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.

460 results

  • © C. Heiser

    Family Holiday Park Dambeck AWO SANO

    • Dambeck, 17237 Kratzeburg

    Welcome between lakes, forests and meadows of the Müritz National Park. Enjoy peace and marvel at plants and animals that have become rare. For young and old, the surroundings can be explored by bike, boat or on foot.

    Read more: "Family Holiday Park Dambeck AWO SANO"
  • room // © Hotel_Am_Tierpark_J.Hertzsch

    Family hotel at the zoo

    • Verbindungschaussee, 18273 Güstrow

    Short vacation and vacation with the whole family in a cozy and casual atmosphere with all the extras that promise a pleasant vacation. Especially suitable also for dog owners!

    Read more: "Family hotel at the zoo"
  • Blick in den Wohnbereich // © Andre Pretzel

    Vacation home Kornblume - with large garden

    • Dorfstraße, 17207 Groß Kelle

    In Groß Kelle, the bright and friendly country-style vacation home "Kornblume" awaits you. With its three bedrooms and a size of 70 m² it is perfect for groups and families. A 1,500 m² outdoor area with barbecue and sandbox as well as swing invites you to relax and play.

    Read more: "Vacation home Kornblume - with large garden"
  • © Timo Weisbrich

    Vacation park Heidenholz

    • Kantor-Ehrich-Straße, 19395 Plau am See

    The vacation park Heidenholz is surrounded by heath and mixed forest directly at the lake Plauer See.

    Read more: "Vacation park Heidenholz"
  • © Reschke Gastronomie GmbH

    Hotel "Am Brauhaus" with Brauhaus Müritz & bowling alley

    • Am Tiefwarensee, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Braufrische Lebensfreude: Hotel, restaurant, bowling alleys, brewery tours. The hotel "Am Brauhaus" is an ideal starting point for eventful excursions.In our in-house brewery with 4 bowling alleys right next to the hotel and on the edge of the old town of Waren (Müritz) you can experience the old brewing tradition anew.

    Read more: "Hotel "Am Brauhaus" with Brauhaus Müritz & bowling alley"
  • Exhibits by Dr. Ernst Alban // © Jörn Lehmann

    Castle Museum Plau am See

    • Open today
    • Burgplatz, 19395 Plau am See

    Children and museums - you might think that doesn't fit. In Plau am See, that's not true. The town has a museum where even the young won't get bored. The former Plau Castle offers interesting insights into history, and it also houses a unique museum of local history and technology.

    Read more: "Castle Museum Plau am See"
  • Neustrelitz city church

    • Markt, 17235 Neustrelitz

    One of the most important landmarks of the residential town of Neustrelitz. From the viewing platform you can enjoy the most beautiful view over Neustrelitz and the surrounding area.

    Read more: "Neustrelitz city church"
  • Wohnbereich der Ferienwohnung Fischadler mit großen Scheunenfenstern // © Andre Pretzel

    Vacation apartment osprey- barn at the lake Loppin

    • Am Wallberg, 17194 Jabel

    The vacation apartment "Fischadler" is located in the renovated 100 year old barn in Loppin, directly at the Loppin Lake, in the middle of the nature park "Schwinzer Heide". It is perfect for a vacation with the whole family or for fishing enthusiasts.

    Read more: "Vacation apartment osprey- barn at the lake Loppin"
  • Theater Inclined Plane

    • Wilhelm-Stolte-Str., 17235 Neustrelitz

    Theater Schiefe Ebene - A unique variety & cabaret in Neustrelitz.

    Read more: "Theater Inclined Plane"
  • © Kurverwaltung Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Church Wittenhagen

    • 17258 Wittenhagen

    The present church dates back to 1758 and is made of cut rocks. 1.60 m thick is the so-called cyclopean masonry. The special feature of this church is its ground plan as a regular octagon with an inner diameter of 10.25 m.

    Read more: "Church Wittenhagen"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbh

    Rechlin North Village Church

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Pappelweg, 17248 Rechlin

    "The Rechlin church was built between 1816 and 1832 in the Classical style, with the altar facing west. The organ loft on the east side no longer exists. It was consecrated as a garrison church in 1935."

    Read more: "Rechlin North Village Church"
  • © Hotel & Restaurant Heidekrug

    Hotel & Restaurant Heidekrug

    • Grünplan, 17255 Grünplan

    The hotel & restaurant has 27 rooms and a restaurant with a beautiful lakeside terrace in the middle of unspoiled nature. This idyllic gem at the intersection of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg is an ideal place to relax. The hotel with a special lakeside ambience, stylish and close to nature.

    Read more: "Hotel & Restaurant Heidekrug"
  • © Kur- und Tourismus GmbH Waren (Müritz)

    City Hall Waren (Müritz)

    • Neuer Markt, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The historical town hall with the city history museum

    Read more: "City Hall Waren (Müritz)"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    Malchow Monastery Café

    • Open today
    • Kloster, 17213 Malchow

    More than 700 years ago, nuns met to dine together in the refectory of the former Damenstift, the oldest building in Malchow Abbey.

    Read more: "Malchow Monastery Café"
  • Herian stud

    • Kargower Weg, 17192 Groß Dratow

    Experience the rustic forests of the Müritz National Park and the romantic landscape of the Mecklenburg Lake District on the back of our horses. Get to know the rare breed of Spanish-Norman Horses.

    Read more: "Herian stud"
  • Eingebettet im Müritz-Nationalpark, am Großen Labussee. Mehr Platz geht nicht! // © Familotel Borchard´s Rookhus

    Familotel Borchard's Rookhus by the lake

    • Am Labus, 17255 Wesenberg

    100% family vacation in Mecklenburg - only at Familotel Borchard's Rookhus. The right place for the whole family in the middle of the Müritz National Park.

    Read more: "Familotel Borchard's Rookhus by the lake"
  • © 1000seen.de

    Klink harbor

    • Hafenstraße, 17192 Klink

    In addition to the 130 berths for motor and sailing boats, all water sports enthusiasts will find a safe place to stay here. Modern sanitary facilities and everything typical of a harbor, of course.

    Read more: "Klink harbor"
  • Fischerhof Eldenburg, An der Reeck, zwischen Müritz und Kölpinsee // © Müritzfischer

    Eldenburg fishing farm

    • An der Reeck, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    A fishing farm that offers everything! Enjoy the flair of a traditional fishing farm. Delicious fish fresh from the smoke, fisherman's rolls and of course fresh fish from the day's catch. Vacation apartments on the water, boat rentals and guided fishing tours complete the offer.

    Read more: "Eldenburg fishing farm"
  • © Plauer Hai-Live e. V.

    Plauer Hai-Live e. V. - Sailing connects

    • Seestraße, 19395 Plau am See

    The Plauer Hai-Live e. V. sailing club in Plau am See in the Mecklenburg Lake District has been in existence since 2006. The association was founded as an inclusive sailing club right from the start.

    Read more: "Plauer Hai-Live e. V. - Sailing connects"
  • Blick in die Ferienanlage // © Meyer-Gattermann

    Ball house on the lake

    • Mühlendamm, 17217 Wustrow

    On the edge of the Mecklenburg Lake District, 12 spherical houses invite you to an unforgettable vacation. Located directly on the lake, surrounded by unspoiled nature.

    Read more: "Ball house on the lake"

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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.