Discover Grünau: Nature, lido and regatta history

Grünau combines a rich regatta history with a varied natural landscape and a lido. Krumme Lake forms a wetland complex within Grünau Forest, while the regatta course recalls Berlin rowing and canoeing at the 1936 Olympic Games. There are also narrow paths along Krumme Lake and a route through the forest. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether nature walks, watersports history or a day at the lido will shape your stay.

Wetlands and paths in Grünau Forest

In the midst of dry, pine-covered Grünau Forest, Krumme Lake forms a diverse wetland complex. It is characterised by alder carr forests, sedge meadows, reed beds and birch-pedunculate oak forests influenced by groundwater. You can explore the varied natural surroundings along narrow paths beside Krumme Lake. Another option for a day outdoors is the “SO16: Fairytale Forests in Grünau” route, which runs through Grünau Forest. Depending on your interests, you can include either the narrow paths along Krumme Lake or the named route through the forest in your plans.

Regatta course and watersports history

The 2,000-metre-long Grünau regatta course hosted the canoeing and rowing competitions at the 1936 Olympic Games. Berlin’s first rowing regatta was held there as early as 1880. The course underwent extensive modernisation for the Olympic Games, including the construction of new boathouses, a large grandstand and additional facilities such as the so-called Kaiser Pavilion. Grünau’s development as a day-trip destination also has a transport history. After a stop was established on the Berlin–Görlitz Railway, which opened in 1866, and a landing stage operated by the Berlin Steamship Company was opened in the same year, Grünau became a popular day-trip destination.

On 6 September 2024, the Grünau Watersports Museum reopened with its newly designed permanent exhibition, “Wasser Sport Grünau”. The exhibition presents the history of the regatta grounds, the development of boatbuilding and Grünau’s diverse range of clubs. This broadens the focus from Olympic competition history to boatbuilding and club life. The museum also offers themed guided tours and workshops for schools and clubs.

Lido and travel planning

Grünau Lido offers a different kind of experience, with a large sandy beach, beach chairs and playgrounds for young visitors. If you are considering a day at the lido with children, these facilities provide a useful point of reference for your plans. Check the lido’s seasonal opening information before your visit.

When looking for accommodation in Grünau, a good starting point is how you want to spend your days. If you mainly want to be outdoors, you can include nature around Krumme Lake or the route through the forest in your travel plans. For a stronger focus on sport and history, the regatta course and Watersports Museum offer different ways to explore the subject of watersports. The lido adds the option of a day by the water; its playgrounds are a particularly useful point of reference for families with young visitors. This way, you can choose what to discover in Grünau based on the places and themes that interest you during your stay.

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