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.

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  • 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"
  • © Jana Koch

    Playground on the Burgwallinsel Teterow

    • Burgwallinsel, 17166 Teterow

    Fun and games for kids on Teterow's historic castle wall island

    Read more: "Playground on the Burgwallinsel Teterow"
  • © GSA mbH

    GSA mbH - Mediation - Service - Sale

    • Marktplatz, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    As a mediation & service agency GSA mediates & looks after a variety of selected & family-friendly vacation homes & apartments in the land of 1000 lakes on behalf of the owner.

    Read more: "GSA mbH - Mediation - Service - Sale"
  • © Claudia Kratz

    SBS Yachthafenresort Fleesensee - "simply different".

    • Am Busch, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    The marina is located directly at the Fleesensee in Untergöhren with about 80 permanent and 20 guest berths as well as full service around the boat.

    Read more: "SBS Yachthafenresort Fleesensee - "simply different"."
  • © Touristinformation

    Spa forest Krakow on the lake

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Jörnbergweg, 18292 Krakow am See

    Krakow am See shows itself from its greenest side. The wooded areas of the three peninsulas Lehmwerder, Ehmkwerder and Jörnberg - a tongue of land extending far out onto Krakow Lake - form the Krakow spa forest.

    Read more: "Spa forest Krakow on the lake"
  • © Jana Koch

    Tennis facility Teterow

    • Langhäger Chaussee, 17166 Teterow

    Three playing fields, which can also be booked by guests subject to availability.

    Read more: "Tennis facility Teterow"
  • © Thomas Neske

    Malchow lido

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Strandstraße, 17213 Malchow

    with playground / basketball court / streetball court / volleyball court

    Read more: "Malchow lido"
  • © Tobias Wellemeyer / Page Wellemeyer

    Wellemeyer Gallery & Art Shop

    • Steinstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Solo and group exhibitions of contemporary artists, in addition to fresh young art from Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin, the gallery shows works by renowned artists from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and eastern Germany in particular

    Read more: "Wellemeyer Gallery & Art Shop"
  • Playground at Schulkamp

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Pastor-Fiedler-Weg, 17166 Teterow

    Children's playground in the Teterow city park in the immediate vicinity of Schulkamp and the historic city center

    Read more: "Playground at Schulkamp"
  • Hotel entrance Müritz Strandhotel, © G. Redmer

    Müritz Strandhotel

    • Seebadstraße, 17207 Röbel/Müritz

    We are pleased to welcome you to the MÜRITZ STRANDHOTEL and cordially invite you to spend your vacation in the land of 1000 lakes or simply relax for a few days. Enjoy the wonderful nature with many possibilities to relax and discover.

    Read more: "Müritz Strandhotel"
  • SeeWirtschaft - The Top Location at Lake Fleesensee

    • Strandweg, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Restaurant - bar - event, events, boat rental, moorings and a real insider's tip about fishing.

    Read more: "SeeWirtschaft - The Top Location at Lake Fleesensee"
  • © Christin Drühl

    Prillwitz hunting lodge

    • Prillwitz, 17237 Hohenzieritz

    In 1890 the house was built as a hunting lodge of the Grand Duke of Strelitz in the neo-Renaissance style. The old manor house next to it is a simple 11-axis building over two floors. The facade of the hunting lodge is richly articulated and changes from red clinker to sandstone. The theme of hunting is found in the decor of the house. Inside, parts of the wall paneling have been preserved. Also noteworthy is the beautiful lake location on the Lieps.

    Read more: "Prillwitz hunting lodge"
  • House of the guest Waren (Müritz)

    • Neuer Markt, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    the small, fine event location for locals and guests

    Read more: "House of the guest Waren (Müritz)"
  • PUPPET THEATER FINGERLEICHT

    • Carwitzer Straße, 17258 Carwitz

    Come right in! At the wondrous Ole Pfarrhof, we do a lot of theater for young and old people from the age of three. From May to September. We are the Fingerleichten puppets, figures and things, and our principal, puppeteer Katharina Fial.

    Read more: "PUPPET THEATER FINGERLEICHT"
  • © Schloss Rumpshagen / Ernst von Bismarck

    Manor house Rumpshagen

    • Parkstraße, 17219 Ankershagen

    The baroque manor house was built in 1730.

    Read more: "Manor house Rumpshagen"
  • Malchow Lake Clinic

    • August Bebel Straße, 17213 Malchow

    Our clinic is located in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District, directly at the Malchow Lake and in the center of forests and lakes. Since its opening in 1997, it has established itself as a rehabilitation center for orthopedics and internal medicine.

    Read more: "Malchow Lake Clinic"
  • Manor house Zarchlin

    • Dorfstraße, 19395 Zarchlin

    Ecologically renovated house with design vacation apartments, seminar room, large kitchen and music rehearsal room. Plain manor house with 100 historic windows in the Mecklenburg Lake District. Awarded the Federal Prize for Craftsmanship in the Preservation of Historical Monuments.

    Read more: "Manor house Zarchlin"
  • The hotel Am Tiefwarensee is situated in a park landscape and a large show garden., © Torsten Rassmann

    Hotel Am Tiefwarensee

    • Richard-Wossidlo-Straße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    3-star hotel with 70 beds in a quiet location directly on the Tiefwarensee in a garden landscape. Café-restaurant with garden terrace, sauna. Open all year round.

    Read more: "Hotel Am Tiefwarensee"
  • View of one of the five golf courses, © Golf Fleesensee

    GOLF Fleesensee

    • Tannenweg, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    With momentum into the new golf season on the greens at GOLF Fleesensee. The Schloss-Platz as well as the tourer-proven Engel & Völkers Course are open again from 24.03. For those who appreciate the competitive aspect of golf: the tournament calendar offers numerous challenges. With no less than five different courses, you will find a unique golf offer right outside the doors of your hotel at the Hotel- und Sportresort Fleesensee.

    Read more: "GOLF Fleesensee"
  • Neustrelitz water sports club

    • Zierker Nebenstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    Wassersportverein Neustrelitz e. V. - numerous offers for water hikers and campers

    Read more: "Neustrelitz water sports club"

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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.