Top

3

Low-budget excursion tips for your spring

Vacation fun for little money

Published: March 4, 2026

Two people cycle along a sandy dune path on the coast of Hiddensee, while waves crash on the beach and grass sways in the wind.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern opens the door to a world where vacations are not a question of money, but of the heart: feel the clear air on a quiet lake, listen to the wind in the avenues, warm yourself with a cup of tea in a quaint courtyard café or lose yourself in a Bodden sunset that bathes the sky in bright red gold.

Landscapes full of peace and power await you here, natural paradises that shine differently in every light, adventure spots that delight families and couples alike, and villages where life flows at a slower pace. Whether on a hike through forests, on a boat tour through still waters or walking barefoot over damp grass, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern gives you real moments. For little money. With a lot of feeling. And with a smile that lasts.

Overview:

3 highlights up to €10 or even free

Red brick lighthouse at Darßer Ort with wind-sculpted pine tree and dune landscape on the western beach.

The westernmost tip of the Dar ü is one of the wildest corners of the Baltic Sea coast. Here, the wind shapes the pine trees into bizarre silhouettes, grey seals dart along the beach and the lighthouse has been towering over everything since 1849. In the NATUREUM you can find out why this coastal strip is part of the Western Pomerania Lagoon National Park: vividly, up close, without frills. For 10 euros per person, you get the exhibition and the view - and the rest is free outside.

Yellow museum building of the Peenemünde Toy Adventure World with outdoor terrace and wooden bear sculpture.

Tin cars, fairytale worlds and dolls that are older than your grandparents are piled up here on 1,100 square meters. The toy adventure world in Peenemünde displays around 25,000 exhibits – some of which are up to 200 years old. Not a sterile depot, but a journey through childhood memories that you would never have expected. For 8 euros per person, this is anything but a matter of course. And if you still feel like it afterwards: Next door, the Russian submarine U-461 awaits brave explorers.

Couple passes through the castle gate of the brick castle of Neustadt-Glewe with fortified towers and battlements.

The oldest surviving fortified castle in Mecklenburg stands in the middle of Neustadt-Glewe – and is waiting for you to discover it. Built around 1250 on an Elde dyke, the castle tells the story of castle fathers, knights and a medieval hot-air heating system that was far ahead of its time. Take a look at the keep with its lock, wander through the living room and pause for a moment in the Hofstube – its Gothic murals are a real eye-catcher. For 4 euros per person, you get 700 years of history at your fingertips.

108 results

  • St. George Church

    • Open today
    • St.-Georgen-Kirchhof, 23966 Wismar

    St. George's Church is one of the three large main churches in Wismar and an outstanding architectural monument of North German brick Gothic. It was once the place of worship for craftsmen and tradesmen. The origins of St. George's lie in the 13th century. Its construction thus falls into the turbulent time of the late Middle Ages and the Reformation.

    Read more: "St. George Church"
  • © Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb

    Dornbusch Lighthouse

    • Im Dornbuschwald, 18565 Kloster

    Due to its location on a thorn bush (German: "Dornbusch") hill rising 72 metres above the sea, also called "beacon Dornbusch".

    Read more: "Dornbusch Lighthouse"
  • © D. Foitlänger, Biosphärenreservatsamt Schaalsee-Elbe

    Information centre for the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

    • Open today
    • Auf der Festung, 19303 Dömitz

    Since 1997, the Elbe river landscape has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve that stretches across five federal states. The nature there is unique and the river influences the life, the landscape and people along the Elbe. At the visitor cente fortress of Dömitz visitors can get information about the UNESCO biosphere reserve.

    Read more: "Information centre for the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
  • About 500m south of the former fishing village is the Streckelsberg, which is about 58 meters high // © Sven Fischer

    Viewpoint Streckelsberg

    • 17459 Ostseebad Koserow

    At around 58 meters, Streckelsberg is the third highest elevation on the Island of Usedom. Surpassed in height only by the Golm and the Kückelsberg, the cliff edge dune was formed during the last ice age as a push moraine and is located southeast of the Baltic resort Koserow and the village of Kölpinsee.

    Read more: "Viewpoint Streckelsberg"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Pier Binz

    • 18609 Binz

    The Binz pier on the Island of Rügen, with a length of 370 meters, is the second longest pier on Rügen after the Sellin pier.

