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Value: What Berlin is really like

Lakes & Swimming Lakes in Berlin

Small escapes in the middle of the city

Lakes in Berlin are one of the city’s most underrated highlights. Surrounded by forests, clear water, and hidden shores, Berlin offers a unique mix of nature and urban life that many visitors don’t expect.

Where can you swim or go to a lake in Berlin?

Berlin has over 60 lakes, many of them just minutes from the city center. Popular spots include Wannsee, Müggelsee, Schlachtensee, and Krumme Lanke – places where locals swim, relax, and escape the city during summer.

Foto von einem Kajak mit mehreren Personen im Wannsee in Berlin

Alright, friends,

in this article, we explore Berlin’s unique lake landscape, how many of its lakes were formed during the last ice age, and why they are still an important part of everyday life in the city.

I also share a few personal memories connected to Berlin’s lakes and introduce some of the most beautiful lakes and swimming lakes in Berlin from our guide — places where Berliners swim, relax, and escape the pace of the city during the summer.

Discover real Berlin →
Steg am Müggelsee in Berlin mit Wald im Hintergrund.

At first glance, Berlin may seem like a city of concrete, streets, and old apartment blocks. But beneath the surface, Berlin is actually a landscape shaped by water and forests. Many of the lakes in Berlin date back to the last ice age.

As the glaciers retreated, meltwater carved long channels and formed so-called kettle holes that later filled with water. This is how many of the lakes around Berlin were created.

Today, there are more than 60 lakes in and around Berlin, many of them connected by rivers such as the Spree, Havel, and Dahme. Some of these lakes even play a role in the city’s drinking water supply, as the water is naturally filtered through the sandy soil before it is processed in waterworks.

At the same time, Berlin’s lakes are something else entirely for locals: a place to escape the rhythm of the city. When the summer heat arrives, it often takes only a short S-Bahn ride or bike trip before you find yourself standing in the middle of a forest, ready to jump into the water. Many of the most popular swimming lakes in Berlin are surprisingly close to the city center.

Pflanzen an einem bekannten Badesee in Berlin

Swimming Lakes in Berlin

Many visitors are surprised by how many places there are to swim in the city. In fact, there are dozens of swimming lakes in Berlin, many of them just a short S-Bahn ride or bike trip away. Some of the most well-known include Wannsee, Müggelsee, Schlachtensee, and Krumme Lanke.

Especially during the summer, many Berliners spontaneously head to one of these lakes, jump into the water, and spend a few relaxed hours by the shore. This unique mix of big city life and easy access to nature is exactly what makes the lakes in Berlin so special.

Foto vom Wannsee bei gutem Wetter, im Hintergrund viele Bäume.

Summer at the Lakes in Berlin

For many Berliners, summer doesn’t begin with a holiday trip — it begins at the nearest lake. A bicycle with a towel hanging from the handlebars, a few drinks in the backpack, and then heading out of the city for a few hours by the water.

Some lakes are large and open, like Müggelsee, the biggest lake in Berlin. Others are hidden deep in the forest, like Schlachtensee in the southwest of the city. Wannsee, with its famous Strandbad, is one of the classic excursion spots, while lakes such as Tegeler See are especially popular with sailors and people taking long walks along the shore.

Many of these places feel like small escapes from the city. Few major European capitals have so many swimming lakes and natural lakes in Berlin located so close to the city center.

Most people experience Berlin the same way.
Sightseeing, long distances, endless Googling.
And in the end: they’ve seen a lot, but understood very little.

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Foto von oben auf den Müggelsee in Berlin.

Müggelsee

Müggelsee is the largest lake in Berlin and is located in the district of Treptow-Köpenick. The lake offers many leisure activities, from sailing and windsurfing to boat trips across the water. One of the most popular spots is Strandbad Müggelsee, one of the best-known bathing beaches in the city.

The shoreline is perfect for long walks, and on warm days the lake almost feels like a small sea in the middle of Berlin. For many locals, Müggelsee is one of the most iconic swimming lakes in Berlin.

Foto bei Sonnenuntergang vom Berliner Wannsee.

Wannsee

The Großer Wannsee is one of Berlin’s classic excursion destinations. Its famous Strandbad Wannsee is one of the largest open-air bathing beaches in Europe.

Sailors, stand-up paddlers, and cyclists use the wide water and the surrounding paths along the Havel.

Foto mit Schwänen auf dem Schlachtensee bei Sonnenschein.

