When temperatures rise and the streets start to sizzle, everyone’s longing for a cool dip. Luckily, in Cologne, you’re never far from a good spot: from sprawling lakes and natural swimming areas to laid-back outdoor pools, there are plenty of places in and around the city to escape for a few hours.
Whether it’s soaking up the sun by the shores of Fühlinger See, swimming laps at Stadionbad, enjoying a relaxed family afternoon at Lentpark or grabbing an after-work drink at Otto-Maigler-See – there’s a summer spot for everyone in and around Cologne. Here are 10 places that should be right at the top of your list this season.
- Fühlinger See (Cologne-Fühlingen)
- Straberger See (Dormagen)
- Stadionbad (Cologne-Müngersdorf)
- Rather See (Cologne-Rath/Heumar)
- Lentpark (Cologne-Agnesviertel)
- Waldbad Dünnwald
- Naturfreibad Vingst
- Otto-Maigler-See (Hürth)
- Liblarer See (Erftstadt)
- Zündorfbad
Swimming, climbing, canoeing – summer at its best at Fühlinger See
Fühlinger See is made up of 7 interconnected lakes linked by a regatta course. You can cool off at 3 designated swimming areas – at the northern end (Lake 1) and at the southern end (Lake 7).
If you prefer a supervised spot, head straight to Blackfoot Beach at Lake 5: it’s the only monitored swimming area – but also the only one with an admission fee.
At Blackfoot Beach, you can …
- relax on shady beach loungers
- enjoy cocktails and snacks at the beach bar
- play beach volleyball, beach soccer or beach handball
- rent a stand-up paddleboard, canoe or kayak
- climb the high ropes course
- take on the aquapark obstacle course
- book a beach battle with friends or even go dragon boating
In summer, Fühlinger See also doubles as a festival venue: at the beginning of June, “Eat Play Love” brings electronic music and a wakeboard show, while the reggae festival “Summerjam” adds a touch of Caribbean flair on the first weekend in July.
3 more tips for your trip:
- If you’re heading to Blackfoot Beach, it’s best to buy your tickets online in advance – on hot days, it fills up quickly.
- Parking is available at car park “P2”, just 5 minutes from Blackfoot Beach – alternatively, bus 122 to Seeberg takes you almost right to the entrance.
- Only water and a few snacks are allowed inside Blackfoot Beach – it’s best to leave other food and drinks at home.
Address of Strandbad “Blackfoot Beach“: Stallagsbergweg 1, 50769 Cologne
Opening hours: from 1 May to 30 September, daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Admission: €6.30 for adults, €4.20 for children and teenagers
Fancy relaxing, working out or partying? At Straberger See, you can do it all
Fancy a break? Then grab your beach towels and head to Straberger See – less than a 40-minute drive from Cologne city centre, idyllically set between Straberg and Nievenheim.
At Strabeach, you can …
- pick a spot on the large sunbathing lawn – with or without shade
- play table tennis or beach volleyball
- swim out to the 21-square-metre bathing island and relax there
- go wakeboarding, waterskiing or paddleboarding, or hop on a banana boat at Wakebeach 257
- try the water obstacle course at Aquapark Dormagen
- keep the kids entertained in the non-swimmers’ area or at the playground
Once a year, you can also soak up festival vibes with electronic beats at Strabi Open Air – this year on 5 September.
3 more tips for your trip:
- No need to book ahead – you can just buy your tickets on site.
- There are public parking spaces right by Straberger See, about 10 minutes from the beach – or take bus 855 to the Nievenheimer See stop and walk just under 15 minutes to the beach.
- You’ll need to leave your own SUP at home here – but you can rent one on site or even book a SUP yoga session.
Address of Standbad “Strabeach“: Am Straberger See 16, 41542 Dormagen
Opening hours: during the season (from May to the end of August), weekdays from 1 pm to 8.30 pm, and Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and during the summer holidays from 10.15 am to 8 pm
Admission: €4.50 for adults, €3 for children
Stadionbad – outdoor swimming at Müngersdorf Sports Park
Stadionbad is Cologne’s go-to outdoor pool for sports fans: on the spacious grounds of Müngersdorf Sports Park, you’ll find no fewer than 6 pools – and plenty of ways to work up a sweat and make the most of summer.
Stadionbad offers …
- a large sunbathing lawn with plenty of shady spots
- a 50-metre sports pool and a 25-metre swimming pool
- a leisure pool with water cannons and a current channel
- diving platforms from 1 metre up to a sweat-inducing 10 metres
- several beach volleyball courts
- a sauna area with 3 saunas and a steam bath for relaxation
- classic outdoor pool snacks like chips from the kiosk
3 more tips for your trip:
- It’s best to buy your tickets in advance via the Kölner Bäder website to avoid long queues.
