Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

From wherever you approach, you'll see the picturesque reflection of Schwerin Castle shimmering in the lake. With its magnificent architecture and ornate gardens, it is sure to impress almost any visitor. Some people are even lucky enough to work here – such as the members and staff of the state parliament, which has been meeting in the now renovated palace since reunification. The museum section, on the other hand, is open to all visitors. Its collection of residences is on the list of proposed UNESCO sites, along with its numerous other monuments.

Getting there: 2 hours by train from Berlin.

Creative work with Baltic Sea flair: Rostock has emerged as a vibrant centre for coworking in recent years. This Hanseatic city, also a hub of student life, offers a colourful mix of flexible work spaces for start-ups, freelancers and creative people of all kinds. From stylishly furnished, hip spaces to functional offices, you're sure to find your very own feel-good place to work and network.

Getting there: 1 hour by train from Schwerin.

The once rich, influential Hanseatic cities of Stralsund and Wismar boast fascinating, impeccably-preserved brick Gothic churches, town houses and city walls. Baroque buildings from the time when both cities played an important role in the Swedish kingdom complete this historical collection. Their old towns have enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage status since 2002. In Stralsund, the Ozeaneum (European Museum of the Year 2010) attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to unforgettable maritime worlds.

Getting there: 1 hour by train from Rostock to Stralsund (Wismar is 30 minutes by train from Schwerin).

On Germany's largest island, the new Skywalk Königsstuhl (King's Chair) has enchanted visitors since 2023, with breathtaking views over the Königsstuhl chalk cliffs, the vast Baltic Sea, the coast lined with sea buckthorn and the cliffside forests in the Jasmund National Park, which are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the beauty of Rügen, which inspired Caspar David Friedrich to create some of his most famous paintings and made the island one of the most popular holiday destinations in the GDR.

Getting there: 1 hour by train from Stralsund to Sassnitz, from there by bus to the Königsstuhl National Park Centre (bus stop 'Königsstuhl').

Nestled in the heart of Greifswald, the Caspar David Friedrich Centre invites you to discover the life and work of the city's most famous son, born 250 years ago, right in the house where he was born. The centre pays tribute to the great painter with guided tours, excursions, lectures and readings, and is a must for lovers of the Romantic period. It is also the ideal starting point to discover Friedrich's work around Germany for his anniversary year. The Pomeranian State Museum, with its exhibition on the history of this region and paintings by Friedrich, Nolde and van Gogh, is also worth a visit.

Getting there: 30 minutes by train from Stralsund (1 hour 40 minutes by train from Sassnitz).

Glide in a canoe across the idyllic Mecklenburg Lake District! Paddling fun guaranteed: free from currents and weirs, 140 kilometres of waterways in this huge region make it perfect for both day tours and longer paddling expeditions. Accommodation and food are easy to come by here, with numerous campsites, refreshment spots, port towns and villages dotted around. A highlight: in summer, countless water lilies transform these lakes into a sea of ​​flowers!

Getting there: 4 hours by train from Greifswald to Mirow, one of many possible starting points.