Frequently Asked Questions

VOLKSBAD is a temporary public outdoor swimming pool in front of the Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. At its heart is a 25-metre swimming pool, open to all visitors and free of charge from 7 August to 1 October 2026.

From 7 August to 1 October 2026, we're open on the following days:

Tuesday to Saturday (except Thursday): 12:00–20:00
Thursday: 13:00–21:00
Monday, Sundays and public holidays: no swimming

Yes. VOLKSBAD is a free temporary public swimming pool. We recommend booking a no-cost two-hour time slot before your visit via the Volksbühne web shop. Time slots are released from 4 August onwards, three days in advance of the respective swimming day.

To make sure everyone has enough space to swim and relax, access to VOLKSBAD is organised via time slots. Booking is free via Volksbühne’s website.

By reserving a time slot ticket, you secure access to both the swimming pool and the relaxation area on the steps for a fixed period of two hours.

After booking, you'll receive a confirmation by email. Please stick to the admission time stated on your ticket and arrive in time so we can guarantee your entry. If a particular time slot is fully booked, you can select alternatives through the booking system. New time slot tickets are released three days in advance. Time slot tickets for the first day of operation on 7 August, will be available from 4 August.

Occasionally, fully booked slots may become available again, so it's always worth checking the website at short notice.

Your booking also helps us to:

• manage the pool’s capacity
• avoid waiting times
• maintain water quality and safety
• make everyone’s visit as relaxed as possible

We’d like as many Berliners as possible to enjoy this free swimming offer. Please make sure you leave the pool by the end of your booked two-hour time slot.

We’ll publish information about events at VOLKSBAD here on the website in due time. Admission to events will also be organised via the VOLKSBAD time slot booking system.

During normal operation, VOLKSBAD is intended for swimmers only.

For non-swimmers, the following applies:

Please note that the water is 1.30 metres deep throughout the entire pool. For your own safety, the water should reach no higher than your chest. Non-swimmers should therefore be at least 1.60 metres tall. Please make sure that your height allows you to use VOLKSBAD safely. Non-swimmers under the age of 18 have access if accompanied by an experienced swimmer who is at least 16 years and older.

Yes. Children may use the pool in accordance with the applicable safety rules. Parents and legal guardians remain responsible for supervising them.

Children under the age of 10 are only admitted if accompanied by an experienced swimmer who is at least 16 years old. Children aged 10 and over may visit VOLKSBAD unaccompanied if they can swim confidently. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for assessing their child’s swimming skills.

Info about babies and toddlers: During normal operation, VOLKSBAD does not offer suitable facilities for babies and toddlers.

Yes. Individual changing cubicles, individual showers and toilets are provided to ensure a hygienic and safe enough swimming environment. These facilities are cleaned and checked regularly. Please wear freshly washed swimwear when using the pool.

A limited number of lockers are available on site. However, we cannot accept liability for their contents. Please bring a 1 € or 2 € coin to use the lockers.

Yes. As in all public swimming pools, you must shower before entering the water for hygienic reasons. Our showers are individual cubicles. To avoid waiting queues during normal opening hours, please keep your shower as brief as possible.

There is a fries stand on the premises of the VOLKSBAD next to the swimming area. We’d love you to stop by after your swim.

You’re also welcome to bring your own food and enjoy it on the steps at VOLKSBAD. Please help us keep the site clean by disposing of your rubbish in the bins provided.

There will also be a drinking water fountain on site, so feel free to bring a reusable water bottle. For safety reasons, please use plastic bottles and leave glass bottles at home.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, opening hours may be adjusted or events postponed. Up-to-date information will be available on the Volksbühne website. In the event of sudden severe weather such as strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain or hail, the pool must not be used. In this case, please follow staff instructions immediately.

It’s not every day that an outdoor swimming pool appears in front of a theatre, so we’re delighted that so many people want to capture the experience. The important thing is that you refrain from taking photographs of other people without their permission. If you notice that someone has taken photos or videos of you without your consent, please inform our team immediately so we can support you. Any photographs of people published on Volksbühne's own platforms or in the press have been announced and consented with prior notice.

We love animals, but unfortunately dogs are not allowed inside the pool area for hygienic and safety reasons. If you have an assistance dog, we can make an exception for the relaxation area if you bring the appropriate documentation. Drinking water for dogs is available at the entrance to VOLKSBAD and at the chip stand. And who knows – there may even be a dog swimming session at the end of the season. Stay tuned.

VOLKSBAD is located in front of the main entrance to Volksbühne at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz.

If you're arriving by bike, there is plenty of bicycle parking available on site.

If you're travelling by public transport, we recommend:

• U2 to Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
• S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz
• Bus 200 or 142
• Tram M2 or M8

If possible, please avoid travelling by car, as parking in the surrounding area is extremely limited.

In public outdoor and indoor swimming pools, the pool water is never completely replaced. Instead, it is continuously cleaned through a water treatment system. VOLKSBAD uses the same principle to ensure consistently high water quality while conserving resources.

VOLKSBAD is operated in accordance with all applicable legal and public health requirements for public swimming pools. This includes:

• regular water quality checks
• continuous water treatment
• ongoing monitoring of water quality
• cleaning of the pool facilities in accordance with established standards

This ensures consistently high water quality, while compliance with all official requirements is regularly monitored.

In addition to technical water treatment, VOLKSBAD relies on clear pool rules:

• no glass containers in the pool area
• use the sanitary facilities before swimming
• follow the pool rules
• be considerate of other swimmers

Please help us keep the area in and around VOLKSBAD clean.

During opening hours, admission staff, lifeguards and trained security personnel are on site at all times and happy to help. With your help and cooperation, they will ensure that everything runs safely. Safety and emergency procedures are in place.

We’re currently preparing a set of pool rules to help ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable, so that we can all enjoy swimming and have a good time. The rules will be published on this website before the swim season starts. They will also be on display at the pool.

Please feel free to contact and speak to our team on site anytime. Your feedback helps us to keep improving the experience.