Can You Drink Tap Water in Berlin?
A question that comes up often when people travel to Berlin is, can you drink tap water in Berlin? Not only is it important to know about the safety of tap water in Berlin, but also whether or not it’s easy to get in restaurants. This post will go into details about Berlin drinking water, including safety and cultural oddities you might not be aware of.
Where to stay in Berlin
Berlin has lots of great neighborhoods for you to stay in and explore. If you’re visiting Berlin for the first time, it might be best for you stay somewhere central.
Many of the attractions are in Mitte or easily connected to Mitte by Berlin’s public transport, so you should stay somewhere in that region. Here are a few hotels we recommend.
For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our hotel recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin.
Or read my full review of the 25Hours Hotel in Charlottenburg with fantastic views of the Zoo and Tiergarten.
Can you drink the tap water in Berlin, Germany?Is it safe to drink tap water in Berlin?
If you’re traveling to Berlin, you’ll be happy to hear that the tap water is safe to drink. It is very controlled and double filtered to keep it as safe as possible, so you can rest assured that drinking it right out of the tap is safe.
In fact, you can drink the tap water in Germany all around the country. So if you’re planning a trip to Germany, you’ll be safe to drink the water while you’re here.
Since the water is safe to drink in Berlin, it’s a great idea to travel with a refillable water bottle like this one. That way you can fill up in your hotel, which is good for the environment and easy on your budget.
Refillable water bottles are great for the environment and your walletA quick note about Berlin’s lakes and the Spree River
While the Berlin drinking water from the tap is safe, you shouldn’t drink from any lake, river, or canal. Germany is a reasonably clean country, but this isn’t Switzerland.
Swimming in lakes is a popular summertime activity here, and many lakes are clean enough for swimming. But always check local advice since sometimes a lake or two will have big spikes in algae which can be dangerous to dogs and cause allergic skin reactions for some humans.
And in case you were wondering, no you can’t go swimming in the Spree River. Unless you go to the Badeschiff, a pool in a barge that sits in the river, as pictured below.
Badeschiff is a barge that’s been turned into a pool in the Spree River
Hard water in Berlin
Now that you know it’s safe to drink the tap water in Berlin, you should also be aware that the water here is really hard. There are lots of minerals in the water, which can alter the taste.
It also means more mineral build up in glasses, showers, etc. Again, it is still safe, but this might be harder water than you’re used to at home.
After living in Berlin for many years, I notice the difference with my hair when showering here vs in a different city, even within Germany. Hopefully it won’t bother you, but since you’re likely only in Berlin for a few days, it shouldn’t be long enough to even notice a difference.
But I definitely recommend adding lotion to your Berlin packing list since the hard water can make your skin feel a bit drier.
Tap water in Berlin is safe but probably harder than you’re used toGetting tap water in restaurants in Berlin
If you’re coming from the US, you’re probably used to restaurants automatically giving you free tap water as soon as you sit down. This is not the case in Berlin or in Germany.
Most Germans prefer to drink sparkling water. Beyond that, many Germans simply prefer not to drink tap water.
Restaurants don’t offer tap water, and if you ask for it, many will refuse. I’ve had people tell me, “we don’t have it” which is obviously nonsense.
Even after living in Germany for over a decade, I still find this strange, but you get used to it.
The only time I even bother asking for tap water is if I’m also drinking something else, like alcohol. And they’re likely to bring you a tiny glass, so don’t expect much.
Even at our favorite pizza restaurant that we go to several times a month, I would never ask for tap water as my only drink. But if we order wine, I will also ask for tap water, and they are fine with bringing it to us.
If you order water, they will bring you bottled water (and obviously charge you for it), and the default is usually sparkling water. If you’d rather have still water, ask for it specifically. It’s “stilles Wasser” in German.
>>Check it out: 13 Best German Restaurants in Berlin: Where to Eat German Food
German beer and wine taste better than water anyway, right?Buying bottled water
If you do decide to buy bottled water, you’ll find both still water and sparkling water. It’s worth knowing the different vocabulary so you can buy the right one.
“Sprudel” means it is fizzy or sparkling water, while “Stilles” means still water. But you could also see “mit” or “ohne” which mean with or without, as in with fizz or without fizz.
Sometimes bottled water is labeled as mineral water or natural water, and I feel like anything goes here. I’ve definitely picked up a bottle I thought was going to be still water because of how it was labeled, only to be fooled.
When in doubt, give the bottle a shake and see if there are lots of bubbles that fizz up or just a few normal air bubbles. Or if the cashier speaks any English, ask before committing.
The annoyance of trying to buy the right type of water is another reason why it might be better to use a refillable water bottle and drink the tap water in Berlin.
I hope this answers all your questions about tap water safety in Berlin, plus questions you didn’t even know to ask about ordering water in restaurants in Germany.
Book a tour for your trip to Berlin
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this explanation about drinking water in Berlin helps. But there are lots more tips on the site!
- 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
- 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
- 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
- 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
- 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
- What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
- How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation
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Ali is originally from the US, but she’s been living in Germany since 2011. In 2015, she and her husband moved to Berlin where they now live with their small dog. They even bought an apartment in Berlin in 2021 – Berlin is definitely home now! Ali’s goal is to show you everything you need to know for enjoying a trip to Berlin.
