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Uckermark
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Explore Uckermark in northern Germany for glacial lakes, beech forests, medieval towns, quiet cycling routes and the Oder floodplain.

Uckermark occupies a broad, gently undulating corner of northern Brandenburg, stretching from the wooded lake country north-east of Berlin towards the Oder River and the Polish frontier. It is a sparsely settled region of glacial landscapes: rounded hills, pine and beech forests, clear lakes, marshes, meadows and long agricultural horizons. Much of its character lies in the transition between cultivated countryside and protected nature, with settlements separated by substantial distances and roads that often lead through quiet rural landscapes.
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The region's principal towns each offer a different perspective. Prenzlau, on the shore of the Unteruckersee, is the administrative and historical centre, with a brick-Gothic church, remnants of medieval defences and the former Dominican monastery. Templin retains an unusually complete medieval town wall and is surrounded by lakes and woodland, while Angermünde provides access to the eastern Uckermark, the Lower Oder Valley and the beech forests around Grumsin. Lychen, known for its network of waterways, has a strong connection with boating and traditional raft-making. Smaller places such as Boitzenburg, Gerswalde and Gartz preserve village churches, manor landscapes and traces of an older agricultural order.
Nature is central to a visit. The Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve covers much of the western and central landscape, combining lakes, wetlands, forests and working farmland. Near Angermünde, the Grumsin beech forest forms part of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Beech Forests of Germany, although access is managed to protect its woodland habitat. Farther east, the Unteres Odertal National Park follows the floodplain of the Oder, where seasonal waters, reed beds and meadows support large numbers of birds. Cycling, canoeing, walking and wildlife observation are particularly rewarding, but routes and services can be widely spaced.
Uckermark's built heritage reflects centuries of shifting political influence between Brandenburg and Pomerania, followed by Prussian estate management and twentieth-century transformation. Brick churches, manor houses, village greens, restored town walls and archaeological traces of earlier Slavic settlement appear throughout the countryside. The region is not a conventional urban sightseeing destination; its appeal comes from the relationship between small historic towns, open landscapes and protected habitats.
Food and drink are closely tied to the rural setting. Farm shops, village cafés, inns and market stalls commonly feature potatoes, seasonal vegetables, fruit, game, freshwater fish and products from regional farms. The best way to understand the Uckermark is to combine a historic town with a landscape experience, allowing time for the slower roads, changing weather and distances between attractions that define northern Brandenburg.

When is the best time to visit Uckermark?

Best: June–August · 22–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January338
February433
March937
April1535
May1948
June (best)2257
July (best)2464
August (best)2359
September1944
October1441
November742
December445

Getting to and around Uckermark

How to get there

Uckermark is reached most easily from Berlin, which lies outside the region and provides Germany-wide rail connections and major airports. Regional trains from Berlin serve towns including Angermünde, Prenzlau and Templin, although routes differ by destination. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the principal international gateway; it is outside Uckermark and requires onward rail or road travel. The A11 motorway provides the main north-east road approach, while federal roads connect the towns and the Oder frontier. Szczecin in Poland is a nearby international gateway for some eastern itineraries, but it is outside Germany and the region.

Transportation

Rail is practical between the larger towns, while buses provide additional links but are less frequent in rural districts, particularly at weekends. A car is useful for reaching lakes, manor villages, trailheads and smaller nature sites, although cycling is an excellent option on the quieter roads and designated routes. Canoes and small boats are used on suitable waterways around Lychen and the surrounding lake country, subject to local rules and environmental restrictions. Distances can be deceptive on the map, so allow generous time for connections and avoid assuming that every attraction is close to a railway station.

Best attractions in Uckermark

Uckermark's attractions are shaped less by a single headline monument than by the close succession of historic towns, protected landscapes and water-rich countryside. Prenzlau offers brick-Gothic architecture, the former Dominican monastery and views across the Unteruckersee, while Templin combines a well-preserved medieval wall with access to a chain of wooded lakes. Angermünde is a gateway to the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, the Blumberger Mühle environmental visitor centre and the Grumsin beech forest, where access is managed to protect a UNESCO-listed woodland. The Unteres Odertal National Park in the east is important for floodplain habitats, birdlife and cycling routes along the Oder valley. Lychen is associated with canoeing, lake excursions and the region's raft-making tradition. Across the Uckermark, visitors will also find manor parks, village churches, farm landscapes, archaeological traces and small museums. Walking, cycling, paddling and wildlife observation are often more rewarding here than a tightly scheduled sequence of indoor attractions, particularly when planned around seasonal water levels and public-transport limitations.

