In a nutshell
- We asked our insider Matthias 22 questions and had him share his best insider tips for his hometown — covering the top attractions, restaurants, and activities in Schwerin.
- Schwerin may be Germany’s smallest state capital, but it seriously punches above its weight.
- Expect a charming old town you’d normally only find further south, plus a great mix of nature, culture, and delicious food.
- Whether you’re into swimming, paddling, or simply unwinding by the water, Schwerin delivers.
- The city is nicknamed the City of Seven Lakes — though technically there are twelve. More water for everyone.
Tips and Info for a Vacation in Schwerin
Before we get to the interview, here are the most important things to know before your trip to Schwerin.
Location
Schwerin is in northern Germany and serves as the state capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Lübeck is about 70 kilometers away, and you can reach Rostock in roughly an hour. A trip to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg takes less than two hours by car.
You’re also less than an hour’s drive from the Baltic Sea — perfect if you want to tack on a relaxing day by the water.
Our Hotel Picks
Here are our accommodation recommendations in Schwerin for every budget:
Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Schwerin
Our Expert
Hi, I’m Matthias and I’ve been living in Germany’s smallest state capital, Schwerin, for several years now.
In my free time, I love traveling light and off the beaten path — either with a carry-on backpack or by touring bike through Eastern Europe or around Germany and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Besides my travel blog, where you can also find a detailed post with plenty of ideas for a short trip to Schwerin, I also work locally for VisitSchwerin.
Even though I’ve previously lived in Munich, Dublin, and near Amsterdam, I genuinely love this comparatively small city. It offers the perfect mix of urban living, nature, water, and cultural activities.
Schwerin is also super well situated — from here you can reach Hamburg, Berlin, and the Baltic Sea in relatively little time.
Schwerin in Three Words
Unhurried, close to nature, nostalgic.
Why Go There!
Well, because of the castle. Just kidding.
Of course, northern Germany’s most beautiful castle is absolutely worth seeing, but Schwerin has so much more to offer: the picturesque old quarter, lively lanes, and stunning nature shaped by twelve lakes.
In my opinion, Schwerin is still a tourist underdog and is definitely one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany — at least among those under 50,000 people.
Thanks to its natural surroundings, you’ll feel more relaxed here than you would in a loud big city.
The best time to visit is in summer, between May and August.
Your best bet is a leisurely stroll through the old town, the castle garden and palace garden, followed by some SUP or kayaking, and then heading to the Schlossbucht Café or the Ruderhaus am Franzosenweg for sunset.
Both spots serve great drinks and dinner with an idyllic view of Schwerin Castle.
What Makes Schwerin Unique
For Matthias, it’s the twelve lakes and the city’s location right on Germany’s third-largest lake, Lake Schwerin, that make Schwerin so special.
One honest downside: cashless payment options are often limited, and renting a bike or car-share vehicle isn’t as easy as you’d expect from a state capital. Worth knowing before you arrive.
Things to Do in Schwerin
Must-Sees
Schwerin Castle, the castle garden, and the picturesque old town are the highlights that still fill Matthias with wonder after all these years.
Click here for a guided city tour of Schwerin
But the lesser-known spots have their own appeal too: the Sky Beach Bar above the city’s rooftops, and the idyllic city harbor — in summer, a huge full moon rises here and often glows deep yellow-orange above the sailboats and leisure boats.
On a Rainy Day
Head to Schwerin Castle, the State Museum, or catch a show at the Mecklenburg State Theater — all solid options when the weather turns.
The State Theater also hosts the Schwerin Castle Festival every year, so check the schedule if you’re visiting in summer.
With Kids
The city beach in Zippendorf is a great family pick.
Beyond that, there’s the EasyJump trampoline park, the adventure climbing forest, the Schwerin Zoo, or the popular family café Mama Chocolate right in the old town.
Best Day Trip
Get out on the water. You can rent a SUP or boat right at the Ziegelinnensee and paddle leisurely across the Schwerin lakes with stops for a swim along the way.
