Großer Plöner See Lake
Large Schleswig-Holstein lake featuring islands and boating
Large lake in Schleswig-Holstein surrounding the town of Plön and its castle; visitors boat, cycle the lakeshore and swim in summer.
Großer Plöner See at a Glance#
Address: Großer Plöner See, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
About Großer Plöner See#
Großer Plöner See is the largest lake in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, a lowland lake with numerous bays, islands and a long shoreline. It is a regional centre for boating, bathing and lakeside recreation.
The lake covers roughly 28-29 square kilometres and has local maximum depths in the order of tens of metres, making it one of the deeper lakes in the area. The town of Plön lies on the eastern shore and is a primary access point, with waterfront promenades and a historic castle near the water.
Recreation on the lake includes sailing, motorboating and swimming, and there are short ferries and pleasure-boat services in season. The surrounding landscape is a mix of small lakeside settlements, wooded hills and agricultural land.
Großer Plöner See is located in eastern Schleswig-Holstein, with the city of Kiel to the north-west and the town of Plön at the lake’s eastern edge.
- Size and depth: The lake is the largest in Schleswig-Holstein, covering about 28-29 square kilometres with maximum depths reaching around 50-60 metres.
- Access and services: The town of Plön on the eastern shore provides marinas, swimming areas and access points for boating on the lake.
What to See#
- Plön and Schloss Plön: The town of Plön sits on the eastern shore and contains Plön Castle (Schloss Plön) adjacent to the lake with historic waterfront buildings and promenades.
- Islands and bays: Numerous small islands and sheltered bays that are used for boating and contain moorings and picnic spots; the lake is navigable for pleasure craft.
How to Get to Großer Plöner See#
Großer Plöner See is reached from Hamburg (about 70-90 minutes by car) via the A1 and local roads; Plön is the nearest town with rail connections from Kiel and Lübeck on regional services. Local buses connect smaller lakeside villages; renting a bike is a convenient way to explore the shoreline.
Tips for Visiting Großer Plöner See#
- Explore by bike - dedicated cycle routes and ferries link lakeside towns such as Plön and Malente.
- Boat tours on classical wooden launches give a better sense of the lake's islands and manor houses.
- Visit early morning for mist over the water and quieter shores.
Best Time to Visit Großer Plöner See#
Late spring through summer for recreational activities; shoulder seasons are quieter and good for nature watching.
Weather & Climate near Großer Plöner See#
Großer Plöner See's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (741 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -1° - 3° | -3° | 65 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -1° - 4° | -3° | 43 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 1° - 6° | 0° | 57 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 3° - 11° | 4° | 46 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 48 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 21° | 17° | 73 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 21° | 17° | 64 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 17° | 13° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 7° - 12° | 7° | 66 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 8° | 2° | 70 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 1° - 5° | -1° | 74 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
