Lake nearby: Off into the cool water

Lake nearby: Off into the cool water

Where can you find the most beautiful lake nearby? Whether you live in Germany or are planning a short trip, we have explored the best lakes in the area between the Alps and the North Sea coast. We also give you some great tips for your next visit. You can find the most beautiful destinations - be it a swimming lake with a dog or a lake for a family outing - in the following article.

Bathing lake nearby: Pure relaxation at Lake Tegernsee

On one of the most beautiful bathing lakes near Munich

Just 50 kilometres from the Bavarian capital, you will find one of the cleanest mountain lakes in the Alps: Lake Tegernsee. If you are looking for a nearby lake that is ideal for both sporting activities and relaxation, then Lake Tegernsee is just the thing. Those who enjoy sporting activities will find plenty of options at this popular excursion destination near Munich. Here you can explore one of the 18 Nordic walking routes, go swimming, sailing or SUPing. You can also discover the Bavarian mountains on the numerous hiking trails.

Divers also get their money’s worth on a Tegernsee holiday. You can get to know the underwater world in the lake, which is up to 72 metres deep. Either on your own or with the diving school in Bad Wiessee. The Tegernsee boat trip is also a great way to get to know the area around the lakes near Munich. There are stops in Rottach-Egern, Gmund, Bad Wiessee and Tegernsee. From here, you have the opportunity to visit other Tegernsee sights. These include the iodine sulphur bath and the Olaf Gulbransson Museum. Tegernsee Castle is also well worth a visit. The former Benedictine monastery from the 8th century is now home to a school and a rustic brewery pub.

And finally, one of the Tegernsee insider tips: At an altitude of 1,650 metres, you will find the Tegernsee Hütte between the Rossstein and Buchstein mountains in the Mangfallgebirge. A unique place with a breathtaking view!

Lake Altwarmbüchen: the ‘Riviera of Hanover’

Picturesque lake near Hanover

After the Maschsee, the Altwarmbüchener See is the second largest lake near Hanover. This is why many people jokingly refer to it as the ‘second largest bathtub’ in the region. At 12 metres, however, it is the deepest lake near Hanover. There is an island in the north-east. But it is closed to visitors to protect the birds that nest there.

Recreation seekers will find what they are looking for here: In addition to two sandy beaches, there are also play and sunbathing areas as well as the Altwarmbüchener See boat hire centre and a surfing school. The 3.5 km long Altwarmbüchener See circular trail is often frequented by hikers and cyclists. Important note for dog owners: dog walkers are also welcome, but must keep their dogs on a lead at the bathing lake near Hanover.

The excursion destination near Hanover offers a beer garden for a culinary break. There are also two kiosks and snack bars to choose from.

Baldeneysee: excursion destination near Essen

Swimming, boating and lots of sport on Lake Baldeney

Created in the 1930s as a water reservoir, Lake Baldeney in Essen is now a well-known recreational area in the region. You can explore the nature around the lake via the Baldeneysteig, the approximately 27-kilometre circular trail. Hikers, walkers, joggers, cyclists and inline skaters can be found here all year round. If you are looking for a perfect view of Lake Baldeney, you should head to the Korte Klippe. Not far from the car park, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the lake, from the dam wall to the confluence with the Ruhr. A few metres further on are the Neue Isenburg ruins, which were built in the 13th century and later destroyed.

The bathing lake near Essen is also a sporting venue: rowing, sailing, surfing or swimming in Lake Baldeney – the choice is yours. And once a year you can experience a very special event on Lake Essen: the Essen Sailing Week with Germany’s largest inland lake regatta. The Baldeneysee boat trip is also a great experience. Between April and October, you can explore the area across the lake to Duisburg on the White Fleet. You can also add a long-distance cruise on the Ruhr.

The Seaside Beach Baldeney is an attraction in the warmer months of the year. If you are looking for a nearby lake that offers the perfect combination of leisure activities and relaxation, then Lake Baldeney is just the thing. On the site of the former open-air swimming pool, you will find a great beach with a wide range of leisure and catering facilities as well as regular events. At Baldeneysee Beach you will find everything your heart desires. From mini golf to beach volleyball, canoe tours and stand-up paddling to Segway tours.

