Binnenalster

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Binnenalster, or Inner Alster Lake, is one of Hamburg’s two man-made lakes created by the river Alster (the other is Außenalster). It covers about 0.2 square kilometers and sits roughly 2 meters deep on average. The name “inner” comes from its location inside the old city walls. It was originally a reservoir for a mill. Now the old walls are gone, and two bridges, Lombardsbrücke and Kennedybrücke, cross the river at this point. The lake is bordered by embankments on three sides, with a park to the north. On the southern side is Jungfernstieg, a busy boulevard facing the park, and nearby are Ballindamm and Neuer Jungfernstieg, which host offices and luxury hotels. The main annual event around the lake is Alstervergnügen, a street fair held on the first weekend of September with food, drinks, stalls, games and live music.