State Capital Schwerin

Germany's Smallest State Capital

Since its foundation by Henry the Lion, Mecklenburg's oldest city has always been the navel of this state. Set in the middle of an idyllic water landscape, the blue of the lakes has always dominated. They take up a quarter of the city's area and in the middle of Lake Schwerin "swims" the imposing castle.

Schwerin Castle - its splendor still shines beyond the green expanses of its worth seeing parks, © TMV/Allrich

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Schwerin Residence Ensemble, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2024, is a fascinating testimony to the history and culture of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With the magnificent Schwerin Palace in the center, surrounded by lakes and historic gardens, this ensemble embodies the perfect harmony of architecture and nature. The impressive buildings and carefully tended gardens invite visitors to immerse themselves in the glorious past and experience the beauty of this unique cultural heritage.

Floating Fairy Tale Castle

The castle "floats" on a small island in the large Schwerin Lake. Fairytale-like, graceful and filigree at the same time, it towers proudly and full of dignity out of Germany's fourth largest lake. The impressive ancestral gallery, royal state rooms and the orangery are not to be missed. Where once the dukes ruled, the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has its seat today.

A Stroll Through the City from a Picture Book

Stroll through the streets of Schwerin and you will see one architectural beauty after another. The oldest building in the city is the Gothic cathedral - one of the most beautiful and powerful brick churches in Germany. By the way, the 117-meter-high tower of the church, which was completed in 1416, was only added a good 100 years ago.

Otherwise, the city is rather characterized by the Baroque and the historicizing styles of the 19th century. For example, the town hall opposite the cathedral. With its Tudor-style façade, it is reminiscent of an English castle. In grand-ducal Schwerin, even the train station and the post office are a feast for the eyes. From the modern shopping streets in the city center, you can walk along romantic riverside promenades.

Cultural Enjoyment

In the city of the seven lakes, you will find true cultural treasures - as far as the eye can see: For example, in what is probably Schwerin's most beautiful square, the "Old Garden", you will find the traditional Mecklenburg State Theater - together with the painting gallery of the State Museum, it stands as a symbol for the popular city of music and art.

Numerous major events such as the Schwerin Summer of Culture, the Schwerin Castle Festival, the Film Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival on the Pfaffenteich, as well as top-class exhibitions and concerts entice visitors to take a city break in the state capital with its fairytale flair throughout the year.

The Vacation Experts for the State Capital Schwerin:

Schwerin in Moving Pictures

 

Tour Tips for Exploring

By Canoe, Bicycle or on Foot

  • © TMV/Gänsicke

    Schwerin Lakes Tour

    • Length: 50 km
    • Etappen: 4-5 Tage

    Stages: 4-5 days Enchanting castle scenery, endless expanses and green shores - a treat for nature and culture lovers. The challenging tour across the two-part Schwerin Lake, in which the Schwerin Castle is imposingly reflected, leads past small islands, cozy villages and rustling reed belts.

    Read more: "Schwerin Lakes Tour"
  • Sunrise in Rostock's city harbor, © TMV/Gänsicke

    Warnowtal circular route

    • Length: 230 km
    • Etappen: 4

    The river with the most water in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern impresses with its versatility. Sometimes the Warnow meanders peacefully through flower meadows and floodplain forests, sometimes it rushes like a mountain stream over large boulders and fallen trees. A wild and romantic adventure not only for cyclists.

    Read more: "Warnowtal circular route"
  • Out and about by bike at Güstrow Castle, © TMV/Gänsicke

    Residence Cities Circuit

    • Length: 285 km
    • Etappen: 5

    The Dukes of Mecklenburg left behind a veritable flood of castles. Through disputes over the regency, they divided the land several times. The circular route follows the tracks of the dukes to the former residences - government palaces, summer residences, pleasure and hunting palaces.

    Read more: "Residence Cities Circuit"
  • © TMV/Roth

    Elbetal-Schaalsee circular route

    • Length: 380 km
    • Etappen: 7

    Stages: 7 | Some time ago, the inner-German border ran directly along the Elbe and the Schaalsee. In the former no man's land, an original landscape with unique flora and fauna has been preserved. The round trip promises unforgettable experiences of nature and history.

    Read more: "Elbetal-Schaalsee circular route"
  • Harbor terrace in the Hanseatic City of Stralsund, © TMV/Gänsicke

    Hamburg-Rügen bike path

    • Length: 527 km
    • Etappen: 10

    Stages: 10 | An enticing bike path connects northern Germany's largest city with Germany's largest island. It takes cyclists right through the middle of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: past fairy-tale castles and shimmering lakes, over hills in Mecklenburg Switzerland to the world-famous chalk cliffs of Rügen.