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Best landmarks in Uckermark

The dominant landmarks of Uckermark are its brick churches, medieval town walls, manor landscapes and broad natural horizons. St Mary's Church in Prenzlau is a significant example of North German brick Gothic architecture and forms part of the town's historic skyline, while the remains and buildings of the former Dominican monastery add another layer to the town's religious history. Templin's enclosing medieval wall, with its gates and towers, is one of the clearest surviving defensive ensembles in the region. Boitzenburg Castle and its parkland represent the long influence of landed estates, even though the present complex reflects many periods of alteration. In the countryside, the Grumsin beech forest is a landmark of European ecological importance, while the broad floodplain of the Unteres Odertal gives the eastern Uckermark a distinctive geographical identity. Lake landscapes around Lychen and the Unteruckersee are less monumental in a built sense, but they are essential visual markers of the glacial terrain that shaped settlement, agriculture and travel.

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Best restaurants in Uckermark

Uckermark dining reflects northern Brandenburg's agricultural landscape and freshwater environment. Menus in traditional inns and rural restaurants may feature potatoes, seasonal vegetables, game, poultry, freshwater fish and fruit from local farms, while soups, cakes and substantial regional cooking remain common in village cafés. Around the lakes, fish dishes can appear alongside contemporary German cuisine, although availability varies by season and establishment. Farm shops and producers offer opportunities to buy preserves, honey, dairy products, vegetables and other locally made foods for picnics or self-catering. Market towns such as Prenzlau, Templin and Angermünde provide the broadest choice of cafés, bakeries and restaurants, while smaller villages tend to have fewer services and more limited opening patterns. Beer is widely available, and Brandenburg's broader brewing culture is represented in some local restaurants, but the region's culinary identity is primarily rural and produce-led rather than built around a single signature dish.

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Best bars in Uckermark

Evenings in Uckermark are generally quiet and centred on traditional pubs, hotel restaurants, village inns and cafés rather than a substantial nightclub scene. Prenzlau and Templin offer the widest choice of places for a drink or meal, while Angermünde has a more intimate historic-town setting. In smaller settlements, evening life may depend on local inns, seasonal events and occasional live music rather than regular late-night venues. Waterfront accommodation and canoeing areas can have a relaxed summer atmosphere, but services often become quieter outside the main season. Visitors interested in beer, regional food or conversation will find the pub tradition more representative than clubbing. Check local arrangements in advance, as rural venues may close earlier or operate only on selected days, and do not assume that a scenic lake or village has a late-night transport connection.

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Best nightclubs in Uckermark

Evenings in Uckermark are generally quiet and centred on traditional pubs, hotel restaurants, village inns and cafés rather than a substantial nightclub scene. Prenzlau and Templin offer the widest choice of places for a drink or meal, while Angermünde has a more intimate historic-town setting. In smaller settlements, evening life may depend on local inns, seasonal events and occasional live music rather than regular late-night venues. Waterfront accommodation and canoeing areas can have a relaxed summer atmosphere, but services often become quieter outside the main season. Visitors interested in beer, regional food or conversation will find the pub tradition more representative than clubbing. Check local arrangements in advance, as rural venues may close earlier or operate only on selected days, and do not assume that a scenic lake or village has a late-night transport connection.

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Best shops in Uckermark

Shopping in Uckermark is concentrated in the high streets and market areas of Prenzlau, Templin and Angermünde, where visitors will find everyday shops, bakeries, cafés, books, clothing and a modest range of independent businesses. The region is better suited to buying local produce and useful rural crafts than to extensive luxury or designer shopping. Farm shops sell seasonal vegetables, fruit, honey, preserves, dairy products and other foods from surrounding agriculture, while galleries and craft outlets may offer ceramics, textiles, woodwork or locally made gifts. Markets and seasonal village events can provide more direct contact with producers, although dates and scale vary. In Lychen and the lake country, boating-related crafts and traditional raft-making are part of the area's cultural identity. For distinctive souvenirs, look for regional food, handmade objects and illustrated material about the Uckermark's landscapes rather than mass-produced items found throughout Germany.

