Today we ventured out to Strandbad Wannsee, an open-air lido that features a long beach with cute wicker beach chairs (Strandkorb), a lake to swim/play in and the odd duck and swan swimming nearby!
If you are travelling there by train, make sure to get off the train at S Bahnhof Nikolassee (this station does have a life), take the exit with the name 'Strandbad Wannsee', cross the quiet road and walk across the bridge pictured below. Keep walking straight through the forest, cross the main road and beyond the next chunk of trees you will find the beach. At a typical adult's pace, I would say it takes about 10 minutes to get there. With a walking 5 year old, it was closer to 20 minutes walk, but it's a pleasant stroll through the woodland.
You have to pay to enter Strandbad Wannsee (prices detailed below). There is a special, wide entrance for those using strollers or wheelchairs and you need to put each ticket you receive im the machine before entering. On the left-hand-side, there is a flat path that winds all the way down to the beach (for those with strollers and wheelchair users). It is quite long and takes you down to a very basic playground and a (in my opinion) not-so-nice part of the beach. Alternatively, straight ahead of you, after entering the Strandbad, you will find patches of grass, complete with giant chess sets, and steps taking you down to the nicer parts of the beach.
If you come with a stroller and choose to go down the ramp (there are a lot of steps for the other way), I would recommend you walk further down the path along the beach until you get to the nicer parts. Here you will find a few food places (ice cream is of course on offer), a shop selling children's beach items such as buckets and spades and inflatables, changing rooms, toilets and showers.
If you come with a stroller and choose to go down the ramp (there are a lot of steps for the other way), I would recommend you walk further down the path along the beach until you get to the nicer parts. Here you will find a few food places (ice cream is of course on offer), a shop selling children's beach items such as buckets and spades and inflatables, changing rooms, toilets and showers.
The lake is pretty shallow for quite a distance, which is fabulous when you're there with children and for the older kids, you will spot a slide in the picture below, which sits a bit further out in the water. Climb on up and slide on down. The beach was pretty clean when we were there (it was a quiet weekday though), although there was some rubbish (trash) here and there in the water. Don't expect clear blue water, but it was surprisingly warm for late May. When boats drive by in the distance, very small waves will apear, much to the fun of the kids and both my boys loved playing with other kids who were in the water near us.
One of the major pluses of this lido for my kids was the wildlife that hung out with us. My 15 month old squealed when he spotted two ducks swimming next to us and later in the day, my 5 year old fed them some bread on the beach as they had wandered over to our picnic. I also spotted a flock of geese taking off from the water and a couple of swans decided to settle along the beach too (you can see them in the title photo of this post). They just kept to themselves and ignored the children playing nearby.
One of the major pluses of this lido for my kids was the wildlife that hung out with us. My 15 month old squealed when he spotted two ducks swimming next to us and later in the day, my 5 year old fed them some bread on the beach as they had wandered over to our picnic. I also spotted a flock of geese taking off from the water and a couple of swans decided to settle along the beach too (you can see them in the title photo of this post). They just kept to themselves and ignored the children playing nearby.
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It made for a lovely day out and going on a weekday definitely means beating the major crowds. As the sun peaked for the day, just as we were leaving, lots more people were coming and it can be very popular on the warm, summer days, therefore quite busy.
The wicker beach huts can be rented (follow the 'Strandkorb Mieten' signs or just settle yourself somewhere along the beach. If you go, let me know how you get on! You can read a bit about the lido's history here.
Strandbad Wannsee
Wannseebadweg 25, 14129 Berlin
Website
General prices
Adults €5.50, Children 5 years + €3.50, under 5's free, Family card €11.50 (Monday - Sunday 2 adults, up to 5 children)
Further prices can be found (in German) here
The wicker beach huts can be rented (follow the 'Strandkorb Mieten' signs or just settle yourself somewhere along the beach. If you go, let me know how you get on! You can read a bit about the lido's history here.
Strandbad Wannsee
Wannseebadweg 25, 14129 Berlin
Website
General prices
Adults €5.50, Children 5 years + €3.50, under 5's free, Family card €11.50 (Monday - Sunday 2 adults, up to 5 children)
Further prices can be found (in German) here
