# Schwerin About two hours from Berlin: the palace of the dukes of Mecklenburg on an island in the lake, its gardens, boats on the Schweriner See and a brick old town. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/mecklenburg-western-pomerania/schwerin · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Schwerin is the capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a small city surrounded by lakes, north-west of Berlin. Its image is the palace: a castle of towers, turrets and golden domes on an island in the Schweriner See, residence of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and today the seat of the regional parliament and a museum. All around are gardens on the water's edge, white boats that leave from the foot of the palace and a brick old town with a Gothic cathedral. It is about two hours from Berlin, by train or by car, so it makes a long day or, better, a night. ## What to see in a day The palace. The grand dukes' state rooms, the throne room and the museum's collections, with a free audio guide. Entry €13, free for under-18s. The palace gardens. The Burggarten, on the island itself, with its grotto and terraces above the lake, and the baroque Schlossgarten across the bridge, with canals and avenues. They are free. The boat on the lakes. The Weisse Flotte leaves from the landing stage opposite the palace: an hour and a half across four lakes or, in summer, to the island of Kaninchenwerder; the round trip ends with the best view of the palace from the water. The old town and the cathedral. The market square with the town hall, the Gothic brick cathedral and, in front of it, the monument to Henry the Lion, founder of the city. Close by, the Pfaffenteich, a lake in the middle of the centre, to walk around. ## How do you get there from Berlin? By train, from Berlin Hauptbahnhof it takes about two hours, usually with one change. From Schwerin station to the palace it is about a 20-minute walk, past the Pfaffenteich and the old town. By car, about 210 km along the A24 towards Hamburg, around two hours and a quarter. ## How much time do I need? A day covers the palace, the gardens and a boat, if you leave Berlin early. With a night you see the old town unhurriedly, dine in a wine tavern and take the long boat to the island of Kaninchenwerder. ## Where to eat and sleep The Weinhaus Wöhler, a historic wine house near the market square, opens at midday from Wednesday to Sunday and also has rooms. The Altstadtbrauhaus Zum Stadtkrug, a brewery with its own beer in a listed building, opens Tuesday to Saturday. To sleep, the Niederländischer Hof, beside the Pfaffenteich, or the Weinhaus Wöhler hotel. ## When to go From May to September, with boats every day on the lakes and to Kaninchenwerder and the palace open until 18:00. In winter the palace opens until 17:00 and, in November and December, a winter boat sails from Wednesday to Sunday. The palace is closed on Mondays all year. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Rheinsberg (a 114.0 km) ## Qué hacer - **Schwerin Palace** (2 h · All ages · Desde 13 € per person; concession €9; under-18s free): What it is Schwerin Palace occupies an island between the Schweriner See and the Burgsee. It was the residence of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and its present fairy-tale look, with towers, turrets and a great golden dome, dates from the 19th century. One part is now the seat of the regional parliament; the other, the palace museum, with the state rooms, the throne room and the grand dukes' collections. Opening times and tickets From 15 April to 14 October, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00; from 15 October to 14 April, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Last entry half an hour earlier. Adults €13 (€9 concession); under-18s free. The audio guide is free; the public guided tour costs €5 plus entry. In 2026 there are works at the palace and there may be noise on some days. - **Schwerin Palace gardens** (1 h 30 · 3.5 km · All ages; flat paths): What it is The palace has two gardens. The Burggarten surrounds the palace itself on the island, with terraces, a grotto and views over the lake. Across the bridge, the Schlossgarten is a large Baroque garden with canals, tree-lined avenues and statues, continuing towards the shore of the Schweriner See. How it works The Schlossgarten is open all year at any hour and the Burggarten closes at dusk. Both are free. A loop round both, from the palace, is about 3.5 km and an hour and a half. The foundation asks you to follow the garden rules and warns that branches may fall on windy days. - **Boat