Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Enchanted by Originality

Between the Baltic Sea, the Elbe and Lake Plauer See stretches a stretch of land whose natural diversity awakens the senses in its relaxing way, inspires the soul and is able to give the body new strength. Surprisingly close to the metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg and far away from the hustle and bustle, relaxation is waiting right outside the door.

Kaarz Castle in Mecklenburg-Schwerin at sunset with walkers in the well-tended castle park.

A stretch of land between the Baltic Sea, Elbe and Lake Plau, surprisingly close to Hamburg and Berlin and yet so pleasantly far away from everyday life.Glide along quiet waterways Kanus  there.Ospreys can be spotted on the lakes, and hikes lead through nature reserves. Between enchanted gardens and gnarled trees, there is space to breathe deeply, and castles, palaces and manor houses tell of the splendor of times gone by. From to Ludwigslust – their stories come to life and invite you to dream and linger. Charming small towns and villages are waiting to be discovered, as are regional markets, courtyards and studios. Between half-timbered houses and brickwork, there is an opportunity for a relaxed chat on every corner. Here you can find your very own personal taste of English.

The vacation experts for Mecklenburg Schwerin

Travel between castles and lakes

Schwerin

Schwerin Castle sits majestically on the lake, surrounded by idyllic gardens. The historic old town enchants visitors with its lovingly preserved half-timbered houses, museums and important cultural monuments. In summer, the castle festival transforms the town into a stage full of impressive open-air performances.

Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust, the „Versailles of the North“, impresses with its baroque splendor. The palace and park are perfect for a stroll. Cultural highlights include the small festival in the large park and the baroque Advent market.

Wittenburg

The medieval ramparts bear witness to Wittenburg's importance as a trading town. The MehlWelten Museum shows flour from a new perspective. The Alpincenter Hamburg-Wittenburg offers action-packed fun in the snow with a year-round snow slope at -1°C.

Plau am See

The climatic health resort combines a historic old town with a water experience. The listed Hubbrücke and the castle tower dominate the townscape. Cafés along the promenade invite you to linger, while Lake Plau, nature trails and forests promise active recreation.

The monastery town of Rehna

The monastery town is a place to take a deep breath. The monastery garden and the Mühlenteich pond offer quiet retreats. Art exhibitions and concerts provide cultural inspiration. Pilgrimage routes lead through unspoiled nature for extensive hiking tours.

Zarrentin am Schaalsee

Zarrentin lies on the deepest lake in northern Germany and is the gateway to the Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The monastery complex, half-timbered houses and natural shores characterize the townscape. The Schaalsee invites you to swim, paddle and observe nature. Hiking and cycling trails lead through unspoiled forests, moors and meadows.

Sternberg lake landscape

Numerous lakes, moors and woodlands characterize the natural paradise in the heart of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Perfect for canoe tours, hikes and swimming days. The Groäological open-air museum in Raden offers exciting insights into the life of the Slavs.

 

Castles and manor houses

in Mecklenburg-Schwerin

  1. Unique castle complex in Passow, © Manuela Engel-Dahan

    Passow Castle

    Read more: "Passow Castle"
  2. Welcome to Woserin Manor House, © Gutshaus Woserin / Sabine Puschmann

    Gutshaus Woserin - Art on the lake

    Read more: "Gutshaus Woserin - Art on the lake"
  3. The courtyard of Gadebusch Castle during an event., © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.

    Renaissance castle Gadebusch

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  4. © Sönke Gill

    Schönhof Manor House

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  5. Arrival at our estate, © Gut Settin am See

    Country and vacation homes at the Settin estate on the lake

    Read more: "Country and vacation homes at the Settin estate on the lake"
  6. Ludwigslust Castle

    Read more: "Ludwigslust Castle"
  7. © SSGK MV / Timm Allrich

    Schwerin Palace

    Read more: "Schwerin Palace"
  8. © Schloss Dreilützow/Baerens

    Dreilützow Castle

    Read more: "Dreilützow Castle"
  9. © Gut Vorbeck / Stefan von Stengel

    Vorbeck Manor

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  10. Amber Castle & Amber Land Wendorf

