Suggested cruising options Fürstenberg*

Hire a canal boat and discover the lakes of Mecklenburg

Fürstenberg: impressive lakes, a castle and a history of porcelain manufacture
The historic city of Fürstenberg is a great place for a boating holiday base – not only is it crossed by the Havel River but it is also surrounded by the lakes of Röblinsee and Schwedtsee. There are lots of places of interest in Fürstenberg so we recommend spending some time here before setting sail (or at the end of your boating holiday). A visit to the castle introduces the city’s porcelain manufacturing history via the ‘Porzellan Museum’.

Strasen: enjoying a key location on the crossroads of the Mecklenburg Lake District
Located in the heart of the "Mecklenburgische Seenplatte", Strasen is an ideal stop to explore the three neighbouring waterways: the Müritz-Havel Canal to Mirow and Waren, the upper Havel Canal to Neustrelitz and the Havel River to the south to Fürstenberg and Templin.

Priepert: try water skiing on the Großer Priepertsee
At the crossroads between the Upper Havel Waterway (OHW), the Müritz-Havel Waterway (MHW) and the lakes Ellbogensee and Großer Priepertsee, you’ll find charming Priepert. It’s location, centrally within all these waterways, means there are opportunities for a wide range of activities including swimming, canoeing and water skiing.

Wesenberg: see sculptures amongst nature
A stopover at Wasserwanderrastplatz in Wesenberg will allow you to stroll through Skulpturenpark, a nature park that is home to a number of large scale sculptures hidden in the shade of the city's trees.

Neustrelitz: visit a former residence of the Dukes on the banks of the Zierker
Navigate your self-drive canal boat along the Kammer Canal until reaching Lake Zierker and the town of Neustrelitz, a former residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Dukes Baroque palace was destroyed by fire in 1945 but the gardens still exist and are worth a visit along with the 18th-century Orangerie and the Schloßkirche (Palace Church) built in 1855–1859 in English Neo-Gothic style.

Buchholz: welcoming you to the Müritz National Park
Leave the Müritz-Havel Canal and join Lake Müritz, navigating your canal boat to the village of Buchholz. Here you will see in abundance the typical style of the houses of this region and an idyllic landscape of fields and beech forests as far as the eye can see.

Mirow: an idyllic lakeside location
Located on the southern shore of Lake Mirow you will find the peaceful town of Mirow. Visitors will find traditional lakeside houses with thatched roofs as well as the picturesque Castle Mirow and Castle Island (also known as Love Island). The former residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg can also be visited.

Rheinsberg: enjoy castle views from the deck of your canal barge
From your canal boat you will enjoy the most romantic view of the iconic Rococo-style Rheinsberg Castle on the banks of the Grienericksee. The turrets of this former residence of Frederick II of Prussia are reflected in the lake. Enjoy a stop in the cultural capital of northern Brandenburg to discover also its traditional ceramics factory, its annual pottery market and the many summer festivals organised in the castle and its park.

Lychen: the city of timber rafts
No less than seven lakes surround the village of Lychen meaning it is an excellent place to moor up and enjoy both life around the waterways and the surrounding nature. Take part in swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. A must-see is the museum that’s all about the traditional timber rafts that are famous in this region. Trace the history of their use in transporting wood from the local forests to Berlin. The tradition is still alive today – perhaps you will come across one during your boating holiday (on a more comfortable boat!) as you navigate the waters of the Havel River and the Woblitz River.

Zehdenick: a waterside town with a floating museum and swinging bridge
The small town of Zehdenick is a great stop-off point for a boating holiday along the Havel River. In fact you will see its main attractions from the comfort of your spacious canal boat – an intriguing swinging bridge and the lock. There is also a museum that covers everything about the waterways – you’ll find it on a 42 metre long barge that is moored up at the edge of the river!

Your boating holiday is coming to an end. It is time to begin the return leg back to the Nicols base at Fürstenberg.