Did you know that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, located on the German Baltic Sea coast, offers plenty of opportunities for an active holiday? Today we suggest 8 things to do in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, from hiking and cycling in the beautiful countryside to spas, events and culinary experiences.
Table of contents
Where is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern located?
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the most northeastern federal state in Germany, with a coastline on the Baltic Sea. It includes the island of Rügen, part of the island of Usedom and part of the Mecklenburg lake plateau (the area of the thousand lakes). You will also find the cities of Schwerin, Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund, Greifswald, Waren and Neubrandenburg here.
Our experiences in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
This summer we have spent a lot of time in this region. First we travelled through with 6 other motorhomes during the "Beach Basket Challenge" trip. A few months later we came back by sailboat!
We liked many places here, but some of our favourites are the historical sites. Wismar, charming Greifswald and the lovely island Usedom. How is it possible that we have barely even heard of that island before?
What can you do in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
In cooperation with the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourist Board and the German Tourist Board, we present activities to do in the region.
1. Hiking
One of the best ways to experience the nature and beautiful surroundings of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is of course hiking. There are plenty of hiking trails running through picturesque villages, lively holiday resorts, green forests and beautiful national parks.
Both those who are a little more unusual and looking for shorter hiking trails, and those who want to hike for several days, will find something suitable here. For those who want help to find new gems, there are also guided hiking tours.
Read more: Hiking holidays
2. cycling
If you prefer cycling, there are also plenty of cycle paths. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern you will find nine long cycle paths and 21 shorter tours. There are cycling tours that are suitable both for those who are used to cycling and for those who feel more inexperienced.
You can, of course, bring your own bike if you wish, but there are also plenty of rental points if you want to hire a bike locally. Many hotels, guesthouses, inns and campsites are particularly hospitable to cyclists.
Read more: Travelling by bike
3. Experience castle autumn
Why not experience a castle autumn? Between 12 October and 2 November, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has a castle autumn. During this period, guided tours, exhibitions, concerts and workshops are organised in both castles and crows' nests. There is also the chance to watch horse shows, take part in a 'baroque murder meal' or perhaps sample the bitter liqueur 'Alte Pomeranze'.
Read more: Castle autumn 2019
4. see cranes
More than 150,000 cranes gather at the end of October between the Baltic Sea coast and the lake district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In Pramort, next to Günzer See on the island of Ummanz, there are viewing platforms to get a good view of the cranes.
You can also go on a boat trip, from Zingst or Stralsund, together with experts from the Kranochzentrum Gross Mohrdorf, for example with the shipping company Hiddensee. If you wish, you can travel by paddlewheel steamer - a time travel experience that takes you back to the 19th century! For those who wish, there are also opportunities for hiking and workshops in the Müritz National Park.
Read more: The natural spectacle of cranes
5. Go to a spa
The Baltic Sea coast is considered by many to be a source of power for body and soul. The sea breeze is said to enrich the air with iodine and trace elements that remove allergens. At the same time, you can enjoy clear water, beautiful scenery and more sunshine than the German average. Various wellness hotels, health resorts and recognised spas can be found all along the coast.
Read more: Wellness by the Baltic Sea and The country of health
6. Try local health cures
In addition to wellness and classic spas, you can take the opportunity to try different local health cures. The environment on the island of Rügen, with its white limestone cliffs, is known to be conducive to health and well-being. Among the products used are brine (absolutely pure, salty water) and peat (which has a high salt concentration). Here are some of the procedures and products you can try:
- Kneipp therapy (walking through alternating hot and cold water for blood circulation).
- Thalasso treatments - fresh seawater, algae and salt are the basis for baths, inhalations, wraps and massages.
7. Enjoying culinary experiences
The Germans are good at beer, and this is also the case in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. There are many different breweries in the area, such as Island Brewery on the island of Rügen, which we visited during the 'Beach Basket Challenge' last summer.
Another delicacy in this region is the truffle. Between 1 and 31 October, the Truffle weeks in Lewitz, which is located near Schwerin. The truffle is served with potatoes in a wide range of variations, from baked potatoes and potato pizza with onions and bacon to Mecklenburg potato pudding and potato schnapps...
Between 19 October and 3 November, there will be another culinary celebration, namely Usedom Wildlife Week (This period includes the Neu Pudagla game market (26 October) with lots of game products and hunting horn players.
Read more: Eating and drinking in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
8. Experience the Baltic Lights
Between 6 March and 8 March 2020, a dog sled race will be held on the beach in Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom. Over 500 huskies participate in the race. During the event, large fires are also lit on the beaches. What a different event!
Read more: Baltic Lights
More tips on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
You can find many more tips on things to see and do in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern at Off-to-mv.com. For example, many cosy Christmas markets are held from the end of November.
