Ratzeburger See: The most popular lake in Schleswig-Holstein five times in a row!

Ratzeburger See: The most popular lake in Schleswig-Holstein five times in a row!

On September 8th, 2025 it will be that time again: Lake Ratzeburg has once again taken people's hearts by storm and has been named “Schleswig-Holstein's favorite lake” for the fifth time in a row. The honor took place as part of the online voting “Your Favorite Lake” on the leisure and holiday portal seen.de, in which over 300,000 votes were cast. There were more than 2,000 German lakes to choose from during this campaign, and Lake Ratzeburg held its own impressively.

The proud award not only means a great win for the region, but also consolidates the position of Lake Ratzeburg as a popular excursion destination. This means that the lake not only takes first place in Schleswig-Holstein, but also 15th place in the nationwide ranking, behind heavyweights such as Lake Constance and Scharmützelsee in Brandenburg. Jaana Trebesius from Ratzeburg Tourism and City Marketing expressed her enthusiasm about the importance of the lake for the city's identity. “Lake Ratzeburg is part of our life here,” says Trebesius.

Diverse leisure activities

One reason for the high popularity of Lake Ratzeburg is the diverse leisure opportunities it offers. Whether inland sailing, rowing or just a relaxing day at the beach – there is something for everyone here. Visitors can also go on short cruises, which can be combined with exciting hikes or bike tours. “We have a good hand when it comes to leisure activities around the lake,” says Günter Schmidt, managing director of Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing and Service GmbH. He emphasizes that Lake Ratzeburg plays a central role in the region's marketing.

Another highlight are the culinary offerings that can be found around Lake Ratzeburg. Here visitors can enjoy regional specialties while keeping an eye on the beautiful nature.

The voting and the results

The “Your Favorite Lake” voting was held for the 14th time and was very popular. The survey not only provides Germans' favorite lakes, but also shows the diversity of the German lake landscape. Certificates were awarded in the 16 federal states, and “Favorite Lake” signets are available for the top 3 lakes in Germany. It's not just the beautiful nature and the good local offers that are decisive for the choice, but also the trend towards short trips and the increasingly important issue of climate protection, which influence holiday planning.

Lake Ratzeburg impresses not only with its natural beauty, but also with a wide range of leisure activities and a warm atmosphere that continually attracts visitors. And while Lake Constance and Scharmützelsee always enjoy their popularity, one can rightly say: Lake Ratzeburg has brilliantly conquered its place at the top and feels comfortable as Schleswig-Holstein's favorite lake.