Regatta history and protected nature offer two perspectives on Grünau: the regatta course is associated with historic competitions, while Krummen Lake is a varied wetland complex in Grünauer Forst. There is also the Water Sports Museum and Strandbad Grünau. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first whether nature, sports history or time at the beach will shape your stay; this priority can also help structure your search for a holiday apartment.
Nature at Krummen Lake
Krummen Lake forms a varied wetland complex amid the dry, pine-covered Grünauer Forst. It includes alder swamp forests, sedge marshes, reed beds and groundwater-influenced birch and pedunculate oak forests. You can explore the diverse natural landscape along narrow paths beside Krummen Lake. The “SO16: Fairytale Forests in Grünau” route passes through Grünauer Forst. These offer different ways to experience nature: narrow paths beside the lake and a named route through the forest.
Grünau as a destination for day trips
After a station was built on the Berlin–Görlitz Railway, which opened in 1866, and a landing stage opened that same year by the Berliner Dampfschifffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft, Grünau developed into a popular destination for day trips. This history as a day-trip destination forms a distinct historical thread alongside the sporting history of the regatta course.
The regatta course: two historic milestones
The first Berlin rowing regatta was held at the Grünau regatta course in 1880. At the 1936 Olympic Games, the 2,000-metre course hosted the canoeing and rowing competitions. It was extensively modernised for the Games. This included new boathouses, a large grandstand and additional facilities such as the so-called Kaiser Pavilion. These historic milestones highlight different things: 1880 marks the first Berlin rowing regatta at this location, while 1936 represents Olympic competitions and the expansion of the site. Those interested in sports and architectural history can consider the events alongside the changes to the facilities.
Grünau Water Sports Museum
The Grünau Water Sports Museum reopened on 6 September 2024 with its newly designed permanent exhibition, “Wasser Sport Grünau”. The exhibition presents the history of the regatta site and also explores the development of boatbuilding and Grünau’s diverse club scene. Themed tours and workshops are available for schools and clubs. While the regatta course is associated with competitions and structural modernisation, the exhibition broadens the picture to include boatbuilding and club life.
Strandbad Grünau
Strandbad Grünau has a large sandy beach with beach chairs. There are playgrounds for young visitors. If you plan to visit the lido, check its seasonal opening hours beforehand.
More park themes in Berlin
Berlin, the wider destination, also offers distinct park experiences. Tiergarten is Berlin’s largest and most visited inner-city park, and is ideal for walks, outdoor activities and picnics. Tempelhofer Feld is a large public park where people picnic, sunbathe and play sports. These open spaces in Berlin offer a different focus from Grünau’s nature and water sports.
Discover more destinations: Wannsee, Friedrichshagen, Schöneberg, Buckow, Karow, Ruhlsdorf, Berlin-Neukölln, Velten
For the broader travel guide: Berlin.
