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.

458 results

  • © Landurlaub Diemitz/ Renate Strohm

    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.

    Read more: "Country vacation Diemitz"
  • © Daniel Steinke Fotografie

    MÜRITZ-captain

    • Seebadstr., 17207 Röbel/Müritz

    MÜRITZ-captain rents out modern, license-free houseboats for 2-7 people from Röbel/Müritz. With comforts such as WLAN, air conditioning, TV and much more, as well as extras such as a water slide, you will experience unforgettable vacation days on the Mecklenburg Lake District - safe, flexible and relaxed.

    Read more: "MÜRITZ-captain"
  • © Hotel Heidekrug

    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"
  • © 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"
  • © Fleesensee Resort & Spa

    Fleesensee BOWL

    • Teichgasse, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    With ball and pin to strike, rounded off with Italian cuisine at Susanna's Trattoria e Pizzeria & Fleesensee BOWL, nothing stands in the way of a sporty afternoon. Good wood!

    Read more: "Fleesensee BOWL"
  • Findlingsgarten // © TI Krakow am See

    Boulder Garden with "Small & Large Mushroom

    • Open today
    • Am Borgwall, 18292 Krakow am See

    Some hiking trails in the climatic health resort lead over the Buchenberg with a height of 74.5 m above sea level to the Borgwall with "Little and Big Mushroom".

    Read more: "Boulder Garden with "Small & Large Mushroom"
  • © Boutique & Art Hotel Lenz

    Boutique & Art Hotel Lenz

    • Kiefernhain, 17213 Fünfseen

    The Boutique & Art Hotel Lenz at Lake Plauer See represents a unique feature in the cultural landscape of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Boutique & Art Hotel Lenz"
  • Klax Natur- und Umweltcamp // © Klax

    Klax Nature and Environment Camp

    • Closed today
    • Feldweg, 17194 Klocksin

    Between Lake Malchin, Lake Kölpin and the Müritz, in the midst of beautiful old Mecklenburg villages stretches a wide, breathtaking landscape with lots of water, forest and meadows - the ideal place for unforgettable nature experiences!

    Read more: "Klax Nature and Environment Camp"
  • Ruhig sitzt der Braunbär auf der Wiese, sein dichtes Fell glänzt im Licht, das durch die Baumkronen fällt. Im Bärenwald Müritz bei Stuer finden gerettete Bären ein artgerechtes Zuhause auf 16 Hektar Wald. Hier lässt sich beobachten, wie die Tiere in ihrem natürlichen Rhythmus leben – ein berührendes Naturerlebnis. // © 1000seen.de

    BÄRENWALD Müritz

    • Open today
    • Am Bärenwald, 17209 Stuer

    Brown bears – all of which came from improperly kept habitats – live in Western Europe’s largest bear sanctuary in the Mecklenburg Lakes. It is open all year round!

    Read more: "BÄRENWALD Müritz"
  • With canoe pike on national park tour

    • Dalmsdorf, 17237 Kratzeburg

    Here you can experience the beauty of the Müritz National Park from a completely different side. It is called board a boat of the diverse fleet and enjoy the silence and partial solitude of the region.

    Read more: "With canoe pike on national park tour"
  • Konnichi wa Mecklenburg // © Schloss Mitsuko

    Mitsuko Castle

    • Kastanienallee, 17168 Todendorf

    Mitsuko Castle Museum is a museum of Japanese culture and contemporary art. It houses a large Japan collection of art, folk art, ceramics, textiles and a Japan library. From all this, a part is constantly on display. This collection also includes a number of permanent loans and donations.

    Read more: "Mitsuko Castle"
  • © 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"
  • BEECH Resort Plauer See // © BEECH Resort Plauer See

    BEECH Resort Plauer See

    • Dresenower Mühle, 19395 Ganzlin

    Closed due to modernization and reconstruction in 2023. On more than seven hectares, our idyllic lakeside village opens up in the middle of the Ganzliner Holz landscape conservation area directly on Lake Plauer See with its own bathing beach and boat dock. Enjoy with us a piece of untouched nature directly at the gateway to the Mecklenburg Lake District.

    Read more: "BEECH Resort Plauer See"
  • © 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"
  • 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"
  • © Tourist-Information Malchow

    Malchow old town island

    • 17213 Malchow

    Consisting of three parts, the old town island, the monastery and the new town, Malchow is integrated into the south of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Malchow old town island"
  • © MV-T/Gohlke

    Welshof Schliemann

    • Dorfstr., 17139 Faulenrost

    Mecklenburg's first hereditary fish farm has been offering fish for four generations. In addition to the cozy restaurant "Zum Fischer Fritz" you can buy fresh and smoked fish in the farm store or spend the night in the vacation apartment....

    Read more: "Welshof Schliemann"
  • 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 at Schulkamp

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Pastor-Fiedler-Weg, 17166 Teterow

    Children's playground in the Teterow city park in the immediate vicinity of Schulkamp and the historic city center

    Read more: "Playground at Schulkamp"
  • © Landesforst MV

    Treetop path Ivenacker oaks

    • Tiergarten, 17153 Ivenack

    The accessible treetop trail is 620 meters long. The highlight is the 40-meter-high observation tower with elevator and visitor platforms. The facility is located in the Ivenack Zoo.

    Read more: "Treetop path Ivenacker oaks"

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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.