Swimming in Hamburg and the surrounding area
Stadtparksee
Centrally located in the Stadtpark is the natural pool Stadtparksee. It is provided with filtered water from the Alster and has particularly good water quality. A beach and a non-swimmers’ area, a pontoon with a slide and a small restaurant are as well part of the Stadtparksee as are changing rooms, lockers and restrooms. The guarded lake set in the attractive parkland is a popular place for all ages.
How to get there: Südring 5b (Winterhude)
Elbstrand
The beach at the Elbe in Övelgönne is considered as one of the highlights of Hamburg to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Located directly behind the harbor museum Övelgönne, the fine-grained sandy beach invites to walk along the river and to stay for a while. Cafés, restaurants and bars such as the Strandperle are an integral part of this place. Although it can get quite crowded during the warmer season, you can find other quiet beach sections while walking along the Elbe.
How to get there: With the ferry (line 62) from Landungsbrücken in the direction ofNeumühlen / With the bus (line 112) to the bus stop Neumühlen/Övelgönne
Öjendorfer See
The Öjendorfer See is situated in the east of Hamburg and with an area of 46 hectares, more than twice as big as the Binnenalster in Hamburg. The lake is just 3.4m deep and has two bathing areas with a sandy beach, which are also suitable for guests with young children. Due to Located in the Öjendorfer Park the lake is surrounded by nature. Admission to the lake is free and a large number of free parking spaces are available. With a barbecue area, two children’s playgrounds, a mini golf course and kiosks, the park and the lake are well equipped.
How to get there: Öjendorfer Park (Billstedt)
Boberger See
The Boberger See is located in the nature reserve Boberg Niederung in the eastern part of the city. The little quarry pond with lawns has a small accessible beach in the Northeast, while the Southwestern shore is used as a nudist beach. Since the lake is fed from groundwater, the water quality is excellent. Dogs are not allowed at this lake.
How to get there: Nature Reserve Boberger Niederung (Lohbrügge)
Kaifu-Bad
At the heart of Eimsbüttel is the historic Kaifu-Bad, which is – with 100 years- the oldest Bathhouse in Hamburg. Indoor and outdoor pools as well as a sauna belong to the facility. Especially on hot summer days it might be a little crowded, but the Kaifu-Bad is a favorite for all ages and preferences. There is a wading pool with play equipment, a large lap pool and a diving pool. The spacious Sauna area, and the brine pool and bookable massages invite you to relax and unwind.
How to get there: Hohe Weide 15 (Eimsbüttel)
Allermöher See
The Allermöher See is a quarry pond located near the area of Neuallermöhe in Bergedorf. The lake is equipped with a large lawn, a swimming area with a sandy beach and a non-swimmer’s area which is separated from the other sections. Furhtermore, there is a playground and a barbecue area. The association “SiWa – Sicheres Wasser e.V.” is responsible for the life guards patrolling the lake.
How to get there: Elly-Heuss-Knapp-Ring (Allermöhe)
Naturbad Kiwittsmoor
The natural pool Kiwittsmoor is located in the North of Hamburg in the district Langenhorn, not far from the metro station. A Playground, barbecue area, kiosk and small beer garden also belong to the area around the lake, as well as a large lawn, a beach volleyball court,
How to get there: Subway (U1) to Kiwittsmoor
Sommerbad Altengamme
The Sommerbad Altengamme is located on the border of Hamburg, east from Bergedorf and near the town of Geesthacht in Lauenburg. The small artificial pool, built in the 1930s, is fed by groundwater and is also divided into a non swimmer’s and a swimmer’s area. Furthermore, lifeguards ensure the safety in and around the water. There is a playground for children, a table tennis and a kiosk. Admission is free, but there are no parking spaces available.
How to get there: Horster Damm 1 (Altengamme)
Freibad Aschberg
Located in the district Hamm and easily accessible from the downtown area, is the swimming pool Aschberg. The highlight of the outdoor pool is undoubtedly its large water slide with a length of impressive 111 meters. There is also a platform diving area with 1m, 3m, and 5m large towers, a playground, volleyball court, basketball court and a kiosk. The large multi-purpose pool is shaped like a “Z” and separates the 50m swimming lanes from the jumping and non-swimmer’s area.
How to get there: Rückersweg (Hamm-Mitte)/ With the bus (line 112) to Osterbrookplatz
Drei-Seen-Platte Lütjensee
Northeast of Hamburg in Schleswig-Holstein is the Drei-Seen-Platte Lütjensee, consisting of the Lütjensee, Großensee and Mönchsteich. While the Lütjensee is not an official bathing lake, the Großensee offers visitors an official beach. The three lakes are surrounded by woods and hiking trails.
How to get there – Großensee: Seestraße (Großensee)
Wasserpark Dove-Elbe
Guests of the water park Dove-Elbe have the choice between staying on the banks of the Dove-Elbe with its floating pontoons and the rowing regatta course or the adjacent Eichbaumsee (Swimming area currently closed) The artificially created water park has a modest design so that an ecologically compatible visit is ensured. The path around the lake invites to take a walk, to relax many in the lounging areas, sunbath or play. Admission to the water park is free, but there are no lifeguards.
How to get there: Moorfleeter Deich (Moorfleet)
Strandbad Farmsen
The lido Farmsen is a lake with excellent water quality and a beautiful natural ambience amongst extensive lawns that are ideal for sunbathing. It is equipped with a large lake, a 50 meters long water slide, a playground and a kiosk. There is a sandy beach, a non-swimmer’s area and throughout lifeguard supervision. Free parking spaces are located directly at the lake.
How to get there: Neusurenland 67 (Farmsen)
Strandbad Wedel
The lido Wedel is located in close vicinity to the famous ship welcoming station “Willkomm-Höft”, circa 2km west of the Hamburg City and state border. Here, the beach feeling arises: sandy beach with views of the Elbe and passing boats and maritime traffic. A beach bar with palm trees invites you to linger and relax.
How to get there: Hakendamm 2 (Wedel)
See Hinterm Horn
The lake See Hinterm Horn is provided with groundwater and is an unexplored and thus idyllic and less visited tip. But this is not because of the ambience, because the quarry pond is surrounded by nature and has crystal clear water. Except for toilets there are no other facilities. The lake falls relatively quickly from deep and is limitedly suitable for small children. Admission is free!
How to get there: Allermöher Deich (Allermöhe)
Hohendeicher See
The Hohendeicher See in the Vier- and Marschlanden is located directly behind the dike and offers a variety of free time activities. While the western part of the lake is mainly used by water sportsmen and many guests of the adjacent campsite dwell in the eastern section, there is a swimming area with a sandy beach at the southern part. There is no official lifeguard, but there are, however, free parking spaces, a kiosk and the possibility to attend diving courses.
How to get there: Overwerder Weg (Allermöhe)
Ostsee
Those who prefer the great vast sea with endless sandy beaches and the refreshing breeze during summer finds its ideal swimming location at the nearby Baltic Sea. With a distance of circa 75km from Hamburg, the Lübeck Bay is with its famous seaside resorts Travemünde, Timmendorfer Strand, Scharbeutz and Haffkrug. The salt water of the Baltic Sea reaches a comfortable temperature in summer und is ideal for windsurfing, sailing, water skiing or swimming. A little less crowded is the Baltic coast section between Priwall and the beach Boltenhagen – a real insider tip!
How to get there: Over the A1 or with the regional train between Hamburg and Lübeck