Difficulties encountered at the onset of the outdoor pool season - Unfavorable commencement for the outdoor swimming season
Sluggish Start to Berlin's Outdoor Pool Season Amid Cooler Weather and Heating Limitations
Despite the arrival of spring and the official start of the outdoor pool season, Berlin's Freibäder (outdoor pools) have seen significantly lower attendance this year compared to recent seasons. The German Press Agency reports that only 43,541 people have visited the pools so far, a marked decline from the 112,096 and 65,787 recorded at the same time in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Berliner Badenbetriebe (operators), the entity responsible for maintaining the city's pools, attribute the low attendance to the chillier weather of May 2025. The month has had fewer days of temperatures exceeding 25°C than in 2024 and most days have hovered below 20°C, discouraging bathers from visiting the pools.
In addition, only four of Berlin's pools are being heated using fossil fuels, while the remaining pools rely on solar heating. This year's cold water temperatures have made swimming less pleasant for many. Furthermore, budgetary constraints have reduced the number of heated pools compared to 2024.
The lower attendance could also be linked to the new ticket prices, although it is too early to determine their overall impact on revenue. In previous years, only around 6% of summer pool visits occurred in May. However, significant discount and discount offers are still being offered to attract visitors.
Out of the 17 outdoor pools in Berlin, several will be heated to ensure water temperatures of 22°C, while the rest will depend on solar heating supplemented by black hoses for additional warmth. The summer pool in Kreuzberg and the Freibad Wilmersdorf are among the heated pools. Online ticket sales continue, offering early bird and family discounts.
Despite the sluggish start, the Berliner Badenbetriebe remain optimistic that warmer weather and the upcoming summer months will lead to increased attendance as swimming becomes more appealing. The cooler May temperatures and limited pool heating are seen as temporary setbacks rather than long-term challenges. Overall, the outdoor pool season in Berlin in 2025 has faced some obstacles due to weather and heating constraints, resulting in a lower attendance rate compared to previous years.
Community policy could consider offering financial incentives to encourage more people to visit the outdoor pools, such as discounted tickets or subsidized vocational training programs for lifeguards to help maintain attendance levels. To further entice people, the city could invest in science-based health-and-wellness initiatives like fitness-and-exercise classes or seminars at the pools, creating a more holistic experience for visitors amidst the cooler weather.
