Just sitting by the water and letting your gaze wander into the distance is something you can do especially well in Berlin. Rivers such as the Spree and Havel, canals and of course the many lakes invite you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, take a break on a bike tour or spend a relaxing afternoon by the water.
Whether a hidden oasis in the middle of the city or a beach by the lake, be surprised by the variety of the most beautiful places by the water.
By the way, in our Berlin swimming map you will find tips for the Berlin lakes and how to get there best.
Tip 1: Kolonnaden Bar
The Kolonnaden Bar will reopen in August directly on the Spree, romantically located on Museum Island. It will be located in the Kolonnadenhof of the Alte Nationalgalerie. With a panoramic view of the Spree and the TV tower, you can enjoy talks, DJ sets and cool drinks. Every Thursday there is a cultural programme
When: 1 August - 1 September. September, Thursday - Saturday 4 - 10 pm, Sunday 4 - 8 pm
Where: Colonnade Courtyard of the Old National Gallery, Museum Island, Mitte
Tip 2: Behind the Haus der Kulturen der Welt on the Spree
The river Spree runs through the middle of the city and offers many great places for a coffee on the riverbank in the Nikolaiviertel, a break at the romantic Museum Island and many other places where you can watch the boats on the Spree.
A little hidden but very idyllic is the riverside behind the House of World Cultures. Here you can also visit the café or get on one of the excursion steamers and sail along the Spree along the sights. You can find even more places along the Spree in our blog.
More about the 11 most beautiful summery places on the Spree
Tip 3: Behind the Flensburger Löwen at Wannsee
The Strandbad Wannsee is one of the most popular excursion tips in Berlin in summer. Here you can make yourself comfortable all day on the white beach, jump into the Wannsee and look out over the water.
But also on the other side of the Wannsee you can enjoy a great view of the water. Perfect for a bike tour with lake view is the opposite side with the Düppeler Forst. Behind the imposing statue of the Flensburg Lion (Flensburger Löwe) and at the many bathing spots along the shore it is worth a stop.
Tip 4: The Havelhöhenweg
A little more hidden are the beautiful places along the river Havel, which also offer you a wonderful view over the Havel landscape. On a hike along the Havelhöhenweg you can let your gaze wander far and wide. It's best to take a tasty picnic with you and take a long break at the Schildhorn or Lieper Bucht.
Tip 5: Müggelsee
Berlin's largest lake: When you stand on the shore here, all you see is water and sky and you almost feel like you are at the sea. Take a trip to the south of Berlin for a bike tour around the Müggelsee or a boat tour on the water. Or tie up your hiking boots for a hike with breathtaking views: Our tip: Stop at the Rübezahl beer garden and sit down by the water.
Tip 6: Rummelsburger Bucht
The perfect place for all fans of the GDR cult classic The Legend of Paul and Paula is the Rummelsburg Bay. Here you can sit on a bench on the Paul-und-Paula-Ufer and imagine that the barge with the two of them docks right away. The Rummelsburger Bucht is also a nice destination for a long walk with water view.
More about Rummelsburger Bucht
Tip 7: Landwehrkanal
If you can't or don't want to go far out, Berlin has many green oases by the water, even in the middle of the city. Besides the Spree, the Landwehrkanal is one of the city's central waterways. You can sit down on the banks, stop off for a walk through the Tiergarten or let the day slowly pass into the evening.
Tip 8: Spandau and river Havel
Spandau is located directly on the Havel, so it has countless beautiful places by the water. The famous Spandau Citadel is a good starting point for a bicycle tour always along the water with numerous bathing places and hidden romantic views. At some point you might reach the Tegeler See ...
Tip 9: Tegeler See
And so our next tip. The Tegeler See is located near the Tegeler Forst, which means you have forest and water together for a relaxing trip. Or you can stroll along the Greenwichpromenade and sit down in one of the cafés with lake view. Here you will also find the berths of the Berlin shipping companies, if you feel like a boat trip.
Tip 10: Weißer See
Not far away from busy streets and the roar of the big city, but in a completely different world lies the lake Weißer See, which gave the district its name. It is surrounded by parks and green spaces. So make yourself comfortable in the lido, in the park on the shore or in the legendary café Milchhäuschen and marvel at the fountain in the middle of the lake.
Tip 11: Deck of a restaurant ship
You want to spend the evening by the water and with a delicious meal? Then visit one of the restaurant ships, where you can dine on deck and watch the sunset on the water. A beloved classic is the Alte Liebe on the Havel in Charlottenburg. Delicious fish is served on the Capt'n Schillow ship in Tiergarten. The restaurant ship van Loon has anchored directly in the Kreuzberg district.
