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.

450 Ergebnisse
  • Harbor Residence Waren (Müritz) -
Your exclusive retreat at the Waren harbor, © K&K Ferienimmobilien GmbH & Co.KG

    Harbor residence Waren (Müritz)

    • Müritzstraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Just a short trip from the Müritz National Park, the Hafenresidenz with its modern vacation apartments offers an excellent starting point for discovering this beautiful natural area with its ancient beech forests, clear lakes and rich wildlife.

    Read more: "Harbor residence Waren (Müritz)"
  • View into the resort, © Meyer-Gattermann

    Ball house on the lake

    • Mühlendamm, 17217 Wustrow

    On the edge of the Mecklenburg Lake District, 12 spherical houses invite you to an unforgettable vacation. Located directly on the lake, surrounded by unspoiled nature.

    Read more: "Ball house on the lake"
  • 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"
  • Rambow Hof playground

    • Rambow Hof, 17194 Rambow

    A small playground with a large meadow, covered rest area, swing and slide. A directly adjacent parking lot is the starting point for a longer hike through Mecklenburg Switzerland.

    Read more: "Rambow Hof playground"
  • © 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"
  • © Theresa Lange Fotografie

    Zoo Neustrelitz

    • Open today
    • Am Tiergarten, 17235 Neustrelitz

    One of the oldest zoos in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - rustic habitat for 450 animals!

    Read more: "Zoo Neustrelitz"
  • Ecological vacation house at the Müritz

    • Mittelstraße, 17248 Rechlin

    The "ÖkoFeHaus" with 4 vacation apartments is located near the Müritz National Park on the eastern shore of the small Müritz. The surrounding area is ideal for hiking, paddling and cycling tours. The cozy apartments are allergy friendly and one apartment on the first floor is suitable for wheelchair users.

    Read more: "Ecological vacation house at the Müritz"
  • Forest yard Bruchmühle

    • Open today
    • Bruchmühle, 17213 Fünfseen

    An "island" in the middle of the forest - that is our family-run farm with the osprey as a neighbor. Enjoy a relaxing time in our vacation homes and the extensive riding trails on horseback directly from the farm to the eastern shore of Lake Plauer See.

    Read more: "Forest yard Bruchmühle"
  • © Campingpark Kamerun

    Camping and camper park Cameroon

    • Open today
    • Zur Stillen Bucht, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The campsite is located directly on the north shore of the Müritz.

    Read more: "Camping and camper park Cameroon"
  • Art Collection Neubrandenburg

    • Große Wollweberstraße, 17033 Neubrandenburg

    The Neubrandenburg Art Collection is the only museum of 20th and 21st century visual arts in the Mecklenburg Lake District. It offers two exhibition floors in an accessible air-conditioned baroque building with a new extension.

    Read more: "Art Collection Neubrandenburg"
  • View of the fishing yard from the jetty, © Müritzfischer

    Fishermen's farm Krakow on the lake

    • Goetheallee, 18292 Krakow am See

    An idyllic fishing farm, directly on the water and yet in the city. An ideal destination for fish lovers and those seeking peace and quiet. Enjoy the unobstructed view of Krakow Lake with a fish sandwich and a cool drink.

    Read more: "Fishermen's farm Krakow on the lake"
  • © SSGK MV / Funkhaus Creative

    Hohenzieritz Castle

    • Open today
    • 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"
  • © Torsten Rassmann

    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"
  • © Presse Theater

    Neustrelitz State Theater

    • Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Straße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    The Landestheater in Neustrelitz is rich in tradition and invites audiences of all ages to enjoy plays and musical theater. Every summer, the theater stages opulent operetta productions open air during the festival in the castle garden.

    Read more: "Neustrelitz State Theater"
  • Front view, © J. Janssen

    Penzlin Manor House

    • Am Brink, 19386 Gallin-Kuppentin

    The listed manor house of the former Penzlin manor is beautifully surrounded by a large park with old trees, directly above Lake Penzlin in the middle of a charming hilly landscape.

    Read more: "Penzlin Manor House"
  • © Erlebniswerkstatt Zahren

    Zahren adventure workshop

    • Closed today
    • Hartwigsdorfer Weg, 17217 Penzlin /OT Zahren

    The Erlebniswerkstatt Zahren offers people of all ages a creative space. Here you can play and dream or tinker with recycled and natural materials, realize your own projects, make objects and art yourself.

    Read more: "Zahren adventure workshop"
  • 1a Interior, © Sven Heinrich

    FEWO 1a

    • OT Feldberg, Mühlenweg, 17258 Feldberg

    Welcome to the FEWO 1a. This is located directly in Feldberg with space for two people. The short way to the center, the nature and waterways, offers many possibilities to arrange the vacation.

    Read more: "FEWO 1a"
  • Fishermen's farm Damerow

    • Zum Werder, 17194 Jabel OT Damerow

    Directly at the Jabel lake our guests enjoy a varied offer fresh from the smoker and our delicious fisherman's rolls. Here you will experience pure enjoyment and relaxation! For the little guests there is a water play mobile for lots of fun for children.

    Read more: "Fishermen's farm Damerow"
  • Restaurant and Hostel Am Hafen - Neukalen

    • Am Hafen, 17154 Neukalen

    At the idyllic harbor in Neukalen you can enjoy delicious food here in the restaurant and on the terrace!

    Read more: "Restaurant and Hostel Am Hafen - Neukalen"
  • Pension by the lake

    • Güstrower Straße, 17213 Malchow

    Welcome to the pension "By the lake"!

    Read more: "Pension by the lake"

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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.