    Read more: "Amber Castle & Amber Land Wendorf"
  11. Gutshaus Volzrade - vacation in a historical ambience

    Read more: "Gutshaus Volzrade - vacation in a historical ambience"
  12. Schwartow hunting lodge

    Read more: "Schwartow hunting lodge"
  13. © SSGK MV / Funkhaus Creative

    Wiligrad Castle

    Read more: "Wiligrad Castle"
  14. Simple and beautiful: Zarchlin manor house, © Krüger

    Manor house Zarchlin

    Read more: "Manor house Zarchlin"
  15. Exterior view of Settin manor house, © Resort Gut Settin

    Manor house Settin am See

    Read more: "Manor house Settin am See"
  16. Exterior view Zahren Manor, © DOMUSImages

    Good Zahren

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  17. Neustadt-Glewe Castle

    Read more: "Neustadt-Glewe Castle"
  18. Hotel Neustadt-Glewe Castle

    Read more: "Hotel Neustadt-Glewe Castle"
  19. Landscape Park and Castle Raben Steinfeld

    Read more: "Landscape Park and Castle Raben Steinfeld"
  20. © Herrenhaus Goldenbow

    Goldenbow Manor

    Read more: "Goldenbow Manor"
  21. © TV MS / A. Vones

    Schwechower Obstbrennerei (fruit distillery)

    Read more: "Schwechower Obstbrennerei (fruit distillery)"
  22. Geese in the park of Kaeselow Castle, © vollvincent

    Kaeselow Castle

    Read more: "Kaeselow Castle"
  23. © Hotel Schloss Basthorst/Michael Frahm

    Hotel Schloss Basthorst

    Read more: "Hotel Schloss Basthorst"
  24. Dobbertin Monastery with the monastery church, © TV Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.

    Dobbertin Abbey and church

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Activities

on water, on land and on horseback

Boating tours and water fun on Lake Plau

If you like action, you will love Lake Plau. Sailing boats, excursion boats, motorboats and yachts come and go, surfers do their laps – Lake Plau is a true swimming and water sports paradise. Water sports enthusiasts who want to explore the 38-square-kilometre lake and its surrounding waters at their leisure can paddle across the lake on several canoe tours.

Biking and hiking tours

The hilly landscape of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is ideal for extensive cycling and hiking tours. The 63-kilometre "Round Eight" cycle path around Lake Schwerin invites you to explore the area by bike. Those who want to plan more than one day will find a vast landscape of forests, lakes and fields, home to cranes and white-tailed eagles, on the five-day hiking tour Klosterdreieck between Schaalsee, Ratzeburg and Zarrentin.

164 Ergebnisse
  • Geese in the park of Kaeselow Castle, © vollvincent

    Kaeselow Castle

    • Temporarily closed
    • Kaeselow, 19209 Lützow

    The historic manor house "Schloss Kaeselow" is located 20 km west of Schwerin, nestled in a large property with park and garden.

    Read more: "Kaeselow Castle"
  • © TMV/Dorow

    Garwitz lock gate

    • 19372 Matzlow-Garwitz

    The historic upper gate of the lock in Garwitz bears witness to the technical architecture of bygone times.

    Read more: "Garwitz lock gate"
  • © Tourist-Info der Stadt Sternberg / M. Bouvier

    City wall with mill gate Sternberg

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Mühlenstraße, 19406 Sternberg

    The city wall with the mill gate in Sternberg enclosed the old town of Sternberg in the Middle Ages.

    Read more: "City wall with mill gate Sternberg"
  • © Hotel Schloss Basthorst/Michael Frahm

    Hotel Schloss Basthorst

    • Schlossstraße, 19089 Basthorst

    We welcome you warmly in our unique 4-star hotel in Basthorst, situated in the stunningly beautiful Mecklenburg landscape, far from the hustle and bustle of urban life. We believe in creating a special ambience. Whether it's in the room furnishings, the culinary range or our service – you will notice the special character of our hotel estate.

    Read more: "Hotel Schloss Basthorst"
  • Vacation resort Am Walde

    • Köhlerweg, 19399 Wooster Teerofen

    In our complex on the edge of the forest and near the lakes (Langhagensee, Paschensee) six cozy bungalows for 2 to 4 people and one apartment for up to 6 people await you.

