Plön combines the hilly lake landscape of Holstein Switzerland with a convenient base for activities in the surrounding area. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the town of Plön itself and excursions further afield in the Plön district: lakeside paths and the castle grounds are part of a local visit, while cycling, hiking and water-based activities also extend across the region.
Lakeside paths, old town and castle grounds
The Great Plön Lake is closely integrated with the town. Paths by the water offer expansive views across the landscape and bring the lakeside setting into your town walk. Plön is also a starting or finishing point for regional cycling and hiking routes, water activities and excursions on the lake.
The old town and castle grounds can be explored independently with audio guides. Two tours lead through these areas; they can be accessed free of charge on a smartphone and each takes about 20 minutes. Check whether the audio guides are available before your visit. Groups can also book custom combined guided tours that include Prinzenhaus, the castle park and the castle grounds. As booking arrangements may change, it is advisable to check in advance.
You can also take travel connections into account when planning your trip: trains run to Plön from Lübeck and Kiel. Check the timetable for your intended travel date before setting off. This will help you coordinate your arrival with time for visiting the town, walking along the lakeside or other activities in the district.
In the Plön district: lakes, paths and the Baltic coast
The Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has about 50 kilometres of Baltic coastline. Around 80 lakes are located within the district, including the Great Plön Lake, covering 29 km², and Selenter See, covering 22 km². Large parts of the area lie within Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, which covers 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to enjoy nature and spot rare animals. Watching white-tailed eagles over the Great Plön Lake can be an impressive experience, although sightings are not guaranteed.
The district offers a range of options for active days. Its gently rolling landscape is well suited to cycling and hiking tours. The signposted cycling network covers 850 kilometres, and there are also developed Nordic walking trails. As routes may change, check the latest information before your tour. On the water, you can explore the Schwentine water trail in the Plön district by canoe; sailing boats and excursion boats also travel on the lakes.
Along the district’s Baltic coast, there are places to swim from Mönkeberg to Sehlendorfer Strand. Activities available there include sailing, surfing, diving, boat excursions, offshore sailing trips, cutter trips and surf fishing. Coastal activities thus complement experiences on the lakes, without the two areas having to be part of the same itinerary. For specific offers and dates, it is a good idea to check the latest information.
Cultural destinations in the district
Plön Castle stands in Holstein Switzerland above the lake of the same name and is a landmark of the Plön district. Further afield in the district, Gut Panker is also a cultural destination: it is more than 500 years old and is now open to visitors. The estate was formerly managed by the Rantzau family. Lütjenburg, in turn, is known for its historic town centre. These places add a variety of cultural perspectives to a stay in the district, without requiring them to be treated as one combined tour.
The right choice for your stay depends on what you want to focus on: Plön itself offers the lakeshore, old town and castle grounds; the district broadens the options to include more lakes, cycling and hiking routes, and coastal and cultural destinations. If you plan to visit several areas, check the relevant timetables, route information and availability before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Passade, Preetz, Bokhorst-Wankendorf, Fiefbergen, Giekau, Kühren, Högsdorf, Schlesen
Go to the main travel overview: Plön.
