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

  • Lido Hafendorf Müritz

    • Marinastraße, 17248 Rechlin Nord

    The lido at Hafendorf Müritz in Rechlin-Nord is a popular bathing resort on the southeastern shore of Müritz.

    Read more: "Lido Hafendorf Müritz"
  • © Schloss Rumpshagen / Ernst von Bismarck

    Manor house Rumpshagen

    • Parkstraße, 17219 Ankershagen

    The baroque manor house was built in 1730.

    Read more: "Manor house Rumpshagen"
  • Daschow Castle Country Hotel

    • Schloßstr., 19386 Gallin-Kuppentin

    Hotel run as a bed & breakfast - ideal for vacations, culture and small celebrations, in the midst of a beautiful landscape. A place steeped in history, which conveys peace and deceleration from the first moment.

    Read more: "Daschow Castle Country Hotel"
  • Lake idyll Comthurey

    • Comthurey, 17237 Wokuhl-Dabelow

    Nature-oriented vacation homes with high standards directly on the lake with their own jetty and rowing boat. Not far from the Müritz National Park and the World Natural Heritage Old Beech Forests you can enjoy your vacation at any time of the year. Well then, welcome to kingfisher, beaver and Co.

    Read more: "Lake idyll Comthurey"
  • © 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)"
  • © Waren (Müritz) Kur- und Tourismus GmbH

    House of the guest Waren (Müritz)

    • Neuer Markt, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    the small, fine event location for locals and guests

    Read more: "House of the guest Waren (Müritz)"
  • Vacation park Lake Plauer See

    • Insel Werder, 17214 Alt Schwerin

    Pure island nature - In the middle of a protected landscape area, surrounded by forests, meadows and water, we welcome you to the vacation island of Lake Plauer See.

    Read more: "Vacation park Lake Plauer See"
  • © Torsten Heinrichs

    Aeronautical Engineering Museum Rechlin

    • Open today
    • Am Claassee, 17248 Rechlin

    In historical ensembles of buildings you can learn more about the impressive history of Rechlin's development into the former central and largest test site for land-based aircraft up to 1945 and the reuse by Soviet-Russian aviation until 1993. The NVA's information centre and the former shipyard are also presented - as well as the lives of the people who worked and lived here.

    Read more: "Aeronautical Engineering Museum Rechlin"
  • © 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"
  • © Jonas Kurverwaltung

    Sparkasse Mecklenburg-Schwerin Schwerin Branch Plau am See

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Lange Straße, 19395 Plau am See

    Banknote depositor Cash dispenser ATM with deposit and withdrawal function ATM with deposit and withdrawal function with NFC ATM with NFC Bank statement printer Customer parking spaces Coin counting machine Travel money (on order) Self-service terminal Locker facilities WLAN hotspot Largely wheelchair accessible

    Read more: "Sparkasse Mecklenburg-Schwerin Schwerin Branch Plau am See"
  • © Kur- und Tourismus GmbH Waren (Müritz)

    Holy Cross Church Waren (Müritz)

    • Goethestraße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The Catholic Church and Parish Niels Stensen

    Read more: "Holy Cross Church Waren (Müritz)"
  • © Stadt Neustrelitz

    Bathing establishment at the Glambeck lake

    • Adolf-Friedrich-Straße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    Bathing fun for the whole family

    Read more: "Bathing establishment at the Glambeck lake"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Erratic boulder garden Hohen Mistorf

    • Open today
    • Lindenweg, 17166 Hohen Mistorf

    The erratic block garden (360 m²) is part of the Geopark Mecklenburg Ice Age Landscape - Mecklenburg Switzerland.

    Read more: "Erratic boulder garden Hohen Mistorf"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Dalwitz Manor Park

    • Dalwitz, 17179 Walkendorf

    In the estate park you can discover a monument dedicated to Sabine von Bassewitz (1716-1790). She was considered by contemporaries as a "woman of great and rare talents".

    Read more: "Dalwitz Manor Park"
  • © 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"
  • © The Royal Inn Park Hotel Fasanerie

    Park Hotel Fasanerie

    • Karbe-Wagner-Straße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    The Park Hotel Fasanerie awaits you in the residential town of Neustrelitz, idyllically situated next to a small park with a pond (small lake).

    Read more: "Park Hotel Fasanerie"
  • © TMV/Fischer

    Village church Ludorf

    • Kirchenstraße, 17207 Ludorf

    The octagonal church Ludorf has an octagonal ground plan, which is unique in Northern Germany.

    Read more: "Village church Ludorf"
  • © Mann o Mann

    Man o man - Men's fashion

    • Lange Straße, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Man o man ... fashion for men FROM SPORTY TO FESTIVE Mann, ... O Mann is the men's fashion from Waren /Müritz that simply makes every man look good. The aim of this fashion is to give his personality more expression. With great success!

    Read more: "Man o man - Men's fashion"
  • © 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"
  • © 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"

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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.