Schlachtensee

Schlachtensee, located in Zehlendorf, is considered one of the clearest lakes in Berlin. Surrounded by forest, it is a popular spot for walks, jogging, or a quick swim on warm summer days.

One of the highlights is the circular path around the lake, which repeatedly opens up small swimming spots and quiet places right by the water.

Foto vom dicht bewachsenen Krumme Lanke See Berlin

Krumme Lanke

Krumme Lanke lies just a few minutes from Schlachtensee and is one of the quieter swimming lakes in southwest Berlin. The long, narrow lake is surrounded by dense forest and is especially popular with swimmers.

Many Berliners come here to swim a few laps or simply spend a calm afternoon by the water.

Ufer vom bekannten See in Berlin umgeben von Wald.

Teufelsee

Teufelsee, located in the Grunewald, is one of the most natural and untouched swimming lakes in Berlin. Surrounded by forest, it offers a particularly calm and peaceful atmosphere.

The lake is popular with walkers, nature lovers, and also with FKK bathers, and is considered one of the clearest lakes in Berlin.

Ufer mit enten am teufelsee.

Kaulsdorfer Seen (Kaula)

The Kaulsdorfer lakes, located in the eastern part of Berlin, feel noticeably quieter than many other swimming lakes in Berlin. Locals often simply call them “Kaula.”

The lakes lie between meadows and small patches of forest and are especially popular with walkers, anglers, and people who are simply looking for a little distance from the city’s busy pace. Two of the three lakes are protected natural areas.

Seeufer mit einer leeren Bank bei strahlendem Sonnenschein und guter Sicht.

My First Lakes in Berlin

When I was growing up in Friedrichshain, lakes honestly didn’t play a big role in my life. The closest water was the Spree, just a few minutes from my apartment. Only later did I realize how much the lakes in Berlin are actually part of the city.

While many school classes in Germany travel hundreds of kilometers for their school trips, we simply took the train to Wannsee — and stayed there for seven days. In a way, that’s very typical for Berlin.

Later, when I lived in Hellersdorf as a teenager, we often went to Biesdorfer See or the Kaulsdorfer lakes. From Friedrichshain we would also take the S-Bahn to Schlachtensee, to the Strandbad at Müggelsee, or again to Wannsee.

At the southern shore of Müggelsee there is also one of Berlin’s small geographical curiosities: the Müggelberge, rising to about 115 meters, the highest natural elevation in the city. From the Müggelturm, you get one of the best views over Berlin’s lake landscape.

See in berlin auf dem vögel landen.

More Than Just Lakes

Many of the things that make Berlin special are not classic tourist attractions. They are part of everyday life — places where people meet spontaneously, start a quick conversation, or simply sit by the water for a few minutes and let their eyes wander across the lake.

Moments like these are what shape the character of the city. Whether it’s street art on a wall, an abandoned place with history, or a spontaneous stop at a Späti in the neighborhood, Berlin lives from these small discoveries away from the well-known paths.

If you want to explore this side of the city more deeply, you’ll find many more Berlin insider tips and hidden places in our guide.

Berlin is not a tourist attraction. Berlin is a city.

See you in the real Berlin – or here in the next blog.

Take care 🖤

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Frequently asked questions about lakes and swimming lakes in Berlin

How many lakes are there in Berlin?

There are more than 60 lakes in and around Berlin, many of them formed during the last ice age. These lakes are connected by rivers such as the Spree, Havel, and Dahme, creating a unique landscape of water and forests within and around the city.

Can you swim in lakes in Berlin?

Yes, swimming in lakes is a normal part of everyday life in Berlin, especially during summer. Many lakes have designated bathing areas, while others allow more informal access along the shore.

Popular swimming lakes are often just a short S-Bahn ride or bike trip away, making them easily accessible even from the city center.

What are the best swimming lakes in Berlin?

Some of the most popular swimming lakes in Berlin include larger lakes with beaches as well as smaller, quieter spots surrounded by forest.

Well-known examples are Wannsee, Müggelsee, Schlachtensee, and Krumme Lanke, each offering a different atmosphere — from open water and beach areas to more hidden and natural swimming spots.

Which lakes in Berlin are recommended in this blog?

This blog highlights a curated selection of lakes and swimming lakes in Berlin, including:

– Müggelsee
– Wannsee
– Schlachtensee
– Krumme Lanke
– Teufelsee
– Kaulsdorfer Seen

…and many more inside our full Berlin guide.

These lakes represent different sides of Berlin’s landscape — from large open water areas to quiet, forest-surrounded swimming spots.

Check out our blogs on the history of Berlin.

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