Sure, summer in Hamburg is exciting – with numerous highlights, great restaurants and bars with beautiful rooftop terraces and the opportunity to end the evening with authentic live music in Germany’s oldest jazz bar. Nevertheless, many people sometimes long for peace and quiet and an idyllic setting outside the city. Hamburg scores with its great location in the north and offers beautiful beaches, especially for nudists, but sometimes you don’t just want to lie around on the beach, you want to discover and explore something new. What if we told you that one of Germany’s most impressive castles is only an hour away from Hamburg? Schwerin Castle sits enthroned in the state capital of Schwerin, in the middle of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Stay tuned to find out how you can easily get there in just 1 hour with your Deutschlandticket!
Schwerin Castle
Enthroned on an island in the city’s main lake is a magnificent aristocratic residence that looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. In 2024, Schwerin Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the most important cultural sites not only in Germany, but in the world. Built in the 19th century in the Neo-Renaissance style, it is reminiscent of French models such as the Château de Chambord with its towers, battlements and magnificent dome. The ancestral gallery, the throne room and the castle church are particularly worth seeing.
We are not the only ones who are impressed: In a recent ranking by the vacation portal “kurz-mal-weg.de”, Schwerin Castle came third out of 120 castles and palaces – ahead of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle (5th place) and Sanssouci Palace (10th place). Unique architecture full of history and poetry awaits you here.
What’s the quickest way to get there?
To get to Schwerin Castle quickly and comfortably from Hamburg Central Station, it is best to take the regional train line RE1 – with your Deutschlandticket, the journey is also possible at weekends and on public holidays. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and takes you past stations such as Bergedorf, Schwarzenbek and Büchen to Schwerin Central Station. From there, it is only a 15-minute walk to the castle. Simply follow Schlossstraße in a southerly direction, cross the castle bridge and enjoy the picturesque view of the castle – then your exploration can begin.
What you can do here
Guided tours are regularly offered at the palace, where you can gain exciting insights into the history and architecture. Highlights include the magnificent throne room, the ancestral gallery and the palace chapel. The castle itself is also home to the Schwerin State Museum with changing exhibitions on the art, history and culture of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The extensive palace garden invites you to take a stroll and relax, and the picturesque location around the palace offers perfect photo opportunities.
Concerts, markets and other cultural events are also occasionally held here. Those who prefer to explore on their own can explore the castle and its surroundings with the help of audio guides or information material. For up-to-date information on guided tours and events, take a look at the official website!
Want to go further afield? Then Hamburg is the perfect starting point – after all, its airport has been voted the best in Europe!