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.

466 results

  • 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"
  • © Allerleimeer

    Vacation home management AllerleiMeer

    • Open today
    • Neuer Markt, 17248 Rechlin

    Discover your dream vacation with Allerleimeer

    Read more: "Vacation home management AllerleiMeer"
  • Open air stage Waren

    • Am Mühlenberg, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Near the historic city center of Waren is the Bürgerpark Mühlenberg. Here is the open-air stage surrounded by tall trees and lots of greenery.

    Read more: "Open air stage Waren"
  • © Kurverwaltung Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Hans Fallada Museum Carwitz

    • Open today
    • OT Carwitz, Zum Bohnenwerder, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    In its nine exhibition rooms and large garden, the Hans Fallada Museum offers insights into the life of the storyteller who lived in the house from 1933 to 1944. Guided tours, readings, lectures and literary walks take place throughout the year. Audio tours, listening stations and films on Fallada's life complete the offer.

    Read more: "Hans Fallada Museum Carwitz"
  • Organic farm Donst

    • Strietfeld, 17209 Walow

    Enjoy "pure nature" while hiking, biking, swimming and experience the species-rich landscape, where even the native wild animals still have their place. Thanks to the quiet location of our farm, surrounded by our ecological agriculture, it invites you to spend your vacation in the Mecklenburg Lake District between Lake Plauer and Müritz.

    Read more: "Organic farm Donst"
  • © Landwind

    Landwind vacation homes

    • Jörnbergweg, 18292 Krakow am See

    The vacation homes convince with their unique location - directly on the idyllically situated Krakow Lake they offer an unobstructed view of the lake with its dreamy boathouses and the ever-changing atmospheric images.

    Read more: "Landwind vacation homes"
  • Außenansicht Terrasse und Pool // © St. Oberholz / Nils Hasenau

    St. Oberholz Retreat Woldzegarten

    • Walower Straße, 17209 Leizen

    The St. Oberholz Retreat is a hotel in Woldzegarten in Mecklenburg, around an hour and a half's drive from Berlin and two hours from Hamburg. The hotel is run by the St. Oberholz Group from Berlin.

    Read more: "St. Oberholz Retreat Woldzegarten"
  • Marina Müritz - water sports in the harbor village Müritz

    • Marinastraße, 17248 Rechlin

    Here, in the sunny south of the Müritz, you are at the right place if you can't imagine a vacation without water. Marina Müritz in the harbor village of Müritz is a full-service marina, which means that everyone who wants to get on the water is welcome here.

    Read more: "Marina Müritz - water sports in the harbor village Müritz"
  • © funMüritz Wassersportcenter

    funMüritz Water Sports Center

    • Zur Stillen Bucht, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The funmüritz water sports center is located in a wonderful location on the western shore of the Binnenmüritz directly on the Stillen Bucht in Kamerun

    Read more: "funMüritz Water Sports Center"
  • Gemeinsam erkunden wir aktiv die Natur! // © Kolping Ferienland Salem

    Kolping Holiday Land Salem

    • Am Hafen, 17139 Salem

    We offer a temporary home for families, seniors, school classes, seminar groups with individual care or joint offers from the house.

    Read more: "Kolping Holiday Land Salem"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbH

    St. John's Church Boek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17248 Boek

    "St. Johannis Church is a listed church building in Boek, a district of the municipality of Rechlin in the Mecklenburg Lake District in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It belongs to the parish of Rechlin in the Neustrelitz provostry, Mecklenburg church district of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.

    Read more: "St. John's Church Boek"
  • Willkommen im Gutshaus Alt Krassow // © Matthias Barth

    Manor house Alt Krassow

    • Alt Krassow, 18279 Lalendorf

    Nestled in the rolling hills of Mecklenburg Switzerland, secluded from the noise of the world, the small village of Alt-Krassow lies between lakes, fields and forests.

    Read more: "Manor house Alt Krassow"
  • © Bullerjan

    Restaurant and snack bar Zum Bullerjan

    • Am Dreetzsee, 17268 Boitzenbuerger Land

    The "Bullerjan - your place by the lake" is located in the middle of the Feldberg lake district. Directly on Lake Dreetzsee, we serve honest, home-made cuisine for holidaymakers and locals - in the restaurant, to take away or on the sunny terrace with a view of the lake.

    Read more: "Restaurant and snack bar Zum Bullerjan"
  • Hier der Gästeeingang vom KULTURGUTLEBEN sowie der Eingang zu unserem kleinen Laden "Wunderland". // © © Anders Balari

    CultureGoodLife

    • Quadenschönfeld Bahnhof, 17237 Möllenbeck

    Our small nature paradise with currently 17 beds is just right for all those who are looking for peace and nature. Our KULTURGUTLEBEN is surrounded by fields near the beautiful Feldberg lakeland and invites you to unwind as well as to inspired creative work.

    Read more: "CultureGoodLife"
  • © Inselstadt Malchow

    Ladies Square at Malchow Monastery

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17213 Malchow

    The Ladies' Square at Malchow Monastery, together with the former refectory (now the Art Museum), forms the center of the site.

    Read more: "Ladies Square at Malchow Monastery"
  • © Thorsten Falk, Seehotel Plau am See

    Seehotel Plau am See

    • Hermann-Niemann-Str., 19395 Plau am See

    Make friends out of guests - Leave everyday life behind and immerse yourself in the hospitable atmosphere of our beautifully situated lakeside hotel. The idyllic 4-star hotel, located directly on Lake Plauer See, awaits you in its family atmosphere. Discover the wonderful area around Lake Plauer See.

    Read more: "Seehotel Plau am See"
  • © Jana Koch

    Memorial Teterow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Zum Ehrenmal, 17166 Teterow

    Simple, true and personal memorial to 300 members of the Teterow parish who died in World War 1.

    Read more: "Memorial Teterow"
  • © MV Foto e.V. Fotografin: Angelika Lindenbeck

    Museum for Typography

    • Schulplatz, 18292 Krakow am See

    Museum and workshop for the art of typography in Krakow am See. Visitors can explore the history and art of printing.

    Read more: "Museum for Typography"
  • Knorrige Stämme ragen in den Himmel, ihre Rinde erzählt von Jahrhunderten. Die Ivenacker Eichen gehören zu den ältesten Bäumen Deutschlands und stehen im Naturschutzgebiet bei Stavenhagen. Licht fällt durch das dichte Blätterdach und taucht den Waldboden in ein sanftes Grün – ein Ort, der Ehrfurcht weckt. // © 1000seen.de

    Ivenack Oaks National Natural Monument

    • Open today
    • Tiergarten, 17153 Ivenack

    The 1,000-year-old Ivenacker oaks belong to the Ivenacker Tiergarten. They are cultural and natural historical highlight of the area.

    Read more: "Ivenack Oaks National Natural Monument"
  • © C.L.Köller

    Waldhotel & Restaurant Stieglitzenkrug (3 stars)

    • OT Feldberg, Schlichter Damm, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    The Waldhotel Stieglitzenkrug with its 53 beds is located in a quiet forest location on the outskirts of Feldberg, above the Haussee lake. It is the starting point for various Nordic walking and hiking tours. Our kitchen offers home-style cooking as well as Mecklenburg specialties.

    Read more: "Waldhotel & Restaurant Stieglitzenkrug (3 stars)"

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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.