When the temperatures rise, there’s nothing better than a day by the water. Fortunately, Berlin offers far more than just the famous Wannsee lido (cover photo): from the cool Badeschiff in the middle of the Spree to historic open-air pools with shaded sunbathing lawns and lios with soft sandy beaches. Treat yourselves to a bit of that holiday feeling, pack your swimwear and discover our 11 favourite open-air and beach pools in Berlin.
Tip 1: The Badeschiff at the Arena
Where else but in Berlin! Right in the middle of the River Spree floats what is arguably one of the city’s most beautiful open-air swimming pools. From the Badeschiff, which is moored right next to the Arena, you’ll have a fantastic view across the River Spree to the Oberbaum Bridge and the TV Tower. All around, sun loungers, wooden jetties and a lovely sandy beach invite you to enjoy a relaxing afternoon – which, at Europe’s most extraordinary beach bar, often carries on well into the evening.
If you’d like to round off the summer evening under the starry sky, do have a look at our recommendations for free open-air events.
Insider tip: As the Badeschiff is very popular, you should book a time slot ticket for your visit at least four days in advance.
When: Two-hour time slots daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Badeschiff at the Arena, Eichenstraße 4, Kreuzberg
Tip 2: Weißensee Lido
Just around 20 minutes from Alexanderplatz, Weißensee Lido awaits you as a green oasis with over 100 years of history. Opened back in 1912, the lido was once part of an amusement park and is now one of the most popular summer destinations in north-east Berlin.The Weiße See, with its striking fountain, sandy beach, spacious sunbathing lawns and shady parkland, creates a relaxed holiday atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
Families will love the playground and the separate non-swimmers’ area, whilst the urban beach bar entices visitors with cocktails and snacks.
When: daily 10 am – 8 pm (until the end of August); the beach bar with light refreshments is open later
Where: Weißensee Lido, Berliner Allee 155, Pankow
Tip 3: Summer swimming pool at the Olympic Stadium
If you want to stay active on hot summer days, the Olympiastadion Summer Pool offers the perfect setting for a sporty day by the water. Right next to the famous Olympiastadion, the 50-metre sports pool is ideal for a good swim. The brave can take the plunge from the diving tower, which is up to ten metres high, whilst families can relax in the two non-swimmer pools and the children can have a go on the water slide. Behind the historic stands lies a spacious sunbathing lawn where you can soak up the sun after a swim.
Good to know: There are accessible showers, toilets and changing rooms, as well as a lift right next to the accessible changing room.
When: daily 7 am – 8 pm
Where: Summer swimming pool at the Olympic Stadium, Olympischer Platz 1, entrance next to Olympischer Platz 5, Westend
Tip 4: Summer swimming pool at the Insulaner
The Insulaner Summer Pool in Steglitz is one of Berlin’s most popular family pools . And for good reason. You can swim laps in the 50-metre pool whilst children let off steam in the spacious non-swimmer’s area with water mushrooms and a large slide. Around the pools, spacious sunbathing lawns invite you to soak up the sun. And if you’d rather be in the shade, you can find a spot under the large, old trees.
Beach volleyball courts, table tennis tables and a large play area provide plenty of variety.
Insider tip: Pack your towel for the day and book your seats for one of the open-air performances at the Theater am Insulaner in the evening. Here, the Shakespeare Company stages classic plays under the open sky from June to September.
When: daily, 7 am – 8 pm
Where: Sommerbad am Insulaner, Munsterdamm 80, Schöneberg
Tip 5: Wendenschloss Lido
Fine sand beneath your feet, sparkling water before you and plenty of space to relax: Wendenschloss Lido in Köpenick feels like a mini-break by the sea. Right on the shores of the Langer See, you’ll find a spacious sandy beach with sunbathing lawns, beach chairs and a family-friendly swimming area.
If you fancy getting active, you can hire the necessary equipment on site. Let off steam with a game of beach volleyball , play table tennis or enjoy a round of boules. You can also hire kayaks or SUPs – or explore the River Dahme at a leisurely pace on a raft.
Snacks and drinks are available in the adjoining beer garden and at the Strand.Bar, which also attracts visitors to the shores of the Langer See with live music sessions several times a month.
Insider tip: Entry is freefrom 6 pm!
