Plön Travel Guide: 10 Best Things To Do & See in the Beautiful Lake Landscape
Everything you need to know about Plön including what to do, when to visit and where to stay | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Welcome to the land of lakes
Plön is located in between so many lakes that it’s fairly impressive that a city could actually be built on this narrow piece of land.
Wherever you look, you’ll see a lake. And they come in all sizes. Lake Plön (Großer Plöner See), for example, is the largest lake in the whole state of Schleswig-Holstein.
Naturally, the lakes are the focal point for both local life and tourism here.
But while this region is perhaps best experienced waterside, you certainly shouldn’t miss Plön’s fabulous castle or its charming Old Town – all to end your day with a dinner overlooking the sky’s changing reflections in the calm water.
At least that was more or less how we spent our time in Plön!
In this travel guide, we share the best things to do and see in and near Plön, why you should visit, where to stay, when to visit, how to get around, our best travel tips and much more.
Where to stay in Plön:
- Budget: Hotel Lake House Plön – Where we stayed in Plön.
- Budget: Hotel Plöner See – Another good, comfortable option.
- Value for money: Hotel Seeufer – Jump directly into the lake while staying centrally.
Search for the best value accommodation in Plön here.
Table of contents
Why visit Plön
Being in the heart of Holstein Switzerland (Holsteinische Schweiz), it is no wonder that Plön is full of natural delights.
While mountains are few and far between, the gentle hills and beech forests form the backdrop of the region’s more than 200 shimmering lakes – and if you really want to go on an adventure, you could travel the full 62-kilometre length of the river Schwentine.
There’s no doubt that relaxing on a boat, a canoe, a stand-up paddleboard or simply enjoying the lakeside views from one of the many beaches are the best things to do in Plön, closely followed by exploring the many nature trails by foot or by bike.
Although tourism is popular here, you probably won’t really notice it.
Plön is a haven for the simple pleasure of being in a beautiful place. And luckily, there are enough lakes for everyone!
Map
Plön is located in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany, directly in-between the state capital of Kiel and lovely Lübeck.
10 best things to do and see in Plön
What to do in Plön?
By now, you’ve probably understood that it’s all about the lakes here. You can easily spend all of your time in Plön admiring the still water or partaking in your favourite water sports.
But if that’s not enough for you, thankfully, there are also lots of other great attractions. Here are the best things to do and see in Plön.
10 best things to do and see in Plön:
- Plön Castle (Schloss Plön)
- Stroll through Plön’s Old Town
- Great Plön Lake (Großer Plöner See)
- Canoeing on the lakes
- Boat tour of the 5 lakes
- Have a beach day
- Nikolaikirche
- Visit the Parnass Tower
- Biking, hiking and trail running Plön
- Brodtener Steilküste
1. Plön Castle (Schloss Plön)
You can’t miss Plön Castle (Schloss Plön) when visiting Plön.
The beautiful castle is the biggest castle in the state of Schleswig-Holstein and it’s also the only one located on a hill.
Built in the 17th century, it has served many purposes through the centuries – most notably being the home of dukes and kings.
Though not open to the public in general, it’s possible to go on special guided tours of the castle.
2. Stroll through Plön’s Old Town
What Plön’s Old Town lacks in size, it makes up for in charm.
Having such little land to build on, Plön is more about quality than quantity.
But there is still enough cobbled cuteness to discover to warrant a visit to this little historical quarter.
Don’t miss the town hall, which was drawn by the famous Danish architect Christian Frederik Hansen.
3. Great Plön Lake (Großer Plöner See)
Being both the largest (30 km²) and deepest lake of the state, the Great Plön Lake has a natural draw.
Though a couple of towns have been founded on its shores (the most notable one being Plön, of course), almost all of the shoreline consists of agricultural lands with a few forested parts.
From Plön, you can follow the lakeside trail Plöner Strandweg where you’ll encounter model planets of our solar system reduced to a scale of 1:2 billion on the 2.8 kilometre-long Plöner Planet Path.
If you would like to eat dinner with a view of Großer Plöner See, we can recommend Restaurant Seeprinz.
There are surprisingly few places to eat that have lake views in Plön, so Seeprinz may well be very popular. Therefore, it can be a good idea to book a table in advance.
It’s easiest to cross the train tracks to get down to the lake by the train station or by Klosterstrasse.
4. Canoeing on the lakes
In our opinion, the best way to experience the beauty of Plön’s many lakes is by actually being out in the water.
We rented a canoe from Kanuvermietung Plön, which we used to paddle out on Kleiner Plöner See (Small Plön Lake).
If you want a longer trip, it’s also possible to paddle on the Great Plön Lake and beyond.
Canoeing is a bit easier and more comfortable than kayaking. On the other hand, you also make progress more slowly.
In any case, we had a great time on the water enjoying the sunshine!
5. Boat tour of the 5 lakes
To spare your arms and lungs, you could also opt for a boat tour on the lakes of Plön.
One of the most popular options is the 5-lake-tour (5-Seen-Fahrt) that originates at Edebergsee right by Hotel Lake House Plön (adlink), where we stayed.
