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.

461 results

  • © Seehotel Heidehof

    Seehotel Heidehof***

    • Seestraße, 17094 Klein Nemerow

    Welcome to the Seehotel Heidehof - your retreat in the middle of the idyllic Mecklenburg Lake District. The traditional hotel is picturesquely perched on a steep bank of Lake Tollensesee and inspires with its tranquillity, closeness to nature and unmistakable flair. Only a few minutes away from Neubrandenburg, a harmonious combination of relaxation, enjoyment and living history awaits you here.

    Read more: "Seehotel Heidehof***"
  • © Tommys Fahrradladen

    TOMMY'S bike store

    • Kirchenstraße, 17213 Malchow

    Looking for the right bike, accessories, service and Co? With us you are exactly right.

    Read more: "TOMMY'S bike store"
  • © slube

    slube at the city harbor Neustrelitz

    • Am Stadthafen, 17235 Neustrelitz

    In Neustrelitz, you stay in the slubes directly at the city harbor, between jetties and typical historic brick warehouses. Perfect for jumping into the Zierker See lake in the morning, paddling through the Mecklenburg Kleinseenplatte lake district or exploring the Strelitzer Land region with its UNESCO World Heritage sites.

    Read more: "slube at the city harbor Neustrelitz"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    Malchow city windmill

    • Friedrich-Ebert-Str., 17213 Malchow

    Of the former seven windmills, two are still preserved in the town area: The so-called Stadtmühle and the Achtkant. Both are owned by the island town of Malchow, which is committed to preserving the monuments that characterize the townscape.

    Read more: "Malchow city windmill"
  • © Jonas Kurverwaltung

    Playground Burghof Plau am See

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Burgplatz, 19395 Plau am See

    The Burghof Plau am See playground is located in the historic old town. The facility has swings, a climbing tower, slide, suspension bridge, swing and wine press scaffolding,

    Read more: "Playground Burghof Plau am See"
  • Cultural Quarter Mecklenburg-Strelitz

    • Open today
    • Schloßstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    Discover. Marvel. Linger. Encounter.

    Read more: "Cultural Quarter Mecklenburg-Strelitz"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    DDR Everyday Life Museum Malchow

    • Open today
    • Kirchenstraße, 17213 Inselstadt Malchow

    The building was inaugurated in 1957 as a "movie palace", but today presents objects from past times.

    Read more: "DDR Everyday Life Museum Malchow"
  • © Touristinformation Krakow am See

    Bathing beach at the camping site at the Krakow lake

    • Windfang, 18292 Krakow am See

    Not far from the old town on the north shore of the Krakow Lake on the campsite families can relax for a small fee. The spacious bathing beach with beach and sunbathing lawn as well as beach volleyball court offer the opportunity for relaxation and sporting activity.

    Read more: "Bathing beach at the camping site at the Krakow lake"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    View pulpit sea eagle

    • 18292 Glave

    The Seeadler viewing platform offers a fantastic view of the Krakow Obersee nature reserve.

    Read more: "View pulpit sea eagle"
  • © 1000seen

    Summer toboggan run & monkey forest Malchow

    • Karower Chaussee, 17213 Malchow

    Seven curves on a total length of 800 m and a height difference of 30 m, 7 steep curves, 6 chicanes and a fully automatic T-bar lift make you want to have winter fun in a summery environment.

    Read more: "Summer toboggan run & monkey forest Malchow"
  • Old school, © TI Krakow am See

    Old school Krakow on the lake

    • Open today
    • Schulplatz, 18292 Krakow am See

    Experience tradition in the "Old School", which was extensively renovated in 1998 and houses the library, the local history room and the printing museum.

    Read more: "Old school Krakow on the lake"
  • © Van der Ham Bollewick

    Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Bollewick

    • Feldstraße, 17207 Bollewick

    At the milk vending machine in Bollewick you can draw daily fresh milk directly from the dairy farm of the Van der Ham family and that around the clock.

    Read more: "Milk vending machine Van der Ham, Bollewick"
  • © Stadt Friedland

    Museum of the city of Friedland

    • Mühlenstraße, 17098 Friedland

    Discover history up close. The museum invites you on an exciting journey through different eras - at three special locations: the main building with its idyllic museum courtyard, the MPSB exhibition hall and the historic Fangelturm.

    Read more: "Museum of the city of Friedland"
  • The advertising bike in front of the "Emma" vacation apartment, © Bärbel Kuhrt

    Vacation apartment "Emma"

    • Dorfstraße, 17111 Siedenbrünzow

    A cozy vacation apartment with partly antique furnishings in the Tollensetal.

    Read more: "Vacation apartment "Emma""
  • © Bluhm´s Delikat

    Bluhm's Delikat

    • Warener Str., 17194 Moltzow

    Bluhm's Delikat serves honest food made from fresh and seasonal products. We are caterers and producers as well as organizers of various culinary events in the Mecklenburg Lake District.

    Read more: "Bluhm's Delikat"
  • Our hotel is located directly on the Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route., © Heike Dworatzek

    National Park Hotel Kranichrast

    • Dorfstraße, 17192 Kargow OT Schwarzenhof

    The family-run hotel is idyllically located in the middle of the Müritz National Park, away from noise, bustle and stress.

