Bathing Lakes for Swimming
Last updated on 06/17/2026
The 10 best bathing lakes for swimming in Berlin
Crystal-clear water, quiet bays and fine sand: countless lakes lie around Berlin, promising the perfect refreshment on hot days. At the Sacrower See, powdery sand and a beer garden right on the beach come together, the Gross-Glienicker See entices with a visibility depth of up to four metres and a view of two green islands, and the Schlachtensee in the south of Zehlendorf captivates with small, shady bays. Anyone who likes it central will even find a lake with an S-Bahn connection in the Ploetzensee in Wedding, while the crystal-clear Liepnitzsee has remained a postcard motif to this day. There is the right shore for every bathing day. At which of these lakes will you dive in next?
Yulia Veksler
Nothing beats a jump into the cool water for me when the city is shimmering. What I like best is heading to the Sacrower See, where after swimming I can sit in the beer garden right on the beach. When I want clear water, I am drawn to the Liepnitzsee. This list is my very own treasure map for Berlin bathing days.
Purest water, sand as fine as powder and a beer garden right on the beach - do you need anything more to be happy?
Not only the extremely clear water with a depth visibility of up to 4 metres but also two green enchanted little islands in the lake make Groß-Glienicker See very special to its visitors.
Nestled away in the forest under pine trees you will find the bathing beach Kleiner Müggelsee.
Tucked away in the Grunewald, deserted and absolutely peaceful - if you prefer a calmer place to go for a swim, the bathing spot Badestelle Kuhhorn on the banks of the Havel might just be the place for you.
Small, private coves with tall-standing oaks and acorns providing shade are a trademark of Schlachtensee.
Liepnitzsee with its crystal-clear water has long ceased to be an insiders' tip, yet it is still quite picturesque.
A large sandy beach, shaded spots in a small grove and several small bathing spots in the Lieper Bucht open the view of the river Havel and the island Lindwerder.
Several bathing spots, a small historical bathing marina and truly idyllic recreational greens create a little paradise for swimmers on Straussee.
If you can't do without amenities like changing rooms, restrooms and snack bars, you should go for a swim at Strandbad Orankesee.
Plötzensee is not really an insiders' tip tucked away off the beaten track, it's much more centrally located in the city - in the heart of Berlin-Wedding. It is, so to speak, a lake with S-Bahn connection.
