There are several beautiful lakes in Essen and the surrounding area that are popular with locals and visitors alike. The city is surrounded by a varied landscape with forests, parks and bodies of water, which is not necessarily what you would expect in the densely populated Ruhr area.
The individual bathing lakes in Essen are ...
Lake Baldeney, a large reservoir built in the early 20th century to supply the surrounding area with water and electricity. Today Lake Baldeney is a bathing lake and a popular destination for swimming, boating and fishing. Around the lake there are several beaches, bathing spots and a promenade that offers a magnificent view of the water. The 'Seaside Beach' is a sandy beach at Lake Baldeney, where the bathing area is concreted over so that the sand is not lost. At Lake Baldeney you can stretch your legs, meet up with friends and also go jogging. Your flat is never far away, because public transport takes you almost everywhere in the Ruhr area.
Another popular lake in Essen is Kettwiger See, which is located in the south of the city. This small lake is surrounded by dense forests and offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visitors can hire pedal boats, walk along the lakeshore or simply swim and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. Afterwards, a detour to Kettwig is a good idea. The picturesque old town is best enjoyed with an ice cream in hand.
Lake Baldeney and Lake Kettwig are Ruhr reservoirs, of which there are six along the river.
Essener See, located in the heart of the city, is a small but picturesque lake surrounded by parks and gardens. Here you can take a leisurely walk around the lake and enjoy the tranquillity of the water and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. There are also several cafés and restaurants nearby, perfect for a picnic or a romantic evening.
Bathing lakes outside Essen
In addition to these lakes in Essen, there are several other bodies of water in the region, including the Ruhr. The Ruhr is a popular destination for kayaking and canoeing, while the Ruhr reservoirs offer scenic views and a range of water activities such as swimming, sailing and windsurfing. Among Essen's bathing lakes, however, there are other smaller lakes worth exploring.
To the west of the A3 motorway in the south of Duisburg there are several lakes that lie very close together. The Wolfssee is the largest of them. The others are: Wambachsee, Masurensee, Böllertsee, Haubachsee and Entenfang, the latter being to the east of the railway tracks. The area for swimming is called the Six Lakes Plateau. Wolfssee has a veritable sandy beach and there is a boat rental at Wambachsee. You can camp at Entenfang. Diving, swimming, rowing, fishing, surfing - the shallow lakes (up to 24 metres water depth) are an Eldorado for water enthusiasts.
Where can you go swimming in Essen?
And if this still isn’t enough, you can also go to an open-air swimming pool. When the temperatures climb in summer, the nicest place to stay is near water that is suitable for swimming. In addition to the Ruhr reservoirs, there are three open-air swimming pools directly in Essen. The Steeler Freibad is located directly on the Ruhr and has heated pools (23°C). The open-air pool in Dellwig is on the Rhine-Herne Canal and offers a wide range of sports as well as bathing fun.
The third outdoor pool in the group is in Gruga Park. The large area has five pools, lots of sunbathing lawns and everything you would expect from an outdoor entertainment park. Why not arrange to play beach volleyball with your friends? In addition to the two volleyball courts, there is also a huge area for children to let off steam.
And if the summer weather is a bit slow, there are several beautiful parks and forests in the vicinity of Essen, including the Grugapark, a large public park with beautifully landscaped gardens, a botanical garden and several playgrounds and attractions for children. Not to mention the many museums, the Zollverein coal mine and other former slagheaps.
Overall, the lakes and surrounding countryside of Essen offer a range of outdoor activities in nature and natural beauty to enjoy during your stay in Essen. Finding a furnished flat in Essen is easy via the app. We hope you have an amazing time here!
