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Wannsee has long been a popular destination for Berliners, and it is well worth visiting Strandbad Wannsee. Europe’s largest inland beach, it attracts some 40,000 visitors a day who sunbathe on its beautifully white, artificial beach and swim in the lake. This is also a great place for people-watching, and in the summer you will see yachts, wind surfers and jet skis. In the middle of the large lake is Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island), which can be reached on the whale-shaped “Moby Dick” ferry.

The dark green waters of the Devils’ Lake may conjure up evil, yet this is actually one of Berlin’s cleanest lakes. It is also one of the most relaxed and easy-going places – nudists, gay Berliners and dog lovers enjoy peace and tranquillity on the reed-covered banks in the middle of the Grunewald woods.

Covering 766 ha (1,900 acres), Berlin’s largest lake is situated in the far southeast of the city. Berliners have nicknamed it the “large bathtub” – a good description, for thousands of Berliners congregate here in the heat of summer for a refreshing dip. You can also row, sail or surf on the lake (see Berlin’s Southeast) .

After Wannsee, Schlachtensee is the second most popular lake in Berlin. The small, elongated lake attracts mainly young people. To avoid the crowds on the sunbathing lawn right next to Schlachtensee S-Bahn station, just follow the embankment path around to the right. There you will find many small and slightly concealed green spaces perfect for sunseekers. The best time to go is during the week.

One of Berlin’s many epithets is that of “Athens on the Spree”, so named because of its cultural heritage and the slowly meandering river. In total, the Spree measures 398 km (249 miles), of which 46 km (29 miles) run through Berlin. Its banks are attractive for rest and recreation, and guided boat tours, romantic evening cruises and walks along the riverside are pleasant ways to spend the day.

The Bohemian population of Charlottenburg considers this their “local lake”. It is not suitable for swimming, but idyllic meadows around the lake are ideally suited for sunbathing and snoozing. The shaded lakeside walks in the middle of the city are also popular with dog owners. In the evening, the few cafés on the east side offer a great view of the illuminated Funkturm.

Although Krumme Lanke is commonly thought not to be clean enough for bathing, some people now think otherwise. In fact, it seems cleaner (though also colder) than the water in Schlachtensee.

Built in 1845–50, this is Berlin’s oldest artificial waterway. The canal connects the Upper and the Lower Spree, running east to west through the western part of the centre. Take a boat trip along the canal and you will see some of Berlin’s most attractive bridges. At some places, it is possible to lie on the green banks of the canal in the middle of the city, for example at the Paul-Lincke-Ufer in Kreuzberg.

The northernmost lake in Berlin is situated in an elegant residential area. A particularly attractive walk is Greenwich Promenade, from Tegeler Hafen (harbour) to Schwarzer Weg. A small, slightly hidden lakeside path leads from here to the other side of the lake and to a peninsula. Here stands the Villa Borsig, built in 1905 for a family of industrialists. Today it is owned by a foundation and is closed to the public. If you continue southward along Schwarzer Weg, you will get to the Tegeler See lido.

Visitors will be surprised to discover the tranquil New Lake in the middle of the city, well hidden at the western end of the vast Großer Tiergarten park. On its banks is the Café am Neuen See (see Restaurants & Cafés) . A boat trip or a walk around the lake is a pleasant way to while away the day.