The five lakes are: Dieksee, Langensee, Behlersee, Höftsee and Edebergsee and the trip goes to the nearby town of Malente before returning to Plön.
A round trip takes about two hours. The journey can be started, ended or interrupted at any stop along the way.
Read more about the tour in English here at the translated version of the website.
6. Have a beach day
Feel like a prince when you jump in the water of the Great Plön Lake from the Prince’s pool (Prinzenbad) on the Prince’s Island (Prinzeninsel).
The “pool” is a 100-metre wide sandy beach with a slope so gentle that even 30 metres offshore, the depth is still only a little more than a metre. Great for children!
Park at the Prinzeninsel car park and notice how all your stresses and worries melt away as you walk the 1.7-kilometre path through forests to the magical island beach.
7. Nikolaikirche
If you’re interested in religion, history or simply like to look at pretty buildings, check out Nikolaikirche, the main church of Plön.
There has been a church here as early as 1150, but the current church was built in 1868 after the previous building burned down after a lightning strike.
The church was damaged again during World War II but was rebuilt in the 1960s and 80s.
If you’re interested, you could also check out the smaller timber-framed hall church Johanniskirche, built in 1685.
8. Visit the Parnass Tower
The Parnass observation tower in Plön was built in 1888 for tourism purposes and you can still climb it freely today.
From the observation platform 20 metres above the ground, the views of Plön and the lakes and countryside surrounding the town are supposedly magnificent.
9. Biking, hiking and trail running Plön
Despite there being lakes everywhere, there are actually also quite a few nice trails for you to enjoy the scenery in Plön and its surroundings from land.
If you’re staying in Plön and just want a short excursion, going along the lakeside path called Strandweg to Prinzeninsel (Prince’s Island) peninsula is a great option.
On a misty morning, Alex went for a 13-kilometre run from our hotel Lake House Plön (adlink) south through forest trails and on some very quiet roads.
Continuing more south this way is definitely an option – and so is discovering the Nehmtener Forst to the southwest between Dersau and Bosau.
Biking is also popular on the less-travelled byways of the area. Simply get off the main roads 76 and 430 and you’ll be good!
10. Brodtener Steilküste
A little more than 40 minutes of driving southeast from Plön will take you to Brodtener Steilküste (which translates into “the steep coast of Brodten“) by the Baltic Sea, just before the beach resort of Travemünde.
The steep coast is somewhat reminiscent of Møns Klint in Denmark, and here you can walk along the rocks for a little over four kilometres and enjoy the coastal scenery either from the footpath from above or from the beach below.
We paid a few euros to park at Hermannshöhe Adventure Cafe.
Bonus: Other places to visit in Schleswig-Holstein
Having been fortunate enough to visit Schleswig-Holstein on several occasions, we have experienced many of the best attractions the state has to offer.
From the historic towns to the cultural sites; from the coast along the rivers to the shimmering lakes. Nature is never far away in Schleswig-Holstein, and we think there’s something to do here for everybody.
Whether you’re going on a road trip through Northern Germany or simply want to discover more hidden gems, we hope this list can inspire your travels.
Read more about Schleswig-Holstein:
- Schleswig-Holstein – An overview of the best places to visit and things to do in the state.
- Schleswig – A historic Viking city with an impressive cathedral and a Baroque castle.
- Eutin – The cultural heart of Holstein with a beautiful castle and access to lovely lakes.
- Lübeck – Probably Schleswig-Holstein’s best medieval old town centre. Known for its 7 towers and the Holstentor gate.
- Bad Segeberg – Home to a mystical mountain filled with bats and a popular Wild West-themed festival.
- Duchy of Lauenburg – A region in Schleswig-Holstein’s southeast full of historical towns & relaxing nature experiences.
- Büsum – The gateway to the Wadden Sea and a popular summer spot.
- The island of Sylt – Germany’s most famous island is more or less one long beach.
Where to stay in Plön
Scroll down to see recommendations on some of the best hotels in Plön or search for the best value accommodation in Plön here (adlink).
Budget: Hotel Lake House Plön
We stayed at Hotel Lake House Plön and enjoyed it.
The location right next to the small (and swimmable) Lake Edebergsee is very scenic. The rest of the attractions in Plön are also not far away.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Lake House Plön (adlink).
Budget: Hotel Plöner See by Tulip Inn
Basically right next to Hotel Lake House Plön, you’ll find the also budget-friendly but larger Hotel Plöner See.
Many of the rooms have lake views and all have private bathrooms. Apart from that, you get all of the usual hotel comforts.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Plöner See (adlink).
Value for money: Hotel Seeufer
Located just a few hundred metres from both the Plön Castle and the Prinzeninsel (and right next to Kleiner Plöner See), few places are more central in Plön than Hotel Seeufer.
You can jump directly into the lake from the hotel and each room is uniquely designed in a classical style.
Check prices and availability at Hotel Seeufer (adlink).
How to get around Plön
By foot or bike
Especially the Old Town of Plön is very compact, so the best way to get around is to walk.
