Warnau: Village Green, Pond and Round Village

Warnau’s distinctive character is on display in its historic village centre, arranged around a village green and a pond and retaining the characteristic form of a round village—a circular village layout. Rather than a single attraction, it is the structure of the place that shapes the first impression. Anyone interested in historic village layouts will find a tangible starting point here for exploring Warnau.

Village layout and protected landscapes

The surrounding area is also part of the picture. Warnau lies in the vicinity of the Bothkamper See Landscape Protection Area and the Hochfelder See/Lütjensee Nature Reserve. Together with Bothkamper See, Hochfelder See and Lütjensee are part of the Upper Eider Natura 2000 site. So, alongside the round village, lakes and protected areas are also central to understanding Warnau’s landscape.

Plön as the wider setting

The wider travel destination of Plön opens up a broader landscape perspective. Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and the Holstein Switzerland region and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. The district is home to around 80 lakes, including Großer Plöner See, covering 29 square kilometres, and Selenter See, covering 22 square kilometres. Large parts of the district belong to Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. Covering 75,000 hectares, it offers space for nature experiences and rare wildlife.

The district’s gently rolling landscape offers suitable conditions for cycling and walking tours. This combination of lakes, nature park, coast and gently undulating terrain offers a range of options when planning a trip. For stays with different interests, you can weigh up whether nature, outdoor activities or an excursion to the Baltic Sea should take priority.

Experiences on the water along the coast and at the lakes

The Baltic Sea coast of Plön district offers places to swim all the way from Mönkeberg to Sehlendorfer Strand. Sailing, surfing, diving, boat trips, offshore sailing excursions, cutter trips and surf fishing are also possible there. The coast can therefore be enjoyed in different ways, from a day at the beach to activities on the water. The bathing area on Prinzeninsel is a specific highlight: its sandy beach is around 100 metres wide, slopes gently and can be reached only on foot or by bicycle. As visitor facilities may change with the season, check the latest information about the bathing area before setting off.

The inland waters offer further options too. You can explore the Schwentine Water Trail in Plön district by canoe; the lakes are also used by sailing boats and excursion boats. Watching white-tailed eagles over Großer Plöner See is a memorable experience, although a sighting cannot be guaranteed. Water-based experiences therefore differ not only by location but also in whether you want to be out on the water yourself or take a boat trip.

Cycling, walking and longer tours

Plön district has 850 kilometres of signposted cycle routes, as well as developed Nordic walking trails. The length of the cycle network may change if routes are revised. One specific option for a multi-day tour is the two-day “Baltic Sea Coast – Holstein Switzerland” route: it starts in Kiel and runs via Plön and Lütjenburg to the Baltic Sea coast. The route is particularly suitable for e-bikes; route details may be revised. As well as individual activities, longer tours are available, while the district’s gently rolling landscape also lends itself to cycling and walking trips.

Culture and discoveries in Plön

Plön Castle stands in the Holstein Switzerland region above the lake of the same name and is the landmark of Plön district. Two audio-guide tours 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 that the tours are available before your trip. Groups can book bespoke combined guided tours of the Plön Castle grounds, which include visits to the Prinzenhaus, the castle park and the castle grounds. Booking arrangements may change, so it is advisable to make an up-to-date enquiry when planning.

Further cultural points of interest can be found in Plön district: Lütjenburg is known for its historic town centre. Gut Panker is more than 500 years old, lies in Plön district and is now open to visitors. The estate was formerly managed by the Rantzau family. These places offer a different focus from nature and water-based experiences, and are an opportunity to include culture and local history in your travel plans.

When choosing where to stay, you can start with the focus you have in mind: should Warnau, with its round village and village green, shape the character of your stay, or are you more interested in the coast, lakes, cycle routes or culture in the wider travel destination of Plön? This distinction gives your accommodation search a clear direction.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bothkamp, Schellhorn, Lehmkuhlen.

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