When I first moved to Berlin, I thought, โThereโs no sea hereโso no chance of going to the beach.โ But soon I discovered something surprising: the city is surrounded by lakes, and many of them have beaches! ๐ It was such a delightful revelation.
In Germany, these lake beaches are called Strandbad โฑ๏ธ, and the best part is that you can reach many of them easily by train. Without having to go on vacation, you can enjoy that carefree summer feeling right here in the city. And unlike the sea, lake water doesnโt leave your skin sticky with saltโanother big plus.๐ฉท
Today, Iโd love to share two Strandbad that my family has been visiting almost every summer. Both are easy to reach by train and truly feel like oases in the middle of Berlin.
Strandbad Wannsee๐๏ธ
Located on the western side of Berlin, just before Potsdam, Wannsee is one of the cityโs most famous beaches. Thereโs a small entrance fee, but what you get in return is an expansive, beautifully maintained beach that feels quintessentially Berlin.
The first thing that caught my eye when I visited was the row of white benches covered in blue-and-white striped fabric. They looked so stylish, almost as if I had stepped into a seaside resort somewhere in southern Europe!
The beach is enormous, with space for activities like table tennis ๐ and even giant outdoor chessโ๏ธ. And of course, you canโt miss enjoying a Currywurst with a cold beer from the snack standโitโs the taste of summer in Berlin. With changing rooms and other facilities, you can easily spend the whole day here.
Looking back at its history, Wannsee first opened as a public bathing beach in 1907, and in 1929โ30, the modernist buildings that still stand today were added. During the Cold War, it became a beloved substitute for the sea for West Berliners, who could no longer travel freely. To this day, it remains one of Berlinโs iconic summer destinations. No wonder my German teacher once recommended it to meโand just recently I found myself chatting with Berliners about their own memories of Wannsee beach ๐.
Strandbad Jungfernheide ๐๏ธ
In recent years, though, our family has often chosen a smaller, more intimate beach: Strandbad Jungfernheide, located close to Berlinโs city center. Unlike the vast Wannsee, this Strandbad has a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. It really feels like a โbeach in the city.โ
The area also has a long history. Once a royal hunting ground, the Jungfernheide forest was turned into a public park in 1904. By the 1920s and 30s, it had been expanded with a lake, a small beach, playgrounds, and even an open-air theater. Today, this hidden green space still offers Berliners a refreshing escape without leaving town.
A few years ago, there were even water activities like banana boats, which my husband and kids enjoyed with great excitement.
One of my fondest memories here, however, is from our very first visit. A French friendโanother mother from my childโs schoolโbrought along a picnic lunch: a homemade zucchini flan with fresh vegetable sticks and yogurt dip. Light, refreshing, and so elegant, it was the perfect dish for a hot summer day. As a Japanese newcomer, I found it such a fresh idea! โจ She kindly shared the recipe, and ever since then, zucchini flan has become a summertime favorite in our family ๐ especially for my eldest daughter.๐
A Berlin Summer at the Strandbadโ๏ธ
Everyone has their own way of enjoying the Strandbad. Some people relax with a book, children splash happily in the shallows, groups play beach volleyball, and others simply swim or stretch out on the grass. Itโs this mix of carefree activities that makes the Strandbad such a unique summer haven.
For me, Berlin summers are made special by these simple moments by the lake. This year, sadly, the cooler weather kept us awayโbut Iโm already looking forward to next summer.
And since food is always part of my memories, let me leave you with two tastes of Berlinโs lake beaches: Currywurst and zucchini flan. Why not try them at home and bring a little Strandbad spirit into your kitchen?
๐ Currywurst-style recipe here: Currywurst โ Grilled sausage and tomato curry sauce served with fries
๐ Zucchini flan recipe here: French Zucchini Flan with Homemade Tomato Sauce
