In Germany there are 16 wonderful federal states, all of which have a lot to offer. We particularly like our home Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and not just because we live here. For example, the proximity to the sea, the beautiful Hanseatic cities, the maritime flair, the diverse national parks, and the wide range of outdoor activities. In today’s article, we would like to introduce you to our top 10 highlights in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and show you how exciting, beautiful, and diverse our state is. So, if you ever find yourself on vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, we wish you a wonderful time.
- Highlights in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 1. Hiddensee Island
- 2. Hanseatic City of Wismar
- 3. Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park
- 4. Artists’ Village of Ahrenshoop
- 5. Rostock & Warnemünde
- 6. Müritz National Park
- 7. Mecklenburg Lake District
- 8. Beautiful Schwerin
- 9. Usedom Island
- 10. Rügen Island & Jasmund National Park
Highlights in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Actually, there are many more highlights in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania than just the following 10. But to give you a first impression, we’ve focused on just these. In the end, such top lists are always very subjective, as they only reflect our taste. If you have another highlight that is definitely missing here, please write it in the comments. We will certainly expand this list in the future. By the way, you can find some cool tours and excursions for the region at GetYourGuide*.
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1. Hiddensee Island
Just this year (2020), we visited the beautiful Hiddensee Island for the first time. The ferry took us from Schaprode to Vitte in about 90 minutes. The first plus point: There are no cars on the island, only the fire department and the police. This makes it incredibly relaxed by nature, and you can cruise around the island peacefully by bike. Hiddensee is particularly impressive for its beautiful beaches, cozy villages, and a very special holiday feeling. Whether for a day trip, a short trip, or a longer vacation – Hiddensee is always worth it. Click here for our separate article about the island.
2. Hanseatic City of Wismar
We consider the Hanseatic City of Wismar to be one of the most beautiful and charming cities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This small and manageable town is particularly impressive for its historic old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Here, you’ll see unique and beautiful house facades in the typical Hanseatic style (e.g., on Krämerstraße) as well as a variety of historic buildings. If you’re ever in Wismar, don’t miss the view from the tower of St. George’s Church. A walk to the maritime harbor is also worthwhile! More about this in our detailed article about Wismar.
3. Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is home to three of Germany’s 16 national parks. The Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park stretches from the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula to Rügen and the Hiddensee island. Covering an area of 805 km², it is the largest national park in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the third largest in Germany. You can expect plenty of Baltic Sea air, more than 60 km of sandy beaches, and idyllic landscapes.
We recommend a hike through the national park, because there you will not only discover the various landscapes (moors, dunes, forests, beaches), but with a bit of luck also interesting animals such as wild boars, deer, grey seals, and harbor seals. You can find out more about the national parks here.
4. Ahrenshoop Artists’ Village
For us, the Ahrenshoop Artists’ Village is one of the most charming little towns on the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. From the moment you arrive, you feel that pleasant feeling of vacation, relaxation, and relief. Ahrenshoop has only 721 inhabitants, but during the season, there’s quite a lot going on.
We particularly like the beautiful thatched-roof houses, the small shops, and of course, the fresh Baltic Sea air, the turquoise sea, and the picturesque beaches. It’s no wonder that many painters longed for Ahrenshoop. If you’re ever traveling on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula, be sure to stop in Ahrenshoop. You can find a detailed article about it here.
5. Rostock & Warnemünde
Of course, we would also like to recommend our hometown of Rostock with the Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde. Why do we live here? Rostock is a cozy city, not too big and not too small. The sea is nearby, as is the beautiful city harbor, the beaches, and plenty of excursion destinations. You can read more about the Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde here: Warnemünde Highlights.
You’ll get a good first impression in the old town with its beautiful Hanseatic buildings, churches, and other historic monuments. Browse through the many shops, enjoy a coffee in the pedestrian zone, and then stroll to the maritime city harbor. Of course, you should also pay a visit to Warnemünde’s Alter Strom (Old Stream) and the wide sandy beach. Click here for our Rostock Guide.
6. Müritz National Park
We recently visited the unique Müritz National Park. In perfect autumn weather, we rode through the park on our mountain bikes, discovering numerous observation towers, passing many lakes, and even observing some animals. The national park, with an area of approximately 320 km², awaits you with lush forests, moors, meadows, pastures, and over 100 lakes. Incidentally, thousands of cranes rest here in the national park in autumn before migrating onward.
Furthermore, more than 221 bird species (sea eagles, ospreys, cranes, etc.), 54 mammal species (wolves, foxes, deer, raccoons, etc.), 16 reptile and amphibian species, 61 spider species, 26 fish species, 1,445 beetle species, 625 moth species, 655 fungi species, 133 moss species, 910 vascular plant species, and much more live in the Müritz National Park. Everything about the Müritz National Park can be found here.
7. Mecklenburg Lake District
Continue on to the Mecklenburg Lake District. This lake landscape awaits you with 1,117 lakes, the Müritz National Park, and seven other nature parks. Whether on the water or on land, the leisure and sports opportunities are endless. A full 85% of the lakes are connected by canals and rivers. Amazing, isn’t it? The region is so diverse, and you can explore it on foot, by bike, car, boat, or canoe. The Mecklenburg Lake District is ideal for a houseboat vacation. More information here: Houseboat vacation on the Mecklenburg Lake District.
8. Beautiful Schwerin
Schwerin is just 45 minutes from Wismar and about an hour by car from Rostock. The state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is particularly captivating with its beautiful, fairytale-like Schwerin Castle and its idyllic castle gardens. The old town with its historic buildings is also not to be missed, nor is Lake Schwerin. How about a kayak ride, a bike ride, or a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)? The view from the tower of Schwerin Cathedral is also recommended. In good weather, you have a clear view of the entire city. More here: Our top Schwerin highlights and sights.
9. Usedom Island
You’ve probably heard something about Usedom Island, right? Germany’s second-largest island awaits you with a 42 km long coastline, which is also the longest in all of Europe. Usedom is one of the sunniest regions in Germany. It enjoys an average of 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. Explore the beautiful imperial spas of Bansin, Ahlbeck, and Heringsdorf, as well as the amber resorts of Zempin, Koserow, Loddin, and Ückeritz.
There are also plenty of leisure activities on the island. Whether it’s a diving gondola, butterfly farm, tropical house, Mellenthin Castle, the XXL beach chair, the Botanical Garden in Mellenthin, or the windmill in Benz – there’s something for everyone here. More here: Usedom Island – Sights & Highlights.
10. Rügen Island & Jasmund National Park
There’s also a lot to discover on the Island of Rügen. The island is known primarily for its chalk cliffs, beautiful beaches, and high cliffs on the Jasmund Peninsula. Be sure to take a hike through the wonderful Jasmund National Park and enjoy the views of the sea and the cliffs. A unique flora and fauna awaits you on the Ummanz peninsula.
The Baltic Sea resorts of Binz, Sellin, Baabe, Thiessow, the port city of Sassnitz, the town of Putbus, and Lauterbach are also very popular. How about a road trip across the island? This is the best way to get to know the many different facets of Rügen. More about our hike in Jasmund National Park can be found here. For the Rügen Guide: Rügen Island Highlights.
