Bad Malente-Gremsmühlen Between Lakes and History

Bad Malente-Gremsmühlen lies in the heart of Holstein Switzerland, on a ridge between Kellersee and Dieksee. You can explore the network of lakes by paddling, hiking, cycling or taking the 5-Lake Cruise. The Schwentine also helps orient visitors in the town: it connects Kellersee and Dieksee, runs through the centre of Malente and past the spa gardens. This means you can choose from a range of ways to spend your holiday, from water activities and walking routes to cultural attractions.

Lakes and routes at your own pace

The 5-Lake Cruise, operated by the Weiße Flotte excursion boats, covers a 12-kilometre route across Dieksee, Langensee, Behlersee, Höftsee and Edebergsee. If you want to plan the cruise in advance, check the latest timetable. On land, the 11.1-kilometre Dieksee Circular Route also passes through Bad Malente-Gremsmühlen. Check the latest route information for the Dieksee Circular Route before setting off.

Eight of the 21 Nordic walking routes run in and around the climatic health resort of Bad Malente. As route information can change, it is worth checking the latest overview. Another perspective is offered by the 23-kilometre “In the Footsteps of the Boulders” circular cycling tour through the rolling countryside of Ostholstein around Malente. The route includes eight large boulders, each with a sign about the history of the location, the landscape view or directions. Alongside exercise, the signs offer different points of interest along the route.

Discover local history

Tews-Kate is a former thatched smokehouse dating from the Thirty Years’ War and now houses the Malente local history museum. The permanent exhibition features agricultural tools, household furnishings and craft tools. An entry in the State of Schleswig-Holstein’s monument database dated 4 June 2026 describes it as the oldest surviving smokehouse in Ostholstein. The historic building and its everyday objects offer different ways to explore the town’s history.

The Maria-Magdalenen Church also combines a long history with visible details inside. Its historical roots go back to the 13th century, and the nave and chancel have retained their original form. Carvings can be found on the Renaissance pulpit, the altar and the wall panelling. If you are interested in architectural history, you can appreciate the church’s preserved layout and decorative craftsmanship as distinct features.

Gremsmühle is a water-powered grain mill, adding traditional milling to the area’s historical themes. Outdoors, wooden walkways link the different biotopes and areas within the 13-hectare WunderWeltWasser site. This makes the site accessible to older visitors too. The mill and walkways offer different ways to engage with the landscape and its uses.

Cultural activities and choosing accommodation

Throughout the year, the Kurhaus, open-air stage and music pavilion in the spa gardens host concerts, readings and other events. Check specific event dates when planning your trip. Together with the historic sites, routes and lakes, these venues offer a range of holiday experiences, without requiring every day to follow the same pattern.

When choosing accommodation, the mix of activities you want may be the deciding factor: would you rather spend time by the water, go on walking or cycling trips, or explore local history and events?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nüchel, Timmdorf, Malkwitz, Sieversdorf, Benz.

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