Holstein Switzerland
Over two hundred lakes nestled between gentle beech-covered hills — Holsteinische Schweiz is Schleswig-Holstein's water and hiking paradise between Kiel and Lübeck.
AI-generated illustrative imageThe Ice Age left eastern Holstein with a hilly landscape full of lakes, situated between Kiel and Lübeck. The Große Plöner See is the largest in the region, with numerous smaller lakes arranged around Eutin and Malente along the Schwentine. Castles, tree-lined avenues and beech forests characterize the area, which has been considered a summer retreat since the time of the Kaiser. The Baltic Sea beaches of the Lübecker Bucht are only a short drive away.
What you ought to see — my picks.
Large Plöner See
Schleswig-Holstein's largest lake, overlooking the white Plöner Castle — sailing, swimming and lake circuit walk.
Eutin Castle
Brick residence on Eutiner See with castle gardens; in summer, the Eutiner Festspiele perform opera under the open sky.
Kellersee & Five Lakes Trip
Excursion boats have been shuttling between Malente across the Schwentine lake chain for over 100 years.
Bungsberg
At 168 meters, Schleswig-Holstein's highest elevation — complete with a viewing tower and (tiny) ski slope.
Bridegroom's Oak
The oak in Dodauer Forst near Eutin has its own postal address — for generations, letters from people seeking partners from all over the world have been arriving here.
