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.

459 results

  • © 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"
  • KIWI apartments in winter // © Thomas Ziebuhr

    KIWI Apartments at the Dreier Lake

    • Fischweg, 17214 Alt Schwerin

    KIWI apartments on Lake Dreier - a dream place for people who want to experience nature up close during their vacation, but do not want to sacrifice comfort.

    Read more: "KIWI Apartments at the Dreier Lake"
  • © Kurverwaltung Plau am See

    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"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Rechlin pier

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Fritz-Reuter-Straße, 17248 Rechlin

    The pier in Rechlin is a charming place that delights visitors and locals alike. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of the Müritz, the pier is a popular destination for tourists and water sports enthusiasts in the region.

    Read more: "Rechlin pier"
  • Das Kurzentrum Waren (Müritz) mit Thermalsoleaußenbecken // © 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"
  • Ansicht vom See // © Seehotel Zielow

    Flair Seehotel Zielow

    • Seeufer, 17207 Ludorf OT Zielow

    Our hotel is located directly on the south bank of the Müritz and offers restaurant, wellness area, pool, riding stable, beach and pure relaxation.

    Read more: "Flair Seehotel Zielow"
  • © HdG

    Historic tile pottery

    • Temporarily closed
    • Am Teschenberg, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    A lively look into the past and discover the history of tiles, ovens and the master potters.

    Read more: "Historic tile pottery"
  • Aerial view of the fishing farm with cottages // © Fischerei und Räucherei Alt-Schwerin/Dietmar Bürth

    Fishing & Smokehouse Alt Schwerin

    • Wendorf, 17214 Alt Schwerin

    Fishing business with boat mooring (also for large yachts) in Lake Plauer See, fish restaurant with original Mecklenburg fish cuisine, smokehouse and vacation apartments directly on the lake.

    Read more: "Fishing & Smokehouse Alt Schwerin"
  • © Christin Drühl

    Manor house Luplow

    • Lindenallee, 17091 Rosenow

    Built around 1760, the single-storey, 9-axis manor house with a two-storey central risalit has a fully developed mansard roof.

    Read more: "Manor house Luplow"
  • © slube

    slube at the city harbor Neustrelitz

    • Am Stadthafen, 17235 Neustrelitz

    In Neustrelitz, you stay in the slubes directly at the city harbor, between jetties and typical historic brick warehouses. Perfect for jumping into the Zierker See lake in the morning, paddling through the Mecklenburg Kleinseenplatte lake district or exploring the Strelitzer Land region with its UNESCO World Heritage sites.

    Read more: "slube at the city harbor Neustrelitz"
  • © Kunsthaus Neustrelitz e.V.

    Art House Neustrelitz

    • Schloßstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    The Kunsthaus is an "open house". It is open to anyone who wants to try their hand at art and culture and is looking for a space, like-minded people or support.

    Read more: "Art House Neustrelitz"
  • The pleasant feeling of having arrived, letting time almost stand still for once and enjoying the moment to the full. For us, this is the epitome of "being welcome". Your visit with us should give you exactly that and also awaken the desire to experience the extraordinary hospitality in Rattey again. // © Inselmühle Usedom GmbH | Hotel Schloss Rattey

    Hotel Castle Rattey

    • Schlossplatz, 17349 Schönbeck

    Schloss Rattey is an inviting and unpretentious manor house with a park and surrounding vineyards and was built in 1806. Today's Hotel Schloss Rattey offers guests 15 spacious double rooms and suites equipped with modern comforts, as well as a restaurant, sauna and farm shop.

    Read more: "Hotel Castle Rattey"
  • © Landesforst MV

    Climate forest Fleesensee

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17213 Malchow

    The new "Climate Forest Fleesensee" in the Mecklenburg Lake District was inaugurated with a fantastic planting campaign on October 22, 2011. Since its opening, around 20 hectares of new forest have already been established during the annual planting campaigns. From 2024, the Fleesensee climate forest will be significantly expanded once again: East of the Kostermühle and south of the "Rosinenberg", around 4 hectares of agricultural land will be turned into a site-adapted climatic forest with a forest edge. Over the course of 100 years, native hardwood species will have absorbed a further 467 tons of CO2 per hectare or 1889 tons of CO2 over the entire area.

    Read more: "Climate forest Fleesensee"
  • © Pension und Restaurant Jägerrast

    Pension Jägerrast

    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Rechlin OT Boek

    Leisure oasis at the Müritz National Park - your starting point for Slow Travel in the Müritz National Park

    Read more: "Pension Jägerrast"
  • © Jana Koch

    Town church Teterow

    • Kirchplatz, 17166 Teterow

    A stone witness to the history of Teterow in Mecklenburg Switzerland is the town church of St. Peter and Paul.

    Read more: "Town church Teterow"
  • © Jana Koch

    Schulkamp plant Teterow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Schulkamp, 17166 Teterow

    On the area of today's Schulkamp there were fields and gardens until the 19th century. They belonged to the endowment of the Fiedler school foundation (Felix Fiedler 1661-1705 pastor in Teterow) and were leased to the town. The lease income was used to support poor pupils.

    Read more: "Schulkamp plant Teterow"
  • Aussicht auf einen der fünf Golfplätze // © 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"
  • Canoe rental Paddle Paul

    • Zietlitz, 17252 Mirow OT Schillersdorf

    The canoe rental Paddel-Paul offers canoe tours in the Mecklenburg Lake District, the Müritz and the Havel spring area. Explore this unique nature by canoe or kayak. Great tours and group offers are waiting for you.

    Read more: "Canoe rental Paddle Paul"
  • © 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"
  • © Rene Julitz

    Federow distillery

    The distillery is located right at the entrance to the Müritz National Park. The village has only about 100 inhabitants, but a large number of guests. Almost all guided tours of the national park start in Federow.

    Read more: "Federow distillery"

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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.