Mecklenburg Lake District

Land of 1,000 Lakes

More than 1,000 lakes - including Germany's largest lake, the Müritz - come together in the Mecklenburg Lake District to form a veritable El Dorado for water sports fans - whether paddling, vacationing on a houseboat or sailing.

A couple sits on a jetty at sunset on Lake Mirov. A houseboat passes by in the background.

Here you are always on or near the water. After all, the area is considered Europe's largest closed lake district. There is a glistening body of water behind practically every hill and forest. The more than 1,000 lakes and the rivers that connect them invite you to Excursions by boat or raft. The scenery of such an adventure is as varied as it is impressive, the landscape is lush and nature is protected. Of course, this is particularly true of the Müritz National Park and the Nossentiner / Schwinzer Heide and Feldberger Seenlandschaft nature parks. Between the unspoilt natural surroundings lie sleepy villages and winding little towns, charming manor houses and enchanted Schlösser – a popular excursion destination for culture vultures.

And when was the last time you went stargazing? No light pollution spoils the view of the seemingly endless night sky above the Mecklenburg Lake District, which is particularly inviting in the fall and winter for extended „bathing“ in the shining sea of stars.

The vacation experts for the Mecklenburg Lake District

 

The most beautiful places

in the Mecklenburg Lake District

Malchow

As a climatic health resort, the island town of Malchow offers the perfect environment for spa vacationers and nature lovers. Situated between Müritz and Lake Plau, the water is never far away. A summer toboggan run and the monkey forest provide varied entertainment for children.

Neustrelitz

The residential town of Neustrelitz is a baroque gem with a star-shaped town complex. Even today, numerous buildings and the Neustrelitz palace park are reminders of the town's magnificent past. The adjacent Müritz National Park with its protected beech forests and around 100 lakes is also a popular excursion destination for hikers, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts.

Mirow

The town of Mirow is best known for the castle of the same name, where the British Queen Sophie Charlotte grew up in the 18th century. But Mirow not only has a lot to offer those interested in culture: Surrounded by dense forests and a glistening lake landscape, hikers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts will find a breathtaking landscape here for fantastic excursions on and around the water.

Plau am See

Plau am See delights visitors with its historic town center, romantic half-timbered houses and the impressive castle ruins and observation tower. As a state-approved climatic health resort, the charming little town offers ideal conditions for those seeking relaxation. The characteristic lifting bridge is not only a technical monument, but also a popular vantage point. Situated directly on the western shore of Lake Plau, access to the water can be felt everywhere - whether on a relaxing walk along the lakeside promenade, swimming on family-friendly beaches or on boat and canoe tours through the wide waterways. A nature adventure trail, the Plau city forest area and a nearby forest make Plau am See an attractive destination for families and nature lovers.

Krakow by the lake

Krakow am See is one of the oldest climatic health resorts in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is idyllically nestled between forests, hills and the lake of the same name. The charming town center with historic houses, cozy cafés and small galleries invites you to linger. The lakeside promenade offers sweeping views across the water, while pedal boat or stand-up paddle board excursions promise active enjoyment. On the Jürnberg, a viewing tower provides sweeping views of the region. Those who prefer a quieter pace can discover the tranquil beauty of the surrounding nature while hiking, cycling or on a tour through the fog moor. Krakow am See is an ideal retreat for those seeking relaxation and nature lovers.

Neubrandenburg

History and architecture enthusiasts should – the city of four gates –. As part of the European Route of Brick Gothic, you can admire the old city wall with its four gates and St. Mary's Church, one of the most exciting concert halls in Germany, in the third largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. For culture lovers, numerous concerts, ballets and musicals offer an entertaining program for the vacation.

Waren

Waren an der Müritz: a town with a rich history and unique nature. The lively town center attracts visitors with its cosy cafés and shops and the surrounding countryside can be explored in a relaxed way while hiking or cycling.

The Müritz offers water sports opportunities for everyone. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the diversity of this beautiful city.

The best vacation activities

Activities in and on the water

With over 1,000 lakes, the Mecklenburg Lake District is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and recreational boaters. Whether Stand-up paddling, an excursion with the sailboat or relaxing vacation days on the houseboat – the Mecklenburg Lake District offers numerous vacation activities on the water.

Hiking and cycling

The region's magnificent lake landscape can also be enjoyed from the countryside. With its unspoiled nature, it offers ideal conditions for extensive cycling and hiking tours. The Müritz circular cycle route and the Mecklenburg Lake District pilgrimage route, for example, offer unique experiences.

Camping

Camping right by the lake: If you don't want to have to travel far from your motorhome or tent to the nearest shore, the Mecklenburg Lake District is the place to be. Some Campingplätze also offer an entertainment program for children and canoes, stand-up paddleboards and motorboats can be rented at many bathing lakes.  