    Read more: "Pier Binz"
  • © Till Werner

    Barefoot path Boltenhagen

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Ostseeallee, 23946 Boltenhagen

    The barefoot path in the Baltic resort of Boltenhagen is an experience for all the senses.

    Read more: "Barefoot path Boltenhagen"
  • © TMV/Kirchgessner

    Observation tower Plau am See

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Kalkofen, 19395 Plau am See

    The lighthouse welcomes boaters as they enter the Müritz-Elde waterway from Lake Plaue. From its viewing platform at a height of 8 meters, it offers a fantastic panoramic view over Lake Plauer See. It is now considered the most popular photo motif among guests.

    Read more: "Observation tower Plau am See"
  • Franziskanerkloster Neubrandenburg // © Thomas Oppermann

    Regional Museum Neubrandenburg

    • Closed today
    • Stargarder Straße, 17033 Neubrandenburg

    The Neubrandenburg Regional Museum (founded in 1872) is one of the oldest civic museums in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Regional Museum Neubrandenburg"
  • Exterior view hunting lodge Kotelow // © Jagdschloss Kotelow

    Kotelow hunting lodge

    • Schlossallee, 17099 Kotelow

    The manor has belonged to the v. Oertzen family since 1672. The single-story baroque house, built in 1773, ends with a mansard roof. The courtyard entrance is gabled over a beautiful oak entrance door with a frontispiece. On the garden side there is a 3-axis central risalit with a terrace in front. Old wooden floorboards are preserved in the interiors. The house was extensively and authentically renovated and is now open to guests as a hunting lodge.

    Read more: "Kotelow hunting lodge"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Viewpoint southern tip of Gnitz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17440 Lütow

    From a small hill on the southern tip of the Gnitz peninsula, you have an impressive view of the Achterwasser and the mainland beyond.

    Read more: "Viewpoint southern tip of Gnitz"
  • © Landesforst

    Forest Museum Lütt Holthus

    • OT Lüttenhagen, Forsthof, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    The forest museum Lütt Holhus is a small hands-on forest experience center and provides interesting and interesting facts about local forests with their flora and fauna.

    Read more: "Forest Museum Lütt Holthus"
  • Entdeckerpfad Biologische Vielfalt in der Rostocker Heide // © Stadtforstamt Rostock/K. Kuhr

    Discovery Trail Biodiversity

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Wiethagen, 18182 Rostock

    Discover, explore, play in the Rostock Heath. On the barrier-free discovery trail Biological Diversity in the largest contiguous coastal forest in Germany, you will learn about the small and large natural wonders of the local forests.

    Read more: "Discovery Trail Biodiversity"
  • phanTECHNIKUM - Technisches Landesmuseum MV // © Technisches Landesmuseum MV

    phanTECHNIKUM - National Technical Museum

    • Open today
    • Zum Festplatz, 23966 Wismar

    The exhibition building of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Technical Museum presents the fascinating world of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's technical and industrial history on an area of around 3,500 square meters and is divided according to the elements FIRE, WATER, AIR and EARTH.

    Read more: "phanTECHNIKUM - National Technical Museum"
  • © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

    Cape Arkona Lighthouses

    • 18556 Putgarten

    Cape Arkona's lighthouses are two sea-fires and a beacon pointing the way for seafarers on the Baltic Sea.

    Read more: "Cape Arkona Lighthouses"
  • Familienidyll // © Freilichtmuseum Klockenhagen

    Open-air museum Klockenhagen

    • Open today
    • Mecklenburger Straße, 18311 Ribnitz-Damgarten OT Klockenhagen

    The open-air museum Klockenhagen is a historical village in a village, because on five hectares of parkland there are typical Mecklenburg farmhouses, barns, windmills and a village church.

    Read more: "Open-air museum Klockenhagen"
  • A view of the farm and the Rostock Heath // © TMV/Witzel

    Forst- und Köhlerhof Wiethagen

    • Wiethagen, 18182 Wiethagen

    Since 1837, the Wiethagen tar shelling plant has existed on the southern edge of the Rostock Heath with the only historical functioning tar shelling furnace.

