Top 10 Things to See and Do in Schwerin, Germany

Last updated on July 17th, 2026

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Schwerin, Germany

Schwerin Castle Grounds, Katerwursty @ Pixabay

Grunthalplatz Fountain, jensjunge @ Pixabay

Schwerin is the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany. The town offers visitors history, culture and natural beauty. Here are the top 10 things to see and do in Schwerin:

1. Schwerin Castle: This is the main reason to visit Schwerin. Explore the interior and the grounds of the extensive Schwerin Castle on an island in Lake Schwerin. The castle is like a fairy tale with stunning architecture, picturesque gardens and impressive collections of art and artifacts. Don’t miss the grottos at the lakefront.

2. Schwerin Cathedral: Admire Schwerin Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic church dating back to the 13th century. Explore its ornate altar, stained glass windows and impressive organ. Climb the tower.

3. Schlossgarten: Take a leisurely stroll through the Schlossgarten, the landscaped gardens surrounding Schwerin Castle. Enjoy views of the castle and lake while wandering through the greenery, charming pathways and tranquil ponds.

4. State Museum Schwerin: Understand the region’s history and culture at the State Museum Schwerin, housed in a historic palace. Explore its collections of art, archaeology and regional artifacts.

5. Alter Garten: Relax in the Alter Garten, a public event square in the area between the Old Town and Schwerin Castle. Admire the architecture, including the iconic Schwerin State Theatre, the State Museum and the State Chancellery.

6. Schwerin Zoo: Discover the wildlife at Schwerin Zoo, home to a diverse range of animals from around the globe. Enjoy family-friendly attractions, educational exhibits and scenic landscapes within the zoo’s sprawling grounds.

7. Museum of Cultural History: Delve into the city’s cultural heritage at the Museum of Cultural History (Museum Schwerin), housed in a former monastery. Explore its exhibitions on local history, folklore and traditions.

8. Boat Tour on Lake Schwerin: Embark on a scenic boat ride White Fleet Cruises on Lake Schwerin. The cruise departs directly opposite to Schwerin Castle and offers panoramic views of the castle, surrounding landscapes and birdlife. Relax and unwind as you glide across the waters of this picturesque lake.

9. Pfaffenteich Pond: Walk around this small lake in the heart of the Old Town. Enjoy the architecture of lakeside builds and the lakefront walkway monuments. Don’t feel like walking? Take the tiny Pfaffenteich Ferry around the lake.

10. Outdoor Activities: Take advantage of Schwerin’s beautiful natural surroundings by engaging in outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking or picnicking in the scenic parks and forests that dot the region’s landscape.

Schwerin Castle, HarryStueber @ Pixabay

Schwerin Cathedral, Janßen @ Wikimedia

More Things to See and Do in Schwerin

In the Old Town: St Peter’s, Pfaffenteich Steps, Arsenal, Marienplatz Mall, Marktplatz, Schlachtermarkt, Night Watchman Tour. Wander the narrow streets to enjoy the architecture. Old Town Schwerin was not bombed in World War II.

Near the Old Town: Schwerin Castle & Gardens, Grinding Mill, Planetarium, Schelf Church

Near to Schwerin: Schwerin Zoo, Open Air Folklore Museum, Fire Brigade Museum, Reppiner Castle, Minature Park, Wiligrad Castle

Try: Potato soup with plums & bacon, buckthorn berries, Mecklenburger Götterspeise dessert, Rote Grütze fruit dish

Visit Schwerin, Germany

Schwerin, is located in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northeastern Germany. The city blends history, culture and natural beauty. The city boasts a skyline straight out of a fairy tale created by Schwerin Castle on a small island in Lake Schwerin. The castle has picturesque turrets and spires as well as rooms filled with authentic furnishings and artwork from its historic past. Surrounding the castle, the waters of Lake Schwerin offer a calm backdrop, inviting visitors to stroll along the shores or embark on leisurely boat tours to enjoy views of the city and its surroundings.

Beyond its iconic castle, Schwerin’s historic center offers cobblestone streets, elegant squares and ornate buildings. The Schwerin Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, stands as a central focus of the city’s heritage. Cultural enthusiasts will be delighted with city’s museums and galleries, which showcase art, history and regional heritage. Schwerin offers an unforgettable journey into the history of northern Germany and its roots as the seat of the powerful Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg.

Best Time to Visit Schwerin

The summer months of June, July and August are the best time to visit Schwerin. Winter is a good time to avoid the busy summer tourist season, but the weather is cold and cloudy.

Getting to Schwerin Old Town & Castle

Train: The train to Schwerin stops right at the Old Town, which is then an enjoyable 20 minute sight-seeing walk to Schwerin Castle. In the busy summer season you can take a tourist tram or Hop-on/Hop-off directly from the train station to the castle (see below). The closest major city is Hamburg, which is an hour away, if you time things right for the express train. Berlin can be reached by rail in 2.5 hours.

Cruise Ship or Ferry: You can visit Schwerin on Baltic cruises that stop at Warnemünde, but you must then skip the more popular full day excursion to Berlin. Cruise lines typically stop for more than 12 hours in Warnemünde to accommodate Berlin tours, so you will have lots of time. Buy a day ticket at the train station in Warnemünde and travel roughly 2 hours one way to Schwerin. Consider a short walk through Rostock along the way, since you must make a train transfer there anyway.

Air: Hamburg is the closest major airport to Schwerin.

Burggarten, Schwerin Castle, jensjunge @ Pixabay

Schwerin Transportation

You can pay directly for a number of transportation services in Schwerin including the Hop-on/Hop-off, the Petermannchen Stadtrundfahrten tourist tram, the Pfaffenteich Ferry and White Fleet lake cruises.

Schwerin Ticket

With the Schwerin Ticket for about 7 Euros you get free local buses & trams and free trips on the Pfaffenteich Ferry. You also get discounts of roughly 10 – 20 % on attractions such as Schwerin Castle, the Zoo, the cathedral tower climb, the hop-on-hop-off, the tourist tram, the Mecklenburg Railway and various museums. You can order online and pick up your ticket at the tourist information center near the train station. Use the above Schwerin Ticket link to search and find the brochure with detailed pricing for all attractions.