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In this city, we’re all about spending as much time in the sun as possible – while we have it, that is. To help you get the most out of the summer season, we’ve rounded up Berlin’s best outdoor swimming pools. From kid-friendly favourites, to an athletic swimmer’s dream, and of course the perfect place for a cocktail at the pool.
Sommerbad am Insulaner
Right around the corner from the popular William-Foerster-Observatory and open-air Shakespeare Company theatre in Steglitz, you’ll find Sommerbad Insulaner. This spot is equipped with a 50-metre pool, diving area, massive water slide and plenty of shaded area surrounding the pool. It’s also slightly off the beaten track, and a top tip for those wishing to avoid the crowds at some of Berlin’s busier public pools.
- Sommerbad am Insulaner, access via Munsterdamm 80, Steglitz, details.
- Admission: €5.50 standard fair. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office until 10am daily, after which you’ll need to buy them online here.
Sommerbad Kreuzberg – Prinzenbad
Better known as ‘Prinzenbad’, this pool is a meeting place for all Kreuzberg bathing enthusiasts: from dive-bombing kids to grannies with their bathing caps. If you want to swim undisturbed, you should stop by in the early morning before the crowds arrive. Due to construction, only one of the 50-metre pools will be open this summer, so expect capacity to be limited.
- Sommerbad Kreuzberg – Prinzenbad, Prinzenstr. 113-119, Kreuzberg, details.
- Admission: Reduced to €3.15 due to partial closure. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office until 10am daily, after which you’ll need to buy them online here.
Sommerbad Neukölln – Columbiabad
Sommerbad Neukölln – sometimes called Columbiabad – is packed in the summer. Regular swimmers do laps in the sports pool while families relax on the spacious lawn. The ten-metre diving tower and 80-metre slide are undoubtedly the main attractions, so good luck getting the kids out. If you get hungry, all the classic swimming pool snacks are available. Just remember: construction over the 2024 summer season means that the 50-metre sports pool will be closed.
- Sommerbad Neukölln, Columbiadamm 160, Neukölln, details.
- Admission: Reduced to €3.15 due to partial closure. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office until 10am daily, after which you’ll need to buy them online here.
Sommerbad Humboldthain
During school summer holidays, there’s lots of action across Berlin’s outdoor pools. This is especially true for Humboldthain. The 50-metre pool, the shallow pool with slide and the paddling pool for toddlers are usually crowded. Those afraid of sunburn should arrive early and secure a shady spot under the tall plane trees on the sunbathing lawn, as much of the space around the pool is uncovered. A tip for those with cultural inclinations: the pool’s Tropez snack bar not only serves tasty snacks but also organises art exhibitions, performances and workshops.
- Sommerbad Humboldthain, Wiesenstr. 1, Wedding, details.
- Admission: €4.95 standard fair. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office until 10am Tuesday-Sunday and until 12pm on Mondays, after which you’ll need to buy them online here.
Sommerbad Pankow
Berlin’s largest Sommerbad offers everything you could imagine in a swimming facility which sprawls over 100,000 square metres. Several slides – including a high-speed chute – as well as an adventure pool with artificial current make this every kid’s dream. For the landlubbers, there’s plenty of room to kick a football or throw a frisbee. Sommerbad Pankow also offers a separate nudist area on the sunbathing lawn, if you’re that way inclined.
- Sommerbad Pankow, Wolfshagener Str. 91-93, Pankow, details.
- Admission: €4.95 standard fair. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office until 10am daily, after which you’ll need to buy them online here.
Sommerbad Wilmersdorf
If you know why this outdoor pool is called ‘Lochowbad‘ you’ve officially passed the Berlin test! This is where Wilmersdorfers, Charlottenburgers and Schönebergers of all ages go to enjoy the sun. Usually filled with kids jumping from the ten-metre tower into the diving pool and sporty types doing laps in the 50-metre pool, there are also various child-friendly paddling pools to splash around in. You can also make use of the badminton courts and trampolines if you don’t feel like getting wet.
- Sommerbad Wilmersdorf, Forckenbeckstr. 14, Wilmersdorf, details.
- Admission: €4.95 standard fair. Tickets can be bought in-person at the ticket office or online here any time.
Kombibad Seestraße
The lowkey Kombibad Seestraße is popular among residents of Wedding as a place to cool off on hot days. The indoor pool is closed in summer, but the outdoor area is open with a heated 50-metre pool and shallower pool, diving board and children’s slide. A large sunbathing lawn with kid’s playground and sports area completes the outdoor pool experience. Just bear in mind: Kombibad Seestraße will be completely closed for maintenance from 15 July to 18 August 2024.
- Kombibad Seestraße, Seestr. 80, Wedding, details.
- Admission: €4.95 standard fair. Tickets can be bought in-person at the ticket office or online here any time.
Kinderbad Monbijou
Despite its central location next to Museum Island, things are surprisingly quiet in this children’s pool. The little ones can play in the paddling pool, while the slightly bigger ones can try their first swim in the non-swimmer pool, which is max. 1.30 metres deep. And if your children already have the Seepferdchen-badge, they can swim without the supervision of their parents, leaving the adults to relax on the lawn and enjoy the sun’s rays. Ice cream, snacks and drinks are also available here.
- Kinderbad Monbijou, Oranienburger Str. 78, Mitte, details.
- Admission: €5.50 standard fair. Tickets can only be bought in-person at the ticket office. Adults only admitted when accompanying a child.
Haubentaucher
The centrepiece Haubentaucher is the 240-square-metre heated pool – it’s certainly a more luxurious alternative to Berlin’s public pools (with a price tag to match). After grabbing a cool drink from the bar, you can relax under palm fronds in a sun lounger on the deck. An urban oasis in the middle of the busy RAW-Gelände and a great way to cool off before heading out for the evening. Be sure to check their website and Instagram for special events and opening times.
- Haubentaucher, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, details.
- Admission: €20 (including 2 drink tickets) during the week, €30 (including 3 drink tickets) during the weekend.
Badeschiff
This has to be one of the most unique outdoor bathing spots in Berlin. The privately operated pool-in-the-Spree is less about swimming than about chilling out in an ultra-cool location. Popular with tourists and Berliners after a night out, you might recognise someone from the club last night. There’s also a beach bar for added holiday vibes – but don’t try to bring your own drinks. Yoga classes are also offered regularly on the beach, and you can rent SUP boards for paddling on the Spree. There are also live concerts now and again.