    Read more: "National Park Hotel Kranichrast"
  • © TMV/Gänsicke

    Viewpoint Reiherberg

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Reiherberg, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    The Reiherberg is with 143 m one of the highest elevations in the Feldberg lake district and offers a really fantastic view over the Haussee with the two picturesque islands to the silhouette of Feldberg.

    Read more: "Viewpoint Reiherberg"
  • © Kurverwaltung Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Spa park with Kneipp facility

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Strelitzer Strasse, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Centrally located in the town of Feldberg, a new spa park has been created in recent years on the site of the old town park: a park that you can discover with all your senses. Either you promenade directly on the shore of the Haussee or explore the Kneipp facilities and then relax in the grass maze.

    Read more: "Spa park with Kneipp facility"
  • View of the Barkow manor house, © Tourist Info Plau am See GmbH

    Barkow manor house

    • Heinrich-Zander-Straße, 19395 Barkow

    In the Mecklenburg Lake District not far from Plau am See lies the Barkow manor house built in 1913 by the Hülße family. The large garden borders directly on the Müritz-Elde waterway. The house was completely renovated in recent years and furnished as a guesthouse with eight apartments, two single rooms and ten double rooms. The Barkow Manor rents out canoes and bicycles.

    Read more: "Barkow manor house"
  • Hotel between the lakes, © Hotel zwischen den Seen

    Hotel between the lakes

    • Am Mühlenberg, 17192 Waren (Müritz)

    Great new hotel (renovated villa) - quiet location and close to the city center

    Read more: "Hotel between the lakes"

Content is loaded

Select a location in the region

Select a region

or enter a location directly

Content is loaded

Discover the Mecklenburg Lake District

Inspiration to read more in the vacation magazine

  1. In the houseboat barrier-free on the Müritz

    Read more: "In the houseboat barrier-free on the Müritz"
  2. Top

    5

    Excursion destinations in fall with children

    Read more: "Excursion destinations in fall with children"
  3. The Flower Queen and Mirow Castle

    Read more: "The Flower Queen and Mirow Castle"
  4. Vacation with alkaline fasting in Waren (Müritz)

    Read more: "Vacation with alkaline fasting in Waren (Müritz)"
  5. Organized cycle tours between the Baltic Sea and lakes

    Read more: "Organized cycle tours between the Baltic Sea and lakes"
  6. Inclusive sailing in Plau am See

    Read more: "Inclusive sailing in Plau am See"
  7. Cycling on the Elbe-Oderhaff cycle path

    Read more: "Cycling on the Elbe-Oderhaff cycle path"
  8. Medical wellness in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

    Read more: "Medical wellness in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
  9. Christmas market and Advent magic at Ulrichshusen Castle

    Read more: "Christmas market and Advent magic at Ulrichshusen Castle"
  10. On fall vacation with grandma and grandpa

    Read more: "On fall vacation with grandma and grandpa"
  11. Canoe and camping tour

    Read more: "Canoe and camping tour"
  12. Top

    5

    Beach bars on the Baltic coast and inland

    Read more: "Beach bars on the Baltic coast and inland"
  13. Switch off and recharge your batteries?

    Read more: "Switch off and recharge your batteries?"
  14. Mother and daughter on tour together

    Read more: "Mother and daughter on tour together"
  15. Wonderful winter experiences

    Read more: "Wonderful winter experiences"
  16. Top

    5

    Country holiday tips for the fall

    Read more: "Country holiday tips for the fall"
  17. Two girls, two SUPs and a weekend

    Read more: "Two girls, two SUPs and a weekend"
  18. Family vacation at the Waldhof Bruchmühle

    Read more: "Family vacation at the Waldhof Bruchmühle"
  19. On the trail of Ernst Barlach in Güstrow

    Read more: "On the trail of Ernst Barlach in Güstrow"
  20. Top

    7

    Seven reasons for a houseboat vacation in autumn

    Read more: "Seven reasons for a houseboat vacation in autumn"
  21. Top

    5

    Five sights in the Barlach town of Güstrow

    Read more: "Five sights in the Barlach town of Güstrow"
  22. Houseboat adventure: cruising the Mecklenburg way

    Read more: "Houseboat adventure: cruising the Mecklenburg way"
  23. Health-promoting cure with natural remedies

    Read more: "Health-promoting cure with natural remedies"
  24. Romantic weekend at the manor house

    Read more: "Romantic weekend at the manor house"
  25. Top

    5

    Special animal tours in the nature experience centers

    Read more: "Special animal tours in the nature experience centers"
  26. With the houseboat across the lake district of MV

    Read more: "With the houseboat across the lake district of MV"
  27. The Nature Park Trail

    Read more: "The Nature Park Trail"
  28. By e-bike through the Mecklenburg Lake District

    Read more: "By e-bike through the Mecklenburg Lake District"
  29. Top

    7

    Tiny Houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

    Read more: "Tiny Houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
  30. Houseboat vacation with teenagers

    Read more: "Houseboat vacation with teenagers"
  31. Dog-friendly accommodation: Vacation with a woof effect

    Read more: "Dog-friendly accommodation: Vacation with a woof effect"
  32. Houseboat vacation in the Mecklenburg Lake District

    Read more: "Houseboat vacation in the Mecklenburg Lake District"
1- 0 from 0

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.