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Germany
Schleswig-Holstein
Plön

Großer Plöner Lake

Top 20 Lakes around Großer Plöner Lake

Best lakes around Großer Plöner Lake are found within the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, a region known for its numerous interconnected lakes. Großer Plöner See itself is the largest and deepest lake in Schleswig-Holstein, covering nearly 30 square kilometers and reaching a depth of 58 meters. It is characterized by its deep blue waters and natural shorelines, attracting various outdoor activities. The lake consistently receives excellent water quality ratings.

Best lakes around Großer Plöner Lake

  • The most popular lakes is Prinzenbad Beach, Prinzeninsel, a beach that offers views of Plön Castle and sandy shores. This area features forest, swampy terrain, and paddocks.
  • Another must-see spot is Prinzenbad Beach, Lake Plön, a beach. This secluded location provides sunset views and opportunities for swimming, with amenities like beach chairs and picnic benches.
  • Visitors also love Sterin Island (Großer Plöner See), a lake feature. This island is known for its cormorant colonies and its role as a natural habitat within the lake.
  • Großer Plöner Lake is known for large lakes, smaller interconnected lakes, and those with islands and nature reserves. The region offers a variety of lakes to see and explore, from expansive waters to more secluded natural areas.
  • The lakes around Großer Plöner Lake are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 2400 upvotes and over 340 photos shared across various highlights.

Last updated: July 8, 2026

View of Großer Plöner See from the Town Bridge

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You drive on the eastern shore through a beautiful embankment to Plön. Here and there, it gives a view of the lake and the city still lying in the Ferrne.

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In Plön and the surrounding area, there are cormorant colonies that sometimes cause damage to vegetation and fisheries. The island of Sterin in the Great Plön Lake is a well-known example of the destructive effect of cormorant droppings, which virtually destroy vegetation. There was also a cormorant colony on an island in Lake Selent, which was later abandoned and subsequently recovered.

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The Princes' Island was purchased by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1910 and is still owned by the House of Hohenzollern today. Forest, swampy terrain, a sandy beach and four large paddocks characterize the landscape. The sons of the last emperor once learned about farming here. Their mother, Empress Auguste Victoria, enjoyed her idyllic favorite places here, far away from court life.

prinzeninsel.de

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Prinzenbad Beach, Lake Plön

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Here you can enjoy a great sunset, whether it's a team swing or a beach chair

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Here, from the southern tip, you have great views over the Großer Plöner See.
When you have driven through the beautiful nature and here enjoy the first lake views, you know that it was worth the drive.

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Tips from the Community

Rüdiger M
May 25, 2025, Sterin Island (Großer Plöner See)

In Plön and the surrounding area, there are cormorant colonies that sometimes cause damage to vegetation and fisheries. The island of Sterin in the Great Plön Lake is a well-known example of the destructive effect of cormorant droppings, which virtually destroy vegetation. There was also a cormorant colony on an island in Lake Selent, which was later abandoned and subsequently recovered.

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In the west of the island is the approximately 100-meter-wide sandy beach. The gently sloping shore offers ideal bathing conditions for children. In summer, a DLRG post is manned here. But adults also experience the purest holiday atmosphere. With lush forest in the background, you have a relaxing view of the lake landscape. Small islands interrupt the calm surface of the water, in which the sun reflects when the weather is nice. Canoes, boats and stand-up paddlers move across the lake and take disturbing thoughts of everyday stress with them. This makes the island a place to switch off and recharge.

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Beach between the Princes' Island in the Great Plön Lake with a sandy beach and DLRG. At the end of the idyllic Princes' Island is the natural beach with a view of the sunset included. As a destination for a day trip or a rest stop, you should not miss the approximately 100 m wide, gently sloping sandy beach. The bathing area can only be reached on foot, by bike or by excursion boat. The bathing area is guarded by the DLRG and has a kiosk, toilet, shower, playground and in summer also a volleyball net. Parking spaces are located on the Ascheberger Chaussee (approx. 2 km to the bathing area).

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Rental of canoes, kayaks, SUP boards for individual and guided tours across the lakes and the Schwentine. The Malenter Kanucenter by Bottervogel is located just a few minutes' walk from Malenter train station, directly opposite the Dieksee promenade. Canoes (Canadians), kayaks and SUP boards as well as the necessary accessories such as paddles, life jackets and barrels for waterproof transport of smartphones and other valuables can be rented here. Groups, families and individuals can paddle across the lakes and the Schwentine either independently or - by prior arrangement - as part of a guided tour.

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Rental and sale of kayaks and Canadian canoes. Boats and accessories are also available for purchase. Boats Keusen, located in the Eutin district of Fissau, is just 130 m from the water hiking car park at the start of the Schwentine water hiking trail. Here you can not only rent kayaks and Canadian canoes, but also buy your own boats - the range includes kayaks, Canadian canoes, pedal boats, SUPs and fishing boats. For a fee, transport and collection of the rented canoes can be arranged.

