Day Trip from Berlin to Schwerin: How to Visit Schwerin Castle & More

If you have several days in Berlin, you might want a little change of scenery with a day trip. There are so many great day trips you can take from Berlin, and a day trip from Berlin to Schwerin is one of them.

Although the Schwerin Castle is the highlight of the city, there are lots of other things to do in Schwerin. This post will tell you all about the castle and how to visit Schwerin Castle from Berlin, as well as info about other Schwerin tourist attractions.

Why should you take a day trip to Schwerin from Berlin

Taking a day trip from Berlin to Schwerin is a great way to see another part of Germany. Berlin is fantastic, but it’s not like the rest of the country.

Schwerin is a small city with a charming old town and a gorgeous castle. Going for a stroll through the town, admiring the architecture, and seeing such a beautiful German palace can be a nice change of pace from Berlin.

The Schwerin Castle is not only beautiful, but its history goes back for centuries. Today it is a museum where you can admire artwork and learn about the former residents, and it also serves as the parliament building for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government.

While the castle is the main attraction, you should also have time for a few other attractions, like Marktplatz, the controversial Lion Monument, and the Schwerin Cathedral.

Where to stay in Schwerin

Schwerin is a charming city, so you might decide you’d rather travel a little slower and spend a night there. The city certainly has plenty of other things to do if you want to see more than just the castle.

Here are some hotels we recommend for an overnight trip to Schwerin.

Hotels in Schwerin

For a centrally located, dog-friendly hotel, we highly recommend Weinhaus Uhle. They are a bit on the upscale end of things though, so if that’s out of your budget, we have other great hotel suggestions for Schwerin.

Where to eat in Schwerin

If you’re in Schwerin late enough in the day to have dinner, I highly recommend Altstadtbrauhaus “Zum Stadtkrug” which is a brewery with a tasty variety of German food. We’ve eaten there twice, had Schnitzels, a mixed grill plate, desserts, cocktails, and their own beers, and everything was delicious.

We also had lunch (as takeaway) from Rösterei Fuchs, a cute cafe near Marktplatz. We got bagel sandwiches, and they were really tasty. This also looked like a great place for breakfast, and they specialize in coffee.

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When to visit Schwerin

Schwerin is a great destination any time of year, but winter will be cold and blustery. And keep in mind that it isn’t too far from the sea, so it can be quite windy no matter when you visit Schwerin.

Late spring, summer, and early autumn will have the best chances of warm weather and sun.

But another important consideration is the day of the week you choose to visit Schwerin. This could greatly affect what you’re able to do while you’re there.

Many places in the old town are closed early in the week. It’s important to visit Schwerin late in the week or on a Saturday.

Sundays and Mondays can be especially quiet, and even many restaurants will be closed or have shortened hours.

And most importantly: Schwerin Castle is closed on Mondays, so if going inside the castle is important to you, definitely don’t come on a Monday. If you don’t want to go inside, Monday is lovely because there aren’t so many people around.

How to Get from Berlin to Schwerin by Train

It’s easy to get around in Germany using the Deutsche Bahn trains, and there are good connections from Berlin to Schwerin.

There are several options throughout the day ranging from 1 hour 50 minutes to as long as 3 hours. Prices fluctuate, but when I searched, I saw tickets from 24 to 36 euros one way.

Your best bet is either the 1 hour 50 minute option that involves one switch, or the 2 hours 35 minutes option that has no switches.

Option 1: Regional train RE2 with no switches

This is the least stressful option because this train travels between Berlin and Schwerin, and you will not have to get out and switch anywhere. The journey takes about 2 hours 35 minutes.

Regional trains are usually cheaper than fast trains even at the last minute. You’re also not bound to a specific train (as you would be with a high speed train) so this route gives you more flexibility.

The other great advantage of taking the regional train is that you can get the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (basically a Germany day ticket) which allows you unlimited travel across regions as long as you don’t use high speed trains. The price starts at 42 euros and goes up by 7 euros per person for a maximum of 5 people on one ticket.

So for two people, the ticket would cost 49 euros, and it would get you from Berlin to Schwerin and back again in the same day. This is almost always cheaper than normal tickets, but check to be sure.

The regional train stops at quite a few Berlin train stations besides the Hauptbahnhof, so check the route to see which one is closest to your hotel. Common stations on this route, in addition to Berlin Hbf, are Ostkreuz, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Zoologischer Garten, and Spandau.

>>Check prices and train schedules on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Option 2: ICE/IC/EC plus regional train with one switch

This is the faster option since it gets you from Berlin to Schwerin in about 1 hour 50 minutes. You’ll save 40 minutes in each direction with this option.

Keep in mind that the section between Berlin and Ludwigslust (where you switch trains) is on an ICE, IC, or EC (all high speed trains) so you are bound to the exact train you book. It’s a regional train between Ludwigslust and Schwerin, so you’re not bound to an exact train for that portion of the route.

It’s also a tight switch, so you won’t have any time to waste in getting from one track to the other. This is a small station so it’s not hard to navigate, but it is a consideration when choosing which route to take.

Another advantage of this option is that you could squeeze in a quick visit to the gorgeous Ludwigslust Palace. So if you’re feeling ambitious, this option could be appealing.