    Read more: "Vacation resort Am Walde"
  • © Welterbeverein Schwerin

    New Town Palace

    • Puschkin Str., 19055 Schwerin

    The Neustädtische Palais served as the Grand Duke's temporary residence during the palace renovations and is located in the historic Puschkinstraße. With its style, characterized by French Renaissance and Baroque elements, it reflects the signature of the master builders Johann Joachim Busch and Hermann Willebrand. From a widow's residence to a grand ducal residence, it changed over the centuries and became state property in 1920.

    Read more: "New Town Palace"
  • Goldberg Nature Museum and Tourist Information

    • Open today
    • Müllerweg, 19399 Goldberg

    Whether on the water, on horseback or on numerous hiking and cycling routes in the Goldberg-Mildenitz region in the Mecklenburg Lake District, you have countless opportunities for active recreation. For your vacation, the tourism association offers useful information on accommodation, tours, events and much more.

    Read more: "Goldberg Nature Museum and Tourist Information"
  • Old paper factory Neu Kaliß

    • Straße des Friedens, 19294 Neu Kaliß

    When the two entrepreneurs Felix Schöller and Theodor Bausch came to Neu Kaliß in 1871, they already had ambitious plans. They wanted to reform the paper mill, which was already producing high-quality writing paper at that time. A modern paper mill was to be built on the banks of the New Elde River.

    Read more: "Old paper factory Neu Kaliß"
  • © Maik Schwarz

    Commandant's house

    • Arsenalstraße, 19053 Schwerin

    The Commander's House on the south bank of the Pfaffenteich in Schwerin is an elegant example of neoclassical architecture and served as the official residence of the commander of the Grenadier Guards Battalion. Built between 1836 and 1837, it is a symbol of the reform and modernization of the Mecklenburg military under Grand Duke Paul Friedrich.

    Read more: "Commandant's house"
  • Dobbertin Monastery with the monastery church, © TV Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.

    Dobbertin Abbey and church

    • Am Kloster, 19399 Dobbertin

    The abbey of Dobbertin, on the eastern shore of the lake of the same name, is one of the most beautiful surviving monasteries in northern Germany. It was founded by Benedictine monks in 1220. Today, the abbey is managed by the Diakoniewerk, which looks after and supports people with mental and emotional disabilities. The workshop sells, among other things, candles and wooden articles.

    Read more: "Dobbertin Abbey and church"
  • © Stadt Plau am See

    Ackerbürgerhaus Plau am See

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • Große Burgstraße, 19395 Plau am See

    Ackerbürgerhaus Plau am See

    Read more: "Ackerbürgerhaus Plau am See"
  • Organic adventure farm Grittel

    • Am Ring, 19294 Grittel

    Grilling-chilling and nature. Enjoy your vacation with horse in almost untouched nature with wide meadows and endless forests in cozy and comfortable apartments and meadow, paddock or box for your equine friend.

    Read more: "Organic adventure farm Grittel"
  • Hotel Doemitz Port

    • Hafenplatz, 19303 Dömitz

    Enjoy a unique view over the Elbe floodplain from the panorama café at Hotel Dömitzer Hafen at a height of 40 meters. Relax with fresh coffee and cake and watch the shipping traffic and bird migration on the Elbe. A fresh breeze is included on request.

    Read more: "Hotel Doemitz Port"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Old town hall in Parchim

    • Schuhmarkt, 19370 Parchim

    The impressive Parchim town hall with a unique town hall cellar dates back to the 14th century with its core substance.

    Read more: "Old town hall in Parchim"

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Discover Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Inspiration to read more in the vacation magazine

  1. Schwerin: UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Read more: "Schwerin: UNESCO World Heritage Site"
  2. Puppet theater at Schwerin Castle: a family trip into the past

    Read more: "Puppet theater at Schwerin Castle: a family trip into the past"
  3. Read more: ""
  4. Picnic in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

    Read more: "Picnic in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
  5. Outdoor adventures in spring

    Read more: "Outdoor adventures in spring"
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    Tiny Houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

    Read more: "Tiny Houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
  7. The Nature Park Trail

    Read more: "The Nature Park Trail"
  8. Organized cycle tours between the Baltic Sea and lakes

    Read more: "Organized cycle tours between the Baltic Sea and lakes"
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    Excursion destinations in fall with children

    Read more: "Excursion destinations in fall with children"
  10. Switch off and recharge your batteries?

