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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  • Exterior view Ulrichshusen Castle in spring // © Kathleen Stutz

    Ulrichshusen Castle

    • Seestraße, 17194 Ulrichshusen

    The Hotel Schloss Ulrichshusen, beautifully situated on its own lake, is ideally suited for weddings, conferences, seminars and events of all kinds with its large ballroom. Here also beats the heart of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival with many concerts and renowned artists in summer and Advent.

    Read more: "Ulrichshusen Castle"
  • © 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"
  • 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"
  • Sculpture park Wesenberg // © Silke Voss

    Sculpture park Wesenberg

    • Am Weißen See, 17255 Wesenberg

    A curiosity of the most diverse cultures unites on wooded terrain on the outskirts of Wesenberg: the owner is a Chinese, and Australian art is shown alongside selected regional and European art.

    Read more: "Sculpture park Wesenberg"
  • Welcome to the Sommerhof // © Sommerhof Granzow/Britta Meyer-Itner

    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"
  • © Tommys Fahrradladen

    TOMMY'S bike store

    • Kirchenstraße, 17213 Malchow

    Looking for the right bike, accessories, service and Co? With us you are exactly right.

    Read more: "TOMMY'S bike store"
  • So close to nature // © Horst

    Country farm to the dairy

    • Meierei, 17217 Penzlin / Mallin

    In the heart of Mecklenburg, near the Tollensesee, in the middle of forest, meadow and water you will find our small pension with 22 beds. On 9 hectares of farm you will find your well-deserved rest and at the same time have a charming starting point for your active recreation.

    Read more: "Country farm to the dairy"
  • © Kurverwaltung Plau am See

    Hotel Haus Sajons

    • Große Burgstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Set in a listed building, this centrally located hotel offers bright rooms with a flat-screen TV. Lake Plau is just a 10-minute walk away.

    Read more: "Hotel Haus Sajons"
  • © https://www.salzgrotte-klink.de/

    Salt cave Klink

    • Hauptstr., 17192 Klink

    "Ocean climate on the small sea - I'll take the time."

    Read more: "Salt cave Klink"
  • Blick vom See auf die Klinik // © Sonja Trabandt

    Medical Wellness Center at the Haussee Clinic

    • OT Feldberg, Buchenallee, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Medical Wellness in the Feldberg Lake District Nature Park - enjoy the enchanting landscape, breathe the fresh air and simply let your mind wander.

    Read more: "Medical Wellness Center at the Haussee Clinic"
  • © Fashionstore Fleesensee

    Fashion Store Fleesensee

    • Marktplatz, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Selected articles around the topic of sportswear, shoes, swimwear and leisurewear for men and women / From now on can also be ordered online. Use our online store.

    Read more: "Fashion Store Fleesensee"
  • 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"
  • Dat Waldhus  im Frühling // © Steffen Tepasse

    Dat Waldhus - Holiday with dogs

    • Philosophenweg, 19395 Plau am See

    When they spend their vacation at Waldhus, they are among like-minded people. Here they will probably always meet more paws than feet.

    Read more: "Dat Waldhus - Holiday with dogs"
  • © Jonas Kurverwaltung

    Plau am See railroad station playground

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

    The playground at the station is a small fenced soccer pitch.

    Read more: "Plau am See railroad station playground"
  • © Hotel Kleines Meer

    Hotel Small Sea

    • Alter Markt, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Small sea - that's what Slavic settlers once respectfully called their lake and that's how we named our 4-star hotel with restaurant. Our name is our daily incentive to give you a little more well-being and attention.

    Read more: "Hotel Small Sea"
  • Hotel room // © Jeanette Krüger

    Hotel - Old Castle Brewery

    • Schlossinsel, 17252 Mirow

    The "Alte Schlossbrauerei" hotel on Mirower Schlossinsel with its own access to the lake shore

    Read more: "Hotel - Old Castle Brewery"
  • © M.Höppner

    Parish Church of St. Mary Plau am See

    • Kirchplatz, 19395 Plau am See

    The parish church St. Marien Plau am See was built in the 12th century as a three-nave and three-bay hall church.

    Read more: "Parish Church of St. Mary Plau am See"
  • Get active at the youth hostel Teterow // © JH Teterow/Danny Gohlke

    Youth Hostel Teterow

    • Am Seebahnhof, 17166 Teterow

    Book your all-round carefree package with us! We realize your wishes. With us, children are guaranteed to meet other children and the relaxed atmosphere in the house makes it possible for guests to enjoy the most beautiful days of the year. The various excursion, leisure and activity possibilities are a paradise for everyone.

    Read more: "Youth Hostel Teterow"
  • © Milchhof Warlin

    Milk filling station, Warlin

    • Hauptstr., 17039 Warlin

    Enjoy the genuine taste of our fresh milk, which you can tap directly and around the clock with us. In the Regiomaten we offer you other regional products.

    Read more: "Milk filling station, Warlin"
  • Welcome to the Gevezin Manor House! // © Gutshaus Gevezin

    Gevezin Manor House

    • Hofstraße, 17039 Gevezin

    Spend the night well. Good entertainment. Recover well. At Gutshaus Gevezin, visitors can enjoy mindfulness and relaxation and at the same time find space for recreation and entertainment.

    Read more: "Gevezin Manor House"

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Discover the Mecklenburg Lake District

Inspiration to read more in the vacation magazine

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    Special animal tours in the nature experience centers

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    Beach bars on the Baltic coast and inland

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    Seven reasons for a houseboat vacation in autumn

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    Tiny Houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

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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.