11 Sights in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Brick buildings, sea buckthorn, amber, smoked fish, beach chairs and the coat of arms with a black bull's head and a red griffin - all this is associated with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state in northeastern Germany. By the way, the first part of the name is pronounced "Meeklenburch", with a long "e". In addition to relaxing lakes and forests, there are also many cultural attractions here. We present eleven highlights:

Table of contents
1. mecklenburg lake district - narrow luzin
2. Müritz National Park - protection for the benefit of nature
3. Schwerin Castle - from the Middle Ages to the present day
4. Wismar - a Hanseatic city celebrates anniversary
5. Doberan Cathedral - the most beautiful brick Gothic
6. Rostock with Warnemünde
7. Fischland-Darß-Zingst - smoked fish and historical Zeesboote
8. stralsund - ships, beer and cards
9. ruegen - on foot or by train
10. island of Usedom - in search of amber
11. piers of the Baltic Sea - pier Heringsdorf

Müritz Plus, Mecklenburg Switzerland and Mecklenburg Lake District are the vacation regions when it comes to the Mecklenburg Lake District should go. Whether hiking, fishing, canoeing, sailing or simply swimming, the more than 1000 natural lakes offer varied possibilities for your leisure time. The Schmale Luzin, for example, a long and up to 33.5 meters deep lake, shimmers turquoise in the sunlight. It is one of the few clear water lakes in the region and in some places it is less than 200 meters wide. For swimming, it's best to head for Feldberg or Carwitz. 

Extensive moorlands, forests and lakes are the habitat here for countless animals and plants, rare lichens, mosses and fungi: The Müritz National Park is Germany's largest forest national park, covering 32,200 hectares; this is roughly the size of Munich. Three quarters of the forest areas are pine forests. Around the small village of Serrahn in the east of the national park are ancient beech forests, the habitat of a special biological diversity. That is why these forests were included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage in 2011. At guided hikes rangers will tell you many exciting and interesting facts about the nature worth protecting in the Müritz National Park. 

By train and bus comfortably to Serrahn: Plan arrival.

In the state capital Schwerin Schwerin Castle is located on an island between the Burgsee and Schwerin Lake. Where Mecklenburg dukes once resided, the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern now sits. The island was first built on in the 10th century; this was shown by excavations that revealed a Slavic castle rampart. The outline of that time already roughly resembled today's castle complex. Close to the residence are the orangery, a grotto and a charming colonnaded courtyard. But the city of Schwerin is also worth a visit; its location on the water and the various lakeside promenades give it a very special atmosphere. You can shop at several weekly markets, for example at the Old town market Wednesday.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Schwerin: Plan arrival.

Monumental churches, restored town houses and a cobbled market square; very different styles and epochs formed today's townscape of Wismar. There are some special buildings in the old town, such as the Brauhaus am Lohberg, the Plätzchen Lohberg or the Wassertor. The Hanseatic city, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, also has an Old Port that is worth seeing due to its long seafaring tradition. There you can visit Hanseatic cogs. Passenger ships invite you on excursions and local fishermen sell their catch directly from the cutter. On the occasion of the 20th UNESCO anniversary, Wismar offers special City tours where you can learn a lot of exciting facts about the city's history. 

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Wismar: Plan arrival.

The right place to linger in silence, Praying or lighting candles: In Bad Doberan near Rostock lies the first Mecklenburg monastery, the Doberan Minster. Built in 1171, it impresses with its rich furnishings, such as the high altar, which is considered the oldest preserved winged altar in art history, the monumental rood screen crucifix altar and the funerary sculpture of the Danish queen Margaret Sambiria. With its technical and creative perfection, the Doberan Cathedral is a well-preserved contemporary witness of (architectural) history. During guided tours you can learn more about the history of the former Cistercian monastery. In addition, church services, devotions and concerts can be attended.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Bad Doberan: Plan arrival.

For culture and city lovers offers Rostock plenty: a real big-city atmosphere with Hanseatic architecture and a taste of the sea, museums, versatile restaurants and cafés, and nice shopping opportunities. The Hanseatic city can be proud of the oldest university in northern Europe - and with Warnemünde has a district that is located directly on the Baltic Sea, of course with its own beach. The seaside resort of Warnemünde has, among other things, a traditional spa house, a sea promenade, the Munch House and the lighthouse, Warnemünde's landmark. From the middle pier you have a great view of the Old Stream and the promenade. Numerous restaurants and the fish market invite you to feast. Here you can buy smoked fish and freshly caught Baltic fish every day. And while you wait for your order, you can dream about the ships in peace ... 

