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

  • WerkHaus, Schulstraße 6 // © WerkHausWaren e.V.

    WerkHausGoods

    • Open today
    • Schulstraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The WerkHaus at Schulstraße 6 offers an open door three times a week and a space to linger, drink coffee, read, socialize and view a changing exhibition.

    Read more: "WerkHausGoods"
  • Haupthaus Schloss Groß Plasten // © Finn Steen

    The Reset Hotel

    • Parkallee, 17192 Groß Plasten

    With its location on the edge of the Müritz National Park, THE RESET in Groß Plasten Castle offers a very special place for rest and relaxation. The Reset stands for detox and fasting cures with first-class medical care.

    Read more: "The Reset Hotel"
  • Die Milchstraße ist geöffnet! // © Mecklenburger ParkLand

    Astronomical Observatory Dalwitz

    • Dalwitz, 17179 Walkendorf

    One of 6 thematic observation stations of the astro nature trail "De Sternkieker" in the Mecklenburger ParkLand Star Park.

    Read more: "Astronomical Observatory Dalwitz"
  • View of one of the five golf courses // © 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"
  • © 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"
  • © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin e. V. / Uwe Nölke

    Bakery & Confectionery H. Behrens

    • Stietzstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Traditional family recipes, glass bakery, café

    Read more: "Bakery & Confectionery H. Behrens"
  • SPA Hotel Amsee

    • Amsee, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Nestled in a hilly landscape shaped by the ice age, directly on the Tiefwarensee and on the edge of Mecklenburg Switzerland, the 4-star SPA Hotel Amsee is the first address for travellers in search of relaxation and activities in the nature.

    Read more: "SPA Hotel Amsee"
  • © Aquafun Fleesensee

    AQUAFUN Fleesensee

    • Open today
    • An der Therme, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    The adventure pool AQUAFUN Fleesensee offers a fitness and wellness area, saunas, a steam bath,as well as a newly designed outdoor and indoor area.

    Read more: "AQUAFUN Fleesensee"
  • Knorrige Stämme ragen in den Himmel, ihre Rinde erzählt von Jahrhunderten. Die Ivenacker Eichen gehören zu den ältesten Bäumen Deutschlands und stehen im Naturschutzgebiet bei Stavenhagen. Licht fällt durch das dichte Blätterdach und taucht den Waldboden in ein sanftes Grün – ein Ort, der Ehrfurcht weckt. // © 1000seen.de

    Ivenack Oaks National Natural Monument

    • Open today
    • Tiergarten, 17153 Ivenack

    The 1,000-year-old Ivenacker oaks belong to the Ivenacker Tiergarten. They are cultural and natural historical highlight of the area.

    Read more: "Ivenack Oaks National Natural Monument"
  • 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"
  • © Georg Schwan

    Motel "The Golden Crown

    • Constantin-Kirchhoff-Straße, 17166 Teterow

    A cozy, well-kept motel on the outskirts of Teterow.

    Read more: "Motel "The Golden Crown"
  • 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"
  • © Landurlaub M-V e.V./ Anika Weisbrich

    Café Hufschlag at the Zislow horse farm

    • Closed today
    • Alter Forsthof, 17209 Zislow

    The cozy Café Hufschlag at the Zislow horse farm serves homemade cakes, changing soups and hot and cold drinks. A child-friendly atmosphere with a reading corner, occasional cultural events and the adjacent horse farm make it a popular destination. The café can also be hired for private events by prior arrangement.

    Read more: "Café Hufschlag at the Zislow horse farm"
  • Herzlich Willkommen in der FerienResidenz MüritzPark // © FerienResidenz MüritzPark

    HolidayResidence MüritzPark

    • Bahnhofstraße, 17207 Röbel/Müritz

    The FerienResidenz MüritzPark - located in Röbel, the colorful town by the small sea. Personal, individual, spacious - the perfect choice for a relaxed and restful vacation for families, couples, those seeking relaxation and activity, as well as for parties and conferences.

    Read more: "HolidayResidence MüritzPark"
  • © GOLF Fleesensee

    TENNIS Fleesensee

    • Tannenweg, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Courts, courses and coaching lessons. With 4 indoor tennis courts (with tournament surface), 7 outdoor tennis courts (with sand and artificial turf) and 2 squash courts, the tennis facility at GOLF Fleesensee offers the best playing conditions in summer and winter.

    Read more: "TENNIS Fleesensee"
  • © Tiererlebnispark Müritz

    Animal Adventure Park Müritz

    • Tarpstraße, 17194 Grabowhöfe

    Wide fields with loosely scattered lakes, here and there a village and in the middle of it a zoo - the animal experience park Müritz in Grabowhöfe .

    Read more: "Animal Adventure Park Müritz"
  • Wangelin garden

    • Open today
    • Nachtkoppelweg, 19395 Wangelin

    Observe - grasp - marvel - enjoy in the largest medicinal herb garden in Mecklenburg. In addition to medicinal herbs, you will also find aromatic, magical and dyeing plants, as well as a butterfly garden and a typical North German farm garden. The garden's harvest can be tasted in the garden café and children can let off steam in the playscape.

    Read more: "Wangelin garden"
  • Hotel Am Tiefwarensee

    • Richard-Wossidlo-Straße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    3-star hotel with 70 beds in a quiet location directly on the Tiefwarensee in a garden landscape. Café-restaurant with garden terrace, sauna. Open all year round.

    Read more: "Hotel Am Tiefwarensee"
  • © Jana Koch

    Marketplace Teterow

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Am Markt, 17166 Teterow

    Geographically, Teterow is the center of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The center is marked by a cast-iron relief plate created by the artist Günter Kaden from Wendischhagen on the market square.

    Read more: "Marketplace Teterow"
  • Jörnberg lookout tower

    • Open today
    • Jörnbergweg, 18292 Krakow am See

    Krakow am See is easily recognizable by the simple and imposing lookout tower on the Jörnberg peninsula.

    Read more: "Jörnberg lookout tower"

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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.