The high speed train leaves from Berlin Hbf, and most of them also stop at Südkreuz and Spandau. Berlin Hbf is probably the best option unless you’re staying farther from the center of Berlin and one of the others is a lot closer to your hotel.

How to Get from Berlin to Schwerin by Bus

If you’re traveling on a budget, FlixBus is another great option. The buses leave from the central bus station, so give yourself plenty of time to get out there.

Most days there is one bus in either direction, and the journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours. In Schwerin, the bus drops you right near Schwerin Hbf (main train station).

The bus from Berlin to Schwerin leaves in the morning, and the bus from Schwerin to Berlin leaves late afternoon or early evening. This gives you several hours to see Schwerin Palace and probably a few other things in town, plus grab some food.

Prices fluctuate, but when I searched I saw tickets from 8 to 18 euros one way.

FlixBus is a comfortable option that will most likely save you some money in exchange for not too much extra time if you’re on a tight budget.

Things to do in Schwerin in One Day

With so many great things to do in Schwerin, you can easily fill your day there. If you have one day in Schwerin, you’ll definitely want to see the Schwerin Palace, but you should have time for a few other things too.

Here are some suggestions for what to do in Schwerin in a day.

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Visit Schwerin Castle

This is the main highlight of visiting Schwerin, and I’m betting this is why you want to go there in the first place. It’s one of the best castles in Germany and one of the best places to visit in Schwerin.

The island where the Schwerin Castle stands has been the home to several castles dating back at least to the year 942. The castle you see today was built in the mid 1800s, though there are pieces as old as the Renaissance that have been integrated into the castle’s facade.

Today the castle is a museum that you can visit. It is also the seat of the regional parliament as Schwerin is the capital of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Beyond the castle itself, it’s worth going for a stroll through the grounds that surround the castle and the well-manicured gardens.

Opening hours for Schloss Schwerin:
15th April to 14th October – Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
15th October to 14th April – Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

The castle museum is closed on Mondays. Holidays may differ. However, the outside castle grounds and gardens are open 24/7.

Adult tickets are 8.50 euros, and children under 18 years old can enter for free.

Check out Marktplatz

Marktplatz is the main square in Schwerin Old Town, and it’s a great place to soak in the charming vibe. You’ll find several restaurants and cafes nearby, the occasional busker, and a view of the cathedral.

The Old Town Rathaus (city hall) is also here, where you can also find tourism information. Marktplatz is also home to the controversial Lion Monument.

See the Löwendenkmal or Lion Monument

The column with the lion on top tells the story of the life of Henry the Lion, who founded the city of Schwerin. Supposedly when Henry arrived in the town of Bardowick (which is southwest of Schwerin and southeast of Hamburg) he was greeted in a way that didn’t exactly convey respect or admiration.

The town’s residents dropped their pants and stuck their butts out at him. And now this so-called “bottom parade” is depicted in stone in Schwerin’s market square.

Climb the tower at the Schwerin Cathedral

Schwerin’s Lutheran cathedral can be seen from various parts of the old town, and it’s quite a lovely building. It’s also a great place for views of Schwerin from above.

Climb the cathedral tower’s 200 stairs at a cost of 2 euros, and you’ll be rewarded.

Wander through the Old Town

Exploring Old Towns never gets old, does it? The cobblestone roads, the old buildings, the centuries of history…there’s something almost magical about it.

Schwerin’s Old Town is all of that. When you arrive in Schwerin from Berlin, instead of making a beeline to the castle, meander through the Old Town and enjoy the scenery.

You might stumble upon an interesting old building or a quirky statue. Sometimes by not following the direct route, you’ll see more of the charm a city has to offer.

If you’re wondering what to do in Schwerin, going for a walk can be a great activity.

Visit the Mecklenburg State Theater

The Mecklenburg State Theater is a great place to see a show. They put on all kinds of creative performances, though many of the shows are in the evening and better suited for an overnight stay.

Even if you can’t catch a show, or watching in German isn’t appealing to you, you should still stop by the building. It’s a gorgeous theater.

View art at the Schwerin State Museum

If you like art, the Schwerin State Museum is for you. This museum has a variety of permanent art collections as well as special exhibits.

The impressive building is located just steps away from the Schwerin Castle. Admission is 5.50€ without access to special exhibitions or 7.50€ with access to special exhibitions, and the museum is closed on Mondays.

Check out the Schwerin Victory Column

The Schwerin Siegessäule, or Victory Column, stands tall near the bridge that leads to the Schwerin Palace. It was built shortly after the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s to honor those who fought in the war who were from this region.

Take a boat tour

Schwerin is a city of many lakes both small and large. You’ll see several near the castle, one not far from the train station, and a few that are probably little farther out then you’ll even venture on your day trip to Schwerin.

A great way to enjoy the lakes and view the city from a different vantage point is by taking a boat tour. Note that they run seasonally.

Relax by Pfaffenteich

Pfaffenteich is a small lake not far from the train station in the norther section of the old town. It’s a wide open space with picturesque buildings around the edges, and ducks and swans hoping for bits of bread.

This is a nice place for a stroll or if you want to relax on a bench for a little while before catching the train from Schwerin to Berlin. It’s also a good starting point for exploring the less touristy sections of the old town, located to the east of the lake.

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