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

  • Das Müritzparadies - Urlaub bis zum Horizont // © Hans Blossey / Müritzparadies GmbH

    Müritzparadies nature holiday park on the lake

    • Am Müritzufer, 17248 Boeker Mühle

    Vacation park on the Müritz with vacation homes and apartments for 2-8 persons. Best location directly on the lake and in the immediate vicinity of the Müritz National Park.

    Read more: "Müritzparadies nature holiday park on the lake"
  • Neubrandenburg-Nettelkuhl climate forest // © Landesforst MV

    Climate Forest Neubrandenburg

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Am Eschenhof, 17033 Neubrandenburg

    In cooperation with the Neubrandenburg municipal forestry office, 300 shares were purchased here by a company based in Neustrelitz. Together with the company, residents of the region were involved in planting a climatic forest of 2000 sessile oaks on an area of 0.3 hectares. The planting took place on 10.04.2010.

    Read more: "Climate Forest Neubrandenburg"
  • The spa center Waren (Müritz) with thermal brine outdoor pool // © Kurzentrum Waren (Müritz)

    Waren (Müritz) spa center

    • Am Kurpark, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Let your soul dangle on vacation, enjoy beautiful moments and free time and do something good for your health. For your relaxing health and pampering vacation, the Waren (Müritz) spa center in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District combines 4-star hotel comfort with healing therapies and wellness treatments.

    Read more: "Waren (Müritz) spa center"
  • © Hotel Villa Passion

    Hotel "Villa Passion

    • August-Bebel-Straße, 17213 Malchow

    Experience a vacation without stress and hustle and bustle with plenty of space for rest and relaxation.

    Read more: "Hotel "Villa Passion"
  • © Jana Koch

    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"
  • Pound pit manor house Rambow Hof

    • Rambow Hof, 17194 Moltzow

    The Pfundgrube Gutshaus Rambow Hof is a treasure trove of culture and nature in the middle of the idyllic landscape of Mecklenburg Switzerland. This excursion destination offers a unique blend of historical significance and cultural diversity, nestled in the small village of Rambow.

    Read more: "Pound pit manor house Rambow Hof"
  • © Daniel Steinke Fotografie

    MÜRITZ-captain

    • Seebadstr., 17207 Röbel/Müritz

    MÜRITZ-captain rents out modern, license-free houseboats for 2-7 people from Röbel/Müritz. With comforts such as WLAN, air conditioning, TV and much more, as well as extras such as a water slide, you will experience unforgettable vacation days on the Mecklenburg Lake District - safe, flexible and relaxed.

    Read more: "MÜRITZ-captain"
  • Malchow Monastery // © Kathleen Stutz

    Malchow Monastery

    • Open today
    • Kloster, 17213 Malchow

    Go on a journey of discovery in the shadow of the monastery and spend a day in Malchow's impressive monastery complex right on Malchow Lake.

    Read more: "Malchow Monastery"
  • Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Neustrelitz

    • EDEKA Groth - Kühlhausberg, 17235 Neustrelitz

    You can draw your own fresh, pasteurized milk from our milk vending machines in town.

    Read more: "Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Neustrelitz"
  • Maxluzi show workshop // © Maxluzi Schauwerkstatt

    Gallery MAXLUZI - Furniture, light and more

    • Open today
    • Zwenzower Weg, 17255 Wesenberg

    In the MAXLUZI gallery you will find handmade home accessories such as finely turned wooden lamps, stylish furniture, fine spice mills and more.

    Read more: "Gallery MAXLUZI - Furniture, light and more"
  • Ausstellungsstücke von 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"
  • Damerower Werder bison reserve

    • Open today
    • Zum Werder, 17194 Damerow

    The colossi of Europe up close...

    Read more: "Damerower Werder bison reserve"
  • 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"
  • © MV-T/Wilken

    Roggow Estate

    • Poggeplatz, 18279 Lalendorf

    Vacations for everyone at the Roggow estate - close to nature, relaxing and full of history

    Read more: "Roggow Estate"
  • © 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"
  • Fährstation und idealer Ausgangspunkt für Wasserwanderer // © 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"
  • Schlosshotel Neustrelitz

    • Parkstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    The Schlosshotel Neustrelitz is located in the Mecklenburg Lake District, in the middle of the baroque residential town of Neustrelitz

    Read more: "Schlosshotel Neustrelitz"
  • Franciscan Monastery Neubrandenburg // © Thomas Oppermann

    Regional Museum Neubrandenburg

    • Closed today
    • Stargarder Straße, 17033 Neubrandenburg

    The Neubrandenburg Regional Museum (founded in 1872) is one of the oldest civic museums in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Regional Museum Neubrandenburg"
  • © Jana Koch

    Forest adventure trail Teterow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Lärchenweg, 17166 Teterow

    The forest adventure trail is divided into two areas: the Forest of Talents and the Philosopher's Path. In the Forest of Talents, visitors can explore or measure themselves against the talents of the forest or its inhabitants. On the Philosopher's Trail, an old forester tells his granddaughter interesting stories about the forest and man-made climate change.

    Read more: "Forest adventure trail Teterow"
  • © Le Boat

    Le Boat Base Fürstenberg/Havel

    • Uferweg, 16798 Fürstenberg/Havel

    Come aboard at Le Boat Marina Fürstenberg/Havel and enjoy a fantastic boating vacation on the Mecklenburg Lake District. You don't need any previous experience or a boating license.

    Read more: "Le Boat Base Fürstenberg/Havel"

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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.