In 1139/1143 the place was reigned by Henry of Badewide, a Saxon count.

When the town was connected to train tracks in 1896 via the Hagenow Land–Bad Oldesloe railway, it grew larger and became home to various factories (for barrels, potato fabrication, a lime kiln), and construction entrepreneurs, corn and cattle dealers settled.

1938, when Zarrentin already grew to a population of 2000, it received town privileges.

Since then, it also became popular with tourists for the surrounding nature and the renowned hospitality.

The traffic was subject to the interzonal traffic regulations, that between West Germany and West Berlin followed the special regulations of the Transit Agreement (1972).