    Read more: "Forst- und Köhlerhof Wiethagen"
  • Trebeltal // © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Nature trail Tribsees

    • L 192, 18465 Tribsees

    The Tribsses nature trail leads through the lowland moorland of the Trebel Valley. Eight information boards point out the animals and plants living in the area.

    Read more: "Nature trail Tribsees"
  • Chinese Garden in IGA Park Rostock // © IGA Park Rostock

    IGA Park Rostock

    • Schmarl-Dorf, 18106 Rostock

    Blossoming in the IGA Park - The face of the IGA Park changes in the harmonious rhythm of the seasons. Varied garden landscape on the banks of the Warnow, rose slope, willow dome and international gardens inspire visitors.

    Read more: "IGA Park Rostock"
  • Observation tower at the Great Serrahnsee

    • 17237 Serrahn

    The lookout tower offers a panoramic view over a moor landscape consisting of two silted-up lakes. With a little luck, you can spot sea eagles and ospreys as well as cranes in the reeds.

    Read more: "Observation tower at the Great Serrahnsee"
  • breiter Sandstrand // © A. Groh

    Beach Kummerow

    • 17139 Kummerow

    Located on the southern shore of the lake idyllically behind the baroque castle, the sandy beach invites you to swim and linger.

    Read more: "Beach Kummerow"
  • Beach Baabe

    • 18586 Ostseebad Baabe

    Here you can find beach of the best quality !

    Read more: "Beach Baabe"
  • Lake Krakow - View // © TMV/Tiemann

    Jörnberg lookout tower

    • Open today
    • Jörnbergweg, 18292 Krakow am See

    Krakow am See is easily recognizable by the simple and imposing lookout tower on the Jörnberg peninsula.

    Read more: "Jörnberg lookout tower"
  • Seebrücke Ostseeheilbad Graal-Müritz // © TMV/Gohlke

    Pier Graal-Müritz

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18181 Graal-Müritz

    The pier of Graal-Müritz is 350 m long and was opened on April 10, 1993. From here you can start with the MS Baltica to Warnemünde.

    Read more: "Pier Graal-Müritz"
  • Sellin pier

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Seebrücke, 18586 Sellin

    The Sellin pier leads almost 400 meters out to sea. Since 1998, the dream castle by the sea has once again become a landmark of the Island of Rügen. Whether in the light-flooded palm garden, which extends over two floors, or the imperial pavilion reminiscent of the twenties, you always enjoy the free view of the sea and the beach, surrounded by an eventful gastronomic ambience.

    Read more: "Sellin pier"
  • © J.Bengs

    Visitor centre of the Nature Park “Insel Usedom“

    • Open today
    • Bäderstraße, 17406 Usedom

    The island of Usedom is one of the areas with the most bird species in Germany. Overall, more than 280 species have been observed, 150 of them also brood here. 11 kinds of raptors regularly brood in the nature park, one of them is the sea-eagle. The visitor centre of the island of Usedom is located next to the information centre of the city of Usedom on the ground floor of the “Klaus-Bahlsen-Haus”. The visitor centre could only be built and furnished with the aid of the great commitment and the generous support of the correspondent foundation.

    Read more: "Visitor centre of the Nature Park “Insel Usedom“"
  • Walderlebnispfad Ummanz // © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

    Forest adventure trail Ummanz "Des Försters Wald" (The forester's forest)

    • 18569 Ummanz

    Since spring 2014, the Rügen island Ummanz offers the forest adventure trail "Des Försters Wald" as a new excursion destination for the whole family. On 1.9 kilometers you will find varied, informative and adventurous offers to get to know nature, especially the forest.

    Read more: "Forest adventure trail Ummanz "Des Försters Wald" (The forester's forest)"
  • Viewpoint "Great Rosin

    • 17159 Dargun

    The view into Western Europe's largest lowland moorland takes your breath away.a true bird paradise!

    Read more: "Viewpoint "Great Rosin"
  • Badestrand Weißer See bei Wesenberg // © Christin Drühl

    Beach "White Lake" Wesenberg

    • 17255 Wesenberg

    The Weißer See bathing beach is located just outside the center of Wesenberg, quietly surrounded by greenery. The arrival and departure with the Kleinseenbahn is possible.