    Read more: "Hamburg-Rügen bike path"
  • Enjoy nature in Krakow on the lake with water view, © TMV/Gänsicke

    Mecklenburg Lakes Circuit

    • Length: 265 km
    • Etappen: 4

    In the southwest of the country, the water sparkles in enchanting diversity. One blue pearl follows the next. There are over ninety in the Sternberg Lake District Nature Park alone. Lake Schwerin is the largest on this tour. For bathing enthusiasts and history buffs, the route is pure pleasure.

    Read more: "Mecklenburg Lakes Circuit"
  • © Archiv Ev.-Luth. Kirchenkreis Mecklenburg

    St. Birgitta Pilgrimage Route

    • Length: 310 km
    • Etappen: 14

    Today's Birgitta Pilgrimage Route runs from Sassnitz on the island of Rügen via the Hanseatic City of Stralsund, Güstrow, the State capital Schwerin on to Zarrenthin and on to Lower Saxony. Past masterpieces of brick Gothic, through the Sternberg Lake District and to former monasteries - this is how the pilgrimage route of St. Birgitta is believed to have been in 1341.

    Read more: "St. Birgitta Pilgrimage Route"
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    Excursion Destinations

    Cultural Tips for a Visit to the State Capital

    1. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Grand ducal linen and bed chamber

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    2. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Officers' mess

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    3. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Old artillery barracks

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    4. © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

      Schwerin Castle - Gardens

      Read more: "Schwerin Castle - Gardens"
    5. © Stadtgeschichts- und Museumsverein Schwerin e.V.; Dr. Holger Martens

      Museum Grinding Mill Schwerin

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    6. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Schwerin State Archives

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    7. © Schweriner Kletterwald

      Schwerin Climbing Forest

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    8. © Club Zenit

      Club Zenit Schwerin

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    9. © © Roeder

      Schwerin Zoological Garden

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    10. © Foto: G. Bröcker, Staatliches Museum Schwerin

      State Museum Schwerin

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    11. © Stadtmarketing Gesellschaft Schwerin

      Chick Foundation

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    12. © Maik Schwarz

      Commandant's house

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    13. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Villas on Werderstrasse

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    14. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Grand ducal office building

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    15. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Grand Ducal Hunting Lodge

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    16. © Arne Hennes

      Pinball Museum Schwerin

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    17. © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

      Schwerin Cathedral St. Marien and St. Johannis

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    18. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Grand ducal stable for sick horses

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    19. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      College buildings I and II

      Read more: "College buildings I and II"
    20. © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

      Pfaffenteich

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    21. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Court gardener's establishment

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    22. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Old court gardener's house

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    23. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Greenhouse with cavalier house

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    24. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Grand Ducal property management

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    25. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Old Palace

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    26. © SSGK MV / Timm Allrich

      Schwerin Palace

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    27. © STADTMARKETING GmbH, Catharina Groth

      Schleswig-Holstein House

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    28. © Silke Winkler

      Mecklenburg State Theater

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    29. © Foto: J. Lehmmann, Stiftung Mecklenburg

      Permanent exhibition "Mecklenburg - so far, so near" of the Mecklenburg Foundation

      Read more: "Permanent exhibition "Mecklenburg - so far, so near" of the Mecklenburg Foundation"
    30. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      New Town Palace

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    31. © Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

      Greenhouse Garden and Alexandrine Monument

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    32. © Welterbeverein Schwerin

      Arsenal

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    33. View of the Grand Duke's throne room in the living and state apartments of Schwerin Castle Museum, © Lothar Steiner © Staatliches Museum Schwerin

      Schwerin Castle Museum

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    Accommodation in Schwerin

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    • Actions on the outdoor area, © Bauspielplatz Schwerin e.V.

      School hostel Raben Steinfeld

      • Am See, 19065 Raben Steinfeld

      Our two guest houses are located on a beautiful 15,000m² natural area in the immediate vicinity of Lake Schwerin. We are easy to reach by car as well as by the Schwerin public transport. For groups up to 40 people we offer accommodation, full board and varied programs.

      Read more: "School hostel Raben Steinfeld"
    • © Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee

      Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee Schwerin

      • Speicherstraße, 19055 Schwerin

      Enjoy a climate-neutral overnight stay in a historic, listed granary, extensively renovated in 1998 to create a unique first-class hotel.

      Read more: "Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee Schwerin"
    • © Gasthof & Pension "Zum Fäßchen" / Wilken

      Gasthof & Pension "Zum Fäßchen

      • Consrader Strasse, 19086 Plate Ortsteil Consrade

      Our guesthouse and pension is surrounded by lakes and forests in the middle of the beautiful Lewitz. Here you can enjoy the countryside and are still not far from the State capital Schwerin, where many excursion opportunities await you. Especially popular are our bicycle, hiking and boat tours.

