Schwerin

Travel Guide

Schwerin showing a statue or sculpture, a city and a square or plaza
Schwerin Castle showing interior views and heritage elements
Schwerin Castle featuring a garden and heritage architecture
Schwerin Castle which includes art, heritage elements and interior views
Schwerin Castle which includes heritage elements, flowers and a park

This charming city is built on and around seven lakes and is known for its arts scene and vibrant calendar of festivals.

Schwerin is the capital city of the north German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is the smallest capital city in the country with just short of 100,000 residents. Schweriner See is the largest of the picturesque city’s seven lakes. It covers an area of 24 square miles (63 square kilometers). Explore its coves and look for fishermen along its shores. You will also find the city’s most popular attraction, the Schwerin Palace, on an island in the middle of the lake. It used to be the seat of Mecklenburgian dukes. Today it houses the state parliament and a Palace Museum.

Schweriner See connects to several other lakes and rivers. Head to the southern shore of the lake and visit Freilichtmuseum Schwerin-Mueß, an open-air museum where you can enjoy the culture, nature and traditions of Mecklenburg. The museum is set in the center of a restored 18th-century village.

Stroll through the Alter Garten square, opposite the palace island. You will find stunning 19th-century buildings surrounding the square, including the State Theater of Mecklenburg and the State Museum.

Then head to the old town’s Market Square to see the Schwerin Cathedral, which is the oldest building in the city. It has been rebuilt and modified over the centuries, but always kept its original “paradiespforte” (gate to paradise). While you are in the square, you can visit the impressive Tudor-gothic Town Hall.

You will usually find some sort of event or festival in Schwerin throughout the year. If you are visiting in May, you will be there for the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Festival, the Filmkunstfest film festival and the Parade of the “Weisse Flotte” boats. A pottery market, Five Lakes Run and Dragon Boat Festival vary between June and July each year. They are followed by the Old Town Festival, Wine Festival and Schwerin Literary Festival.

City buses and trams serve Schwerin and you can get to and from the city by train. The central station is connected to Berlin, Hamburg and Rostock.

Where to stay in Schwerin

Schwerin featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

Schwerin Old Town

If you're spending some time in Schwerin Old Town, Schwerin Cathedral and Schlosspark-Center are top sights worth seeing.

Schwerin Old Town
Schwerin Castle which includes heritage architecture and a pond

Ostorf

Visitors to Ostorf like its monuments and shopping, and Lake Schwerin is a sight worth a stop.

Ostorf
Courtyard by Marriott Schwerin
Courtyard by Marriott Schwerin
4 out of 5
Zum Schulacker 1, Schwerin, MV
The price is ₩100,205 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
₩100,205
₩114,724 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Schwerin. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (657 reviews)
"The hotel was overal okay, they do not have king bed they have a double bed. My specific shower had defects. Overall good experience with minor issues"

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Schwerin
PLAZA Premium Schwerin; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
PLAZA Premium Schwerin; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
4.5 out of 5
Bleicherufer 23, Schwerin, MV
The price is ₩183,058 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
₩183,058
₩209,591 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Schwerin. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (620 reviews)
"The hotel is a good walkable location for accessing the town center and Schloss. Staff and check in were excellent. The rooms were spacious, modern, well decorated, and clean. The mattress and bedding were very comfortable. The parking garage was inexpensive and there was plenty of spaces. That is ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

PLAZA Premium Schwerin; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
B&B HOTEL Schwerin-Süd
B&B HOTEL Schwerin-Süd
Eckdrift 8, Schwerin
The price is ₩85,263 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
₩85,263
₩97,617 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Schwerin. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Schwerin Zoo and Schwerin Castle are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (99 reviews)
"Near the different sites and beatiful hotel"

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

B&B HOTEL Schwerin-Süd
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Alcor Hotel Feriendorf an der Ostsee
Alcor Hotel Feriendorf an der Ostsee
An Der Chaussee 5d, Wohlenberg, Klütz, MV
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Klütz. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Kinder-Motor-Land and Wohlenberger ...
7.4/10 Good! (10 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful staff."

Reviewed on May 29, 2025

Alcor Hotel Feriendorf an der Ostsee
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Schwerin

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The castle is amazing to see! Schwerin is in the former East Germany and it is excellent to see how the town is upgrading their infrastructure. The architect of the buildings is beautiful, worth just walking around to see the homes.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful town with lots to do and see. Many options for eating and they were all good