Behlendorf between the lake and the village church

Behlendorf lies right beside Lake Behlendorf and within the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. With a bathing area, restored houses in the village centre and a church with a long history of construction, the village offers a range of starting points for a stay. You can make time for the water, explore the village’s history or consider Behlendorf as part of the wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg.

Lake Behlendorf and the bathing area

Lake Behlendorf lies right next to Behlendorf and covers 70 hectares. Its deepest point is 15 metres below the water’s surface. The bathing area has a car park, a sunbathing lawn and toilets. The seasonal offering includes the Haus am See kiosk, which serves regional food and drinks. As the kiosk is only open seasonally, check before your trip whether it will be open when you visit.

There are clear restrictions on activities on the water: stand-up paddleboards, rowing boats and other watercraft are prohibited both on the lake and within the bathing area. The small island in the lake is also not a destination for visitors; it is a protected natural monument and may not be entered. You can therefore focus your visit on the bathing area and views of the protected island landscape, without planning a trip on the water.

Village centre and Behlendorf Church

Restored houses stand in the village centre, some with thatched roofs. Behlendorf Church is part of the parish’s open-church programme, which invites visitors to come in for quiet reflection and contemplation. The church nave was built from fieldstones in the 13th century. Inside are a Baroque altarpiece, as well as glass and wall paintings; some of the wall paintings date from the time the church was founded. A visit therefore combines a quiet moment with specific insights into the village’s architectural and decorative history.

Cycling, fishing and discoveries along the canal

Behlendorf and its surroundings are well suited to cycling. The lake is also a prominent destination for a stay combining nature and exercise. Lake Behlendorf and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal are considered suitable waters for fishing. Check the applicable fishing regulations locally before you go.

The mobile Tour de Grass offers another way to place Behlendorf in a wider context. It runs from Lübeck to Mölln along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal and includes Behlendorf. The app combines stories and poems by Günter Grass with comparisons of his watercolours and augmented-reality activities. Check the app’s availability and current content before your trip.

The wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

Beyond Behlendorf, the Duchy of Lauenburg opens up a wider landscape of forests and lakes. Forests cover 26 percent of the district, which has 48 lakes. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest in Schleswig-Holstein. These regional dimensions complement the immediate impression of Lake Behlendorf with other landscapes.

At the heart of the Duchy of Lauenburg lies the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. Its area measures approximately 35 by 17 kilometres and provides habitat for, among other species, kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes. The nature park has hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and rest areas. Activities in this wider natural landscape include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes; there are also four signposted cycling routes. Guided excursions with experts focus on the district’s wildlife, plant life and cultural history.

Practical information

On weekdays, bus route 8770 runs between Mölln and Lübeck, stopping in Behlendorf at the Herrenstraße stop. Check the timetable before your trip. If your visit is focused on Behlendorf, the lake, village centre and church offer different points of interest; for a longer stay, you can also take in the natural and cultural attractions of the Duchy of Lauenburg.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Siebenbäumen, Berkenthin, Mechow, Klempau, Fredeburg, Ziehten, Lehmrade, Möhnsen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.