Fargau-Pratjau: Lakeside, Nature and Gut Salzau

Fargau-Pratjau combines the landscape around the Selenter See and along the Salzau with a distinctive cultural connection: Gut Salzau and the manor house represent the area’s history, while an extensive nature conservation area invites visitors to enjoy longer walks. The lake also offers bathing spots, leisure activities along the shore and year-round waterbird watching. The character of the area thus ranges from nature observation to cultural history—a captivating combination if you are looking for a balance between being outdoors and cultural discoveries on your trip.

Salzau Manor House and Festival History

Salzau Manor House is centrally located within Fargau-Pratjau. The large manor house was built between 1881 and 1884 and is considered a regional cultural center. Gut Salzau is historically connected with the villages of Fargau and Pratjau. The history of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival also leads to Salzau: Salzau Manor House is considered the festival’s birthplace. Events associated with the festival include music and art performances, readings and cultural exchange; individual programs may vary. This gives culture enthusiasts a distinctive focal point that pairs well with the municipality’s nature-related attractions.

Selenter See: Bathing Spots and Nature Observation

Fargau-Pratjau lies on the Selenter See and along the Salzau. Four stretches of the northwestern shore provide access to the lake and small bathing spots; five unguarded bathing spots are located around the Selenter See as a whole. Some stretches of shore also have access to jetties and a sunbathing lawn for leisure use. As access points and facilities may change, and bathing facilities are subject to seasonal changes, check local access before you travel and conditions before swimming. Many waterbirds can be observed around the lake year-round. Nature observation is therefore not limited to the bathing season, while use of the bathing spots may depend on the season.

Nature Conservation and Walks

The landscape of Fargau-Pratjau includes an extensive nature conservation area of forests, meadows and fields, suitable for longer walks. The landscape around the Selenter See is predominantly covered by deciduous forest, complemented by many grassland areas and a smaller proportion of arable land. The lake’s northern shore has been protected since 1978. The nature conservation area is called “Selenter See mit Niederung zwischen Fargau und Pratjau und Umgebung” (“Selenter See with the lowland between Fargau and Pratjau and surrounding area”). Its purpose is to preserve ecologically significant natural habitat structures and their functions. Forests, grassland and fields offer walkers a variety of landscape impressions, without the need for a specific excursion itinerary.

As general guidance for protected areas in Holstein Switzerland: stay on designated paths, keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife, and take your litter with you. Specific requirements may vary from one area to another.

The Wider Region: Plön District

Plön District lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometers of Baltic coastline. The district is home to around 80 lakes, including Großer Plöner See, covering 29 km², and Selenter See, covering 22 km². This comparison of their sizes gives a concrete impression of the district’s lake landscape. Activities along its Baltic coast include swimming, sailing, surfing, diving, boat trips, offshore sailing trips, cutter trips and surf fishing. This places Fargau-Pratjau, with its lakeside and landscape connections, within the wider travel destination of Plön District, without conflating the coastal activities there with experiences available locally.

Choose Accommodation to Match Your Travel Interests

When looking for accommodation in Fargau-Pratjau, you can first decide what you would most like to focus on: longer walks and nature observation, bathing spots on the Selenter See, or the cultural history surrounding Gut Salzau? These themes give a trip different emphases. If you would like to combine several of them, you can plan around your preferred time of year and the experiences you enjoy most.

Discover more destinations: Preetz, Wahlstorf, Martensrade, Bönebüttel, Schwentinental, Pohnsdorf, Probsteierhagen, Höhndorf.

For the overarching travel overview: Plön.