trip on the Schwerin lakes** (1 h 30 · All ages · Desde 23 € per person; children aged 6 to 14, €11; under-6s free): What it is The Weisse Flotte, Schwerin's white fleet, sails from the landing stage opposite the palace. The four-lakes line tours the Schweriner See, the Ziegelsee and the Heidensee among islands and waterfowl and returns to the palace, which you see head on from the water at the end. From May to September, the island line stops at Zippendorf and at Kaninchenwerder, a protected island in the lake. In November and December a two-hour winter line runs. Times and prices Four lakes, April to October, every day with several departures; island, May to September. In winter, Wednesday to Sunday at 11:00 and 13:30. The one-and-a-half-hour line costs €23 (children aged 6 to 14, €11; under-6s free); the winter one, €24.50. Pets, €4.50. In ice or fog there are no departures. Tickets are sold online and at the landing stage; there is a bar on board. - **Schwerin old town and cathedral** (1 h · All ages): What it is The old town is a few minutes' walk from the palace, between the Burgsee and the Pfaffenteich. On the market square are the town hall and houses from various eras; a few steps away, the Cathedral of St Mary and St John, Gothic brick, with its tall tower above the rooftops. In front of it stands the monument to Henry the Lion, the duke who founded the city in the 12th century. How it works On foot, between the palace and the station: palace, Burgsee, square, cathedral and Pfaffenteich. An hour at an easy pace. - **Round the Pfaffenteich** (40 min · 1.8 km · All ages; flat, pushchair-friendly): What it is The Pfaffenteich is a small lake in the middle of the city, between the station and the old town. It is surrounded by a tree-lined promenade, the Arsenal, a large 19th-century building, and façades of the same period. It is the natural route when arriving by train. How it works On foot, from the station: the full circuit is about 1.8 km and under an hour. At the end, continue along the shopping street to the square and the palace. ## Dónde comer - **Weinhaus Wöhler** (Restaurant, Schwerin, €€€). Qué pedir: a dish from the menu with a recommended wine from their shop - **Altstadtbrauhaus Zum Stadtkrug** (Restaurant, Schwerin, €). Qué pedir: the midday dish of the day with a house Altstadtbräu ## Car-free: Schwerin without a car You get there by train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about two hours, usually with one change, and everything in Schwerin is on foot: station, Pfaffenteich, old town, palace and landing stage. Presupuesto orientativo: 80–170 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Niederländischer Hof** (Small hotel): By the Pfaffenteich A small hotel in the centre of Schwerin, on the shore of the Pfaffenteich, a few minutes' walk from the station and the old town; the palace is about ten minutes' walk away. Behind the house it has a locked car park. The rooms Twenty-four, all with English-style furniture and a marble bathroom, some with a lake view, and free wifi. Breakfast is also served to people not staying here. What it offers A hotel bar with wines and draught beer and a library with a fireplace to end the day. Book online on its website or by phone. - **Hotel Weinhaus Wöhler** (Small hotel): Above the wine house The Weinhaus Wöhler hotel occupies the old half-timbered house in Schwerin's old town, near the market square. It reopened in 2001 and the rooms were thoroughly renovated in 2014. The rooms Twelve double rooms, comfort rooms and suites, plus family suites and, since 2025, a 180 m² two-floor apartment with three bedrooms, a large living room and a kitchen, for families or groups. The restaurant is on the ground floor. What you need to know From here you walk to the palace, the cathedral, the theatre and the Pfaffenteich. For prices, check the hotel's website, which publishes offers such as four nights for the price of three. ### Servicios - **Schwerin Hauptbahnhof**: Schwerin station, next to the Pfaffenteich: trains to Berlin, about two hours with one change, and to Hamburg; about a 20-minute walk from the palace. ## By car: Schwerin by car About 210 km on the A24 towards Hamburg, around two and a quarter hours. A car makes sense if you are continuing to the Baltic or Wismar; in the city, leave it at the hotel. Presupuesto orientativo: 80–180 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Niederländischer Hof** (Small hotel): By the Pfaffenteich A small hotel in the centre of Schwerin, on the shore of the Pfaffenteich, a few minutes' walk from the station and the old town; the palace