Alternatively, pack your camping gear and cycle to the Süduferperle campground to pitch a tent for a night or two. A weekend escape practically right on your doorstep.
For Relaxation
Zippendorf Beach is the place to unwind. You can go for a swim, stroll along the promenade, or simply lie in the sand and soak up the sun.
Best Viewpoint
The cathedral — at 117.5 meters, the tallest in all of eastern Germany — offers a breathtaking panorama over the city, the castle, and the Schwerin lakes. It’s open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Best Photo Spot
The team at VisitSchwerin has put together two Instawalks — one walking tour and one cycling tour, both away from the crowds.
A stop at Schwerin Castle is of course an absolute must on either route. The castle sits on a small island in the middle of the lake and makes for a seriously fantastic photo subject.
Matthias’s tip: Make sure to also stop by the castle garden. A walk through the grounds is totally worth it!
Craziest Activity
Quite a few things come to mind: stargazing at night from the Adebors Näs pier, going on a hot air balloon ride, spending the night in a treehouse at the zoo, or escaping from an escape room.
Best Event of the Year
That would be the Schwerin Castle Festival in June and July. Every year, a musical and a theater production are performed over four weeks in the stunning setting right at and inside the castle.
There are also some great electronic music festivals in northern Germany, like Airbeat One (think Tomorrowland on a smaller scale), which takes place practically next door in Neustadt-Glewe.
And the Schwerin Christmas markets in the old town, at the castle, and at Pier7 are absolutely worth a visit too.
Best Museum
One highlight you really shouldn’t miss is the State Museum — though note that it’s currently closed for several years of renovation.
As an alternative, the Open-Air Museum Schwerin-Mueß on the Mueßer Bucht is well worth a visit. It showcases how people lived between the 17th and 20th centuries.
Most Beautiful Neighborhood
Matthias’s favorite neighborhood is Schelfstadt.
Once one of Schwerin’s most run-down areas after reunification, Schelfstadt is now the most beautiful and sought-after place to live in the state capital.
Food and Drink in Schwerin
Local Culinary Specialty
Beyond the delicious East German soft-serve ice cream, you should definitely plan a visit to the canteen at Fleischerei Lange, which serves up many specialties from the GDR era.
Favorite Restaurants
Matthias’s top pick is Restaurant Seewarte on Paulsdamm, sitting right in the middle of Lake Schwerin with a summer garden on the water.
His go-to order: crispy breaded chicken with a colorful vegetable medley, baked shrimp with a fruity-spicy mango sauce, and sweet potato fries. Mmmm!
In summer, you can enjoy your meal outside right on the shores of Lake Schwerin.
For something different in the old town, the Spanish tapas restaurant Señor Zorros is a great shout — especially when you’re going out in a group and want to share plates.
Best Burger
For Matthias, the best burger in Schwerin is at Bolero by the Pfaffenteich. The chicken burger with sweet potato fries is a knockout.
Bolero also doubles as Schwerin’s trendiest restaurant-bar.
Best Ice Cream
Matthias’s personal favorite is the soft-serve at the Milchbar on Marienplatz.
There’s also authentic East German soft-serve on Mecklenburgstraße near the Pfaffenteich.
Ilka Eis is very popular too — they offer homemade soft-serve with daily rotating, genuinely unique flavors.
Best Breakfast
You’ll find the best breakfast in town at Kostbar or Café Lennards in the historic center.
At Café Lennards, you can also sit outside and watch the lively bustle of the old town go by.
Nightlife
For night owls: the Sky Beach Club above Schwerin’s rooftops lets you soak up a chill-house atmosphere with sand between your toes.
After that, head to Nightclub M8 to dance the rest of the night away.
Where to Stay in Schwerin
Favorite Hotel
The Hotel Speicher is right on the Ziegelsee, about a 15-minute walk from the old town, and is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s first climate-positive hotel.
You get a wonderful view over the Ziegelsee, plus you can relax on the pier or in a beach chair, enjoy the sunshine, or watch the colorful activity along the promenade.
