Berlin has more bridges than Venice and more water than most visitors expect. Around six per cent of the city is lakes, rivers and canals. If you come in summer, plan for it – the city lives outdoors then.
The big lakes
Wannsee. The lido is one of the largest inland bathing areas in Europe, opened in 1907. Correspondingly busy on hot weekends. For quiet, walk a little further to Liebesinsel or take the ferry across to Pfaueninsel – there really are peacocks there, and no cars.
Müggelsee. Berlin’s largest lake, out east near Köpenick. Less bustle than Wannsee and more forest around it. Excursion boats leave from the old town of Köpenick.
Schlachtensee and Krumme Lanke. Narrow forest lakes in the south-west, each walkable around in under an hour. Popular for running and swimming, easy to reach on the U3.
Canals and the Spree
The Landwehrkanal runs right through Kreuzberg and Neukölln. On summer evenings hundreds of people sit by the water on Paul-Lincke-Ufer. Swimming there is officially not allowed and, given the water quality, not a good idea either.
A boat trip on the Spree from the Nikolaiviertel is touristy, but the view of the government quarter and Museum Island from the water genuinely is worth it.
Tempelhofer Feld
Not water, but the largest open space in the city: the disused Tempelhof airport, a public park since 2010. Two runways used for skating, kiting and barbecuing. Berliners voted in a referendum to keep it free of buildings. At sunset, one of the better places in the city.