Templin in Germany – Wild West, medieval walls and spa

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Templin is a small town in Brandenburg, about seventy kilometers north of Berlin, surrounded by forests and lakes. Here you can walk along an almost completely preserved medieval city wall, bathe in warm thermal waters – and suddenly be transported to the Wild West.

We visited Templin by camper van and had time to experience the Western town of El Dorado and check out the town's camping areas. But Templin actually has more to offer than we first realized.

Templin in Brandenburg

Templin is located in the Uckermark region of northern Brandenburg and dates back to the 13th century. The city grew up where important trade routes met and was protected by an impressive ring wall.

And it still stands. The medieval city wall is a full 1,735 meters long and up to seven meters high. It still surrounds the historic city center and has three large city gates, two towers and 47 so-called Wiekhäuser, small defensive buildings along the wall. It is nice to walk along the wall and discover the old city center inside.

An unusually well-preserved city wall

The city wall is definitely one of the main attractions in Templin. The three medieval city gates are called Berliner Tor, Prenzlauer Tor and Mühlentor, and near Berliner Tor is also the city's oldest preserved building, the St. Georgen-Kapelle from the 14th century.

Templin has had a dramatic history, to say the least, with wars, fires and other disasters. Despite this, the old city fortifications have survived and today the wall is the city's main landmark.

We were also fascinated by the large murals on some of the houses, where you can get a picture of what Templin looked like in the past.

Angela Merkel grew up in Templin

Templin also has a much more modern historical connection. Former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel grew up here.

She was born in Hamburg in 1954, but her family moved to the GDR when she was young. Merkel spent her childhood and all of her schooling in Templin. In 2019, she was made an honorary citizen of the city.

El Dorado Templin – The Wild West in Brandenburg

The most unusual attraction in Templin can be found a little outside the city center. El Dorado Templin is an entire theme park built like a town in the Wild West, with a saloon, sheriff's office, trading posts, horses and various shows and activities. The Western town opened in 2006 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026.

We were two adults without children when we visited El Dorado and actually had a great time. This is of course primarily a family destination, but if you like different environments and a little bit of tourist madness, it also works for adults. And yes – you definitely get the feeling of having left Brandenburg for a while.

Shows and activities in El Dorado

When we visited El Dorado, the main street suddenly turned into a stage. Horses and carriages thundered past, the bank was robbed, gunshots were heard, and actors threw themselves between horses, carriages, and rooftops. It was much more action-packed than we had expected.

The show program changes from year to year, and depending on the season. There are also various activities for visitors and of course plenty of environments where you can immerse yourself in the Wild West for a while.

Tips: Always check opening hours and current show schedule before visiting. El Dorado has different opening hours during the season and is closed on certain days.

Traditional dwellings of the Mandan people

El Dorado also features environments inspired by the indigenous peoples of North America. Among other things, we saw a reconstruction of a traditional earthen hut used by the Mandan people.

The Mandan are an indigenous people from the area around the Missouri River on the North American Great Plains. Contrary to the stereotypical image of prairie people who constantly lived in tipis, the Mandan lived in permanent villages with large round earthen houses.

We went into one of the reconstructed houses – and on the hot summer day it was surprisingly cool and comfortable inside.

Cowboy lunch at the saloon

After all the adventures, we had lunch at the saloon. We ordered chili con carne with beans and nachos and a beer each. It may not have been a gastronomic revolution, but in the right environment, a hearty cowboy lunch tasted absolutely delicious.

And it's the setting that's the thing about El Dorado. You come here for the overall experience, the shows, and the feeling of stepping straight into a western movie.

NaturTherme Templin – bath and spa

If you'd rather trade your cowboy hat for swimwear, there's another reason to stay in Templin. NatureThermeTemplin is a large swimming and spa complex with thermal salt water that can reach up to 36 degrees. It includes a wave pool, a current channel, whirlpools, an outdoor pool and two 100-meter-long water slides. There is also a large separate sauna and wellness area.

This makes Templin a destination that actually works quite well all year round – even when the weather doesn't invite swimming in any of the lakes.

Lakes and nature around Templin

Templin is located in the middle of a landscape of lakes, forests and waterways. Right next to the center is, among other things, Templin City Lake, and the Templiner Canal runs through the city. It is therefore possible to combine the city walk with cycling, hiking or activities on the water.

Templin with camper

When we visited Templin with a camper van, we were impressed by the possibilities for campervan travellers. We were parked on a simple pitch near the centre, Motorhome rest area Templin, which worked great for us.

We also checked out the significantly more well-equipped campsite at NaturTherme Templin, Wohnmobilstellplatz an der Therme.

Is Templin worth a visit?

Templin may not be the most obvious destination on a trip through Germany, but that's also part of the charm.

There is a nice old town center with an unusually well-preserved medieval ring wall, lakes and nature, thermal baths and one of Germany's more unusual theme parks. Add good opportunities for motorhomes and the proximity to Berlin, and Templin works well as a stop during a tour of Brandenburg.

And how many other small German towns can offer medieval city walls, Angela Merkel, thermal baths and the Wild West in the same day?

See more near Templin

If you travel further in Brandenburg and northeastern Germany, there are several interesting destinations within reach:

• Boat lift in Niederfinow
• Waren an der Müritz
• Oranienburg Castlet
• Potsdam