Discover Schwerin through its residential history, art and lakeside paths. A defining feature is the combination of a 38-part residential ensemble and a museum that brings together Dutch painting, contemporary works and immersive formats. When planning your visit, it is also worth looking at the different routes to Reppin Castle and the seasonal hiking trip to Zippendorf.
Residential Ensemble and Palace Gardens
The Schwerin Residential Ensemble comprises 38 elements. These include the Grand Duke’s residential palace, manor houses, cultural and religious buildings, and the ornamental lake Pfaffenteich. Since 2024, the ensemble has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a testament to the history and culture of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The variety of its elements draws attention beyond the palace to the different architectural and cultural types within the ensemble.
The 25-hectare Palace Gardens were reconstructed according to historical plans for the 2009 Federal Garden Show. They are considered an impressive garden monument of high national importance. Alongside architectural history, a landscaped setting is therefore also a focus: the reconstruction based on historical plans and the gardens’ current size are two concrete points of reference for visitors wishing to include Schwerin’s outdoor spaces in their travel plans.
Art at the State Museum
The permanent exhibition at the Schwerin State Museum presents works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Frans Hals alongside contemporary works. Themed rooms on Marcel Duchamp and East German art complement this presentation, while digital offerings, interactive stations and immersive installations broaden the exhibition experience. The museum also has an outstanding collection of Dutch painting, with works dating from the 16th to the 21st century. The exhibition offers a range of ways to explore its art: individual artists, a broad time span, themed rooms and digital formats.
Getting Around the Lake
The Schwerin City Loop runs along the shore of Lake Schwerin, passes Zippendorf Beach and ends at Reppin Castle. A hiking trip also ends there, but follows a different route: from March to October, it starts with a boat trip from Schwerin Palace to Zippendorf, followed by a ten-kilometre walk along the lakeshore to Reppin Castle. From there, you can enjoy a view across the lake. Both descriptions therefore lead to the same destination; only the hiking trip combines the lakeside walk with a boat ride and specifies a distance. Check the boat schedule before planning and take the stated seasonal period into account.
Another option is to cycle to the Schwerin-Mueß Open-Air Museum of Folklore. The route leads from central Schwerin along Franzosenweg, past Zippendorf Beach, and then follows a cycle path to Mueß. Unlike the two routes to Reppin Castle, this ride has the museum as its destination.
Zoo and Zippendorf Beach
Schwerin Zoo covers around 25 hectares and is home to about 1,700 animals from approximately 150 species. One of its special features is an 8,000-square-metre savannah for southern white rhinos, considered unique in northern Germany. The overall area and the savannah area represent two different scales within the zoo.
Zippendorf Beach has a public toilet, an accessible toilet, a German Red Cross water rescue station and a beach wheelchair. If you are planning a visit to the beach, check the information about the facilities before you travel. This will help you identify the services relevant to you.
Choose Accommodation Based on Your Interests
When looking for a hotel in Schwerin, your main travel interests are a good place to start: is your stay primarily about architectural and art history, or would you also like to include the zoo and lakeside routes?
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