Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

Introducing Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), sparsely populated and refreshingly unurbanised, hasn’t enjoyed a high profile internationally, although it’s starting to attract some press attention as the scheduled host to a G8 summit of world leaders in 2007. Plus, anyone in Germany will fill you in with glee – the state is Germany’s finest domestic holiday spot, much like Blackpool in the UK but with more sun, better beaches and fewer piers.

In summer thousands of visitors descend on the resort islands of Rügen and Usedom to enjoy the sparkling sand, brisk sea air and all-too-brief swimming season, as well as touring pretty coastal towns such as Wismar and Warnemünde.

Unlike Blackpool, however, the region has a lot more to offer than a bit of quality sun-lounger time. The state capital, Schwerin, has an incredible castle at its heart and is among the most striking little cities in the country; the historical centres of Stralsund and Wismar were Unesco-listed in 2002; even Rostock, once a gritty shipbuilding town, is building a reputation as a party city. Elsewhere, you can get off the beaten track into the area’s delightfully wild national parks or sail into the sunset with any number of fishing, diving, cruise and ferry companies.

Thanks to Mecklenburg’s long tradition of hospitality it’s generally easy to get around the state. There’s also a solid tourist infrastructure, particularly around the well-frequented coastal towns and resorts. Trust the southerners’ judgment and spend some quality holiday time in a corner of Germany that is only going to get more popular.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009