When it comes to tourism, Germany is famous for its countless attractions, from stunning Alpine scenery to fairy-tale castles and world-renowned festivals. But the country across the Oder is also a land of lakes, with more than 12,000 of them. Back in 2020, Lake Schlachtensee near Berlin was named by CNN as one of the 20 best swimming spots in the world!
The judges praised the size of this German lake, its cool green water, its many coves, the surrounding woodland, the sandy paths, the visitor amenities and its handy location on the city commuter rail line. That said, we want to point you toward some swimming spots just beyond our western border that stand out for their truly unique scenic and aesthetic charm. These are the ones that genuinely take water lovers' breath away.
Pulvermaar
One of the deepest lakes in Germany fills the crater of an extinct volcano, a relic of the last Ice Age! Known for its clear water, the lake looks like a perfect circle ringed by beech forest. It is 72 metres deep and covers 37.7 hectares. The wall of volcanic sand surrounding this maar lake (formed by a steam explosion) rises 20 metres above the surrounding landscape. Visitors who linger here into the evening will feel as though they have stepped into a fairy tale.
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This volcanic lake lies in the Eifel highlands, in the Vulkaneifel region. It sits on the eastern edge of the town of Gillenfeld in Rhineland-Palatinate, in southwestern Germany.
Achterwasser
A picturesque lagoon separated from the open sea between the towns of Zempin and Koserow by only a narrow strip of land, just 300 metres wide! The water here, often as still and smooth as a mirror, is perfect for swimming as well as all kinds of water sports. But that is not all. Nearby beaches, sweeping meadows, enchanting forests and quaint little old-fashioned harbours also draw visitors to this tranquil lagoon, known for historical reasons as the Usedom Bight.
The lagoon forms a bay, an arm of the Peenestrom river that cuts deep into the coastal island of Usedom in the Baltic Sea. Its waters border the Usedom Island nature park in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald, in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Lake Constance
A lake that feels like a sea. That is exactly the impression Lake Constance gives (area: 538.5 sq km), the largest body of water in Germany, set among Alpine peaks! Besides its breathtaking mountain views, its many seaside resorts and natural swimming beaches are the calling card of Europe's third-largest inland lake. One of the loveliest views in the area opens up from Strandbad West beach. The main tourist draws are the islands of Mainau (with its magnificent gardens, so distinctive that it is called the Flower Island) and Reichenau, rising above the water.
Lake Constance lies at the foot of the Alps, on the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland. On the German side, its shoreline runs along the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. The Rhine flows through the lake. The largest German towns on its shores are Konstanz, Lindau and Meersburg.
Geroldsau Waterfall
This time, something for the wild swimmers. The turquoise pool beneath the six-metre Geroldsau waterfall is a true paradise for anyone who loves splashing about in the open air, far from all the usual bathing infrastructure of ticket booths, changing rooms for spa guests and supervised pools. Some say that in summer, beneath the waterfall surrounded by dense forest, you can feel like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The Geroldsauer Wasserfall sits on the mountain stream Grobbach, south of the spa town of Baden-Baden in the northern part of the Black Forest, in the western part of Baden-Wurttemberg.
Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme
This lavish thermal bath is the perfect place to unwind and "step back in time". Helping the effect along are the antique-style ornamentation, the high ceilings, the imposing columns, the ceramic mosaics and the elegant frescoes. All of them evoke the Irish-Roman roots of the thermal baths. Located in western Germany, this "temple of bathing" has an antique pool (24 degrees C), a "wild pool" (45 degrees C), traditional Finnish saunas and two kinds of steam bath. NOTE: nobody wears a swimsuit here!
Filled with intricate decor and historic rooms, the spa is located in Wiesbaden, the capital of the state of Hesse, and is one of the most popular spas in Germany. Famous for its thermal springs, the city sits on the Rhine at the foot of the Taunus mountains. In ancient times, Roman soldiers were brought here to heal their wounds after battle, thanks to the curative properties of the local thermal baths (Kaisertherme). Today Wiesbaden is a city that, beyond its spa, offers a local market with organic produce, atmospheric street pubs, antique shops and a park in the style of an English garden with a wonderful playground for children.
