Discover Plön: Castle, lakes and cycle tours

Plön Castle rises above the lake of the same name and is the landmark of the Plön district. At the same time, it is worth distinguishing between the impressions offered by the town of Plön and the landscapes and activities throughout the wider district: lakes, the Baltic Sea coast and cycle routes each shape trip planning in different ways.

Castle, old town and history

Two audio-guided tours take you through Plön’s old town and the castle grounds, and you can use them free of charge on your smartphone. Each takes about 20 minutes. Check whether the tours are available before your trip. Groups can book individually arranged guided tours, which combine a visit to the Prinzenhaus, the castle park and the castle grounds. Check booking options in advance.

Other places in the Plön district also have their own historical character. Lütjenburg is known for its old town centre. Gut Panker is more than 500 years old and is now open to visitors; the estate was formerly managed by the Rantzau family. Alongside the castle in Plön, the district therefore offers a historic estate and an old town centre as distinct cultural attractions.

Lakes, nature and the Baltic Sea coast in the Plön district

The Plön district is home to around 80 lakes. Großer Plöner See covers 29 square kilometres, and Selenter See covers 22 square kilometres. Large parts of the district lie within Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. The nature park spans 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to experience nature and spot rare animals. Watching white-tailed eagles over Großer Plöner See can also be an impressive experience.

The Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. Along the coast, swimming spots range from Mönkeberg to Sehlendorfer Strand. Other activities on the Baltic Sea include sailing, surfing, diving, boat trips, offshore sailing trips, cutter cruises and surf fishing. Your choice of activity therefore depends on whether you would like to spend time on the beach or prefer to be on or by the water.

There are also various ways to explore the water: you can follow the Schwentine water trail by canoe in the Plön district, while sailing boats and excursion boats operate on the lakes. If you would rather explore on foot or by bike, the district also offers suitable landscapes: the terrain is gently hilly and well suited to cycling and hiking tours.

Cycling and getting around

The Plön district has 850 kilometres of signposted cycle routes, as well as developed Nordic walking trails. Routes may change over time. One specific longer option is the two-day “Baltic Sea Coast – Holstein Switzerland” cycle tour: it starts in Kiel and leads via Plön and Lütjenburg to the Baltic Sea coast. The tour is particularly suitable for e-bikes; route details may be revised. This gives you a choice between an extensive network of routes and a named multi-day tour when planning your trip.

For a day of swimming on Prinzeninsel, it is important to note the access restrictions: the bathing area can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. There you will find an approximately 100-metre-wide sandy beach with a gentle slope. Visitor facilities may vary by season, so check the latest local information before your visit. This makes it easier to plan how to combine the beach, cycle tours and other activities in the district.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lütjenburg, Plön, Nehmten, Fiefbergen, Stakendorf, Högsdorf, Fargau-Pratjau, Wahlstorf, Schrevenborn, Bönebüttel, Schwentinental, Probstei, Großer Plöner See, Preetz-Land, Selent-Schlesen, Bokhorst-Wankendorf, Nettelsee, Kletkamp, Löptin, Helmstorf, Rastorf, Ruhwinkel, Barmissen, Preetz, Passade, Höhndorf, Pohnsdorf, Kühren, Schlesen, Giekau, Probsteierhagen, Martensrade, Brodersdorf.

For the higher-level travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.