      Read more: "Gasthof & Pension "Zum Fäßchen"
    • © Pension Bett am Kornfeld

      Pension Bed by the Cornfield

      • An der Crivitzer Chaussee, 19065 Pinnow

      Our pension is located near the state capital, surrounded by vast fields and trees, and is only 500 meters from the beautiful and clear Pinnow swimming lake.

      Read more: "Pension Bed by the Cornfield"
    • © Seehotel Frankenhorst

      Best Western Seehotel Frankenhorst

      • Frankenhorst, 19055 Schwerin

      Summer freshness and winter idyll on the shore of Lake Schwerin

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    • © Hotel

      InterCity Hotel Schwerin

      • Grunthalplatz, 19053 Schwerin

      Schwerin is not only the State capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, but also the oldest city in the state and a pearl with its beautiful landmark, the Schwerin Castle. Explore Schwerin and the Mecklenburg Lake District from the hotel and enjoy your stay.

      Read more: "InterCity Hotel Schwerin"
    • © E. Gazioch

      Vacation home on Lake Trams

      • Von-Barner-Straße, 19417 Trams

      Vacation home on Lake Trams //sauna//whirlpool//accessible//incl. boat

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    • © Plaza BW Schwerin GmbH

      AMEDIA Plaza Schwerin

      • Bleicher Ufer, 19053 Schwerin

      Our hotel is located directly at the Ostorfer Lake in beautiful Schwerin.The famous Schwerin sights, such as the Schwerin Castle, the Mecklenburg State Theater and the historic Old Town are only a few minutes walk away.

      Read more: "AMEDIA Plaza Schwerin"
    • © Mercure Hotel Schwerin Altstadt

      BOULEVARD Hotel Old Town Schwerin

      • Klosterstraße, 19053 Schwerin

      The BOULEVARD Hotel Schwerin Altstadt is located in a central yet quiet city center location. In just a few minutes walk you can reach the Schwerin Castle, theaters and museums, state parliament, cathedral, as well as the business and shopping centers.

      Read more: "BOULEVARD Hotel Old Town Schwerin"
    • © Schlosshotel & Orangerie Klink

      SCHWERIN PLUS Touristik-Service GmbH Travel from Castle to Castle

      • Mecklenburgstraße, 19053 Schwerin

      Travel from castle to castle in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Individual trips to castles, manor houses and manor houses. We offer castle tours, walking tours with luggage transfer, bicycle tours with luggage transfer, car tours and concert tours to the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.

      Read more: "SCHWERIN PLUS Touristik-Service GmbH Travel from Castle to Castle"
    • © Martina Lux-Grella

      Hotel & Restaurant Niederländischer Hof

      • Alexandrinenstraße, 19055 Schwerin

      Schwerin traditional hotel in the heart of the city of Schwerin directly on the Pfaffenteich. Experience art, culture and nature.

      Read more: "Hotel & Restaurant Niederländischer Hof"
    • © Marina Nord

      Marina North / Aparthotel at Lake Heidensee

      • Buchenweg, 19055 Schwerin

      Idyllically located on Lake Heidensee is the Aparthotel and Marina Nord with marina and sailing school.

      Read more: "Marina North / Aparthotel at Lake Heidensee"
    • © AWO Ferienzentrum Schwerin

      AWO SANO - Holiday Center Schwerin Lake

      • Alte Crivitzer Landstraße, 19063 Schwerin / Mueß

      Whether it's a school trip, holiday camp, conference or holiday together - the Schwerin holiday centre offers its guests numerous opportunities for relaxation and entertainment.

      Read more: "AWO SANO - Holiday Center Schwerin Lake"
    • © Hof Medewege/ Hof Ferien Medewege UG

      Medewege farm vacations

      • Hauptstraße, 19055 Schwerin

      Experience the unique atmosphere on one of the largest Demeter farms in Germany! Located on the northern outskirts of the State capital Schwerin, spend your vacations in the freshly renovated and converted "Old Horse Stable". After an extensive renovation, 4 vacation apartments and 5 guest rooms with a total of 30 beds have been created. Our farm store and the farm cafe are also looking forward to your visit.

      Read more: "Medewege farm vacations"

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    Discover Schwerin

    Inspiration to read more in the vacation magazine

    1. Time out in fall and winter

      Read more: "Time out in fall and winter"
    2. Whoop, Whoop!!!

      Read more: "Whoop, Whoop!!!"
    3. Family trip into the past

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    4. Wiligrad Castle: A park awakens from its slumber

      Read more: "Wiligrad Castle: A park awakens from its slumber"
    5. River of fun

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    6. Special guided tours in the nature experience centers

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    7. Outdoor adventures in spring

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      Country holiday tips for the fall

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    9. The Nature Park Trail

      Read more: "The Nature Park Trail"
    10. Guided tour of Schwerin Castle: history with a lot of love

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      Excursion destinations in fall with children

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