Badeschiff

Right on the Spree river, level with the Arena Berlin complex in Treptow, sits one of the city's most unusual leisure experiences: the Badeschiff. What looks at first glance like an ordinary swimming pool is actually a converted former cargo barge, lowered into the river so that it forms a pool sitting in the middle of the Spree's waters, without ever using the river water itself for swimming. Around the floating pool stretches an artificial sandy beach complete with lounge chairs, potted palm trees, and a beach bar that, in summer, creates an atmosphere more reminiscent of the Baltic coast or the Mediterranean than of industrial Berlin. On the opposite bank rise the buildings of the Arena Berlin complex and the former Postbahnhof depot, while the city skyline and the occasional passing excursion boat round out the urban flair in the background. Since its opening, the Badeschiff has become one of the most photographed spots for visitors to Berlin seeking a piece of unconventional city culture away from the classic sights, while also ranking among the most popular meeting points for young Berliners on warm evenings.

History of Badeschiff

The idea for the Badeschiff emerged in the early 2000s as part of a larger project aimed at the cultural and urban revitalization of the Spree riverbanks in Treptow, an area that had largely lain fallow after the end of the GDR and German reunification, dominated by numerous unused industrial and harbor sites. The project was initiated by artists and urban planners Susanne Lorenz and Thomas Freiwald through the Kunst- und Kulturbüro initiative, which sought to bring new life to the neglected riverbanks through unconventional, temporary interventions. The basis for the project was a decommissioned push barge, a former steel cargo vessel, which was converted and fitted with a large pool basin before being anchored directly in the riverbed of the Spree, so that the floating basin appears to sit visually above the river. The opening in 2004 was originally conceived as a temporary art and culture project, but due to overwhelming popularity it quickly developed into a permanent fixture, now run by its own operating team under the name Arena Badeschiff. In the following years the facility was continuously expanded to include a beach bar, additional lounging areas, and a winter wellness zone, allowing the Badeschiff to be used year-round today. This transformation from an originally experimental temporary use into a fixed institution within Berlin's leisure landscape is often cited as an example of the kind of creative urban development that has significantly shaped the Treptow district over the past two decades.

Highlights of Badeschiff

The central highlight is, naturally, the floating pool itself, a roughly 32-meter-long basin filled with chlorinated water that, despite sitting in the middle of the Spree, is fully sealed off from the river and therefore operates independently of the river's water quality. Around the pool stretches the man-made sandy beach, where visitors can relax on lounge chairs, play beach volleyball, or grab cold drinks and light snacks at the beach bar, while DJs provide a musical backdrop on certain evenings, turning the Badeschiff into a popular spot for relaxed summer nights. The view from the sunbathing lawn across the Spree toward the industrial backdrop of the Arena Berlin and the passing boats is among the unmistakable impressions that set the Badeschiff apart from conventional lidos, and it frequently takes center stage in visitors' photos. In winter, the facility transforms into an entirely different atmosphere: the pool is heated and covered with a transparent dome, allowing for a comfortable swim even in cold weather, while several sauna cabins, including a sweat lodge overlooking the river, provide relaxation. This dual use as a summer beach and winter spa makes the Badeschiff one of the few Berlin attractions worth visiting in any season, offering a varied experience that draws tourists and locals alike.

Opening Hours, Tickets & How to Get to Badeschiff

Badeschiff's hours vary by season: during the summer months from May to September, the outdoor area with the beach and pool is typically open from the late morning until late evening, while in the winter months the covered sauna landscape operates on reduced hours, generally from the afternoon into the evening. Admission is tiered by time of day and season, with a moderate fee per person charged in summer, while the winter sauna, due to its additional infrastructure and limited capacity, commands a higher price; current rates and any advance tickets can be checked on the operator's website. Getting there is straightforward via the nearby Treptower Park S-Bahn station, from which a short walk along Eichenstraße leads to the entrance of the grounds, or via the Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn station, from which a brief stroll along the Spree is also possible. Numerous bus lines additionally serve the surrounding area, making the facility easily accessible without a car. Parking in the immediate vicinity is limited and usually paid, which is why visitors, especially on weekends, should prefer arriving by public transport or bicycle, particularly since the riverbanks in this stretch feature well-developed cycling paths.

Attractions Near Badeschiff

Just a short walk away lies Treptower Park, one of Berlin's largest and best-known parks, home to the imposing Soviet War Memorial, which commemorates the Soviet soldiers who fell during the Second World War and ranks among the city's most striking monuments. Along the Spree also stretches the East Side Gallery with its painted sections of the former Berlin Wall, likewise easily reachable on foot or by bicycle and documenting one of the most famous remaining stretches of the Wall. The adjacent Arena grounds, with their event halls and clubs, are known for a diverse program of culture and nightlife, regularly hosting concerts, flea markets, and open-air events that combine well with a visit to the Badeschiff. Those wishing to explore more of Berlin's riverside afterward can continue strolling toward Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, where numerous bars, cafés, and street art corners reflect the urban flair of Berlin's eastern districts.

It is also worth mentioning the particular atmosphere on balmy summer evenings, when the sun sets over the Spree and its light reflects in warm colors across the surface of the pool: at this hour the beach bar reliably fills with guests winding down the day over a cold drink, while quiet music drifts across the grounds from the speakers. Many Berliners also use the Badeschiff as a meeting point before a concert at the neighboring Arena complex, since the two venues combine easily in both time and location, turning a simple visit to the lido into a full evening by the water.