Berlin’s Top 10 : Lakes, Rivers & Canals

Großer Wannsee

Wannsee
has long been a popular destination for Berliners, and it is well worth
visiting Strandbad Wannsee. Europe’s largest inland beach, it attracts
some 40,000 visitors a day who sunbathe on its beautifully white,
artificial beach and swim in the lake. This is also a great place for
people-watching, and in the summer you will see yachts, wind surfers and
jet skis. In the middle of the large lake is Pfaueninsel (Peacock
Island), which can be reached ferry.

• Am Großen Wannsee

Teufelssee

The
dark green waters of the Devils’ Lake may conjure up evil, yet this is
actually one of Berlin’s cleanest lakes. It is also one of the most
relaxed and easy-going places – nudists, gay Berliners and dog lovers
enjoy peace and tranquillity on the reed-covered banks in the middle of
the Grunewald woods.

• Teufelsberg, Grunewald

Großer Müggelsee

Covering
766ha (1,900 acres), Berlin’s largest lake, situated in the far
southeast of the city, is up to 8 metres (26 feet) deep. Berliners have
nicknamed it the “large bathtub” – a good description, for thousands of
Berliners congregate here in the heat of summer for a refreshing dip.
You can also row, sail or surf on the lake.

Schlachtensee

After
Wannsee, Schlachtensee is the second most popular lake in Berlin. The
small, elongated lake attracts mainly young people. To avoid the crowds
on the sunbathing lawn right next to Schlachtensee S-Bahn station, just
follow the embankment path around to the right. There you will find many
small and slightly concealed green spaces perfect for sunseekers. The
best time to go is during the week.

• Am Schlachtensee

Spree River

One
of Berlin’s many epithets is that of “Athens on the Spree”, so named
because of its cultural heritage and the slowly meandering river. In
total, the Spree measures 398 km (249 miles), of which 46 km (29 miles)
run through Berlin. Its banks are attractive for rest and recreation,
and guided boat tours, romantic evening cruises and walks along the
riverside are pleasant ways to spend the day.

• Mitte, Tiergarten

Lietzensee

The
Bohemian population of Charlottenburg considers this their “local
lake”. It is not suitable for swimming, but idyllic meadows around the
lake are ideally suited for sunbathing and snoozing. The shaded lakeside
walks in the middle of the city are also popular with dog owners. In
the evening, the few cafés on the east side offer a great view of the
illuminated Funkturm.

• Am Kaiserdamm

Krumme Lanke

Although
Krumme Lanke is commonly thought not to be clean enough for bathing,
some people now think otherwise. In fact, it seems cleaner (though also
colder) than the water in Schlachtensee.

• Am Fischerhüttenweg

Landwehrkanal

Built
in 1845–50, this is Berlin’s oldest artificial waterway. The canal
connects the Upper and the Lower Spree, running east to west through the
western part of the centre. Take a boat trip along the canal and you
will see some of Berlin’s most attractive bridges. At some places, it is
possible to lie on the green banks of the canal in the middle of the
city, for example at the Paul-Lincke-Ufer in Kreuzberg.

• Lützowplatz

Tegeler See

The
northernmost lake in Berlin is situated in an elegant residential area.
A particularly attractive walk is Greenwich Promenade, from Tegeler
Hafen (harbour) to Schwarzer Weg. A small, slightly hidden lakeside path
leads from here to the other side of the lake and to a peninsula. Here
stands the Villa Borsig, built in 1905 for a family of industrialists.
Today it is owned by a foundation and is closed to the public. If you
continue southward along Schwarzer Weg, you will get to the Tegeler See
lido.

• Alt-Tegel

Neuer See

Visitors
will be surprised to discover the tranquil New Lake in the middle of
the city, well hidden at the western end of the vast Großer Tiergarten
park. On its banks is the Café am Neuen See. A boat trip or a walk around the lake is a pleasant way to while an afternoon.

• Großer Tiergarten