Discover Passade: Historic Traces and Lakes in Plön District

Passade: Moat and Passader See

Remains of a historic moat have been preserved in Passade. It was associated with the former estate, providing a tangible link to the town’s history as an estate. Passader See covers around 290 hectares and reaches a maximum depth of 12 metres—two key figures that give a sense of its scale.

Passader See is privately owned. Visitors should observe the applicable animal welfare rules and show consideration for the local population and wildlife. Also follow the information posted on site during your visit. Alongside the landscape and history, respectful use of the area and its surroundings is therefore a central consideration.

Lake landscapes and nature in the wider Plön destination

For a broader regional perspective, consider the wider destination of Plön. Plön District is home to around 80 lakes, including Großer Plöner See, covering 29 square kilometres, and Selenter See, covering 22 square kilometres. The district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. Here, waterscapes and coastline sit alongside gently rolling countryside, offering suitable conditions for cycling and hiking.

Large parts of Plön District lie within Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. The nature park covers 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to enjoy nature and spot rare animals. The region’s varied landscapes therefore offer different options for planning a trip: lakes and the nature park, coastal experiences, and routes through the region.

Water, coastline and routes

Along the Baltic Sea coast of Plön District, swimming is possible from Mönkeberg to Sehlendorfer Strand. Sailing, surfing, diving, boat excursions, offshore sailing trips, fishing boat trips and surf fishing are also available there. The Schwentine can be explored by canoe along the district’s water trail; the lakes are also navigated by sailboats and excursion boats. Considering which of these activities you want to include is a helpful way to choose regional experiences.

Cycling and hiking tours are another way to experience Plön District’s gently rolling countryside. The signposted cycling network covers 850 kilometres, and there are also developed Nordic walking routes. A two-day cycling tour, “Baltic Sea Coast – Holstein Switzerland,” starts in Kiel and runs via Plön and Lütjenburg to the Baltic Sea coast. It is particularly suitable for e-bikes. As routes may change over time, check the current route before setting out on a specific tour.

Culture and special places to visit in Plön

Plön Castle is one of the district’s most notable cultural attractions. It stands above the lake of the same name in Holstein Switzerland and is the district’s landmark. The more than 500-year-old Panker estate is also in Plön District and is now open to visitors; in the past, the Rantzau family managed the estate grounds. Lütjenburg is known for its historic town centre. Each of these places offers a distinct focus, from the castle and historic town centre to the history of the estate.

In the Plön Castle grounds, groups can book individually tailored combined tours that include visits to the Prince’s House, the castle park and the castle grounds. Two audio-guide tours also lead through Plön’s old town and the castle grounds. They are free to use on a smartphone and each takes around 20 minutes. Check before your trip whether this offer is available. Watching white-tailed eagles over Großer Plöner See is considered an impressive nature experience; wildlife sightings cannot be planned.

On Prinzeninsel, the bathing area has a sandy beach around 100 metres wide, with a gently sloping shoreline. It can only be reached on foot or by bicycle; visitor facilities may change seasonally. The beach and castle grounds thus cater to different interests within the wider Plön destination.

When looking for accommodation in Passade, it helps to decide first what kind of trip you want: will Passade’s historic traces be the starting point for your plans, or would you rather focus your trip on the wider offerings in Plön District—coast, lakes, nature and culture? Then check which location suits the specific places you have chosen to visit.

Discover more destinations

Köhn, Schönberg / Holstein, Stein, Wisch, Barsbek, Wendtorf, Schönberger Strand, Laboe

For the wider travel overview: Probstei.