• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

The floating pool at Badeschiff.   (Photo: Courtesy of Arena Berlin)

Berlin may be landlocked, but pack some flip-flops to visit more than 30 manmade beaches. Start at the duo of beaches behind the Eastside Gallery, a leftover hunk of the Berlin Wall named for the street-art paintings it bears. Or join the college crowd at Strandgut, a 4000-square-foot sand beach with palm trees, beach chairs, cheap burgers, and electro beats. The neighboring Ostrand—Berlin’s biggest and oldest beach bar—is made up of inflatable pools, cocktail bars, and 1,000 tons of sand that accommodates up to 2,000 people. Dress up for Spindler & Klatt, a posh outdoor lounge with giant beds, oversize white sofas, and a VIP loft on the banks of the Spree. End the night at the Badeschiff, a barge–cum–floating swimming pool and beachfront bar where D.J.'s score electronica dance parties on weekends.

Published on Aug 7, 2008 as a web exclusive.