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From 1-person kayaks to 10-person canoes with equipment and instructions If someone has arrived without a canoe, they don't have to miss out on the fun of paddling. The rental stations in Malente, Plön, Eutin and Bosau offer everyone the opportunity to rent a canoe or kayak including accessories and you usually also receive a short instruction.

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Boat rental near the campsite on Lake Plön offers canoe and kayak rentals and a pick-up service. The Plön canoe rental is located on the Schwentine water hiking trail and has a variety of canoes and kayaks for rent. In addition, a transport and pick-up service can be booked, which brings the boats to the starting point of the paddling tour and picks them up again at the destination. Guided canoe tours can be booked for groups of 20 people or more. In addition to canoes, sailing boats, fishing boats, rowing and pedal boats, dragon boats and stand-up paddling (SUP) boards can also be rented. The staff provide tips on paddling and help plan your paddling tour. Kanovermietung_Plön©TI GPS Tatjana Kay

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The Great Plön Lake attracts visitors in summer with bathing areas and good water sports opportunities. In addition to beautiful hikes and boat trips, a stroll through the small town of Plön is also worthwhile. With an area of around 28 square kilometers, the Great Plön Lake is the largest inland body of water in Schleswig-Holstein.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular natural features and viewpoints around Großer Plöner See?

Visitors particularly enjoy Prinzenbad Beach, Prinzeninsel, which offers views of Plön Castle and sandy shores. Another favorite is Prinzenbad Beach, Lake Plön, known for its secluded setting and sunset views. For unique wildlife, Sterin Island (Großer Plöner See) is notable for its cormorant colonies and natural habitat. You can also find fantastic panoramic views from the View of Großer Plöner See from the Town Bridge and the View of the Großer Plöner See from the southern shore.

What water sports and activities can I do on Großer Plöner See?

Großer Plöner See is a hub for water sports. You can enjoy paddling, sailing, fishing, swimming, and diving. Private motorboats are generally not permitted, ensuring a tranquil environment. Canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and other boat rentals are widely available for exploring the lake and its connections to adjacent waterways.

Are there family-friendly activities or lakes in the Großer Plöner See region?

Yes, many areas around Großer Plöner See are family-friendly. The beaches like Prinzenbad Beach, Prinzeninsel and Prinzenbad Beach, Lake Plön are popular for swimming and relaxation. The lake itself offers various water activities suitable for families, and the surrounding towns provide cultural and historical experiences.

What kind of wildlife can be spotted around Großer Plöner See?

Großer Plöner See is rich in wildlife, particularly birds. Its numerous islands and the Störland peninsula are important nature reserves and breeding grounds for species like white-tailed eagles, greylag geese, and goosanders. Sterin Island is specifically known for its cormorant colonies. Boat tours offer opportunities to observe this diverse birdlife from a distance.

What are the best times to visit Großer Plöner See for swimming and outdoor activities?

The summer months are ideal for visiting Großer Plöner See, especially for swimming and enjoying the natural beaches like those on Prinzeninsel. The lake's consistently excellent water quality makes it a popular destination for various outdoor water sports during warmer weather.

Are there hiking trails near Großer Plöner See?

Yes, there are many hiking opportunities around Großer Plöner See. You can find a variety of routes, including easy hikes, that offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding nature. For more details and specific routes, check out the Easy hikes around Großer Plöner Lake guide.

Can I go cycling or mountain biking around Großer Plöner See?

Absolutely. The region offers diverse cycling experiences. You can explore various routes, from gravel biking trails to more challenging MTB trails. Discover detailed routes and their difficulty levels in the MTB Trails around Großer Plöner Lake guide and the Gravel biking around Großer Plöner Lake guide.

What other notable lakes are in the Holstein Switzerland region besides Großer Plöner See?

While Großer Plöner See is the largest, the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park is home to approximately 200 interconnected lakes. Notable mentions include Kleiner Plöner See, located north of Großer Plöner See and popular for canoeing. The region also offers the popular Five Lakes Tour (5-Seen-Tour), a boat trip connecting several lakes for a comprehensive scenic experience.

What cultural or historical sites are near Großer Plöner See?

The charming town of Plön, situated on the lake, is a significant highlight with its impressive Plön Castle overlooking the water. Prinzeninsel also has historical significance, having been purchased by Emperor Wilhelm II and still owned by the House of Hohenzollern today.

What do visitors enjoy most about Großer Plöner See?

Visitors frequently praise the picturesque beauty of the lake, its idyllic bays, and small beaches. The opportunity to observe diverse water birds, including the sea eagle, and the stunning views of Plön Castle are also highly valued. Many appreciate the tranquil environment for water sports due to restrictions on private motorboats.

Are there opportunities for boat rentals on Großer Plöner See?

Yes, boat rentals are readily available around Großer Plöner See. You can rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowing boats, and pedal boats from various stations in locations like Plön, Malente, Eutin, and Bosau. Some rentals also offer transport and pick-up services for longer paddling tours.

Most popular routes around Großer Plöner Lake

Cycling around Großer Plöner Lake

Most popular attractions around Großer Plöner Lake

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Still not found your perfect lake around Großer Plöner Lake? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.

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