Prenzlauer Berg opens two outdoor pools for summer lap swimming

The outdoor lap facility at the Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg opened dedicated 50-metre lanes on 1 July for public use from 6am each day.

July heat has pushed daily attendance at district pools above 1800 visitors, according to records kept by the local sports office, as people seek low-cost exercise options away from air-conditioned gyms.

The site sits between Greifswalder Strasse and Danziger Strasse, where swimmers share the water with families but keep to the marked lanes before 9am. A second option lies at the rock pool section inside Ernst-Thälmann-Park, where concrete basins were fitted with lane ropes last spring under the district’s summer activity programme.

Two spots within walking distance

Both locations sit inside Prenzlauer Berg boundaries and require no travel beyond the Ringbahn. The Volkspark pool charges 5 euros for a two-hour session, while the Ernst-Thälmann-Park rock pool costs 3.50 euros and opens at 7am on weekdays. Lifeguards on duty record water temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius during the first week of July.

Regulars note that the rock pool’s irregular edges force a steadier stroke rate, which some prefer for interval training. The park also provides shaded benches and drinking fountains along the path from Stargarder Strasse, cutting the need for extra gear.

Practical steps before heading out

Swimmers should check the daily schedule posted on the district website or at the entrance kiosk, since lane hours shift after 10am to allow general admission. Bringing a towel and a lock for the on-site lockers keeps costs under 10 euros total for most users. Those new to the sites can arrive before 7am to secure a lane without waiting.