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Quick answer: Erlangen's best summer swimming spots are the Dechsendorfer Weiher, the Westbad and Röthelheimbad outdoor pools, the Wöhrder See in Nürnberg, the Rothsee near Roth, andthe Happurger Baggersee near Hersbruck for a cool dip after a bike ride. Staying in a furnished apartment with Book-it.de near the Altstadt or Bürgerpark gives you the easiest access to all four, plus a kitchen to cook dinner after a day at the lake.
Where to swim around Erlangen this summer
Erlangen sits in the Regnitz valley, surrounded by lakes, river bends, and open-air pools that fill up the moment the temperature climbs past 25°C. None of them require a car, which matters if you're staying in the city center on a longer trip. Here's where locals actually go.
Dechsendorfer Weiher
The Dechsendorfer Weiher (also called the Großer Bischofsweiher) is the most popular lake near Erlangen, set in a protected landscape area about 8 km north of the city in the direction of Dechsendorf. The water is shallow and warms up quickly in summer, making it a favorite for families. There are grassy banks for sunbathing, a kiosk for ice cream and drinks, and enough space to find a quiet spot even on a busy weekend. It's reachable by bike in around 25 minutes from central Erlangen, or by car in 15 minutes. Swimming is informal — there's no lifeguard at most of the shoreline, so it suits confident swimmers and families who keep an eye on younger children.
Erlangen's outdoor pools: Westbad and Röthelheimbad
If you'd rather not deal with lake mud or uncertain water quality, Erlangen has two well-run open-air pools (Freibäder). The Westbad, on the western edge of the city, is the larger of the two, with multiple pools, diving areas, and lawns for sunbathing — it's a short tram or bike ride from most central apartments. The Röthelheimbad, closer to the university campus and Röthelheimpark, is smaller and more family-oriented, with a paddling pool for younger kids. Both charge a modest entry fee, have lifeguards on duty, and are open daily through the summer season (typically May to September, weather permitting). For anyone staying near Bürgerpark or the Siemens Campus, the Röthelheimbad is within easy walking distance.
Wöhrder See in Nürnberg
For a bigger lake experience, the Wöhrder See in Nürnberg is just one S-Bahn stop and a short walk from Erlangen — about 20 minutes door to door. This is a proper city lake with a long promenade, designated swimming zones, paddleboard and SUP rental, and plenty of green space for a full day out. It gets busy on hot weekends, but the size of the lake means it rarely feels overcrowded. It's an easy half-day or full-day trip if you want a change of scenery from Erlangen without committing to a longer journey.
Rothsee
About 40–45 minutes south of Erlangen (past Nürnberg, near the town of Roth), the Rothsee is a proper lake getaway — 2.1 square kilometers, with a dam splitting it into a calm swimming side and a sailing/surfing side so the two never compete for space. A 12 km path circles the whole lake if you want to bike or walk it, and there's a sandy beach area, volleyball courts, pedal boats, mini golf, and even a separate dog beach. Water quality is consistently rated good. It's a full lake-day destination rather than a quick dip — worth the slightly longer trip if you want sand-between-your-toes over lake mud.
Happurger Stausee (and its Baggersee)
Near Hersbruck, about 45–50 minutes from Erlangen by car or roughly an hour by train (S-Bahn to Nürnberg, then the S1 to Happurg), this is technically two bodies of water next to each other. The Stausee itself is a scenic reservoir tucked into the Hersbrucker Alb hills — popular with sailors and walkers doing the 5 km loop trail around it, with a lakeside café (Seeterrassen) for a coffee or meal — but swimming there isn't allowed. For the actual swim, head to the adjacent Happurger Baggersee, rated excellent water quality, with a kiosk and toilets on site. Good pairing if you want a walk and a swim in the same afternoon, just at two different spots a few minutes apart.
Furnished apartment or hotel for a summer stay near the lakes?
If your trip includes regular lake or pool days, where you stay changes the experience more than you'd think.
- Storage for wet gear: A furnished apartment has space to dry towels, store bikes, and air out swim gear overnight — a cramped hotel room makes this awkward for a week or more.
- Cooking after a beach day: Coming back sandy and hungry is far easier with a kitchen. Book-it.de apartments let you grab groceries on the way home instead of hunting for a restaurant at 9 p.m.
- Laundry: Swimsuits, towels, and sandy clothes pile up fast in summer. In-unit or in-building laundry (standard in Book-it.de apartments) beats packing wet gear into a suitcase.
- Cost over multiple days: Hotels charge a flat nightly rate regardless of stay length. Furnished apartments from Book-it.de typically work out cheaper per night the longer you stay, which matters if your summer trip runs a week or more.
- Location flexibility: Book-it.de has apartments near Bürgerpark, the Altstadt, and the Siemens Campus area, so you can choose a base close to whichever lake or pool you'll visit most.
- Space to actually relax: After a day outdoors, having a separate living area beats coming back to a single hotel room.
For a short weekend trip, a hotel is fine. For a week of lake-hopping between Dechsendorf, the Freibäder, and Nürnberg, a furnished apartment is the more comfortable and cost-effective choice.
Practical tips for a summer visit
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, since several of these spots are shallow, natural bodies of water. Bring cash or a card for the Freibad entry fees (typically a few euros). If you're cycling to the Dechsendorfer Weiher, the route from central Erlangen is flat and well-marked. Check opening hours for the Westbad and Röthelheimbad in advance, as they can vary by week and weather. And if you're staying with Book-it.de, ask about apartments near Bürgerpark or the western side of the city if quick access to the Westbad is a priority.