Popular excursion destinations

and famous sights in the Mecklenburg Lake District

 

Mirow Castle

Built in the mid-18th century and situated on an island, Mirow Castle is best known as the birthplace of Princess Sophie Charlotte, who went down in history as Queen of Great Britain when she married King George III. Today, the castle museum offers families and culture enthusiasts insights into baroque castle life.

Neustrelitz Palace Garden

The ducal palace garden in Neustrelitz is a gem of 18th and 19th century garden art. Temples and avenues adorn the magnificent park, which invites nature lovers to stroll and discover at any time of year.

Müritzeum Nature Experience Center

The Müritzeum invites young and old to explore the water world of the Mecklenburg Lake District. The interactive exhibition offers insights into the local flora and fauna and impresses with a two-story aquarium basin where the underwater world of the Müritz, including a silvery shimmering shoal of vendace, can be admired up close.

Müritz Bear Forest

In the Müritz Bear Forest, visitors meet brown bears that have been freed from often disastrous keeping conditions and have found a new home in the Müritz Bear Conservation Center. During a guided tour through the deliberately natural forest, you will learn a lot about the life and characteristics of the imposing animals and can admire the bears up close. An exciting destination for families and animal lovers!

Heinrich-Schliemann-Museum

In the Heinrich Schliemann Museum, young and old visitors go on a discovery tour with the famous archaeologist and antiquities researcher: How did the boy from Ankershagen become the man who discovered Troy? The museum in Schliemann's former childhood home displays some of his most significant finds and traces Schliemann's fascinating life in detail.

462 results

  • © Seehotel Fleesensee

    Seehotel Fleesensee Resort & SPA

    • Seeblick, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    At the Seehotel Fleesensee, wellness, comfort and the fantastic location on Lake Fleesensee in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District combine to create a relaxing vacation.

    Read more: "Seehotel Fleesensee Resort & SPA"
  • © Pension und Restaurant Jägerrast

    Pension Jägerrast

    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Rechlin OT Boek

    Leisure oasis at the Müritz National Park - your starting point for Slow Travel in the Müritz National Park

    Read more: "Pension Jägerrast"
  • © G. Johannes

    Vacation home at Plätlinsee

    • Strasener Chaussee, 17255 Wustrow

    In the middle of the Mecklenburg Strelitz Lake District you will find a quiet self-contained well-kept lake property far from the road with a cottage on the lawn and boathouse with jetty on the shore.

    Read more: "Vacation home at Plätlinsee"
  • Boek Manor House / National Park Information

    • Temporarily closed
    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Boek

    Accessible exhibition "The fishermen of Boek

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  • © Van der Ham Bollewick

    Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Bollewick

    • Feldstraße, 17207 Bollewick

    At the milk vending machine in Bollewick you can draw daily fresh milk directly from the dairy farm of the Van der Ham family and that around the clock.

    Read more: "Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Bollewick"
  • Summer farm Granzow at the bathing lake

    • Granzow Seestraße, 17252 Granzow

    The summer farm is located in the middle of the varied water landscape of the Mecklenburg Lake District, which with its unique flora and fauna allows active recreation from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! The nearby lake (with bathing beach) has a very good bathing water quality and is an ideal starting point for canoe tours!

    Read more: "Summer farm Granzow at the bathing lake"
  • Schlieffenberg surrounded by fields and lakes, © Kirchgemeinde Wattmannshagen

    Church Schlieffenberg

    • Am See, 18279 Schlieffenberg

    Evangelical Lutheran parish of Wattmannshagen

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  • Precise Resort Marina Wolfsbruch

    • Wolfsbruch, 16831 Rheinsberg-Kleinzerlang

    4* Resort in Rheinsberg direkt an der Mecklenburgischen Seenplatte. Die Anlage verfügt über ein Hotel, Ferienhäuser und -wohnungen, Kinderland mit täglichem Programm, Indoor-Spielplatz, Badelandschaft mit Sauna, Fitnessraum und Wellnessbereich sowie einen eigenen Jachthafen mit Bootsverleih und Hausbootcharter. Hier gibt es auch für Tagesbesucher viel zu entdecken.

    Read more: "Precise Resort Marina Wolfsbruch"
  • © Haus Plau am See

    House Plau am See

    • Dammstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Wheelchair-accessible guest house and facilities

    Read more: "House Plau am See"
  • © Kurverwaltung Plau am See

    Bahnhofshotel Plau am See

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

    The old Bahnhofshotel Plau am See is located at the end of Steinstraße (no. 96). The building is one of the architectural monuments of the small Mecklenburg town. Today, a memorial plaque commemorates the "forced unification" of the KPD and SPD parties. Since 2015, the old station hotel has been the children's and boys' center of the town of Plau am See.

