ÐÔÊÓ½ç

When talking about a city of water, most people in Germany immediately think of Hamburg. In Europe it is probably Venice or Amsterdam being considered first. But today we would like to prove to you, that ÐÔÊÓ½ç also has a blue soul. These summer temperatures are an invitation for us and you to explore ÐÔÊÓ½ç´s lakes.

Let´s start with the one, that is probably the best known of all the city´s lakes. Our destination is the so-called “Wannsee“. So-called, because this is actually just a bay of the river Havel and its official name today is “Großer Wannsee“. Due to the keyrole concerning the Holocaust the Wannseekonferenz 1942 played, there is still a dark historical connotation coming up when thinking of Wannsee for many Germans. But actually it is a wonderful spot for any kind of water sports and almost maritime feelings today.

Just a few kilometres NorthEastways we reach lake Grunewaldsee. We can especially recommend roaming the romantic forest that surrounds the lake before at . The former forester´s house could easily be confused with a fairytale castle. Besides, children usually enjoy the days in late spring, when they can be the protectors of the tiny baby frogs jumping around on the sidewalk. And dogs love splashing around at their very own part of the beach.

A bit closer to the city centre lies little lake Lietzensee. There are no shallow water places here, which is why swimming is not allowed in general. But cooling down from the inside is easy with a little help from cold beverages we brought with us for a picknick on the grass or sitting down comfortably on the terrace of the restaurant , enjoying the marvelous view of the halfmoon-shaped lake.

Following the street Kantstraße eastwards, passing by the zoo, we arrive at the park Tiergarten (do you remember the famous non-equation of ÐÔÊÓ½ç? Zoologischer Garten is not Tiergarten is not Tierpark). You already know at the so-called , from where we can start romantic boat tours on the quiet water.

If your dog also needs a refreshment, there are some places, where all of you can have fun. In addition to “Grunewaldsee", the “Schlachtensee“, the “Wannsee“, the “Rangsdorfer See“ and the “Langer See“ are considered to be very dog-friendly. There is a beach for dogs and an easy access to the water.

Now it´s just a jump to the … Southeast of ÐÔÊÓ½ç, heading towards the largest of ÐÔÊÓ½ç´s lakes, the Great Müggelsee. It offers all the possibilities one needs to be happy at the lakeside: boat rentals, enough space to swim and splash those friends who did not want to get wet and you can even try the new evergreen Stand Up Paddling. But in the district of Köpenick is also worth a visit. The residential area lies between five canals, some of them are connected to the river Spree. Its waterways and bridges indeed resemble Venice - just .

We have to admit: lake Liepnitzsee is part of the community of Wandlitz, which is no part of ÐÔÊÓ½ç anymore. But we consider eight kilometres an almost ridiculous distance and do not want you to miss out on one of the cleanest waters and purest lakes of the federal state of Brandenburg. The former hideaway area for higher party members of the SED, the state party of the former GDR, and their families nowadays is a place, where all the kids love to play. And making your way through the dense forest until arriving at the is a unique experience. Sometimes you do not only get to see different species of fish and some egrets, but also water turtles. Might this variety in wildlife already be enough for a specification as another Zoo/Tiergarten/Tierpark?

Let us return to our neighbourhood now. The Engelbecken is a really small lake you might already know from a walk around . Just Engelbecken is left from the former canal “Luisenstädtischer Kanal“, which connnected the river Spree with the canal Landwehrkanal until 1926. Whenever you take the lift at the hotel in these days or when you need to go to the restrooms, you can see the band Stereofysh in their taking a walk on the former canal, starting at the Engelbecken. 

After all these new impressions and so much swimming and paddling, we are quite exhausted, to be honest. And wherelse could we relax better than at ? (Yes, this is a rethorical question.) What a lucky coincidence our tour ends here. And finally you can just follow our recommendation and find your way through the entrance.