Whether or not you made the most of the lakes this summer, it’s not too late to take the joys (and benefits) of swimming inside at one of Berlin’s many magnificent public pools. One of the city’s oldest and most spectacular is Stadtbad Mitte “James Simon”. Built in 1929 by the Weimar Republic’s prolific architect Heinrich Tessenow, and funded by the entrepreneur James Simon, it was considered to be the most state of the art bathing house in Europe at the time. Now a listed building, it has been beautifully maintained and fitted out with modern showering facilities and refurbished changing rooms. The main attraction of the seven-floor building is without a doubt the impressive swimming hall, which features rows of paneled windows that stretch almost the entire lengths of the 10m high walls and even across the ceiling. Go on a sunny day and witness the light flooding in as you submerge yourself in the shimmering waters of the sunken 50m pool. If you’re not a swimmer but still intrigued, two private gym studios overlooking the pool offer regular yoga courses, and there’s even a massage parlor if you feel like really indulging. (Text: Lucy Thorpe / Photos: c/o Stadtbad Mitte)
Stadtbad Mitte “James Simon”, Gartenstr.5, 10115 Berlin-Mitte; map
Mon-Wed 6.30-22h, Thu 6.30-14h, Fri 12-22h, Sat 14.30-21.30h, Sun 10-17h
