
Berlin has many beaches by the lakes. Some charge an entrance fee. The beach at Flughafensee is a hidden gem, and it’s free
Due to its geography and urban environment, Berlin experiences hot summers. And even though Berlin is located inland, Berliners cool off at the city’s beaches. One of them is the beach at Flughafensee.
The beach is in the Tegel district and is free to use. There are no changing rooms, no places to buy food or ice cream, and no parasols for rent.
But the surroundings are idyllic, the beach feels great, and the sand and water are clean.

Photo by Chrissie Sternschnuppe@Flickr. CC BY-SA.
This means you need to pack a bag with snacks, drinks, and sunscreen. You don’t need a parasol because the trees along the beach give enough shade.
On hot days, it pays to arrive early, because by noon the beach is packed.
Here are children with their parents. Young people with their friends, and not all of them are wearing swimwear.
In Germany, there is something called Freie Körperkultur (FKK), or free body culture. Germans are comfortable bathing completely naked, so if you visit a beach in Berlin for the first time, don’t be surprised by the relaxed attitude.
Personally, I prefer a bikini or swimsuit, but then again, I’m not German by origin.

Where:
Strand am Flughafensee
Tegel, Berlin
Family friendly: Yes
Price: Free


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