THE MIDDLE of a landlocked city is hardly the place you’d expect to find one of Europe’s best beaches.
However, Berlin in Germany has a unique beach culture of its own, with sandy shorelines, clean water and plenty of activities for kids to enjoy, including water slides, cinemas and places to eat and drink.
The German capital has a 100-year-old outdoor swimming tradition, and the Plötzensee city beach has established itself as one of the jewels in the crown for Berliners looking to cool off during the summer.
Alongside its sandy beach and sunbathing lawns, it also offers an adventure playground and several water slides for children to play on and keep them entertained.
Meanwhile, there’s also beach volleyball courts and restaurant and grills, meaning visitors don’t have to go far for food and drink.
Visit Berlin described the beach as “the real secret” of the city, saying it’s where the city’s residents hang out when it gets too hot.
They wrote: “The beach at Plötzensee may not be the first place one thinks of when planning a summer’s day out.
“But that’s what makes the privately operated beach is real secret: this is where ‘real’ Berliners and young, hip residents gather for a lazy time at the beach.
“The beach offers everything you need for a beautiful sunny day: clean sand, a long wooden dock from which to jump into the cool water, a water slide, a playground along with a large set of monkey bars on land, a basketball hoop, rentable wicker beach shelters and, of course, a snack stand.”
Plotzensee isn’t the only inland beach where Berliners like to swim either, with several lakes making the perfect spot for an outdoor dip in the summer.
They provide a new identity for Berlin, which is mainly known for its history and its nightlife.
The outdoor swimming spots caught the eye of the Telegraph, who included the city in a round up of the best places to go for an outdoor swim in Europe.
They wrote: “It may have a reputation for clubs and cabaret but Berlin also comes with one of Europe’s most wholesome wild swimming scenes, centred on the local region’s 3,000 lakes.
“Even at the swimming areas nearest to the city, the water is rated excellent by the EEA.
“Make for the un-touristy Strandbad Plötzensee (£7) where the hipsters hang out, Strandbad Weissensee with its sandy beach (£7) and Strandbad Orankesee (£6.85), with its kid-friendly twirly waterslide into the water.”
Next to the beach at Plotzensee, there’s even more to do on a summer’s day, with large lawns used for sunbathing and playing sport.
Meanwhile, there’s also an outdoor stage that is used as an outdoor cinema, among other things.
Animal lovers can visit a small nature reserve that’ s home to fallow deer and wild boar and is free to enter.
Berlin.de described the unlikely beach as “an oasis of relaxation amid the hustle and bustle of the city”.
Meanwhile, this European capital is also well known for its wild swimming.
And these are the best budget-friendly European city breaks.
