Reasons You Should Visit Mecklenburg-Vorpommern At Least Once

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has something for everything – soft, sandy beaches and sophisticated beach resorts along the Baltic Coast, exciting cities and towns, a generous sprinkling of historic sites and architectural landmarks, lots of scope to bond with nature, and delicious food. In short, it has everything that should earn it a spot on your travel wish list.

Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, might be tiny but it is unanimously agreed to be among the most stunning cities in Germany. For the large part, it owes its beauty to the dreamy Schwerin Castle perched on its own island in the midst of the Schwerin Lake. The picturesque port city of Rostock, the historic city of Stralsund, the medieval spa town of Waren and the ancient towns of Wismar, Güstrow, Ludwigslust and Neustrelitz also deserve special mention.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is often credited with the most delicious seafood in all of Germany. Indeed, that is no surprise considering the state boasts around 2,000 km (1,243 miles) of coastline and at least a thousand freshwater lakes. When in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, give meat a miss and treat yourself to halibut, herring, cod, eel, perch, carp and whitefish fresh from the state’s own waters. Whether you eat them fried, baked, cooked with herbs or smoked, your taste-buds are going to thank you.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern owes much of its charm to the shimmering coastline of Baltic Sea, especially the islands of Rügen and Usedom. Dig your toes in soft sand and simply enjoy the gorgeous views from a wicker chair, or get up and go partying, playing volleyball, surfing, kiting, sailing or paddling – the possibilities are endless. As an added bonus, the sea coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is sprinkled with elegant piers, architectures, picture-postcard fisherman’s quarters and upscale resorts.

Being home to three national parks is certainly one reason Mecklenburg-Vorpommern continues to attract visitors. The Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, the state’s largest, offers a close encounter with unspoilt nature, while its dense forests are home to the largest bird population in the entire continent. The dramatic chalk cliffs overlooking the sparkling blue ocean are Jasmund National Park’s main draw, while Müritz National Park tends to appeal to bird-watchers and those seeking uninterrupted solitude.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is dotted with architectural masterpieces ranging from fairy tale castles to grand seaside villas, royal seats to stately churches. While Schwerin Castle is undeniably the showstopper, the former royal residences at Ludwigslust and Güstrow are outstanding in their own right. While a series of red-brick Gothic buildings dating back centuries add character to the skylines of Wismar and Stralsund, dazzling white villas along the Baltic Coast speak of the state’s affluence and class.

The beech forests in the National Parks of Müritz and Jasmund belong to the coveted UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage Sites list. These forests, which can be explored only along marked paths, are practically uninterrupted by human activities and are home to trees dating back centuries, as well as rare birds. The beautifully-preserved historic town squares of Stralsund and Wismar are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Whether you wish to cycle or hike, kayak or go fishing, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a never-ending playground. Hiking and biking trails crisscross through the national parks, along the beautiful Baltic Coast and across exciting cities as well as sleepy towns of the state. The countless mirror lakes are full of a wide variety of dish, especially perch and carp, while the Baltic Coast is known for an abundance of perch, gar, and herring. The lakes of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are also extremely popular among kayakers.