Rostock Old Town

Rostock's old town is the historic core of the largest city in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a Hanseatic port on the Warnow River just inland from the Baltic Sea. Brick Gothic churches, colorful gabled houses, medieval city gates and a lively harbor make it one of the best things to do on Germany's Baltic coast, and the beach at Warnemünde is only a short train ride away.

Where it is and how to get there

Rostock lies about 180 km northeast of Hamburg and roughly 230 km north of Berlin. Trains from both cities take a little over two hours; regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. From Rostock Hauptbahnhof, a short tram ride brings you to the Neuer Markt, the main square. If you drive, park in one of the garages at the edge of the old town, as parking in the center is limited.

A bit of history

Rostock's town charter was confirmed in 1218, and three separate settlements merged into one city in 1265. As a member of the Hanseatic League it grew wealthy on Baltic trade, and in 1419 it founded one of the oldest universities in northern Europe. A city wall enclosed the center until the 19th century. Much was destroyed in World War II, and the East German era added the monumental Lange Straße.

Top sights in the old town

• Neuer Markt and Town Hall: a pink Baroque front from 1726 hides a Gothic town hall whose seven little spires peek out above it.
• St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche): home to an astronomical clock from 1472, considered the oldest monumental clock of its kind still running with its original mechanism.
• Kröpeliner Straße: the pedestrian shopping street leading to University Square.
• Kröpeliner Tor: a 13th-century brick city gate with an exhibit on the old fortifications.
• Monastery of the Holy Cross: the city's only fully preserved monastery, now the Museum of Cultural History.
• St. Peter's Church: its 117-meter spire was once a landmark for sailors; an elevator takes you up to a viewing platform.

Practical tips

Allow two to three hours for a walking tour and half a day if you add museums or a tower climb. The tourist office on University Square sells city tours and the RostockCARD. Churches and museums keep their own seasonal hours, so check before you go (as of October 2026). Construction and redesign work is underway on the Neuer Markt in 2026. Prices are in EUR.

Is it worth visiting?

Definitely, especially if you combine it with the coast. Visit in August for the Hanse Sail tall ship festival or in December for the Christmas market. Rostock also works well as a stop on a Baltic road trip between Lübeck and Stralsund.

Nearby

• City harbor (Stadthafen): a waterfront promenade with restaurants and boats to Warnemünde.
• Warnemünde: lighthouse, fishing canal and a wide sandy beach, about 20 minutes by S-Bahn.
• Rostock Zoo: including the Darwineum, easy to reach by tram.