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Uckermark essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the euro (EUR), as throughout Germany. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, established restaurants and larger visitor facilities, but smaller cafés, farm shops, markets and rural accommodation may prefer cash or have a minimum card payment. Carry some euros when travelling through villages or using countryside services. Cash machines are more common in the principal towns than in small settlements, so withdrawing money before a rural excursion is sensible.
Safety
Uckermark is generally a calm rural destination, but ordinary precautions still apply around stations, car parks and busy seasonal sites. Outdoor visitors should take weather, mud, ticks, uneven paths and limited mobile coverage seriously, especially in forests and wetlands. Observe warning signs and stay on permitted routes in protected areas. On the Oder floodplain, water levels and soft ground can change conditions quickly. Drivers should expect cyclists, agricultural vehicles, wildlife and poorly lit roads, while cyclists should carry lights and basic repair equipment.
Emergency Situations
In Germany, call 112 for fire, ambulance and urgent medical emergencies, and 110 for the police. For non-life-threatening medical advice outside normal practice hours, the national service 116117 can help direct visitors to appropriate care. In an emergency, give the nearest town, road, trail marker, lake or clearly identifiable landmark and remain reachable by telephone. Hikers and paddlers should note route details before setting out, as precise location information can be difficult in large forests and wetland areas.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect nature-reserve rules, keep to marked paths where required, close gates and take litter away with you. Do give cyclists, walkers, farm machinery and horses considerate space on shared routes. Do not enter restricted woodland or wetland zones, disturb wildlife or launch boats where access is prohibited. In villages and historic churches, modest behaviour and quiet voices are appropriate. German public-transport etiquette includes queuing sensibly and allowing passengers to leave before boarding; tipping in restaurants is customary but discretionary, with the amount usually stated when paying.
Local Tips
Combine a town visit with one clearly defined countryside excursion rather than trying to cover the whole region in a day. Angermünde is a useful base for the eastern landscapes and protected beech forests, Templin suits lake-country exploration, and Prenzlau provides a strong introduction to Uckermark's medieval and ecclesiastical heritage. Farm shops and small markets are good places to look for regional produce, while local visitor centres can explain seasonal access rules and current trail conditions more reliably than a general map.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[HAH-lo]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[Owf VEE-der-zay-en]
YesJa[YAH]
NoNein[NINE]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[BIT-tuh]
Thank youDanke[DAHN-kuh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-SHOOL-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[VEE gates?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[GOOT. OOND deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[SPREH-ken zee ENG-lish?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Ish fer-SHTAY-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch hätte gern die Speisekarte, bitte[Ish HET-teh gurn dee SHPY-zeh-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Ish ESS-eh kighn FLYSH]
Cheers!Prost![PROHST!]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[Ish MERK-teh beh-ZAH-len, BIT-tuh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![HIL-fuh!]
Go away!Geh weg![GAY veyk!]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![ROO-fen zee dee POL-it-sai!]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![ROO-fen zee EYE-nen ARTST!]
I'm lostIch bin verloren[Ish bin fer-LO-ren]
I'm illIch bin krank[Ish bin KRAHNK]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen[Ish MERK-teh ... KOW-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Ish SHAU-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[VEE feel KOS-tet es?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[DAS ist tsu TOY-er]
Can you lower the price?Könnten Sie den Preis senken?[KERN-ten zee den PRICE ZEN-ken?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[VEE shpaet ist es?]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[Es ist ine OOR]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[HALB (10)]
MorningMorgen[MOR-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[NAHKH-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[AH-bent]
YesterdayGestern[GES-tern]
TodayHeute[HOY-tuh]
TomorrowMorgen[MOR-gen]
1eins[EINS]
2zwei[TSVY]
3drei[DRY]
4vier[FEER]
5fünf[FUENF]
6sechs[ZEX]
7sieben[ZEE-ben]
8acht[AHKT]
9neun[NOYN]
10zehn[TSAYN]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das ...?[VOH ist ine/das ...?]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[VAS ist dee ah-DRES-suh?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Könnten Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[KERN-ten zee meer (owf der KAR-tuh) TSY-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[VAN komt dare NEX-te (BOOS)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ...)[INE TIK-ket (nahkh ...)]