is about ten minutes' walk away. Behind the house it has a locked car park. The rooms Twenty-four, all with English-style furniture and a marble bathroom, some with a lake view, and free wifi. Breakfast is also served to people not staying here. What it offers A hotel bar with wines and draught beer and a library with a fireplace to end the day. Book online on its website or by phone. - **Hotel Weinhaus Wöhler** (Small hotel): Above the wine house The Weinhaus Wöhler hotel occupies the old half-timbered house in Schwerin's old town, near the market square. It reopened in 2001 and the rooms were thoroughly renovated in 2014. The rooms Twelve double rooms, comfort rooms and suites, plus family suites and, since 2025, a 180 m² two-floor apartment with three bedrooms, a large living room and a kitchen, for families or groups. The restaurant is on the ground floor. What you need to know From here you walk to the palace, the cathedral, the theatre and the Pfaffenteich. For prices, check the hotel's website, which publishes offers such as four nights for the price of three. ## By plane: Fly to Berlin or Hamburg and take the train to Schwerin Schwerin lies between Berlin and Hamburg. The usual way is to fly to Berlin: BER airport has direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities, and from there it is about two and a half to three hours by train to Schwerin, or about 240 km by hire car. Hamburg (HAM), also with direct flights from Spain, is closer: take a train from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Niederländischer Hof** (Small hotel): By the Pfaffenteich A small hotel in the centre of Schwerin, on the shore of the Pfaffenteich, a few minutes' walk from the station and the old town; the palace is about ten minutes' walk away. Behind the house it has a locked car park. The rooms Twenty-four, all with English-style furniture and a marble bathroom, some with a lake view, and free wifi. Breakfast is also served to people not staying here. What it offers A hotel bar with wines and draught beer and a library with a fireplace to end the day. Book online on its website or by phone. - **Hotel Weinhaus Wöhler** (Small hotel): Above the wine house The Weinhaus Wöhler hotel occupies the old half-timbered house in Schwerin's old town, near the market square. It reopened in 2001 and the rooms were thoroughly renovated in 2014. The rooms Twelve double rooms, comfort rooms and suites, plus family suites and, since 2025, a 180 m² two-floor apartment with three bedrooms, a large living room and a kitchen, for families or groups. The restaurant is on the ground floor. What you need to know From here you walk to the palace, the cathedral, the theatre and the Pfaffenteich. For prices, check the hotel's website, which publishes offers such as four nights for the price of three. ### Servicios - **Schwerin Hauptbahnhof**: Schwerin station, next to the Pfaffenteich: trains to Berlin, about two hours with one change, and to Hamburg; about a 20-minute walk from the palace. ## As a family: Schwerin with children A fairy-tale palace on an island works with any child, and in Schwerin under-18s get in free. Add a boat and flat gardens. ### What works best The palace, free for under-18s, with an audio guide The boat on the lakes: children aged 6 to 14, €11, under-6s free The palace gardens, with a grotto and canals The round of the Pfaffenteich, with a pushchair ### Where to stay Hotel Weinhaus Wöhler, with family suites and a large apartment ### Where to eat Zum Stadtkrug, cheap dish of the day ### Worth knowing The palace is closed on Mondays The scheduled boats run from April to October ### Qué hacer as a family - Schwerin Palace - Schwerin Palace gardens - Boat trip on the Schwerin lakes - Round the Pfaffenteich ## Consejos ### Do not go on a Monday The palace museum is closed. ### Do the boat at the end The round trip finishes with the palace in front of you. ### Sleep a night With two hours' travel each way, the day falls short. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How do I get from Berlin to Schwerin? By train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, about two hours with one change, or by car along the A24, about two hours and a quarter. ### How much does the palace cost? €13 (€9 reduced); under-18s free, with an audio guide included. ### Which day is it closed? Mondays. ### How much does the boat cost? €23 for the hour-and-a-half route; children aged 6 to 14, €11. ### Is it worth going in winter? Yes, for the palace and the old town; the scheduled boats run from April to October and in November and December there is a winter one.