Top

3

Low-budget excursion tips for your fall

Vacation fun for little money

Published: September 16, 2025

The thatched and colorfully decorated captain's houses characterize the image along the Baltic Sea coast next to the sophisticated spa architecture villas. Today, the listed houses are home to cozy cafés and restaurants, vacation accommodations and numerous galleries, studios and museums., © TMV/Gänsicke

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern opens the door to a world where vacation is not a question of money, but of the heart: Feel the fresh clarity of the autumn air by a quiet lake, listen to the rustling of the leaves on a bike ride through colorful avenues, warm yourself with a cup of tea in a rustic courtyard café or lose yourself in a Bodden sunset that bathes the sky in bright red gold – a spectacle as if conjured from nature.

Landscapes full of peace and power await you here, natural paradises that shine even more intensely in the play of colors of autumn, adventure spots that delight families and couples alike, and villages where life flows more slowly. Whether on a hike through forests, on a boat tour through still waters or walking barefoot over cool, damp grass - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern gives you real autumn moments. For little money. With a lot of feeling. And with a smile that lasts.

Overview:

3 highlights under €10 or even free for the fall

Museum Ship Dresden is moored in Rostock's city harbor at sunrise and invites you to discover maritime history.

1. discover maritime treasures in the Rostock Maritime Museum

Penzlin Castle in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, brick building with a red roof, surrounded by parkland and trees.

2nd Penzlin Castle Witch Museum

Children ride with an elderly man on a historic tractor through the Klockenhagen open-air museum with its half-timbered houses and green landscape.

3. journey back in time to rural life in the Klockenhagen open-air museum

108 results

  • © M. Kiauka

    Historical adventure trail "Slavic fortress complex

    • 17159 Dargun

    The historical adventure trail "Slavic fortress complex" takes visitors on a discovery tour into the past.

    Read more: "Historical adventure trail "Slavic fortress complex"
  • Side view from Gollwitz lighthouse, © Kurverwaltung Insel Poel

    Gollwitz lighthouse

    • 23999 Gollwitz

    Standing about 1 km outside of Gollwitz, the lighthouse is a beautiful sight despite its rustic construction.

    Read more: "Gollwitz lighthouse"
  • © Heimatmuseum

    Museum of local history Boizenburg

    • Am Markt, 19258 Boizenburg/Elbe

    The museum of local history of the town of Boizenburg/Elbe - a museum institution, which presents worth seeing, worth knowing and interesting things from the history of the town on the river Elbe under the motto "Streiflichter kleinstädtischen Alltagsleben".

    Read more: "Museum of local history Boizenburg"
  • Seaside view of the island with the biological station, © TMV

    Greifswald Oie

    • 17440 Kröslin

    In the southern Baltic Sea, the island covers an area of 54 hectares, where a lively flora and fauna has developed. Moreover, no other German Baltic Sea island is further away from the mainland coast.

    Read more: "Greifswald Oie"
  • 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"
  • © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Wolgaster Landstraße, 17493 Greifswald

    The monastery ruins and park are a popular excursion destination for Greifswald residents and their guests. The monastery ruins are also the starting and finishing point of the themed cycle path "Route of North German Romanticism", which traces the stations and lives of the North German Romantics of Western Pomerania.

    Read more: "Eldena monastery ruins"
  • Karls Erlebnis-Dorf

    • Purkshof, 18182 Rövershagen

    Karl's Erlebnis-Dorf in Rövershagen near Rostock is the most popular excursion destination in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and fun for the whole family. In addition to Germany's largest farmers' market, glass manufactories, amusement rides and adventure gastronomy, the leisure farm offers over 70 other attractions. Admission is free.

    Read more: "Karls Erlebnis-Dorf"
  • View of the traditional ship, which houses the maritime museum, © Eric Groß

    Rostock Maritime Museum

    • Open today
    • IGA-Park Schmarl-Dorf, 18106 Rostock

    Experience a listed 10,000-ton ocean-going freighter from the inside as well - with engine room, bridge or sailor's chamber. This is possible on the traditional ship in the IGA Park.

    Read more: "Rostock Maritime Museum"
  • Bathing place Ecktannen

    • Fontanestraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The 50 m long natural beach of the bathing place Ecktannen is located directly at the camping site Ecktannen.

    Read more: "Bathing place Ecktannen"
  • Without shoes you walk on the barefoot path over different natural materials like wood, stones and pine cones., © TMV/outdoor-visions.com

    Discovery trail Graal-Müritz (7 km | 1 day tour)

    • Length: 7 km

    The child-friendly discovery trail through the Baltic health spa Graal-Müritz is a nature experience for the whole family. Various display boards and hands-on stations invite you to marvel, play and explore.