History of Uckermark

Slavic Settlement and Early Medieval Uckermark

Before the medieval expansion of Brandenburg, the area was inhabited by West Slavic communities, including the Ukrani, whose name is connected with the historic Uckermark. Settlements, field systems and archaeological remains around the lakes and river valleys reflect a long-established relationship with farming, fishing and woodland. The landscape was not an empty wilderness when German-speaking settlers, religious foundations and territorial rulers began to expand into the region during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Brandenburg and Pomerania, Twelfth to Fifteenth Centuries

During the High Middle Ages, the Uckermark became a contested frontier between the margraves of Brandenburg and the dukes of Pomerania. Town foundations, castles, churches and monasteries helped consolidate territorial rule, while German settlement introduced new administrative and agricultural structures. The Treaty of Landin in 1250 transferred much of the region to Brandenburg, although political control continued to shift in places. The present pattern of small market towns and fortified settlements has roots in this period.

Market Towns, Monasteries and Brick Gothic Architecture

From the thirteenth century onwards, towns such as Prenzlau and Templin developed as centres of trade, administration and craft production. Brick became the defining building material because suitable stone was scarce, producing the northern German Gothic forms visible in churches and civic buildings. Religious institutions, including the Dominican monastery in Prenzlau, contributed to education, landholding and regional influence. Town walls, gates, parish churches and monastery remains still provide some of the clearest evidence of medieval Uckermark.

War and Recovery in the Early Modern Period

The Thirty Years' War caused severe disruption across Brandenburg, with villages, farms and towns affected by military passage, requisitioning, disease and depopulation. Recovery was gradual and depended on the restoration of agriculture, the movement of new settlers and the reorganisation of estates. Later conflicts also touched the region, which occupied a strategic position between Berlin, northern German territories and the Oder frontier. Many manor landscapes and village layouts reflect the estate-based society that developed during the early modern and Prussian periods.

Prussian Estates and Agricultural Transformation

Under Prussian rule, large estates became important economic and social institutions in the Uckermark. Manor houses, parks, farm buildings and planned village features were expanded or remodelled, while agricultural production was reorganised for wider markets. Drainage, woodland management and changing landownership altered wetlands and open fields. The landscape remained predominantly rural, but improvements in roads and administration connected it more closely to Berlin and other Brandenburg centres.

Railways and Regional Industry in the Nineteenth Century

Railway construction in the nineteenth century reduced the isolation of northern Brandenburg and linked Uckermark towns with Berlin, Stettin, Angermünde and the Oder region. Rail transport supported agricultural trade, building materials, forestry and small-scale manufacturing, while towns gained new stations, warehouses and civic buildings. Industrial development never reached the scale of the Ruhr or major German cities, but transport changed the rhythm of rural life and made the region more accessible to markets and administration.

Twentieth-Century Disruption and Environmental Protection

The twentieth century brought two world wars, population loss, changing borders and the division of Germany. After 1945, land reform and agricultural collectivisation transformed the former estate system in the Soviet occupation zone and later East Germany. Following reunification, many rural communities faced economic contraction and demographic change, while conservation became increasingly important. The Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, established in 1990, and the Unteres Odertal National Park, founded in 1995, reflect a modern effort to protect the region's forests, wetlands and floodplain landscapes.

Uckermark in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Uckermark

Discover Uckermark like never before with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide covering top attractions, landmarks, dining, and experiences.

  • Comprehensive details on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences
  • Rich information with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Ability to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app
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More about the Evendo app

Plan your perfect trip to Uckermark, Germany with Evendo, the free travel guide app. Explore landmarks, attractions, restaurants, and much more, all in one place.

  • History of Uckermark and essential travel tips
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic travel experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel guide to Uckermark, Germany! Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, or food enthusiast, Evendo is designed to help you make the most of your trip. With detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and unique experiences, you can explore Uckermark with ease and confidence. Discover the stunning beauty of Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, delve into the history at the Medieval Monastery of Chorin, or take a serene boat ride on Lake Unterucker. As you wander through the charming streets, let Evendo guide you to hidden gems and local favorites like the Restaurant Am Wasserturm for a delightful dining experience.

Evendo is more than just a guide; it's your personal travel assistant. Each location comes with rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. The app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the hassle of searching for what to see and how to get there. With Evendo, everything you need is in one place, right at your fingertips.

This 100% free app features a user-friendly interface and essential travel information about Uckermark, including its history and practical travel tips. The 'Near Me' feature helps you find attractions, dining spots, and activities around your current location, ensuring you never miss out on exciting experiences. Curated local tips allow you to explore the city like a local, giving you a more immersive and authentic travel experience.

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