When: from 10 am; with online tickets, you’ll get priority entry until 12 noon if there are long queues
Where: Wendenschloss Lido, Möllhausenufer 30, Köpenick
Tip 6: Monbijou Children’s Pool
At Monbijou Children’s Pool, you can splash about between the River Spree, Museum Island and Monbijou Park. The little ones can let off steam in the shallow paddling pool, whilst older children can play and swim in the large non-swimmers’ pool. You can soak up the sun on the sunbathing lawn, grab an ice cream from the kiosk or pop over to the neighbouring playground. For older children, the basketball court in the park offers extra exercise.
Tip: Its central location makes the Monbijou Children’s Pool the perfect stop-off point whilst sightseeing on a summer’s day in Berlin.
When: daily 11am–7pm
Where: Monbijou Children’s Pool, Oranienburger Straße 78, Mitte
Tip 7: Grünau Lido
Situated right on the banks of the Dahme, Grünau Lido is one of Berlin’s most traditional and versatile bathing spots. Take a dip in the water, relax on the sandy beach or simply enjoy a lovely summer’s day on the spacious grounds. If you fancy getting active, hire a SUP and explore the surroundings from the water.
For the beach party , a rotating line-up of DJs will be spinning tunes on the beach on selected Fridays and Saturdays, including Westbam and Moguai on 25 July. We recommend booking your tickets well in advance.
Insider tip: From 5 pm onwards, entry is free on regular swimming days. Perfect for a spontaneous after-work get-together by the lake.
When: daily 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Sportpromenade 9, Grünau (Treptow-Köpenick)
Tip 8: Humboldthain Summer Lido
Right on the edge of Humboldthain Volkspark, you’ll find this summer oasis, which was built shortly after the end of the Second World War. The 50-metre pool is surrounded by spacious sunbathing lawns fringed with mature trees. A special feature is that the lawns are home to the largest wild bee population in the Mitte district.
Children will love the large, winding water slide, a playground and a separate paddling and children’s pool. Another summer highlight is the ‘Tropez’ dining area, which surprises visitors every season with new art and cultural events.
Insider tip: Combine your visit with a stroll through Humboldthain Public Park and discover the historic anti-aircraft tower with its impressive views over Berlin.
When: Tuesday to Sunday 8 am – 7 pm, Monday 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Humboldthain Summer Pool, Wiesenstraße 1, Gesundbrunnen
Tip 9: Plötzensee Lido
With its expansive sandy beach and large sunbathing areas, Plötzensee Lido is one of the most popular summer retreats in north Berlin. Right on the western shore of the lake, you can dig your toes into the sand, go for a swim or simply soak up the sun. Families will love the playground, slides and swimming island, whilst sports fans can get active on the volleyball courts, playing basketball or table tennis.
Insider tip: Take a detour to the ‘Metamorphosium’ biotope (part of the lido) and discover a surprisingly diverse natural world right by the lake.
When: daily 10 am – 10 pm, swimming ends at 7 pm
Where: Plötzensee Lido, Nordufer 26, Wedding
Tip 10: Müggelsee Lido
As most of you are probably already familiar with the beautiful Wannsee lido, we’d like to introduce you to Berlin’s largest lake: the Müggelsee , with its 250-metre-long, freely accessible beach. There’s also a 150-metre-long nudist area in the western part of the lido. Behind this, you’ll find shade on the lightly wooded sunbathing lawns.
As the water is very, very shallow for the first 60 metres or so from the beach, Müggelsee is very popular with families with young children. The history is also fascinating: the public lido’s buildings, dating from 1929–30, are now listed as historic monuments. Entry is free.
When: not specified
Where: Müggelsee Lido, Fürstenwalder Damm 838, Köpenick
Tip 11: The Halensee Strand.Park.Restaurant
Right in the heart of the city, the Halensee lido invites you to enjoy a little holiday bliss right by the water’s edge. Where the legendary Lunapark – once Europe’s largest amusement park – used to delight visitors, a stylish lido now invites you to relax. Make yourselves comfortable on the fine sand of ‘La Plage’ , enjoy the view of Halensee and round off the day with an aperitif by the water.
For culinary delights, treat yourself to the French brasserie Chez Manu or the Bistro Soleil beer garden with its lake views.
Insider tip: Every Thursday from 7 pm, you can round off your summer afternoon with a Pilates session by the lake (on the jetty).
When: daily 10 am – 7 pm
Where: Halensee Lido, Koenigsallee 5 a-b, Charlottenburg