Have you also travelled in this part of Germany? What are your best tips on what to do and experience here?
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Facts about Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Location: North-eastern Germany, bordering the Baltic Sea
- Regions: Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania
- Regional capital: Schwerin
- Largest islands: Rügen and Usedom
- Population: 1.6 million (2017)
Campsites in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Baltic Sea resort of Zierow is a nice campsite located near Wismar.
- Campingpark Kühlungsborn is an award-winning campsite on the Baltic Sea coast.
- Campingpark Ostseebad Rerik is a 5-star campsite near the island of Poel, where you can also try glamping.
- Havelberge Camping and Holiday Park is an award-winning campsite on the Mecklenburg lake plateau. Here you can go kayaking or try the high ropes course.
- Holiday resort Regenbogen is a nice campsite in Göhren, on the island of Rügen.
- Camping Pommernland is located in Zinnowitz on the island of Usedom.
- More campsites can be found at Camping country MV or camping.info or Germany Travel
RV parks in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Mobile home park Westhafen, Schiffbauerdamm 12, Wismar
- Parking space Zum Amtsbrink, Zum Amtsbrink, 171 92, Waren
- Caravan site at the Rügen bridge, Werftstrasse 9a, Stralsund
- More car parks can be found at CamperContact
Travelling to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Ferry Gothenburg-Kiel: Stena Line. Then drive in a south-easterly direction to reach Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- Trelleborg-Travemünde ferry: TT-Line or Finnlines. Travemünde is located in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, just west of the border with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- Ferry Trelleborg-Rostock: Stena Line or TT-Line.
- Trelleborg-Sassnitz ferry: Stena Line
- Ferry Rødby (Denmark)-Puttgarden: Scandlines
- Ferry Gedser (Denmark)-Rostock: Scandlines
Top image in the post: Beach basket in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania © Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Tourist Board / pocha.de
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Think how much you can do and experience, much of what you tell us about seems very nice. One would need more time in this life. And more money ...
23 October 2019 - 10:26
Helena says:
Of course there is a lot you want to do ... But I usually think that it's much better that it's like that (and that you might not have time for everything) than that there wasn't so much that was appealing ... 😉.
23 October 2019 - 18:51
BP says:
What fantastic pictures you were able to borrow. If they and your nice text do not sell the area, I do not know what else you can do. A great post with a total surprise, namely the dog walk with huskies, it was totally unexpected.
Then I had a good laugh at the wellness pictures. Nice girls of course, not guys. I wonder if the Swedish Complaints Board would have approved them;-)
23 October 2019 - 16:23
Helena says:
The dog track race sounds really cool I must say, would love to see! And haha, the wellness pictures, I chose among some, but there were probably not so many on men to choose from ... 😉 But of course it is interesting to reflect on!
23 October 2019 - 18:53
bmlarstravellingblog says:
So many great ideas for activities, many of them outside the tourist season.
On our way home from our last motorhome trip, we spent a couple of days in northern Rugen, how nice it was.
Especially when we walked through Jasmund National Park on our way to Königstuhl. There will probably be more visits in those areas.
Dog sledding on the beach sounds really cool!
23 October 2019 - 18:47
Helena says:
It sounds like you have found nice places! 🙂 I probably like to tour outside the high season, then you do not have to be crowded 😉.
23 October 2019 - 18:54
Eva/Living like Eva says:
Great tips, and so close! I want to go there. (Although I have cranes even closer, at Hornborgasjön 🙂 ).
24 October 2019 - 9:52
Helena says:
I love that there are so many great travel destinations close by! (And yes, I also want to see the cranes at Lake Hornborgar :)).
24 October 2019 - 20:57
Henny says:
Oh, dog sledding on the beach in Germany. What a thing. I have experienced many sled dog races in the hilly terrain of Scandinavia and know how much fun it is. Go there if you have the opportunity! But your other tips also tempt me. I must try to find a travelling companion who can consider a trip there.
24 October 2019 - 21:12
Helena says:
How nice that you have experienced drag dog competitions, it sounds fun! 🙂 And absolutely, this region is beautiful and has a lot to offer!
06 January 2020 - 17:43
Kalyan Panja says:
Mecklenburg is truly incredible!
I had 2 weeks in Germany last year and wished I had more time to see all of it before I had to head off to Austria.
26 October 2019 - 9:43
Helena says:
Great to hear that you have also discovered this nice area!
06 January 2020 - 17:43
Lena - good for the soul says:
It certainly seems to be an area with lots to do.
It's really great to use your blog as a "place bank", (to put a new spin on the word). A bank to browse around looking for lovely places to visit! So thank you for that!
Hug Lena
01 November 2019 - 6:00
Helena says:
Haha, I like the word "place bank" 😉.
06 January 2020 - 17:44