Plau am See 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.
Plau am See sits on the western shore of Plauer See, one of the largest lakes in the Mecklenburg lake district.
Local Time
6:16 PM
GMT+2
Weather
Light Rain 59°F
Light Rain
Population
5,883

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.

Best Things to Do in Plau am See#

Plau am See Bucket List#

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.

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 easiest to reach by regional train; local buses and bikes fill in shorter, scenic connections. Renting a car gives the most freedom to explore surrounding lakes and villages.

  • Regional train (DB/ODEG) (€6-€25) - The Plau am See station is served by regional trains linking to Parchim, Waren and other Mecklenburg towns. Trains are comfortable and reliable for lake-district travel-buy tickets from DB machines or apps before boarding on some services.
  • Regional bus (€2-€10) - Buses cover the gaps between smaller villages and lakeshore spots not served by rail. Schedules are more limited outside summer; always check the local timetable and plan connections with trains.
  • Car (rental) (€30-€70/day) - Renting a car is practical for exploring the Mecklenburg Lake District and visiting remote lakes and villages. Roads are typically quiet and scenic; parking in Plau am See town centre is straightforward in low season.
  • Bicycle (€6-€20/day) - The area is excellent for cycling with dedicated routes around lakes and through small towns. Bike rental is common in summer-ideal for short excursions and accessing lakeside beaches.
  • Taxi/ride-hail (€10-€60) - Taxis handle early/late connections where public transport is sparse; fares can be high for longer rides across the lake district. Book in advance if you need a specific pickup time.
  • Walking - Plau am See’s town centre and lakeside promenades are very walkable. Walking is the best way to explore the harbour, local cafés and short lakeside trails.

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.

Seehotel Plau am See - Classic lakeside hotel with restaurant

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

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.

Nightlife in Plau am See#