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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  • © Kurverwaltung Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Hans Fallada Museum Carwitz

    • Open today
    • OT Carwitz, Zum Bohnenwerder, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    In its nine exhibition rooms and large garden, the Hans Fallada Museum offers insights into the life of the storyteller who lived in the house from 1933 to 1944. Guided tours, readings, lectures and literary walks take place throughout the year. Audio tours, listening stations and films on Fallada's life complete the offer.

    Read more: "Hans Fallada Museum Carwitz"
  • © Stadt Neustrelitz

    Playground Uferterrassen Glammi

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Hohenzieritzer Straße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    Adventure and fun for the whole family!

    Read more: "Playground Uferterrassen Glammi"
  • Herd of ponies at the horse farm Zislow. // © Pferdehof Zislow

    Horse farm Zislow

    • Alter Forsthof, 17209 Zislow

    The horse farm Zislow is located in the middle of the landscape of Lake Plauer See and invites its guests to a varied vacation with and without their own horse.

    Read more: "Horse farm Zislow"
  • Hotel Ingeborg // © Hotel Ingeborg

    Hotel Ingeborg ***

    • Rosenthalstraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    We captured the colors of the Mecklenburg lake landscape and immersed the Hotel INGEBORG in Waren in light and blue.

    Read more: "Hotel Ingeborg ***"
  • The slube hotel in Krakow am See with its sleeping towers // © slube

    slube on Lake Krakow

    • Am Windfang, 18292 Krakow am See

    The fourth location, slube am Krakower See, has already opened and is another overnight accommodation option along the Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route.

    Read more: "slube on Lake Krakow"
  • © 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"
  • © 3 Königinnen Palais

    3 Queens Palace

    • Open today
    • Schlossinsel, 17252 Mirow

    Suddenly Queen - How Mecklenburg princesses became important European queens. The 3-Queens-Palace on the castle island of Mirow offers an interactive exhibition on the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and the queens who came from this house. In addition to the exhibition, there is also a café with a view of the lake, a souvenir store with regional products and the Mirow tourist information office.

    Read more: "3 Queens Palace"
  • © FSV GbR

    Go-kart & bike rental - Fleesensee Vermietung GbR

    • Wendhofer Str., 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    More fun with go-karts, bikes, and family mobiles in beautiful Land Fleesensee! Rental of bicycles and pedal-powered go-karts in Göhren-Lebbin. An experience for young and old.

    Read more: "Go-kart & bike rental - Fleesensee Vermietung GbR"
  • The ideal taster season - autumn vacation on the houseboat // © Mortan Strauch

    Yacht charter Schulz

    • An der Reeck, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Yachtcharter Schulz offers everything a boater's heart desires, from boating vacations on a thousand lakes to day trips and one-way tours.

    Read more: "Yacht charter Schulz"
  • © Kur- und Tourismus GmbH Göhren-Lebbin

    Playground at Fleesensee OT Untergöhren

    • 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Small playground with climbing frame, pirate ship, seesaw, swing and seating area

    Read more: "Playground at Fleesensee OT Untergöhren"
  • © Landesforst MV

    Damerower Werder bison reserve

    • Open today
    • Zum Werder, 17194 Damerow

    The colossi of Europe up close...

    Read more: "Damerower Werder bison reserve"
  • Lesesaal in der Stadtbibliothek im Kulturquartier // © Stadt Neustrelitz/Sebastian Haerter

    Cultural Quarter Mecklenburg-Strelitz

    • Closed today
    • Schloßstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    Discover. Marvel. Linger. Encounter.

    Read more: "Cultural Quarter Mecklenburg-Strelitz"
  • © Wassersport Fleesensee

    Water sports Fleesensee

    • Waldweg, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Wassersport Fleesensee, the 5-star water sports center at Ferienresort Fleesensee, offers courses in windsurfing, catamaran sailing, sailing for children, standup paddling and guided canoe tours. In addition, you can also simply rent boats and boards.

    Read more: "Water sports Fleesensee"
  • Badespaß das ganze Jahr // © Van der Valk Linstow

    Van der Valk Resort Linstow

    • Krakower Chaussee, 18292 Linstow

    The Van der Valk Resort Linstow is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Mecklenburg Lakes and a mere stone's throw from the Baltic Sea coast at the heart of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern between Berlin and Rostock.

    Read more: "Van der Valk Resort Linstow"
  • Village store Broock

    • Open today
    • Gutshof Broock, 17129 Alt Tellin

    After decades without a shop and restaurant in Broock, our village store with café and beer garden is now open, on the edge of the future Schlossgut Broock cultural and conference center and in the middle of the beautiful Tollensetal valley.

    Read more: "Village store Broock"
  • © Bernd Kehrer

    Antiquarian bookshop

    • Closed today
    • Am Stadthafen, 17235 Neustrelitz

    A treasure for book lovers

    Read more: "Antiquarian bookshop"
  • Logo equestrian center Sabine Bender // © Sabine Bender

    Equestrian center Sabine Bender

    • Warsow, 17154 Warsow

    Sabine Bender's horse farm is located on Lake Kummerow in Warsow near Neukalen in Mecklenburg Switzerland. Peace and relaxation are not foreign words here.

    Read more: "Equestrian center Sabine Bender"
  • Horse in its box // © Bombis

    ReiterHof Peeneland

    • Hof Peeneland, 17111 Meesiger

    Idyllically situated on the shores of Lake Kummerow, the equestrian farm is surrounded by a hilly landscape. The surrounding fields and forests are perfect for horseback riding.

    Read more: "ReiterHof Peeneland"
  • Schlosshotel Neustrelitz // © Schloss Neustrelitz / Bianka Pogadl

    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"
  • Kneippsche - Wassertretanlage direkt im Krakower See // © 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"

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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.