Berlin in summer: lakes, the River Spree and Wannsee
Summer in the city
Open-air cinema in Hasenheide
Until the end of September, as dusk falls, the will be screening the latest films, cult classics and indie productions. The Hasenheide Open-Air Cinema is a Berlin institution: the venue, situated in Hasenheide Park between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, was built in the 1950s and is a listed building.
Federal Government Open Day
A special opportunity awaits visitors to Berlin in mid-June. Over the weekend of 20 and 21 June 2026, the Federal Government will be offering a glimpse behind the scenes. Citizens with an interest in politics can get to know the Federal Chancellery, the Press and Information Office and the 14 federal ministries during the open day.
Long Night of the Museums in Berlin
For one night at the end of August (28 August 2027), Berlin’s museums will also be open in the evening. Just under 100 museums will be welcoming night owls with a single ticket granting access to exhibitions, workshops and installations. Special shuttle buses will connect the various venues; those who wish can go museum-hopping on their own using public transport or by bike.
Swimming lakes near Berlin and a chance to cool off in the city
Fancy cooling off a bit? Berlin’s shady parks, boat trips on the Spree or trips by rubber dinghy and canoe on the Landwehr Canal are just the thing. There are plenty of bodies of water in and around Berlin offering a refreshing dip – so it’s worth packing your swimwear even on a city break. One of the lovely spots is Rummelsburger Bucht near Friedrichshain. You can stay dry on restaurant boats such as the ‘Alte Liebe’ on the River Havel in Charlottenburg or the ‘van Loon’ in Kreuzberg. If the river and canal aren’t enough, a trip from Berlin to the Wannsee is well worth it.
Wannsee Beach: out into the countryside
Famous, notorious and brimming with Berlin’s summer hustle and bustle: the Wannsee is every bit as good as the capital itself. Historically, the lake has played an important role, and over the centuries it has attracted artists and prominent figures. Today, the Wannsee remains one of the top destinations for Berliners looking to get out into the countryside. The distance from Berlin to the Wannsee is around 20 kilometres. It can get quite lively here on summer weekends, but you can often still find a quiet spot. Our favourite places:
- Strandbad Wannsee: One of the largest open-air swimming pools on an inland body of water in Europe – with over a kilometre of sandy beach.
- Pfaueninsel: This landscape park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as the palace, you can spot peacocks roaming freely.
- Liebermann Villa: The summer home of the artist Max Liebermann displays paintings and, with its garden and museum café, invites you to linger.
From Berlin to Wannsee
- Public transport: It takes around 20 minutes to get from Berlin to Wannsee: Public transport is the quickest option. Take the S7 from Zoologischer Garten station to the Nikolassee stop without having to change trains. This is a quick route if you’re heading to places such as the Wannsee lido by S-Bahn.
- Car: The journey from Berlin to Wannsee by car takes just over 30 minutes. The A115 takes you directly from our hotel in Berlin to Wannsee. If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can also take a taxi. Parking at Wannsee can be tricky, especially at the weekend.
- Cycle: The Motel One Berlin-Ku’damm and the Motel One Berlin-Upper West are close enough to Wannsee to make a trip by bike a viable option. The Berlin-Wannsee cycle route RR1 leads out of the city into the countryside – and the water. Sightseeing included: from Volkspark Schöneberg, the route takes you to Domäne Dahlem, Berlin’s first farm with an underground connection, then on via Mexikoplatz to Nikolassee.
and are right in the heart of it all; you can also get to other neighbourhoods quickly by public transport. The Zoologischer Garten S-Bahn and U-Bahn station is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotels and offers good connections in all directions. This makes exploring Berlin in the summer particularly easy.