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Best beaches in and near Berlin
Germany is a country renowned for its history, culture and food, with millions of tourists visiting each year. In fact, in 2024, Germany recorded 433 million overnight stays, beating records from 2019. And while destinations like Cologne, Munich, and of course Berlin get the most attention, there’s more to explore beyond these cities.
Germany is also home to stunning natural landscapes like the Black Forest or the Bavarian Alps. But did you know it also has many stunning beaches? With coastlines along the Baltic and North seas, exploring Germany’s beaches is a great way for summer visitors to get a taste of the natural beauty this country is known for.
Discover the most popular destinations
But it’s not just visitors from abroad who might want to explore Germany’s lesser-known coasts. According to stats from TUI, 25% of Germans are planning vacations within the country in 2025. As part of these insights, locations like the Baltic Sea and North Sea came out as popular destinations, showcasing an appetite for beach-based vacations.
Luckily, you don’t have to choose between a city or a beach break. We analysed beaches within and near Germany’s buzzy capital to help Berliners and visitors alike enjoy the best of both worlds. By looking into metrics such as distance, monthly search volume, Instagram hashtags, and TripAdvisor review numbers we revealed the top beach and waterside spots in the city or nearby so you can plan a summer trip that includes taking in Germany’s cultural highlights and natural wonders. Keep reading to find the best beaches to visit in and near Berlin.
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Beaches close to Berlin
Berlin is a vibrant capital city with plenty to see and do. But, whether you’re a local or a visitor, during the summer, nothing quite beats a day at the beach.
Despite being a landlocked city, there are still plenty of options for those who want to spend some time by the water and take in the great outdoors. Lakeside and riverside beaches, man-made lidos and outdoor pools are all within easy reach of the city, ideal for residents looking to escape daily life or visitors who want to experience the natural beauty Germany is known for without travelling too far.
To help you plan a Berlin beach day, we’ve analysed 20 “beaches” near the city and ranked them on a scale of 0 to 100, and these are the top three locations:
1. Weissensee, Pankow
Just a 20-minute car ride from Alexanderplatz, Stradbad Weissensee is a man-made beach and lido that’s been keeping Berliners cool since 1912. With an index score of 100, this family-friendly spot has a sandy beach and lake-based swimming area right in the heart of the city. The lake sits within a lush park, giving locals and tourists alike a chance to unwind in nature – there’s even a bar and restaurant serving light bites and drinks.
2. Badeschiff
Located on the River Spree in front of Arena Berlin, Badeschiff is a floating beach escape and one of the city’s most iconic summer hangouts since 2004. Scoring 98 points on our index, this swimming pool set inside a converted barge offers a one-of-a-kind dip with stunning riverside views of Berlin’s landmarks such as the TV Tower and Oberbaum Bridge. A stretch of soft sand, wooden decks, and a breezy bar area set the scene for the perfect summer afternoon, while DJs and live acts bring the party vibes as day turns to night.
3. BeachMitte, Mitte
In the central borough of Mitte, just a short walk from the Berlin Wall Memorial, BeachMitte is a Berlin institution that’s been welcoming residents and visitors since 2009. Scoring 95 points in our index, this man-made beach has several bars and open-air sandy terraces ideal for relaxing with a drink and soaking up some sun with friends during the summer months. For those who prefer getting active, it’s also home to over 45 modern beach volleyball courts – and 13 indoor courts during the winter - and the MountMitte high ropes course with obstacles for every age.
So, whether you live in Berlin or are visiting the city for a short break, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day at the beach.
Beaches within driving distance of Berlin
While the German capital does offer plenty of chances to relax by the water and even spend some time in the sand, there’s nothing quite like dipping your toes into the ocean.
As well as looking at the best beach spots in Berlin, we’ve analysed 17 of the best beaches in Germany that you can drive to from the capital and discovered the top three beaches near Berlin.
