Mölln: Town History, Lakes and Forest

Mölln brings together historic architecture, a lake landscape and forest, each offering a different focus for a stay. When looking for a hotel, you can consider whether you would prefer to spend your days mainly in the town centre, by the water or on paths through green surroundings. Specific highlights include the Gothic Town Hall with its town museum, a chain of six lakes and Mölln Town Forest; boat trips and walks are also among the options.

Town history around the Town Hall and market square

A walk around St. Nicolai Church offers views of the historic market square ensemble. The Gothic brick Town Hall was built in 1373 and is Schleswig-Holstein’s second-oldest town hall. It reopened as the Mölln Town Museum in 1993; the permanent exhibition is dedicated to the town’s history. The restored Council Chamber provides a setting for concerts, readings and other cultural events. The Mölln town walk passes the main sights and is an easy route; a few steps lead up to Kirchberg. The perspectives differ: outdoors, the focus is on the market square ensemble, while the museum centres on the town’s history.

Lakes and activities on the water

A chain of lakes comprising Ziegelsee, Stadtsee, Schulsee, Hegesee, Schmalsee and Lütauer See is a distinctive part of Mölln’s lake landscape. For your own outings, you can rent pedal boats or electric boats on Stadtsee; check availability before your trip. Boat trips are also available on Mölln’s lakes and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. You can swim and relax at various bathing spots on Mölln’s lakes. Check bathing conditions and access before your visit.

Forest, wildlife park and nature

Mölln Town Forest covers 1,200 hectares and provides a habitat for numerous animal and plant species. The forest has walking and riding trails; benches and shelters offer places to take a break. Uhlenkolk Wildlife Park offers a different focus: you can observe native animal species, walk through the park and learn more about local wildlife. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park stretches along Mölln and includes a 474-square-kilometre protected area that provides habitats for rare and endangered species. Mölln also offers visitors bicycle and e-bike rentals; booking in advance is strongly recommended.

The Duchy of Lauenburg as a regional setting

Across the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg, 26 percent of the district’s area is forest; the district also includes 48 lakes. The European long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9 run through the Duchy from north to south, passing through Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. At the level of the Duchy of Lauenburg, the nature park offers guided excursions with experts on local animal and plant life and the cultural history of the district; check individual dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Rondeshagen, Sterley, Gudow, Schönberg, Siebenbäumen, Müssen, Grambek, Lauenburg Lakes

Go to the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.