimsuit and towel, and stake your claim on a good spot at one of your favorite Berlin lakes!
Contribution by Annabelle Mallia
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Archer Relocation has been providing relocation services to families, individuals and companies in Berlin since early 2015. Managing Director, Emily Archer, founded the company desiring to use her first-hand experience as an expat to make the relocation process as smooth as possible for others moving to Berlin. Read other useful information about moving to and living in Berlin, such as ‘How to Find a Berlin Apartment’, on our Berlin Blog.
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