playbook
Rent a Boat on Müggelsee Without a License
Pick up a license-free motor or electric boat on Müggelsee and explore Berlin's largest lake from the water with views of the Müggelberge.
4u
duration
€ 60–180
budget
Ground
pace
Müggelsee lies in the east of Berlin and, at just over seven square kilometers, is the city's largest natural body of water. Anyone looking to rent a boat up to 15 HP without a license will find small rental stations around Friedrichshagen, along Müggelheimer Damm, and in Köpenick. You don't need an SBF for that. Open motorboats for four to six people are common, as are quieter electric boats that glide almost silently through the shallow water.
No official license is required, but a short briefing before departure is part of the deal. Southwesterly winds can kick up surprisingly choppy waves across the open stretch, so checking the weather forecast is a must. Getting there is easy with the S3 to Berlin-Friedrichshagen, then a short walk through Bölschestraße down to the waterfront. Two hours will run you around 60 to 90 euros depending on the season, and a half day comes in at 120 to 180 euros.
Checklist
0 of 5
Wettervorhersage und Windrichtung prüfen
Badesachen und Handtuch einpacken
Schwimmweste vor Abfahrt anlegen
Reservierungsbestätigung am Anleger zeigen
Sonnencreme und Mütze mitnehmen
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A small dinghy, two hours, on your own. No passenger to impress. Just learning what the boat does.
by PlayTryBe team
Reserve a station in Friedrichshagen, Rahnsdorf, or along Müggelheimer Damm -- on warm weekends, reach out at least three days in advance.
Take part in the briefing on steering, knots, and the emergency shutoff, and put on your life jackets.
Cruise slowly past the Spreetunnel and Strandbad Friedrichshagen, keeping your eyes open for views of the Müggelberge.
Drop anchor in a sheltered bay toward Kleiner Müggelsee and go for a swim or have a picnic.
Keep an eye on the wind -- if waves are running above 30 centimeters, stay closer to the shore.
Make note of which docking spots are worth it for a café or a sit-down lunch on land.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Early mornings are quieter -- from midday onward, plenty of sailors gather on the lake.
- Check out the Spreetunnel from the water side, where you can briefly pull up and dock.
- Head for Strandbad Müggelsee as a destination -- the sandy beach makes for a pleasant break.
- Avoid the entrance area to the Große Krampe, where the passage is narrow and heavily trafficked.
- Go for battery-powered models -- the experience on the lake stays noticeably more peaceful.
Variations
- - Kanu oder SUP statt Motorboot mieten, sportlicher und günstiger.
- - Tour bis in die Dahme verlängern, von Köpenick aus möglich.
- - Picknick auf einer Insel im Kleinen Müggelsee statt Café an Land.
- - Sonnenuntergangstour buchen, viele Verleiher haben Abendslots ab 17 Uhr.
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