Straussee

Straussee in Strausberg: Clear Water in an Ice Age Channel Lake

The Straussee begins directly behind Strausberg’s old town and, with approximately 136 hectares, is one of the largest bathing lakes in the Berlin area. Its basin stretches narrowly from north to south, formed during the last Ice Age by meltwater flowing under the ice. The lake is primarily fed by groundwater, which is noticeable when swimming: the visibility depth averages a good three meters and reaches five on good days. At 20 meters at its deepest point, the Straussee is also one of the deepest lakes in the region, which is why the water in the middle remains cool even in midsummer. The Märkisch-Oderland health department classifies the bathing area on Badstraße in the highest category; no blue-green algae blooms have ever been observed here, and cercariae are considered impossible. Another issue is significant: the water level is now approximately 1.63 meters below normal reservoir levels and continues to drop, by a good 37 centimeters this year alone. A feasibility study is examining whether water from the neighboring Kriensee could support the balance.

Lido, Free Sunbathing Lawns and a Cable Ferry from 1894

The municipal lido at Fichteplatz was closed for seven years due to falling water levels and reopened in 2026, initially with a non-swimmer area marked only by swimming lines. The diving tower and jetties were completely removed during the renovation of the shore stabilization; instead, a floating pool and a platform with a diving tower are planned. The 1925 bath still retains its original dimensions, complemented by 50 meters of sandy beach, two sunbathing lawns, and a platform lift that makes access to the water barrier-free. A day ticket costs 5 Euros. Free swimming is available at the sunbathing lawns on Badstraße, which feature two bathing jetties, a playground, and a barbecue area, or at the bathing spot in Kulturpark with a diving base and beach volleyball court. The most picturesque way to the other shore is provided by the Straussee ferry, an electric cable ferry that has been operating since 1894, is considered a technical monument, and covers 350 meters in seven minutes. A boathouse by the bath rents out rowboats, pedal boats, and paddleboards.