Simply sitting by the water and letting your gaze wander into the distance is something you can do particularly well in Berlin. Rivers such as the Spree and Havel, canals and of course the many lakes invite you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, take a break on a bike tour or spend a relaxing afternoon by the water. Be surprised by the variety of the most beautiful places by the water . Here are 11 very special tips for you.
By the way, you can find tips for Berlin's lakes and the best way to get there in our Berlin bathing map.
Tip 1: Kolonnaden Bar
You will find the Kolonnaden Bar right on the Spree, romantically located on Museum Island. It is located in the eponymous Kolonnadenhof courtyard of the Alte Nationalgalerie. With a panoramic view of the Spree and the TV tower, you can enjoy free concerts, performances, DJ sets - and the island beer "Wissensdurst" (thirst for knowledge) . By the way, there's also a lot going on on Museum Island: it's celebrating its 200th anniversary!
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 10 pm and Fridays to Sundays from 12 pm to 10 pm
Where: Colonnade courtyard of the Alte Nationalgalerie, Museum Island, Mitte
Tip 2: Behind the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) on the Spree
The Spree runs through the centre of the city and offers many great places for a coffee on the banks of the river in the Nikolai Quarter, a romantic date on Museum Island and many other places where you can watch the boats on the Spree.
The stretch of riverbank behind the Haus der Kulturen der Welt is a little hidden but very idyllic. Here you can also visit the café or hop on one of the excursion boats and sail along the Spree past the sights. You can find even more summery places on the Spree in our blog.
More about the 11 most beautiful summer spots on the Spree
Tip 3: Behind the Flensburg Lion at Wannsee
The Strandbad Wannsee (Wannsee lido) is one of Berlin's favourite summer excursion tips. Here you can spend the whole day cosying up on the white beach, jumping into the Wannsee or simply looking out over the water.
But you can also enjoy a great view of the water on the other side of Wannsee. The opposite side with the Düppeler Forst is perfect for a bike tour with a view of the lake. Behind the imposing statue of the Flensburg Lion and at the many bathing spots along the shore, it's well worth a stop.
Tip 4: From the Havelhöhenweg
The beautiful places along the Havel are somewhat hidden away and offer you a wonderful view over the Havel landscape. On a hike along the Havelhöhenweg trail, you can let your gaze wander far and wide over the river. It's best to take a tasty picnic with you and take a long break at the Schildhorn or Lieper Bucht.
More about hiking in Berlin and the surrounding area
Tip 5: Müggelsee
Berlin's largest lake: when you stand on the shore here, all you can see is water and sky and you almost feel like you're by the sea. Take advantage of a trip to the south of Berlin for a bike tour around the Müggelsee or a boat trip across the water. Or lace up your hiking boots for a hike with breathtaking views. Our tip: stop at the Rübezahl beer garden and sit by the water.
Tip 6: Rummelsburg Bay
The perfect place for all fans of the GDR classic The Legend of Paul and Paula is Rummelsburg Bay. Here you can sit on a bench on the Paul and Paula shore and imagine that the boat with the two of them is about to dock. Rummelsburger Bucht is also a beautiful destination for a long walk with a view of the water.
More about the Rummelsburger Bucht
Tip 7: Landwehr Canal
If you don't want to or can't travel far out, Berlin also has numerous green oases by the water in the centre of the city. In addition to the Spree, the Landwehr Canal is one of the city's main waterways. You can sit down on the banks, take a break while strolling through the Tiergarten or let the day slowly fade into the evening.
Tip 8: Spandau and the Havel
Spandau is located directly on the Havel, so it has countless beautiful places by the water. The famous Zitadelle Berlin in Spandau (Spandau Citadel) is a good starting point for a cycle tour along the water with numerous bathing spots and hidden romantic views. At some point, you might reach the Tegeler See (Lake Tegel).
Tip 9: Tegeler See (Lake Tegel)
And thus our next tip. Lake Tegel is located on Tegeler Forst, which means you have forest and water right next to each other for a relaxing outing. Or you can take a stroll along the Greenwichpromenade and sit down in one of the cafés with a view of the lake. The landing stages of Berlin's shipping companies are also located here if you fancy a boat trip.
Tip 10: Weißer See (White Lake)
Not far from busy streets and the hustle and bustle of the city, yet in a completely different world, lies the White Lake, which gave the neighbourhood its name. It is surrounded by parks and green spaces. So make yourself comfortable at the Strandbad Weißensee (Weißensee lido) or in the park on the shore. From Alexanderplatz, you can reach the Weißensee lido by tram in just twenty minutes. After a relaxing day of swimming, reward yourself with a marvellous sunset.
Tip 11: Deck of a restaurant boat
Do you want to spend the evening by the water and enjoy a delicious meal? Then visit one of the restaurant ships where you can dine on deck and enjoy the sunset by the water at the same time. A classic is the Alte Liebe on the Havel in Charlottenburg. At Capt'n Schillow in Tiergarten, you can enjoy delicious fish and even Labskaus. And the restaurant ship van Loon is anchored in the Urbanhafen harbour in Kreuzberg. At the weekend, the day on the van Loon starts with the popular "Brunchy Lunchy" and a delicious breakfast buffet.