- You can reach Stadionbad by tram line 1 or bus lines 141 and 143 to the “Alter Militärring” stop – or keep things flexible and come by bike.
- Stadionbad is worth a visit even in bad weather: if it’s too cold or wet outside, you can always head to the indoor pool next door.
Address: Olympiaweg 20, 50933 Cologne
Opening hours: during the season (from May to September), daily from 10 am to 8 pm – current opening hours are listed on the Kölner Bäder website
Admission: €6.30 for adults, €4.20 for children and teenagers
Rather See – an action-packed playground for kids
Fancy a trip to the beach, but not the long journey? Then head to Rather See in the east of Cologne. The beach season often starts earlier here than at other beach clubs.
But there’s more than just sandy beach and lawn for relaxing – at Wake Club Cologne on Rather See, you can …
- glide across the lake on a SUP at your own pace
- race across different courses on a wakeboard or waterskis and get an adrenaline kick
- book sessions for all levels – from short taster courses to longer sessions if you really want to build your skills
- enjoy a meal in the restaurant or a cold drink at the beach bar
- host your own BBQ by hiring a grill area in advance, or check the event calendar for special events such as brunch by the lake
3 more tips for your trip:
- You can book your tickets online during the season.
- There’s plenty of parking right by the entrance, with an alternative car park just a few metres away – but it’s still best to come by public transport: tram line 9 to “Steinweg” takes you almost directly to the beach club.
- Dogs are now allowed on the beach, too: there’s even a dedicated dog beach area, which is also open outside the season.
Address: Rösrather Str. 28, 51107 Cologne
Opening hours vary during the season: April – weekdays from 4 pm to 8 pm, weekends from 1 pm to 6 pm // from early May until the summer holidays – weekdays from 2 pm to 8 pm, weekends from 10 am to 8 pm // during the summer holidays – daily from 10 am to 8 pm // September – weekdays from 12 pm to 8 pm, weekends from 10 am to 8 pm // until October – weekdays from 2 pm to 7 pm, weekends from 12 pm to 7 pm
Admission: €6.20 for adults, €4.20 for children aged 5 and over and teenagers
Lentpark – an outdoor pool with a natural swimming lake right in the city
Multifunctional and unconventional – the sports arena at Lentpark has plenty to offer in summer and gives you a welcome break from the bustle of the city, without the need for a long journey.
Lentpark has the following in store for you …
- a charming natural swimming pond, where algae take care of the biological filtration
- an outdoor 50-metre sports pool and an indoor 25-metre swimming pool
- a non-swimmers’ area, a paddling pool and a water playground for kids
- a diving rock, a 1-metre diving board and a wide slide for an extra dose of fun
- a volleyball court for sporty visitors
3 more tips for your trip:
- During the season, you can get your tickets via the Kölner Bäder website.
- Since Lentpark is right in the city, the easiest way to get there is by bike. Alternatively, you can take the S-Bahn to “Reichenspergerplatz” – though you’ll still have a bit of a walk from the station.
- There’s plenty to discover outdoors on hot days, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can always head to the indoor pool and sauna area instead.
And if you don’t make it there in summer, you can save your visit for winter, when Lentpark turns into an ice rink.
Address: Lentstr. 30, 50668 Cologne
Opening hours: weekdays from 1 pm to 8 pm, weekends from 9 am to 8 pm
Admission: €6.30 for adults, €4.20 for children and teenagers
Waldbad Dünnwald – swimming fun in a woodland setting
Looking for a hidden gem? We’ve got just the place. Waldbad is tucked away in Dünnwald forest and delivers instant mini-break vibes. If you want to truly immerse yourself in nature, you’ll love it here.
At Waldbad Dünnwald, you can look forward to …
- a 50-metre swimming pool and a shallow pool for non-swimmers
- a 42-metre giant waterslide
- a small children’s playground
- beach volleyball and beach soccer courts, as well as table tennis tables
- 2 barrel saunas for relaxing
- a mini golf course right next door
3 more tips for your trip:
- The easiest way to get tickets is to book online.
- Bus line 154 takes you directly to Waldbad. Alternatively, you can drive and park in the visitors’ car park.
- If you’re just not ready to leave after your swim, you can visit the wildlife park next door (free entry) or pack your tent and stay overnight at the adjoining campsite.
Waldbad also regularly hosts open-air events – just check the calendar in advance.
