A Quick Look at Schloss Schwerin
Seeing Schloss Schwerin in real life was another one of those pinch-me-please moments. I saw it floating around Pinterest before we even arrived in Germany, and thought how cool it would be to see it in real life.
As I was mapping out our road trip to/from Berlin during the fall of 2021 (I know…I have yet to write about our trip to Berlin), I noticed that we were actually kind of close to the Schwerin castle.
“Close,” as my dad used to say, “Only counts on horseshoes and hand grenades.” But I think he’d make an exception in this case.
Berlin was only 2.5 hours away from Schloss Schwerin, and technically it could be on our way home (if we took the long way back). I just had to see this castle with my own eyes, and being that close and not seeing it wasn’t an option.
The drive from Berlin was easy, but it started raining about 30 minutes outside of Schwerin. I started getting sad, thinking it’d be too dark and stormy to see the castle, but then the rain stopped, the clouds literally parted, and the sun made it look like Schloss Schwerin was glowing.
Schloss Schwerin was—without being too overly dramatic—stunning and everything you want a fairytale castle to look like. I stood there on the side of the road with happy tears.
The rain started picking up again so we hightailed it over to park the car and see inside.
A little About Schloss Schwerin
Schloss Schwerin is in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (two words that I can’t even begin to pronounce), and it sits majestically on its own island.
Did you catch that? I’ll repeat it, because…wow! Castle Schwerin is on its own island.
And surrounding the castle is an enchanting and meticulously groomed garden designed in the 19th century.
If you’re a movie buff, Schloss Schwerin may even look familiar: The exterior of the castle was even featured in the 2017 film “The Kingsman: Golden Circle.”
Inside the Schwerin Castle
Schloss Schwerin’s first record was as a fort back in 973 AD. It had humble roots long before Hollywood laid its eyes on it.
No longer a tiny fort, there are more than 650 rooms within the castle, although a tour will only take you through around a dozen of them.
And while nobody currently (technically) lives in Schloss Sherwin, there’s a rumor that there’s a ghost named Petermännchen who roams the halls. Not to worry: we were told he’s a friendly ghost.
Honestly, there wasn’t much to write home about inside, but if you make it all the way out to see the castle in Schwerin, and you have the extra time, there was one room inside that took our breath away.
The most impressive is The Grand Duke’s Throne room—with ornate floors, gold from top to bottom, giant cast-iron doors, and a chandelier that will leave you dizzy with its brilliance.
But really, the beauty of Schloss Schwerin is just gawking at it from the outside.
If you happen to be there on a sunny, clear day, have a picnic on the gardens. And if you visit during the fall, plan to get there just before sunset to see the castle light up during that special golden hour.
Extra details for Schloss Schwerin
Where to Park
We arrived by car, driving from Berlin (about 2.5 hours). For the most scenic spot of the castle for photos, check out this spot (there’s a small pull-off just across the street with the perfect view of the Schloss Schwerin).
While we didn’t see any parking on the actual castle island*, there is a paid parkplatz near the castle.
Pro tip: you can drive right up to the castle and let out passengers.
Driving from…
Hamburg: 1.5 hours
Berlin: 2.5 hours
Hanover: 3 hours
Wernigerode: 3.5 hours
Geilenkirchen/Brunssum: 6 hours
Spangdahlem: 7 hours
Ramstein: 7.5 hours
Castle Details
There are several flights of stairs inside Schloss Schwerin, but there’s also a lift if you need it. Stroller accessible and bathrooms are available, too.
HOURS:
April 15th to October 14th
Closed on Mondays
10am—6pm
October 15th to April 14th
Closed on Mondays
10am—5pm
COST:
adults, €8.50
Children (under 18) free
audio guides €2(free for children)
Where to Stay
Our family of six (my mom was traveling with us) stayed at Pension am Schloss. Fair warning that if you stay at their apartment it is not the same place where you check-in, and there is very limited parking available. My husband found a parking lot and paid to park overnight.
Find a place that fits your family’s needs here:
Other things to do in Schwerin, Germany
We went to Schwerin for the sole purpose of seeing the castle, but if you have more time to spare, there are other fun things to do around there as well. Here are some fun things to pick from:
Would you go out of your way to see this castle, too? I’d love to hear if you’ve seen it or if you’re adding it to your bucket list as a must-see castle!