Since Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is located along the Baltic Sea coast, it is best known for its beaches, though there are plenty of other attractions that you can explore. Mecklenburg and Pomerania are known for many historic Baltic Sea seaside resorts, featuring noble architecture and beautiful sandy beaches, which are second to none in much of Europe. The Baltic Sea and the numerous lakes help to make Mecklenburg-West Pomerania a top travel destination in Germany, particularly popular among Berliners.

The Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic cities along the Baltic Sea coastline, namely Wismar, Stralsund, Rostock, and Greifswald are all well worth visiting. Gable-roofed city houses, enclosed markets, and fascinating churches that mimic the maritime feel of the Baltic sea are what you will find in Hanseatic cities and towns such as Greifswald, Rostock, and Stralsund. Many castles, palaces and stately homes provide a dramatic backdrop to the summer months cultural events, including opera in the Castle Theatre Festival at Schwerin, the largest outdoor opera productions in Germany at Neustrelitz Palace Gardens, a lively small festival at Ludwigslusts Great Park, and so much more.

The prettiest one all, though, is undoubtedly Schwerin, the capital city. The ducal seat-turned-state capital of Schwerin, on the western edge, is the only big city in this vicinity, though it is small by pockets, and packs as much cultural punch as its fairy-tale castle, whereas another ducal seat, Gustrow, is dedicated to the memory of the greatest German Expressionist sculptor, Ernst Barlach. Today, parts of Schwerin’s gorgeous castle are still used by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s state parliament, with the rest opened for visitors to take in the magnificent example of Romantic architecture.

The "Neuschwanstein of the North

Schwerin Castle is situated on an island in the middle of the Schwerin Lake, in the middle of vast parks and gardens, and is an outstanding example of Romantic architecture. Schwerin Castle, often called northern Germanys answer to Neuschwanstein Castle, was once the primary residence of the grand dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. For centuries, Schwerin Palace was home to Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg, and then Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Sparsely populated, the states north easternmost part of Germany is home to many fine beaches, unique landscapes with lakes and forests, historical castles, and beautiful islands like Rugen and Usdom. an old city, surrounded by water on all sides, Hanseatic charm, and, of course, a world-famous castle, makes Schwerin the perfect stopover on a quick road trip in western Mecklenburg.

The vast park-palace, modelled after the English landscape garden, with its waterfall fountains is also worth the trip up Schwerin’s gates, and makes the Ludwigslust palace one of Germanys most prominent landmarks of the north-east. The internationally renowned castle was once just a hunting lodge for Mecklenburg’s Dukes, then became a home for local rulers under Duke Friedrich. Schwerin Palace is one of Europe’s most significant works of Romantic historicism and has been designated as a World Heritage site.

The Pomeranian coast

Popular attractions on the island of Rugen include the Jasmund National Park, Granitz hunting lodge, and the Scenic Railway line, which winds through forests, beaches, and resorts. One of the prettiest places to visit in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is Jasmund National Park, also located on Rugen island. When you are talking about amazing nature-filled places in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, you cannot beat Jasmund National Park.

Mecklenburg Lakeland

Muritz is the second largest lake in Germany, so it is no real surprise Muritz National Park is one of the most visited attractions of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Muritz National Park, at the centre of Mecklenburg’s lake district, is a forested area surrounding Muritz, the largest inner-sized lake in Germany. The centre of the plateau is the Mecklenburg Lake District (Mecklenburgische Seenplatte), which is centred on the largest freshwater lake in Germany, Lake Muritz, and the Muritz National Park.

The largest towns that surround Muritz are Waren and Robel, which are the main tourist centres in the Mecklenburg Lake District. The Mecklenburg Lake District is certainly one of the most unspoiled and beautiful regions of Germany. With its Mecklenburg Lakes -- the Beautiful Land of One Thousand Lakes, featuring peaceful areas with green fields -- it has become an extremely popular and loved tourist destination.

Mecklenburg and Pomerania also offer several hidden castles and state houses, beautifully preserved medieval towns, and unspoiled nature. Warnemunde has not only a fine Old Town, featuring some of the finest preserved Gothic town fortifications in Europe, it is also one of the GDRs earliest truly planned cities.

As the location for some of Germanys most (historically) important Baltic ports, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was one of the foremost cities of the Hanseatic League (although in practice led by Lubeck, which was located across the state border in the west), and the desired capital for all Baltic powers. Trade and shipbuilding were important to the sea-coast cities like Rostock and its port Warnemunde, and the GDR relied heavily on its Baltic sea coast, whether it was used for tourism or for other economic activities, such as fishing and shipbuilding.