    Read more: "Switch off and recharge your batteries?"
  11. Top

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    Seven unique filming locations in MV

    Read more: "Seven unique filming locations in MV"
  12. Top

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    Special animal tours in the nature experience centers

    Read more: "Special animal tours in the nature experience centers"
  13. Wiligrad Castle: A park awakens from its slumber

    Read more: "Wiligrad Castle: A park awakens from its slumber"
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    Country holiday tips for the fall

    Read more: "Country holiday tips for the fall"
  15. From castle to castle with pleasure

    Read more: "From castle to castle with pleasure"
  16. River of fun

    Read more: "River of fun"
  17. Guided tour of Schwerin Castle

    Read more: "Guided tour of Schwerin Castle"
  18. Culture in Schwerin: Mecklenburg State Theater

    Read more: "Culture in Schwerin: Mecklenburg State Theater"
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Perfectly prepared for your vacation in Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Where is Mecklenburg-Schwerin located?

In the west of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – between the Elbe, Schaalsee, Plauer See and Schweriner See. The region includes the state capital Schwerin as well as the districts of Ludwigslust-Parchim and parts of Northwest Mecklenburg.

What makes Mecklenburg-Schwerin special as a travel destination?

The diversity: magnificent canyons, tranquil lakes, dense forests and quaint villages are all close together here. Ideal for anyone who enjoys culture and nature and is looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle.

Is the Schwerin Residence Ensemble a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes! Since July 2024, the residential ensemble with the palace, cathedral and neoclassical villas has officially been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Which castles and historical sites are worth seeing?

In addition to Schwerin Palace, Ludwigslust Palace, the „Versailles of the North“, is well worth a visit. The monasteries in Rehna and Zarrentin, the medieval castle in Neustadt-Glewe and the Slavic village in Groß Raden near Sternberg are also worth a detour.

Which parks and gardens should you have seen?

The palace gardens in Schwerin, Ludwigslust, Wiligrad and Kaarz impress with their stately splendor. If you prefer something a little more rural, the monastery garden in Rehna, the Pingelhof Alt Damerow in the Lewitz region or the ecological Wangeliner Garten near Plau am See are perfect for you.

How many lakes are there in the region?

Many! From Lake Schaalsee to Lake Schwerin and Lake Plau, countless bathing spots, canoe routes and lakeside paths invite you to relax. Many places can also be discovered by boat via waterways such as the Müritz-Elde-Wasserstraße, the Störkanal or the Warnow - a paradise for nature lovers.

Is the region suitable for cycling?

In any case! Tours such as the Schloss & Genuss-Erlebnisradtour combine imposing castles and manor houses with courtyards, cafés and manufactories. Interactive augmented reality stations make the experiences along the way even more tangible – an exciting mix of culture, culinary delights and technology.

Which excursions are suitable for families with children?

Whether it's the Bärenwald forest, Alpine center, swimming lakes or museums, Mecklenburg-Schwerin offers many destinations for families. One highlight is the interactive nature trails in Hagenow, Brüel and Goldberg – where „Pilzy“, a talking mushroom, accompanies children and parents through nature in a playful way, with rock climbing, art and hands-on stations.

What can you experience in Schwerin apart from the castles?

Discover the charming old town with its historic half-timbered houses, the diverse cultural offerings, listen to the bells in the cathedral or relax on Zippendorf beach – city & nature hand in hand.

How do you get to Mecklenburg-Schwerin?

Located between Hamburg and Berlin, Mecklenburg-Schwerin is easily accessible via the A24. There are ICE train stops in Schwerin and Ludwigslust, and other towns are well connected by regional train. Within the region, buses and the on-call bus service also connect smaller towns – ideal for anyone who wants to travel flexibly and sustainably.