Plötzensee

Plötzensee Lido: 300 meters of sandy beach in Volkspark Rehberge

Plötzensee is located on the edge of Volkspark Rehberge in Wedding and is named after the roach (Plötze) that lives in it. It was formed towards the end of the Weichselian Ice Age in an ice-age channel, approximately 7.6 hectares in size, 740 meters long, and up to 7.5 meters deep, with an average depth of three and a half meters. It has no natural inflows, and the entire lake, including the shore area, is within a nature reserve. This is precisely why swimming is only permitted in the lido: the shore zones are fenced off and closed by general decree; those who enter anyway will pay a fine of 228.50 Euros. Recent extensive work has been carried out on the lake itself, with around 350 cubic meters of putrid sludge removed, new reeds planted, floating reed islands dampening wave action, and a 140 square meter small body of water created for amphibians. A new buoy chain keeps unwanted boat traffic out. The bathing water quality is considered excellent, although in late summer, blue-green algae growth can occur, significantly reducing visibility, without the measured toxin levels reaching the guideline values of the Federal Environment Agency.

Swimming island, four volleyball courts, and a listed entrance gate

With approximately 15,000 square meters of sandy beach and 40,000 square meters of sunbathing lawn, the lido is one of the most spacious bathing facilities in the city, attracting around 200,000 guests per year. The beach is artificially created and stretches for about 300 meters, with a swimming island offshore that you can swim out to. On land, there are four beach volleyball courts, basketball, mini-golf, boccia, table tennis, slides, a freshly renovated playground, and a rental service for paddleboards and swimming aids. Showers and changing rooms are available, lockers are limited, so you should bring your own lock. There is a nudist area, dogs are not allowed in the bathing area. Admission is 10 Euros, reduced to 6 Euros, payable only by card, and you can bring your own food. 400 bicycle parking spaces are available for cyclists. For food and drinks, in addition to the snack bar, there is a beach bar with beer garden tables that can be reserved for larger groups, as well as swimming courses and childcare. Architecturally, it is worth taking a look at the two-story entrance building by the brothers Walter and Johannes Krüger from the late 1920s, which is a listed building.