    Read more: "Bahnhofshotel Plau am See"
  • cozy living area, © André Pretzel

    Vacation home Landidylle

    • Dorfanger, 17192 Sembzin

    A dream for nature lovers in search of peace, relaxation and wonderful vacation experiences in the Mecklenburg Lake District is the vacation home Landidylle. The 105 m² vacation home for 2 people and a dog is located in the tranquil village of Sembzin.

    Read more: "Vacation home Landidylle"
  • © Kur- und Tourismus GmbH Göhren-Lebbin

    Playground at Fleesensee OT Untergöhren

    • 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Small playground with climbing frame, pirate ship, seesaw, swing and seating area

    Read more: "Playground at Fleesensee OT Untergöhren"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Welshof Schliemann

    • Dorfstr., 17139 Faulenrost

    Mecklenburg's first hereditary fish farm has been offering fish for four generations. In addition to the cozy restaurant "Zum Fischer Fritz" you can buy fresh and smoked fish in the farm store or spend the night in the vacation apartment....

    Read more: "Welshof Schliemann"
  • © Ralf Schultheiss

    KUHNLE-TOURS houseboat base in Malchin

    • Am Kanal, 17139 Malchin

    The Peene and Lake Kummerow region is a paradise for houseboaters with impressive birdwatching opportunities. Lake Kummerow and the Peene offer idyllic landscapes for a variety of nature experiences. Enjoying nature, birdwatching and relaxing on the water - there is something for everyone here.

    Read more: "KUHNLE-TOURS houseboat base in Malchin"
  • Ferry station and ideal starting point for water hikers, © Felix Gaensicke

    Luzin ferry & boat rental

    • An der Fähre, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Call out "Fährmann hol över" - and ferryman Tom will take hikers, walkers and cyclists safely across the Narrow Luzin to the other bank on one of Europe's last hand-operated cable ferries.

    Read more: "Luzin ferry & boat rental"
  • © Tourist-Information Malchow

    Tourist information of the island town Malchow

    • Open today
    • Kirchenstraße, 17213 Malchow

    The island town of Malchow is located in the center of a lake-forest landscape rich in contrasts in Mecklenburg between Lake Fleesensee and Lake Plauer See on the shores of Lake Malchow.

    Read more: "Tourist information of the island town Malchow"
  • © Gerhild Meßner

    Vacation home Bittern

    • Speck, 17192 Kargow OT Speck

    Cozy vacation home in the middle of the Müritz National Park. Ideal for families, with CO2 neutral energy concept.

    Read more: "Vacation home Bittern"
  • © Stadt Neustrelitz

    White bridge

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Weiße Brücke, 17235 Neustrelitz

    A vantage point with a breathtaking view over Lake Zierk

    Read more: "White bridge"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbH

    Rechlin fairground

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Fritz-Reuter-Straße, 17248 Rechlin

    In addition to all the lively events, the Rechlin fairground also offers relaxation opportunities for nature lovers. Walks along the lakeshore or picnics in the countryside.

    Read more: "Rechlin fairground"
  • © K&K Ferienimmobilien GmbH & Co.KG

    Apartment complex Krakow am See

    • Am Wadehäng, 18292 Krakow am See

    The Apartmenthaus am Krakower See offers an exceptional break in the middle of the unique landscape of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Apartment complex Krakow am See"

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Discover the Mecklenburg Lake District

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FAQ about a vacation in the Lake District

What makes the Mecklenburg Lake District special?

With over 1,000 lakes, the Lake District is the largest contiguous lake area in Central Europe. It offers a unique diversity of nature - from huge bodies of water such as the Müritz to idyllic small lakes - ideal for nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation.

Where is the lake district and how big is it?

The region extends in the north-east of Germany (MV, partly BB and SH) over a length of around 240 km and a width of around 30 km with approx. 6,000 km of surface area.

Which lake is the largest in Germany?

The Müritz, at 109 km², is the largest fully inland lake in Germany. It is often referred to as the „Little Sea“.

Can you sail on the waters of the lake district without a boating license?

Yes, license-free houseboats or small boats can be rented – ideal for carefree navigation on rivers and canals.

Who is the lake district particularly suitable for?

For families, nature lovers and active vacationers – there are campsites, forests, animal parks, water & cycle paths, barrier-free offers and quiet children's beaches.

When is the best time to travel?

The main season with pleasant temperatures is from May to September - ideal for water and outdoor activities. In the low season, you can experience relaxed tranquillity and idyllic nature.

Which cities and places should I visit?

Recommendable are Waren and R&R on the Müritz, Schlossinsel Mirow, Malchow, Plau am See – with historic towns, ports, castles and cozy cafés.