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.

462 results

  • 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"
  • © Hotel Rosendomizil, Malchow

    Hotel Rosendomizil Malchow

    • Lange Straße, 17213 Malchow

    Picturesque interior, delicious specialties and the feeling of being welcome at any time of the year await you at the Hotel Rosendomizil: Discover our individually and lovingly furnished Malchow house in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District!

    Read more: "Hotel Rosendomizil Malchow"
  • Luxury vacation home "RabenNest

    • Windfang, 18292 Krakow am See

    The location of the vacation home "RabenNest" is unique. Directly on a small, man-made canal with access to the Krakow Lake. Situated in an absolutely quiet location, the vacation home RabenNest invites you to relax and unwind all year round. A true nest to recharge your batteries and draw strength.

    Read more: "Luxury vacation home "RabenNest"
  • © Stadt Waren (Müritz)

    Public bath Waren (Müritz)

    • Kameruner Weg, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    This gated pool is very family-friendly and offers a large water slide, several beach volleyball courts, playground, a dock and designated non-swimmer areas, as well as changing facilities, restrooms and food service.

    Read more: "Public bath Waren (Müritz)"
  • Gasthof & Hotel Heidekrug

    • Rostocker Chaussee, 19395 Plau am See

    Our Heidekrug is a small family-run hotel on the Leistener Lanke, a bay in the north of Lake Plau. We are idyllically situated on the edge of the forest with access to the lake via our own property.

    Read more: "Gasthof & Hotel Heidekrug"
  • View through the window of the Subitow Gallery at dusk, © Klaus Böllhoff

    SUBITOW Gallery - Studio - Life

    • Klempenow, 17089 Bartow

    SUBITOW - Gallery - Studio - Life - is a project that has something surprising to offer the connoisseur and the layman - painting, sculpture, quilt, photography, gARTen, sound. It shows Art-aktuell inter- and regional. Bau&Schauhaus. Art&Life - almost always open - accessible.

    Read more: "SUBITOW Gallery - Studio - Life"
  • © 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.

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  • © Waren (Müritz) Kur- und Tourismus GmbH

    Church of St. George Waren (Müritz)

    • St.Georgen Kirchplatz, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    evangelic city church at the old market

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  • © SSGK MV / Funkhaus Creative

    Hohenzieritz Castle

    • Schlossplatz, 17237 Hohenzieritz

    Hohenzieritz went down in history as the place where the legendary Queen Luise of Prussia died. The castle was once the summer residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Today, a memorial in the castle provides information about Queen Luise. One of the earliest landscape gardens in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern extends behind the palace. It was created from 1771 by the English garden architect Thomson.

    Read more: "Hohenzieritz Castle"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    City Hall Malchow

    • Alter Markt, 17213 Malchow

    The town hall with elevator and the former district court building, connected by a corridor made of glass and steel, are today the joint representative administrative headquarters of the Malchow office.

    Read more: "City Hall Malchow"
  • © Amt Mecklenburgische Kleinseenplatte

    Mirow lido

    • 17252 Mirow

    The bathing beach in Mirow is within sight of the castle island. A good and family-friendly infrastructure is available. The arrival and departure with the Kleinseenbahn is possible.

    Read more: "Mirow lido"
  • © Hotel Bornmühle

    Hotel Bornmühle

    • Bornmühle, 17094 Groß Nemerow

    Nestled in the idyllic landscape of the Mecklenburg Lake District lies the Bornmühle, a family-run 4-star superior hotel that stands for genuine relaxation, healthy enjoyment and sustainable hospitality. Here you can experience wellness, nature and active vacations at the highest level - far away from interchangeable hotel worlds.

    Read more: "Hotel Bornmühle"
  • Country vacation Diemitz

    • Dorfstraße, 17252 Diemitz

    In the heart of the Mecklenburg Kleinseenplatte, wonderful nature, nice people and animals of all kinds await you on our ecologically managed farm.

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  • Nut Tree Farm

    • Plath, 17349 Lindetal

    The Nussbaumhof. Spacious, quiet vacation apartment in the Nussbaumhof with flair, not only for trail riders, and the large paddock and spacious rental stalls for nature-loving horses. In addition: endless expanse for all gaits - long! The most beautiful place to live. Created for romantic hours. For switching off.

    Read more: "Nut Tree Farm"
  • Canoe rental, © Thomas Roetting / Sylvia Pollex

    Boat and water sports rental in the Müritz harbor village

    • Skipperstraße, 17248 Rechlin

    Day charter on the Mecklenburg Lake District, directly on the Müritz in the harbor village of Müritz for just half a day, a whole day or longer. Simply set off in a motorboat, sailing boat or cabin cruiser: no previous experience is required. Canoes, rowing boats and SUP are also available.

    Read more: "Boat and water sports rental in the Müritz harbor village"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    Jewish cemetery of the island town Malchow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17213 Malchow

    The cemetery is located at the western outskirts of Malchow and is today a protected monument.

    Read more: "Jewish cemetery of the island town Malchow"
  • © Andrea Harden

    Timeless at the house lake

    • Strelitzer Str., 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    2 beautiful vacation apartments for 2 - 4 pers. directly on the lake, also as a vacation home for sole use. Own jetty and boathouse with boat and bathing ladder. Balcony, sauna, terrace and garden with grill directly at the lake. Breakfast at the bakery against over possible, boat rental right next door.

    Read more: "Timeless at the house lake"
  • Hotel WENDENKRUG

    • Temporarily closed
    • Burgwallinsel, 17166 Teterow

    Excursion restaurant with lake terrace and pension rooms under the thatched roof on the Burgwallinsel in Lake Teterow

    Read more: "Hotel WENDENKRUG"
  • © Gabriele Kölbl

    Vacation home Villa Kunterbunt

    • Friedenstr, 17194 Hohen Wangelin

    Whether rest, change of scenery or immersion in past times - all these wishes are fulfilled by the small cottage with rural charm and modern comfort. The name says it all: colorful vacation atmosphere makes the little cottage!

    Read more: "Vacation home Villa Kunterbunt"
  • © 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"

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Discover the Mecklenburg Lake District

Inspiration to read more in the vacation magazine

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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.