Plau am See Travel Guide

City Lakeside resort town on Lake Plau

Plau am See fronts Lake Plauer See with marinas, boat rentals, a compact medieval town centre and festival boats - ideal for sailing, lake swimming and cycling around reed-lined shores.

Main image
Costs
$60-$90 per day
Typical German small-town costs; expect modest hotels and lakeside activities.
Safety
Very safe
Very safe; quiet tourist town with family-friendly vibe.
Best Time
May-September
Warm months for boating, swimming and cycling around the lake.
Time
Weather
Population
5,883
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good roads and bike paths, local buses; limited English outside tourism businesses.
Popularity
Popular with German domestic holidaymakers and water-sports fans; quiet internationally.
Known For
Plauer See lake, marina, sailing and boating, historic old town, timber-framed houses, cycling trails, birdwatching, lakeside promenades, nature reserves
Plau am See sits on the western shore of Plauer See, one of the largest lakes in the Mecklenburg lake district.

Why Visit Plau am See? #

Framed by the broad Plauer See, Plau am See draws visitors who want lakeside calm, boating and accessible nature. The medieval Plau Castle overlooks the harbor and gives the town a historic feel, while ferries, sailing schools and lakeside cafés create a relaxed watersports scene. Regional trout and lake-fresh fish feature on menus, and the town is a gateway to broader Mecklenburg lake-country cycling and wildlife.

Top Things to Do in Plau am See

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Plauer See - Expansive lake perfect for boating, swimming, lakeside cafes, and relaxed waterside strolls.
  • Plau am See Old Town and Harbour - Picturesque half-timbered houses, marina, and riverside promenades linking shops and restaurants.
  • Plau Castle (Wasserburg Plau) - Historic waterfront castle with an exhibition on local history and occasional cultural events.
Hidden Gems
  • Schleusenanlage at Plauer See - Operational locks where you can watch boats navigate between lake and canals.
  • Jabel Lake (Jabeler See) - Quiet woodland lake offering kayaking, birdwatching, and shaded picnic spots off beaten tracks.
  • St. Marien Church - Small Gothic church with historic fresco fragments and a tranquil cemetery garden.
Day Trips
  • Müritz National Park - Largest land-based national park in Germany, with lakes, forests, and diverse birdlife.
  • Waren (Müritz) - Historic market town with harbour, Müritzeum natural history centre, and restored Hanseatic architecture.

Best Time to Visit Plau am See #

Plau am See is nicest from late spring to early autumn when the lake is warm enough for swimming and boating. Winters are chilly and quiet, with fewer services.

Winter
December - February · -2-4°C (28-39°F)
Cold, quiet winters with possible ice on the lake; perfect for slow, reflective walks and off-season solitude, but many tourist facilities close.
Spring
March - May · 5-16°C (41-61°F)
Lakeside trails wake up, water warms, and weekends feel pleasantly uncrowded - great for cycling, boat rentals and discovering quiet bays.
Summer
June - August · 16-24°C (61-75°F)
Warm but not scorching; the lake becomes the main attraction with swimming, sailing and relaxed cafés; expect families and weekend visitors.

Best Time to Visit Plau am See #

Climate

Plau am See's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (590 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-2°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
14.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

How to Get to Plau am See

Plau am See lies in the Mecklenburg Lake District and is served by its own regional rail station. For most visitors, reaching Plau am See by train from Berlin or Rostock with a short local transfer is the most practical option.

By Air

Rostock-Laage Airport (RLG): For northern access to Plau am See, Rostock-Laage is the closest regional airport. From Laage you need a car or a combination of regional buses and trains to reach Plau am See (journey typically 1.5-2.5 hours; public-transfer prices vary by operator).

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): Berlin is the main international gateway. From BER take regional or long‑distance trains to Neustrelitz or Waren, then regional trains/buses to Plau am See-total travel time around 2-3 hours by rail, with fares typically from €20 upward depending on advance tickets.

By Train & Bus

Train: Plau am See has its own station (Plau am See Bahnhof) served by regional DB/ODEG services on lines connecting to Parchim, Ludwigslust and Waren. Travel times from regional hubs like Neubrandenburg/Waren or Parchim are typically under 2 hours; regional fares commonly range €8-€25.

Bus: Local buses and regional coaches connect Plau am See with nearby towns and tourist sites in the Mecklenburg Lake District. Buses are useful for short transfers where the rail network doesn’t reach; timetables are seasonal.

How to Get Around Plau am See #

Plau am See is compact and pleasant to explore on foot; the lakeside paths and old town are especially walkable. Bikes are popular for getting around and for exploring the lake shores. There are boat and small-boat rental options on the lake during the warmer months. Regional bus (and limited rail) links serve nearby towns; a car gives the most flexibility for rural areas.

Where to Stay in Plau am See #

Budget
Lakeside / Old Town - $35-70/night
Basic guesthouses, pensions and private holiday apartments around the lake. Budget options are simple but practical; self-catering apartments are common in low season.
Mid-Range
Waterfront / Marina - $60-120/night
Comfortable small hotels and holiday apartments with lake views. Good choice for families and walkers; expect seasonal opening times outside summer.
Luxury
Prime lakeside - $120+/night
Few true luxury hotels in town; high-end options tend to be boutique lakeside properties with limited rooms and seasonal service.

Where to Eat in Plau am See #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Plau am See's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional
Fish
German
Italian
Fast Food
Cake
Thai
Greek
Kebab
Pizza
Snack
Coffee
Indian
Ice Cream

Nightlife in Plau am See #

Nightlife is modest and seasonal: expect cozy pubs, beer gardens and lakeside cafés that come alive in summer. There is no big-club scene, but evenings are pleasant for relaxed drinks by the water. Live events happen occasionally in peak season, otherwise nights are quiet and local.

Shopping in Plau am See #

Shopping in Plau am See is focused on local services, small boutiques and outdoor/boating stores that cater to lake visitors. You’ll also find bakeries, grocers and occasional market stalls in town. For a broader retail choice head to larger towns in the region.

Nearby Cities #