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Rostock: Plan arrival.

At Darß-Zingst deer walk on the beach, and in autumn up to 60,000 cranes rest on the harvested grain fields. The peninsula is separated from the mainland by the Saaler Bodden and the Barther Bodden. Hot and cold fish smoking has a long tradition here, and there are numerous smokehouses where you can buy and enjoy salmon, halibut, herring, eel and cod, for example. Typical for Darß-Zingst are also the Zeesboote. In the past, these oak boats with their striking brown sails were used by fishermen for fishing, today they are used for regattas. The most traditional regattas like the Zingster or Dierhäger Zeesbootregatta take place in the months of June, July and September. Many Bodden harbors such as Althagen, Wustrow, Dierhagen, Zingst or Ribnitz also offer tourist Zeesboot trips. You can experience the historical sailing feeling for yourself.

By train and bus comfortably to Darß-Zingst: Plan arrival.

During a walk through the old town Stralsund's, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will always have the towers of the three mighty Gothic brick churches of St. Nikolai, St. Marien and St. Jakobi in view. You will find the beautiful, listed brick gabled houses in the Mühlenstraße, which connects the Alter Markt with the Heilgeiststraße. A striking number of original stores and boutiques have settled in this small alley - the perfect address for a relaxed shopping trip. The shopping mile Ossenreyerstrasse is then lined with department stores and stores. The harbor town of Stralsund is also a popular (stopover) destination for water sports enthusiasts with sailing or motor yachts. You can also visit many unusual things: the sail training ship Gorch Fock I, a ship museum, a playing card factory and the Störtebeker brewery.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Stralsund: Plan arrival.

From Stralsund, the Rügen Bridge leads to Rügen, to Germany's largest island. It is especially known for its beaches and brightly shining chalk cliffs. Near the town of Sassnitz lies the Jasmund National Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Beech trees have been growing on this peninsula for about 800 years. In addition, an approximately ten-kilometer-long hiking trail begins in Sassnitz, which leads to the center of the national park, the Königsstuhl, via the Hochuferweg. Here there is an adventure exhibition and a bistro. For the way back you can take the bus to Sassnitz. And if you want to take a really nice train ride: The Bäderbahn "Rasender Roland" chugs along at 30 kilometers per hour from Lauterbach Mole via Putbus, Binz, Sellin and Baabe to Göhren - and has been doing so since 1895.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Rügen: Plan arrival.

Sunny island and water sports paradise: On the island Usedom you can be active with surfboard, kayak, sailboat or motorboat almost everywhere near the coast. Or you can relax on the wide sandy beaches in peace and quiet. A particularly charming landscape is Usedom Switzerland in the south of the island. Numerous lakes shimmer between valley meadows and marshes, of which Wolgastsee is especially well known. On the geographically narrowest part of the island are the towns of Zempin, Koserow, Loddin and Ückeritz - also called amber spas because you can always find amber on the beaches. Maybe you will be lucky during your visit? Other attractions are the climbing forest in Ückeritz, the butterfly farm in Trassenheide, the tropical house in Bansin and the moated castle in Mellenthin. 

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Usedom: Plan arrival.

Walking above the water towards the open sea, feel the wind and the wonderful salty breeze: this pleasure is offered by the piers on the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The long wooden piers are typical of the landscape on the German east coast and usually offer restaurants, cafés and stores as well as a view. Originally, the piers served as landing stages for excursion steamers and ferries, but today they are popular promenades above the undulating sea. The Heringsdorf pier on the island of Usedom is the longest pier in Germany at 508 meters. The Ahlbeck pier, on the other hand, is the most venerable - the wooden platform with restaurant and stage was built on the beach as early as 1882. And the piers in Zinkst, Sellin and Zinnowitz surprise with a diving gondola at the end: So you can experience the underwater world of the Baltic Sea from a completely different angle. 

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Heringsdorf: Plan arrival.

Cover photo: Germany's Baltic Sea awaits you © tatjana busch/EyeEm - stock.adob