Address: Peter-Baum-Weg 20, 51069 Cologne
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Admission: €7 for adults, €4 for children and teenagers
Naturfreibad Vingst – holiday vibes on the sandy beach
If you’re after something a little different, Naturfreibad Vingst is the place to be. This former gravel pit lake on the right bank of the Rhine, on the “Schäl Sick” – Cologne’s laid-back, slightly offbeat east side – is a real insider tip and especially popular with anyone who prefers the scent of lake water to chlorine.
Naturfreibad Vingst offers …
- a large sunbathing lawn and a sandy beach in one
- sun decks and straw parasols for a bit of shade
- a water playground and an adventure playground with a climbing ship
- hammocks free to use
3 more tips for your trip:
- The pool only opens in good weather – so be sure to check the current opening hours online in advance.
- There are several ways to get there: take tram line 9 or bus 151 to “Vingst” and walk about 10 minutes from there. Alternatively, you can drive – but on warm summer days, the car park right by the pool fills up quickly.
- The pool is largely accessible – so everyone can enjoy a day in the water.
Address: Vingster Ring, 51107 Cologne
Opening hours: current opening hours are listed on the Kölner Bäder website
Admission: €5.40 for adults, €4 for children and teenagers
Otto-Maigler-See – summer, sun and beach parties
Just a few kilometres from Cologne, the beach at Otto-Maigler-See offers the full package: laid-back lounging by the water during the day, followed by drinks, music and party vibes later on.
At the beach club at Otto-Maigler-See, you can …
- claim a cosy spot on the 500-metre sandy beach with your towel or rent a lounger or canopy bed on site
- play a round of beach volleyball – best to reserve a court in advance
- sit on the lakeside terrace and enjoy dishes that go beyond classic poolside chips
- let your kids run wild on the playground and the 2 bouncy castles
- party with your friends at OMS Beachclub – laid-back with a cocktail during the week, often with DJs and party vibes at the weekend
3 more tips for your trip:
- Booking your tickets online in advance is your best bet.
- There’s a paid car park with plenty of spaces close to the beach. If you’d rather leave the car at home, take bus line 711 to Otto-Maigler-See or line 978 to the “Gildenweg” stop – from there, it’s another 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
- Events such as the “After Work Parties” or the “Jeck am See” festival, which returns to the beach this year on 5 September, keep the atmosphere lively.
Address: Zieskovener Str. 85, 50354 Hürth
Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 9 pm during the season
Admission: €6 for adults and teenagers (aged 14 and over), €3 for children
Liblarer See – nature away from the city
Liblarer See is one of the artificial Ville lakes created after the closure of the local lignite mines in the 1950s. Today, there is hardly any sign of that past: the campsite and lake provide a relaxed setting for a day out.
These are the advantages of Liblarer See …
- the beach area is located right next to the campsite and is free for campers – but day visitors without a tent can also jump into the water here
- there is also a small playground for children
- you can easily combine your swim with a walk: a look around the lake (approx. 3.5 kilometres) takes about 45 minutes
3 more tips for your trip:
- There’s no need to book in advance here, just turn up and grab a spot.
- You can get there easily by car or take regional train 22 to Erftstadt. From there, it’s around 20 minutes on foot or a short ride on bus line 990 to Liblarer See.
- Important for SUP fans: guests are not allowed to bring stand-up paddleboards.
Address: Strandbad Liblarer See, 50374 Erftstadt
Opening hours: daily from 8 am to 8 pm during the season
Admission: €4 for adults, €3 for children and teenagers
Zündorfbad – the perfect swim whatever the weather
Zündorfbad combines cosy indoor swimming on cooler days with refreshing outdoor dips when summer heats up. For the 2026 bathing season, it will reopen freshly renovated.
At Zündorfbad, you can …
- find a shady spot on the tree-lined sunbathing lawn
- swim laps in the 25-metre outdoor pool
- race down the 80-metre wild water slide
- try out the diving boards in the indoor pool or relax in the sauna area
3 more tips for your trip:
- You can buy your tickets online during the season.
- Take tram line 7 to “Zündorf” and walk about 15 minutes from there to the outdoor pool. Alternatively, there’s a car park right by the pool.
- If you like, you can head over afterwards to the “Freizeitinsel” at Zündorfer Groov in the south of Cologne to play mini golf or simply linger in nature.
Address: Trankgasse 10a, 51143 Cologne
Opening hours: during the season, weekdays from 1 pm to 8 pm and weekends from 10 am to 8 pm – current opening hours are listed on the Kölner Bäder website
Admission: €6.30 for adults, €4.20 for children and teenagers
One more tip: Still haven’t found the perfect destination for your outing? On her blog Freibadliebe (in German, Cologne local Martina Göken shares her favourite outdoor pools, swimming lakes and summer spots – not just in Cologne, but across Germany.
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