It’s easy and safe.
For getting around the area in general, having a bike (or motorized wheels) is most likely preferred.
By public transport
We didn’t use public transportation in Plön ourselves but it should certainly be possible to get almost anywhere in Schleswig-Holstein with a combination of local trains and buses.
By car
When walking to an attraction would take too much time, we got around Plön by car and it was super convenient.
Parking is generally free and easy to find. However, in the case of paid parking, remember to always bring euro coins for the machines as credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere.
How to get to Plön
By car
It’s generally easy to reach Germany by car from other countries in Europe as there are lots of motorways connected to neighbouring countries.
As soon as you are in Germany, you can get to the Schleswig-Holstein region via Germany’s famous autobahn (motorway).
Be aware that cars on the autobahn generally drive fast – and by fast, we mean up to 200 km/h!
There are several sections with no speed limit at all so it’s important to look thoroughly in the rearview mirror and side mirror before changing lanes and overtaking.
By train
The train network in Germany is large, relatively cheap and very reliable.
There are many connections between most major cities and to get to Schleswig-Holstein, you can, for example, take the train to Hamburg Central Station (Hamburg Hauptbahnhof), Lübeck Central Station (Lübeck Hauptbahnhof), Kiel Central Station (Kiel Hauptbahnhof) or Flensburg Station (Flensburg Bahnhof).
From there, there are usually connecting trains to smaller towns like Plön.
We have previously used the Deutsche Bahn website to order train tickets.
By plane
To get to Schleswig-Holstein in Germany by plane, you can fly to the big international airport Hamburg Airport (Flughafen Hamburg, shortened to HAM) as well as the smaller Lübeck-Blankensee Airport (also sometimes called Hamburg Lübeck, shortened to LBC) that mostly offers domestic flights.
From there, you can take a train or rent a car.
Use our adlink below to find the cheapest tickets:
Search for the cheapest flight tickets on Momondo.
When to visit Plön
There is really no bad time to visit Plön and the state of Schleswig-Holstein, although there are, of course, noticeable differences between the seasons.
But when is the best time to travel to Plön?
We were there ourselves in August and enjoyed warm, perfect summer days.
Like almost all tourist destinations in the world, it’s smart to plan your trip around the most common holidays and instead visit in shoulder periods (if that’s a possibility for you).
That way you can avoid the biggest crowds and generally get cheaper accommodation and save on car rentals.
If it’s not possible to travel outside the holidays, fortunately, Plön (and Schleswig-Holstein) doesn’t really get crowded.
Seasons
Spring (March, April and May) is a beautiful time to visit Plön and Schleswig-Holstein with sunny days and blooming flowers. It can still be a bit chilly, so check the weather forecast before you pack.
Summer (June, July and August) is of course the hottest season and the temperatures can get quite high in July and August. At the same time, it’s also at its rainiest in the summer so pack a rain jacket or an umbrella, just in case. The sun is usually shining from early morning until very late in the evening. The summer holidays in Germany are spread out between mid-June and mid-September.
Autumn (September, October and November) is a wonderful time to visit Northern Germany. The autumn colours paint the landscapes in shades of yellow, orange and red. The most beautiful autumn colours can typically be seen at the end of September and in October, perhaps also at the beginning of November before the leaves fall off the trees.
Winter (December, January and February) is generally cold but on the other hand, there are usually fewer tourists. If you’re planning to visit during Christmas or New Year, it’s smart to book your accommodation ahead of time.
Our best tips for visiting Plön
- Credit cards can be used in most shops, but as in the rest of Germany, cash is still often used and it’s not unusual for cash to be used in parking and ticket machines, at cafés and the like.
- Get up early and be one of the first at an attraction (or lake!) if you want to avoid crowds in the high season.
- Drink tap water. It’s not only good for the planet, it’s also good for your wallet. The tap water in Germany is absolutely safe to drink – so bring a refillable bottle.
- Travel to Plön outside of the holidays. Accommodation prices are lower, good deals are easier found and there are fewer tourists.
What to bring to Plön
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink). Especially if you visit Schleswig-Holstein in the summer. We recommend that you use an organic, vegan sunscreen without oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals.
- Hiking shoes, sneakers or other shoes you can walk in comfortably.
- Swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim in the summer or if you are staying at a hotel with a spa area.
- A refillable water bottle and snacks. You can drink the tap water in Germany.
- Cash for parking and other small purchases, especially 1 and 2-euro coins. Not all places in Germany accept credit cards.
Sustainable travel tips
To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics.
- Dispose of waste properly and do not throw it on the ground.
- Check your sunscreen before going in the water. Many brands contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that can be harmful.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place.
- Respect wildlife.
What do you think of Plön?
Thanks for reading our take on the best things to do in Plön!
We hope this travel guide to Plön in Schleswig-Holstein has been useful.
What do you think?
If you have been to Plön or anywhere else in the area of Holstein Switzerland, it would be great to hear about your best memories and what to do in the area.
And if you haven’t been there yet, don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments. We are happy to help!
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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