Sluggish Commencement of the Open-Air Spa Season - Unfavorable commencement for the outdoor swimming season
Berlin's Outdoor Swimming Season Begins with a Slow Pace
The start of the outdoor swimming season in Berlin has been sluggish, with attendance figures showing a significant decline compared to previous years. According to the Berlin Baths Operations, only 43,541 people have visited as of now, compared to 112,096 at the same period last year.
The cooler weather in May seems to be the primary reason for the dip in attendance, as the Baths Operations reported that the city had only two days with maximum temperatures above 25°C, compared to ten such days in May 2024. The unpredictable weather has left most pools unheated.
Although the Baths Operations attribute the lower turnout to weather conditions, there is a question about whether the new prices are also deterring visitors. Last year, only 6% of all summer pool visits occurred in May, and the Baths Operations are still analyzing the impact of the altered prices on this year's numbers.
Furthermore, many discount and special offers are still available, indicating an attempt to attract guests despite the challenging circumstances. Four swimming pools are heated this season—two in Kreuzberg, one in Wilmersdorf, and the Sommerbad Seestraße in Wedding—with therapeutic temperatures of 22°C. The rest of the pools can only warm up through solar heating, which may not be effective on cloudy days.
The outdoor pools in Berlin, such as the popular Prinzenbad, Am Insulaner, Olympiastadion, and Wannsee, have opened for the summer season as scheduled. Patrons can purchase tickets online and enjoy discounts for early birds and families with children. Online ticket sales enable visitors to check the pool's occupancy levels during hot days and plan their visits accordingly.
[1] Enrichment data: The overall infrastructure and economic conditions, such as closed sports facilities, suggest broader systemic issues impacting Berlin's outdoor pools. Additionally, the combination of unfavorable weather, unheated pools, and underlying infrastructure challenges is contributing to the poor start of the outdoor swimming season in Berlin.
[4] Also, it's essential to mention that the entire city is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which might have affected the smooth functioning of public facilities such as swimming pools.
Community members can benefit from the ongoing vocational training programs to enhance their skills and qualifications while staying fit, given the health-and-wellness focus of the outdoor swimming season. As the city implements science-backed measures to maintain pool hygiene and ensure safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors can strengthen their immune systems with regular exercise and sports activities at these pools.