    Read more: "Beach "White Lake" Wesenberg"
  • © TV FDZ

    West Beach

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18375 Born a. Darß

    Nowhere on the Baltic coast do land erosion and land formation take place so dynamically, in such a short time and in such a confined space as in the National Park of Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft. The west beach, bordering directly on the Darß forest, is one of the most vivid examples of this. Due to its wildness and remoteness, it has been declared one of the most beautiful beaches in Germany and Europe several times. Arte even nominated it as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

    Read more: "West Beach"
  • © Tourismuszentrale Stralsund

    St. Mary's Church Stralsund

    • Marienstraße, 18439 Stralsund

    The Marienkirche, also called St. Marien, is the largest church in the city. From the 104 meter high tower (366 steps) of the Marienkirche you have a unique view over Stralsund to Rügen.

    Read more: "St. Mary's Church Stralsund"

Content is loaded

Select a region or location

Select a region

or enter a location directly

Content is loaded

  • Bike instead of car: Many accommodations lend bicycles free of charge or for a small fee.
     
  • Use the off-season: Accommodation is cheaper in spring and fall and the beaches are emptier.  
  • Multi-day tickets: In Schwerin, you can save up to 30% with combined tickets for the castle, museum and zoo.
  • Gästekarte nutzen: With Gästekarten you can travel free of charge by bus and train in many places and benefit from discounts for sights, leisure activities and guided tours – ideal for sustainable and cheap travel without a car. 
    GästeCard Rostock & Warnemünde
    GästeCard Fischland-Darß-Zingst
    UsedomCard
    MÜRITZ all around
    KÜSTENKARTE
     
  • Sustainable & inexpensive travel: So that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern remains a favorable natural paradise for future generations, pay attention to regional products, use ÖPNV or the bike and respect trail closures in nature reserves.
Cycling on the avenue // © MV-T/outdoor-visions.com

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about low-budget activities & excursion tips

Are the beaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern really free?

Yes, most of the Baltic Sea beaches and inland lakes are accessible free of charge. Only resort taxes may apply in individual Baltic Sea resorts.

Where can I find quick information on free activities in my area?

Tourist information, community websites and apps such as „Outdooractive“ or „Komoot“ list free activities by distance.

Do I need a permit for paddling or fishing?

Not for paddling. To go fishing in MV, you need a temporary  (12 € for 28 days).

Are there cheap activities in bad weather?

Many museums offer family days for 1 € admission or completely free action days. Public libraries in Schwerin and Rostock are also free of charge.

What advantages do I have with a guest card?

The guest card is a discount card that you receive in many places in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern when you register at your accommodation. It is usually included in the accommodation price or in the visitor's tax and offers numerous benefits for your stay, from free travel on public transport to discounts on leisure activities.

With a guest card, depending on the location, you benefit from:

  • Free use of bus & train services in many regions
  • Discounts on admission to museums, zoos, spas and other leisure facilities
  • Discounts on guided tours, excursions or events
  • Discounts on boat hire, bike hire or wellness offers
  • Sometimes exclusive 2 for 1 offers or bonus promotions

Most health resorts and resorts in MV refer to the guest card in their tourist information or on the accommodation website. It is also worth making a brief inquiry at vacation apartments, guesthouses and campsites.

Am I allowed to camp wild in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or stand free with my motorhome?

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – as in the whole of Germany – wild camping in the great outdoors is generally not permitted, e.g. in the forest, on meadows or on beaches without express permission. This also applies to standing free overnight with a motorhome. However, it is permitted to stay overnight to restore roadworthiness for a maximum of one night, e.g. in a parking lot, if no prohibition signs prohibit this. If you want to be completely safe, use designated parking or camping sites.

How can I make special savings as a family?

Look for family/group tickets to national parks and museums, pack a picnic instead of a restaurant and make use of free playgrounds on the beach promenades.

When are parking spaces on Baltic Sea beaches free of charge?

At many beach parking lots (e.g. Zingst, Rerik) the fee is waived from 6 pm to 9 am - perfect for evening strolls or watching the sunrise by the sea.

Can I take my bike on local public transport free of charge?

The „3 für 1“-ticket is valid on all ODEG and DB Regio regional trains within M-V: for 5 &euros; you can travel on up to three rides all day long – ideal for fun activities near your vacation destination.

You might also be interested in

Content is loaded

back