We all felt it. Lake season in Berlin is much too short. But outside of those idyllic months when you can jump on the S-Bahn and reach a beautifully shaded swimming spot in half an hour, swimmers in Berlin can get their fix of the watery part of the world in some quite stunning public pools.
Do you want to take a serious swim, or just hang out in the water? Practice diving, or taking your kid to play in artificial waves? We’ve gone to the trouble of rating Berlin’s pools for attractiveness, fun and “swimmability” (by which we mean, whether or not you get a proper swim in). So which is the right pool for you?
Wellenbad am Spreewaldplatz
Attractiveness ★★★
Fun ★★★★★
Swimmability ★★
This pool’s distinguishing feature is that it is Berlin’s only(!) public swimming pool with artificial waves. Every half hour, the bell rings and Kreuzberg briefly transforms into the Atlantic coast. While more serious swimmers might get frustrated with the crowds, there’s something for everyone at this spot. Additional baby and kids’ pools, paddling pools, water animals to play with, a slide, and springboards. Remember to check ther website, though, as the Wellenbad is quite often closed for renovations.
- Wellenbad am Spreewaldplatz, Wiener Str. 59H, Kreuzberg, details.
Stadtbad Neukölln
Attractiveness ★★★★★
Fun ★★★
Swimmability ★★
Built in the Wilhelmine Period (between 1890 and 1918), this beautiful space features two separate pools set along colonnades and mosaics. Architecturally inspired by ancient Roman baths, the 25-metre pool might not be the right choice for swimmers with great athletic ambitions. It’s much more suitable for aesthetes keen to float and gaze up at the building’s stunning interior.
Look out for their Specials, like women-only swimming days, all-nude bathing on Sundays and Monday evenings and midnight swims during winter, when the pool is open from 19:00 – 01:00 on the last Friday of the month.
- Stadtbad Neukölln, Ganghoferstr. 3, Neukölln, details.
Schwimm und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark
Attractiveness ★★
Fun ★★
Swimmability ★★★★
The pool at Europasportpark has a 50-metre pool with four separate lanes (one that’s shallow enough to stand in and has its own kiddies’ slide). Its warm baby pool makes the spot a popular swimming location for families. Sadly, the impressive diving area is reserved for competitive athletes and sport clubs only, but it makes for some excellent entertainment while you bob around in the water.
- Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europapark, Paul-Heyse-Str. 26, Friedrichshain, details.
Schwimmhalle Ernst-Thälmann-Park
Attractiveness ★★
Fun ★★
Swimmability ★★★
Although the 25-metre pool at Schwimmhalle Ernst-Thälmann-Park can see some serious crowds in the morning, it’s a go-to spot for lane-swimming if you get your timing right. There’s a baby pool available for toddlers, but unfortunately no paddling pool for those who are still leaning to swim.
- Schwimmhalle Ernst-Thälmann-Park, Lilli-Henoch-Str. 20, Prenzlauer Berg, details.
Kombibad Seestraße
Attractiveness ★★★
Fun ★★
Swimmability ★★★★
With its impressive air-supported dome structure, swimming in Wedding’s Kombibad is a unique experience. The dome, which covers two 50-meter-long pools provides a heated cover, making the pools accessible during the colder months.
- Kombibad Seestraße, Seestr. 80, Wedding, details.
Stadtbad Mitte “James Simon”
Attractiveness ★★★★
Fun ★★
Swimmability ★★★★★
This is one of the best. An architectural highlight from Berlin’s Weimar days, the light-filled space boasts six lanes (two of which are reserved for athletes). It’s the perfect spot for some relaxing lane-swimming, but try to avoid the busy mornings if you want a whole lane to yourself.
- Stadtbad Mitte “James Simon”, Gartenstr. 5, Mitte, details.
Stadtbad Charlottenburg (Alte Halle)
Attractiveness ★★★★★
Fun ★★
Swimmability ★★
Opened in 1898, the Stadtbad Charlottenburg is Berlin’s oldest still-functioning pool. During the week, it’s only open to the public in the morning and in the afternoon, but not during the weekends, the pool is reserved for schools and sport clubs. With no lane divisions, it’s not the ideal spot for proper athletic swimming, but its stunning interior makes for a nice view while you’re floating about.
- Stadtbad Charlottenburg (Alte Halle), Krumme Str. 10, Charlottenburg, details.
Kombibad Gropiusstadt
Attractiveness ★★
Fun ★★★
Swimmability ★★★★
The kid-friendly Kombibad at Gropiusstadt can get pretty loud, but you shouldn’t write it off entirely. With a paddling pool, diving area and kids’ slide, this often-busy spot has ample facilities for the crowds.
- Kombibad Gropiusstadt, Lipschitzallee 27-33, Neukölln, details.
Schwimmhalle Finckensteinallee
Attractiveness ★★★★
Fun ★
Swimmability ★★★★★
The pool at Finckensteinallee is the hidden gem of athletic swimmers. The 50-metre pool with its ten(!) lanes offer lots of space for sporty swimming, especially on weekends. Since there aren’t any paddling pool facilities, it’s not the most kid-friendly location – which is a plus if you’re looking for a calm weekend workout.
- Schwimmhalle Finckensteinallee, Finckensteinallee 73, Lichterfelde, details.
Stadtbad Schöneberg “Hans Rosenthal”
Attractiveness ★★★★
Fun ★★★★★
Swimmability ★★★
Without a doubt, the main attraction of this pool is its 53-metre-long slide. There are also toddler and paddling pools, a jet-stream and whirlpool, as well as saltwater pools. The 25-metre pool with three-metre high diving boards covers the basics for the more athletic swimmers.
- Stadtbad Schöneberg “Hans Rosenthal”, Hauptstr. 39, Schöneberg, details.
