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.

464 results

  • © funMüritz Wassersportcenter

    funMüritz Water Sports Center

    • Zur Stillen Bucht, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    The funmüritz water sports center is located in a wonderful location on the western shore of the Binnenmüritz directly on the Stillen Bucht in Kamerun

    Read more: "funMüritz Water Sports Center"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbH

    Bathing beach campsite "Boek" C16

    • Gertrud-von-le-Fort-Allee, 17248 Boek

    Our nature campsite "Boek" C 16 with a surfing and canoeing base and a kite surfing route is located directly on the south-eastern shore of the Müritz, Germany's largest inland lake at 117 km².

    Read more: "Bathing beach campsite "Boek" C16"
  • Exterior view of terrace and pool, © St. Oberholz / Nils Hasenau

    St. Oberholz Retreat Woldzegarten

    • Walower Straße, 17209 Leizen

    The St. Oberholz Retreat is a hotel in Woldzegarten in Mecklenburg, around an hour and a half's drive from Berlin and two hours from Hamburg. The hotel is run by the St. Oberholz Group from Berlin.

    Read more: "St. Oberholz Retreat Woldzegarten"
  • © Jana Koch

    Tennis facility Teterow

    • Langhäger Chaussee, 17166 Teterow

    Three playing fields, which can also be booked by guests subject to availability.

    Read more: "Tennis facility Teterow"
  • © Tobias Wellemeyer / Page Wellemeyer

    Wellemeyer Gallery & Art Shop

    • Steinstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Solo and group exhibitions of contemporary artists, in addition to fresh young art from Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin, the gallery shows works by renowned artists from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and eastern Germany in particular

    Read more: "Wellemeyer Gallery & Art Shop"
  • Side view of the half-timbered church, © Mecklenburgische Kleinseenplatte Touristik GmbH

    Church Blankenförde

    • Blankenförde, 17252 Roggentin

    Churches of the region - Experience small village churches or large, restored buildings from the time of the Knights of St. John. You can feel the powerful charisma of these old buildings and for a moment time stands still. - The half-timbered church in Blankenförde -

    Read more: "Church Blankenförde"
  • © H. Görlt

    Manufacture dandelion

    • Closed today
    • Dorfstraße, 17214 Nossentiner Hütte

    Fine food from Mecklenburg is available in this small farm store. Experience nature - with all your senses. During a herb walk, guests can also be enchanted by the abundance and magic around them.

    Read more: "Manufacture dandelion"
  • © Reschke Gastronomie GmbH

    Hotel "Am Brauhaus" with Brauhaus Müritz & bowling alley

    • Am Tiefwarensee, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Braufrische Lebensfreude: Hotel, restaurant, bowling alleys, brewery tours. The hotel "Am Brauhaus" is an ideal starting point for eventful excursions.In our in-house brewery with 4 bowling alleys right next to the hotel and on the edge of the old town of Waren (Müritz) you can experience the old brewing tradition anew.

    Read more: "Hotel "Am Brauhaus" with Brauhaus Müritz & bowling alley"
  • Summer Gallery Klein Gievitz

    • Klein Gievitz, 17192 Peenehagen

    North of Waren (Müritz), the Klein Gievitz summer gallery presents one or two exhibitions a year with paintings by Annette Mecklenburg and works by one or two guest artists. The artworks are shown in two exhibition rooms dominated by wood, glass, clay and brick as well as in the garden.

    Read more: "Summer Gallery Klein Gievitz"
  • Herd of ponies at the horse farm Zislow., © Pferdehof Zislow

    Horse farm Zislow

    • Alter Forsthof, 17209 Zislow

    The horse farm Zislow is located in the middle of the landscape of Lake Plauer See and invites its guests to a varied vacation with and without their own horse.

    Read more: "Horse farm Zislow"
  • Flair Seehotel Zielow

    • Seeufer, 17207 Ludorf OT Zielow

    Our hotel is located directly on the south bank of the Müritz and offers restaurant, wellness area, pool, riding stable, beach and pure relaxation.

    Read more: "Flair Seehotel Zielow"
  • Retzow Castle, © Christin Drühl

    Retzow Castle

    • Parkweg, 17248 Rechlin

    A castle in the Müritz region for weddings, dreamlike celebrations and stylish country vacations. 13 individual vacation apartments as well as public lounges form a backdrop like from another time.

    Read more: "Retzow Castle"
  • St. John's Church Boek

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17248 Boek

    "St. Johannis Church is a listed church building in Boek, a district of the municipality of Rechlin in the Mecklenburg Lake District in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It belongs to the parish of Rechlin in the Neustrelitz provostry, Mecklenburg church district of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.

    Read more: "St. John's Church Boek"
  • © Fischerei und Räucherei Alt-Schwerin/Dietmar Bürth

    Fishing & Smokehouse Alt Schwerin

    • Wendorf, 17214 Alt Schwerin

    Fishing business with boat mooring (also for large yachts) in Lake Plauer See, fish restaurant with original Mecklenburg fish cuisine, smokehouse and vacation apartments directly on the lake.

    Read more: "Fishing & Smokehouse Alt Schwerin"
  • © Thorsten Falk, Seehotel Plau am See

    Seehotel Plau am See

    • Hermann-Niemann-Str., 19395 Plau am See

    Make friends out of guests - Leave everyday life behind and immerse yourself in the hospitable atmosphere of our beautifully situated lakeside hotel. The idyllic 4-star hotel, located directly on Lake Plauer See, awaits you in its family atmosphere. Discover the wonderful area around Lake Plauer See.

    Read more: "Seehotel Plau am See"
  • © 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"
  • View of Peckatel castle, © Martin Kaiser, NPA Müritz

    Peckatel Castle

    • Peckatel, 17237 Klein Vielen

    Dreamlike vacations in the castle - look forward to vacation apartments and rooms that offer everything your heart desires.

    Read more: "Peckatel Castle"
  • © 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"
  • The Milky Way is open!, © 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"
  • Plauer Hai-Live e. V. - Sailing connects

    • Seestraße, 19395 Plau am See

    The Plauer Hai-Live e. V. sailing club in Plau am See in the Mecklenburg Lake District has been in existence since 2006. The association was founded as an inclusive sailing club right from the start.

    Read more: "Plauer Hai-Live e. V. - Sailing connects"

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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.