And another excursion destination towers high above the lake: Villa Hügel. The former residence of the Krupp industrialist family is now an impressive art history museum.

Wannsee: historical site and excursion destination

World-famous bathing lake near Berlin

Who doesn’t know it? Because Wannsee near Berlin. The Großer Wannsee is the largest part of a whole chain of beautiful lakes in the neighbourhood. It gives its name to the neighbouring district of Berlin. At around three square kilometres, one of the most famous bathing lakes near Berlin has plenty of space for swimmers, sailors and SUP riders. Beautiful walking paths and numerous restaurants make the lake a popular destination in Berlin.

The famous Wannsee lido is one of the largest open-air pools on an inland body of water in Europe and is correspondingly popular. No wonder, because the Wannsee beach is a wonderful place to relax. If you want to explore the lake from the water, the lake Wannsee Bridges steamboat landing stage in south-west Berlin is the perfect starting point. The Wannsee boat trip is very popular, for example the trip to Peacock Island, which has been a nature reserve since 1924. Here you will find a picturesque castle and impressive romantic surroundings with free-roaming peacocks.

You can also take a boat trip from the famous lake around Berlin to Potsdam. You can admire the magnificent Prussian buildings along the Havel. You will also find other historical buildings worth seeing not far from Berlin’s Wannsee terraces: Glienicke Palace is a World Heritage Site. The Grunewald hunting lodge and the villa of the painter Max Liebermann are also located on the western shore of the lake. These historic buildings are all located near Berlin.

The House of the Wannsee Conference is another historic site on the lake near Berlin. The historic building now houses a memorial and educational centre.

Lakes in Germany: Welcome to Nordstrand Erfurt

Fantastic recreation area for the whole family

Are you travelling in the Thuringian capital and looking for a lake nearby? The idyllic bathing lake near Erfurt gives no indication that it is an old gravel pit. Nordstrand Erfurt has since developed into a popular excursion destination. The extensive recreational area was created in the early 1970s and has been a real visitor magnet ever since, especially in summer.

There are no limits to the activities on offer at this popular excursion destination in Erfurt: swimming, beach volleyball, fishing, water skiing and beach soccer are all very popular here. If you want to try your hand at diving, you can book a course at the lake’s own diving school. If you are travelling with a camper van or tent, you also have the option of camping at Lake Erfurt

The well-tended lawns are also a wonderful place to picnic and relax. You can explore the surrounding area via a dedicated nature trail. In summer, there are also regular events such as music festivals and night bathing. So if you are looking for a lake within 50 kilometres of Erfurt, you can easily reach Nordstrand. You can use public transport or cycle.

Relaxing at Langener Waldsee

Beautiful lake near Frankfurt

A holiday feeling in the Rhine-Main region? You can do that at the Langen Forest Lake. Langener Waldsee has around 750,000 square metres of water. It also has 900 metres of sunbathing lawn and sandy beach, making it the largest leisure and recreation centre in the region. The bathing lake near Frankfurt is perfect for swimming, splashing around, surfing and sailing. It is particularly busy between mid-May and mid-September.

The lake near Frankfurt also offers a few attractions for children. Many visitors like to use the floating islands in the lake. The large pirate ship invites children to climb and play. So it’s no wonder that up to 20,000 visitors come to one of Frankfurt’s most beautiful excursion destinations every year. In addition to a large beach volleyball court and food and drink stands, there is also the Langener Waldsee camping site. The lake near Frankfurt is also a worthwhile destination for cyclists, joggers, hikers and birdwatchers.

And there is a separate area for naturists on the northern shore of the most beautiful lake near Frankfurt. But beware: dogs are not allowed on the campsite or in the lido. Incidentally, the quarry pond near Frankfurt Airport attracts international attention every year thanks to the Ironman European Championships. Every year in July, the swimming competition takes place here over a distance of 3.8 kilometres.

Looking for more ideas for lakes nearby?

Here you can find our tips for lakes in Bavaria: Lakes in Bavaria: The most beautiful excursion destinations in winter

Enthusiastic about our tips for the lakes near you?

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