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.

454 results

  • Vacation apartment Freiheit

    • Schilfweg, 19417 Warin

    Accessible vacation apartment in Warin just a few meters from Lake Groß Warin. Enjoy a relaxing vacation in the vacation home built in 2020.

    Read more: "Vacation apartment Freiheit"
  • Family hotel at the zoo

    • Verbindungschaussee, 18273 Güstrow

    Short vacation and vacation with the whole family in a cozy and casual atmosphere with all the extras that promise a pleasant vacation. Especially suitable also for dog owners!

    Read more: "Family hotel at the zoo"
  • © Pension und Restaurant Jägerrast

    Pension Jägerrast

    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Rechlin OT Boek

    Leisure oasis at the Müritz National Park - your starting point for Slow Travel in the Müritz National Park

    Read more: "Pension Jägerrast"
  • © Fleesensee Feriendorf GmbH

    BEECH Resort Fleesensee creative workshop

    • Am Kalkberg, 17213 Goehren-Lebbin

    In the BEECH studio, your creativity will come to the fore - painting ceramics, making mosaics, fabric printing or felting and, last but not least, carving for young and old. Registration required Tel. 039932 80300, BEECH Resort Fleesensee

    Read more: "BEECH Resort Fleesensee creative workshop"
  • © Reit- und Fahrtourstik Lychen

    Riding and driving tourism Lychen

    • Weinbergstraße, 17279 Lychen

    Water and forest, fun and recreation and all that with short and long-eared four-legged friends - to be found at the Reit- und Fahrtouristik Lychen, where the mules from the Uckermark are at home.

    Read more: "Riding and driving tourism Lychen"
  • Facade, © Otilija Witt

    Hotel Restaurant Nordischer Hof

    • Markt, 18292 Krakow am See

    Small hotel, very popular between cyclists, with cozy rooms and good Eastern European cuisine.

    Read more: "Hotel Restaurant Nordischer Hof"
  • © Fleesensee Feriendorf GmbH

    Mini Golf Fleesensee

    • Am Kalkberg, 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    Great fun for the whole family. On the BEECH Resort Fleesensee grounds are several mini golf courses set up to play together.

    Read more: "Mini Golf Fleesensee"
  • © Theater Schiefe Ebene

    Theater Inclined Plane

    • Wilhelm-Stolte-Str., 17235 Neustrelitz

    Theater Schiefe Ebene - A unique variety & cabaret in Neustrelitz.

    Read more: "Theater Inclined Plane"
  • © Sonja Trabandt

    Medical Wellness Center at the Haussee Clinic

    • OT Feldberg, Buchenallee, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Medical Wellness in the Feldberg Lake District Nature Park - enjoy the enchanting landscape, breathe the fresh air and simply let your mind wander.

    Read more: "Medical Wellness Center at the Haussee Clinic"
  • © Papadoxx-Fotografie GbR

    Jolu natural cosmetics

    • Closed today
    • Demminer Straße, 17159 Dargun

    In one of the most beautiful regions of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern you will find cosmetics made in harmony with nature from all the regional treasures that our state has to offer. The pampering and care products can be purchased on site in the cosmetics manufactory or ordered quite comfortably via the online store.

    Read more: "Jolu natural cosmetics"
  • Front view, © J. Janssen

    Penzlin Manor House

    • Am Brink, 19386 Gallin-Kuppentin

    The listed manor house of the former Penzlin manor is beautifully surrounded by a large park with old trees, directly above Lake Penzlin in the middle of a charming hilly landscape.

    Read more: "Penzlin Manor House"
  • © Rene Julitz

    Federow distillery

    The distillery is located right at the entrance to the Müritz National Park. The village has only about 100 inhabitants, but a large number of guests. Almost all guided tours of the national park start in Federow.

    Read more: "Federow distillery"
  • © Anne Carolin Knust

    Regiomat at Müritz-Hof Knust

    • Dorfstraße, 17192 Sembzin

    Farm and regional products all year round and around the clock in the fresh produce vending machine directly at Müritz-Hof Knust.

    Read more: "Regiomat at Müritz-Hof Knust"
  • © 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"
  • Restaurant and Hostel Am Hafen - Neukalen

    • Am Hafen, 17154 Neukalen

    At the idyllic harbor in Neukalen you can enjoy delicious food here in the restaurant and on the terrace!

    Read more: "Restaurant and Hostel Am Hafen - Neukalen"
  • © Le Boat

    Le Boat Base Fürstenberg/Havel

    • Uferweg, 16798 Fürstenberg/Havel

    Come aboard at Le Boat Marina Fürstenberg/Havel and enjoy a fantastic boating vacation on the Mecklenburg Lake District. You don't need any previous experience or a boating license.

    Read more: "Le Boat Base Fürstenberg/Havel"
  • Sculpture park Wesenberg, © Silke Voss

    Sculpture park Wesenberg

    • Am Weißen See, 17255 Wesenberg

    A curiosity of the most diverse cultures unites on wooded terrain on the outskirts of Wesenberg: the owner is a Chinese, and Australian art is shown alongside selected regional and European art.

    Read more: "Sculpture park Wesenberg"
  • © Amt Mecklenburgische Kleinseenplatte

    Granzow bathing beach

    • Freely accessible at any time
    • 17252 Granzow

    In the vacation park Granzow is the bathing beach with very family-friendly infrastructure around it.

    Read more: "Granzow bathing beach"
  • © TMV/Wilken

    Roggow Estate

    • Poggeplatz, 18279 Lalendorf

    Vacations for everyone at the Roggow estate - close to nature, relaxing and full of history

    Read more: "Roggow Estate"
  • © TMV Gänsicke

    3 Queens Palace

    • Open today
    • Schlossinsel, 17252 Mirow

    Suddenly Queen - How Mecklenburg princesses became important European queens. The 3-Queens-Palace on the castle island of Mirow offers an interactive exhibition on the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and the queens who came from this house. In addition to the exhibition, there is also a café with a view of the lake, a souvenir store with regional products and the Mirow tourist information office.

    Read more: "3 Queens Palace"

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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.

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