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.
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#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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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.
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.
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#
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.
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
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.
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#
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.