Spa hotels in the Mecklenburg Lake District
The “land of a thousand lakes”: more than 1,100 lakes between the Müritz and the Tollensesee, Europe's largest water-sports area, the Müritz National Park and resort wellness on the Fleesensee.
Holidays & wellness in the Mecklenburg Lake District
The Mecklenburg Lake District is the “land of a thousand lakes” — in fact there are more than 1,100. Between the Müritz and the Tollensesee stretches Europe's largest contiguous water-sports area, a wide, quiet mosaic of lakes, canals, forests and bogs best experienced from the water: by houseboat, canoe or excursion boat. Its heart is the Müritz — at around 112 square kilometres the largest lake lying entirely in Germany (only Lake Constance is larger, but belongs to three countries). The Slavs called it the “little sea”, and that is how it feels. All around tempt the Müritz National Park with its cranes and white-tailed eagles, half-timbered towns such as Plau am See, residence towns such as Neustrelitz and resort spas on the Fleesensee. Wellness here means above all: coming to rest in one of the most water-rich landscapes in Europe.
What this region stands for
- Houseboats & water sports
- Müritz National Park & nature
- Crane watching (autumn)
- Resort wellness (Fleesensee)
- Family holidays by the lake
Why wellness here?
The wellness profile of the Mecklenburg Lake District is nature and water wellness on a grand scale. No classic spa lineage, but wide open space, quiet and water as far as the eye can see — the most effective recreation here is deceleration itself. The Müritz National Park (around 322 km², founded 1990) protects old beech forests — the Serrahn part belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage “Ancient Beech Forests” — as well as bogs and lakes. In autumn thousands of cranes rest on the Müritz, all year white-tailed eagles and ospreys circle over the water; forest bathing, birdwatching and quiet paddle tours are wellness in the original sense here. The comfort pole is formed by the resorts around the Fleesensee with large spa, golf and bathing landscapes. In between lies the most beautiful way of getting around: the houseboat, for which on many routes you do not even need a boating licence.
When to travel here
Spring (April–May): the cranes return, the forests turn green, a quiet time for paddling and cycling. Summer (June–August): high season for houseboats, bathing and sailing on the Müritz and its neighbouring lakes. Autumn (September–October): the spectacular crane rest — thousands of birds gather before departure; mild light, empty paths. Winter: a still, often misty lake landscape, ideal for resort wellness on the Fleesensee. Spa all year round.
Sights and anchors for the spa-free day
Müritz & Waren with the Müritzeum
At around 112 km² the Müritz is the largest lake lying entirely in Germany. The main town on the northern shore is Waren (Müritz) with the Müritzeum — a modern nature adventure centre with Germany's largest aquarium for native freshwater fish. Excursion boats set out across the lake from here.
Müritz National Park
Around 322 km² of forests, bogs and lakes; the Serrahn section has belonged since 2011 to the UNESCO World Heritage “Ancient Beech Forests”. Famous for the autumn rest of thousands of cranes and for white-tailed eagles and ospreys. Marked hiking, cycling and canoe routes lead through the reserve close to nature.
Plau am See & the Müritz-Elde waterway
A picturesque half-timbered town on the Plauer See with a historic blue lift bridge. Via the Müritz-Elde waterway the lake district is connected here with the Elbe and the Baltic — a hub for houseboat and canoe tours.
Residence and monastery towns: Neustrelitz, Mirow, Malchow
Neustrelitz with its baroque residence-town layout and palace garden, Mirow with its palace island (birthplace of Queen Charlotte) and Malchow with its monastery island between two lakes — cultural anchors in the wide water country.
Fleesensee resort region
On the Fleesensee, between the Müritz and the Plauer See, lies one of the largest holiday and wellness resort landscapes in northern Germany — with extensive spa and bathing areas, golf courses and family-friendly infrastructure right on the water.
Official tourism portals
Up-to-date information on getting there, events, opening hours and visitor's tax is available directly from the destinations.
Frequently asked questions about the region
What is the Mecklenburg Lake District?
A wide lake landscape in the south of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with more than 1,100 lakes — the “land of a thousand lakes” and the largest contiguous water-sports area in Europe. Lakes, canals, forests and bogs form a connected network of water that is especially well explored by houseboat, canoe or excursion boat.
Is the Müritz the largest lake in Germany?
At around 112 square kilometres the Müritz is the largest lake lying entirely in Germany. Lake Constance is larger, but belongs jointly to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Within the national borders the Müritz is thus the undisputed number one.
What makes the Müritz National Park special?
On around 322 square kilometres it protects beech forests, bogs and lakes; the Serrahn part belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage “Ancient Beech Forests”. Especially famous is the autumn crane rest, when thousands of birds gather. All year white-tailed eagles and ospreys can be observed.
Can you explore the lake district by houseboat?
Yes — the houseboat is the most beautiful way to travel here. On many waters of the lake district licence-free houseboats may be driven after a short briefing. You glide leisurely from lake to lake, moor in half-timbered towns and sleep on the water.
When is the best time to travel?
Summer (June–August) for houseboats, bathing and water sports. Autumn (September–October) is the time of the great crane rest and offers mild light on empty paths. Spring tempts with the returning migratory birds; in winter the resort spas on the Fleesensee score. Wellness is possible all year round.
Mecklenburg Lake District — spa hotels & holidays
Europe's largest water country
More than 1,100 lakes, connected by rivers and canals: the Mecklenburg Lake District is the largest contiguous water-sports area in Europe. In its middle lies the Müritz, the “little sea” and the largest lake entirely in Germany. Whoever holidays here plunges into a landscape in which the water sets the pace — leisurely, wide and surprisingly lonely.
Wellness between national park and resort
Recreation has two poles here. One is nature: the Müritz National Park with cranes, white-tailed eagles and old beech forests, plus forest bathing, paddling and long cycle tours through quiet territory. The other is the comfort of the large resorts on the Fleesensee with extensive spa and bathing landscapes. And in between the houseboat — the most relaxed way to cross a whole lake country.
Images:
Niklas Tschöpe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons