Holiday in Holsteinische Schweiz

About Holsteinische Schweiz

The Holstein Switzerland is a charming hilly landscape in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein, which, with its over 200 lakes, gentle moraine hills, and stately manors, is considered one of the most beautiful inland landscapes in Northern Germany. The name 'Switzerland' may sound bold for Northern Germany, but the rolling hills that rise up to 168 meters, the deep blue lakes, and the dense beech forests indeed create a landscape reminiscent of a gentle pre-Alpine region. The Großer Plöner See, with 30 square kilometers the largest lake in Schleswig-Holstein, forms the heart of the region. The town of Plön itself sits on a hill overlooking the lake, crowned by its white Baroque castle – a sight straight out of a picture book. Sailing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming: the lake offers everything a water sports enthusiast could desire, nestled in a landscape that invites daydreaming. Eutin, the 'City of Roses', enchants with its Renaissance castle and the open-air theater, which offers opera performances by the lakeside every summer – the Eutiner Festspiele are a cultural highlight of the region. Malente, nestled between five lakes, is a spa town that perfectly combines relaxation and active vacationing. The Five-Lakes Cruise by excursion boat glides over interconnected lakes through a picturesque landscape. For cyclists and hikers, Holstein Switzerland is a paradise: well-developed paths lead through beech forests, over hills with panoramic views, and along lake shores. The Holstein Switzerland Nature Park protects the landscape and offers observation points for sea eagles, cranes, and kingfishers. Getting there is remarkably easy: located between Hamburg and the Baltic Sea coast, the region can be reached in an hour from Hamburg or Kiel. A hidden gem for those seeking lakes, nature, and Northern German tranquility without traveling far.