With all these beaches and more within a driving distance from the capital, visitors and residents can enjoy both the hustle and bustle of Berlin, as well as the charming sound of waves only a few hours away from the city – the best of both worlds.
Warnemünde Beach, Rostock
Just over 2 and a half hours from Berlin by car, Warnemünde beach has a score of 100 on our index, with over 500,000 Instagram hashtags. This sandy shoreline sits on the Baltic Sea and is one of the most popular beach destinations in Germany. Here visitors can paddle in the shallow waters, relax in a traditional strandkorb or even rent a sailboat to make the most of the region’s calm waters. While the water can be cold, it’s definitely refreshing during the summer, with temperatures being warmest in July and August.
Insel Hiddensee, Stralsund
Another Baltic sea destination, Hiddensee Island scores 70 on our index and is a car-free spot that’s well worth a visit. Accessible by ferry from Stralsund – just under three hours’ drive from Berlin - this little island boasts sandy white beaches, salt marshes and scenic cliffs, all creating the perfect backdrop for a day at the beach. There are also several small villages on the island to explore, including Kloster, the hub of the island with shops, restaurants and Dornbusch Lighthouse.
Seebrüecke Sellin, Rügen
With the highest number of Tripadvisor reviews and an index score of 63, Seebrüecke Sellin on Rügen island takes the third spot in our list. Stretching 400 meters into the sea, this grand pier dates back to the 1900s, with the modern structure being built in 1998. Today, the pier itself is home to three restaurants, each offering a space for refreshment after a walk along the sand or a swim in the Baltic sea. During the summer, the pier also hosts a series of events like live music and disco nights so you can spend your time here as you choose.
The most secluded beaches near Berlin
Living in or visiting a capital city has lots of benefits, but sometimes, you just want to escape the crowds and take a day to unwind in nature.
To help you find a moment of calm, we’ve also analysed the most secluded beaches near Berlin. These are equally beautiful but lesser-known locations – with low Instagram hashtag or review numbers – offering a chance to explore them in a less crowded environment.
Topping our index with a score of 100 is Heiligendamm beach in Bad Doberan, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. On the Baltic coast, this beach features white sands, rolling dunes and a scenic pier with beautiful views of the ocean stretching out to the horizon.
In second and third places, are Lubmin, a costal resort in Greifswald, and Boltenhagen Beach, another gorgeous beach in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. Both locations are relatively close to Berlin, with low numbers of Instagram hashtags and Tripadvisor reviews, making them perfect candidates for escaping the city crowds.
Top tips for a long drive
Inspired to plan a beach road trip? If you want to visit a hidden gem or one of Germany’s most popular beach locations, here are some top tips to consider before setting off on a longer car journey:
Plan some pit stops – Whether you’re visiting Germany for the first time or want to enjoy all this region has to offer, we recommend planning your route ahead of time and adding in some stops along the way to see some other landmarks or stop for refreshments and a rest on longer trips.
Check your tyre pressure – Before any long drive, it’s worth checking the tyre pressure on your car. This is key for safety as properly inflated tyres give you more control on the road and are less likely to blow during your drive. When you hire a car with Avis, all these checks will have been done before you pick up your vehicle so you can focus on getting on the road and starting your journey.
Don’t forget to refuel and recharge – Just like planning in some stops, you should also check where refuel and charging points will be along your route to make sure your journey doesn’t get interrupted unexpectedly.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a local wanting to visit a city-based beach on the weekend or a visitor planning to venture further afield, we hope that our research has shown you that Germany has plenty of beaches just waiting to be explored.
From choosing the right hire car, to picking the perfect beach and route, it’s all possible from Berlin.
Methodology
We sourced 3 seedlists revealing beaches in Germany (across the country) as well as manmade/lakeside beaches in Berlin. We then used Google Maps to source the distance and time data. Google’s Keyword Planner was used to collate search volume. Instagram was used to source Instagram hashtags, and TripAdvisor for review numbers.
All data is correct as of March 2025.