    Read more: "Discovery trail Graal-Müritz (7 km | 1 day tour)"
  • Exterior view of Wiligrad Castle from bird's eye view, © SSGK MV / Funkhaus Creative

    Wiligrad Castle

    • Open today
    • Wiligrader Straße, 19069 Lübstorf

    The former ducal residence palace with the surrounding palace park and the historic estate ensemble is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Schwerin. The art exhibition in the castle is particularly worth seeing. With its location on a steep bank directly on the lake, it is considered an insider's tip for excursions, especially in autumn and in spring during the rhododron bloom. The old nursery houses a farm store and a popular farm café.

    Read more: "Wiligrad Castle"
  • Forest adventure trail in Dargun recreational forest

    • Nähe Strandbad, 17159 Dargun

    Freshman Scrofi invites to his kingdom

    Read more: "Forest adventure trail in Dargun recreational forest"
  • © Sarah Kunze

    Zingst Pier

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Seestraße, 18374 Ostseebad Zingst

    Zingst - a holiday paradise at the Baltic Sea! The 270 m long pier is a popular attraction for all guests.

    Read more: "Zingst Pier"
  • 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"
  • White lake bathing beach near 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"
  • Observation Tower Great Serrahnsee, © TMV/Bodieschek

    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"
  • © 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“"
  • Swimming beach in the country Fleesensee - Göhren-Lebbin / Untergöhren

    • 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Directly at the Fleesensee in Untergöhren you will find ideal conditions for a day at the lake.

    Read more: "Swimming beach in the country Fleesensee - Göhren-Lebbin / Untergöhren"
  • Sunset bench, © Groh

    Beach Sommersdorf

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17111 Sommersdorf

    On the western shore of Lake Kummerow, a wide sandy beach, several swimming bays and usually a light breeze await you. From here you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets.

    Read more: "Beach Sommersdorf"
  • © Gudrun Koch

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

    • Domstraße, 17489 Greifswald

    Greifswald Cathedral is one of the most beautiful sacred buildings in northern Germany. With its 100 m high tower, it towers over the Hanseatic City of Greifswald. From its tower gallery, you have an impressive view as far as the Island of Rügen.

    Read more: "St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald"
  • © KV Baabe

    Beach Baabe

    • 18586 Ostseebad Baabe

    Here you can find beach of the best quality !

    Read more: "Beach Baabe"
  • Autumn at Ivenack Castle, © DOMUSImages

    Ivenack Castle

    • Am Schloss, 17153 Ivenack

    The older, middle part of the castle dates back to the 16th century - the monastery building. A first extension took place in 1709 and after passing to the Imperial Counts v. Plessen around 1750. The semicircular stables, the orangery, the tea house and the church also date from this period. Around 1810, the castle was again extended by two wings. Since 2016, it has been renovated in accordance with the preservation order. The 1000-year-old Ivenack oaks in the former animal park are Germany's first national natural monument.

    Read more: "Ivenack Castle"
  • 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"
  • Open-air museum Klockenhagen

    • 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"
  • © C. Nieswandt

    Basedow observation tower

    • 17139 Basedow

    The observation tower offers an excellent view of the Mecklenburg Schweiz and Lake Kummerow Nature Park. The nature park is known for the diversity and beauty of its landscape and its rich natural resources.

    Read more: "Basedow observation tower"
  • © VMO, Alexander Rudolph

    Minster Bad Doberan

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Klosterstraße, 18209 Bad Doberan

    The High Gothic Cistercian monastery church from the 13th century is seeking to be accepted as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Read more: "Minster Bad Doberan"
  • © 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"
  • Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß

    • Alte Crivitzer Landstraße, 19063 Schwerin

    In the historic village ensemble directly on Schwerin Lake, visitors stroll between old farmhouses, fruit trees, herb beds and through the restored garden of a village teacher. The museum-like buildings show village life in the 19th century. Markets, events with traditional music, Low German theater performances, seminars and children's holiday programs take place during the season.

    Read more: "Open-air museum for folklore Schwerin-Mueß"
  • Flint fields in Prora, © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

    Flint fields in the nature reserve Schmale Heide

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 18546 Sassnitz OT Mukran

    North of the Baltic resort Binz, between Prora and Mukran, the flint fields are located in the nature reserve of the Schmalen Heide.

    Read more: "Flint fields in the nature reserve Schmale Heide"
  • 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"

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, © TMV/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