Ozeaneum Stralsund

The Ozeaneum in Stralsund is one of northern Germany's most popular museums: a large aquarium and marine museum on the Baltic coast, with life-size whale models and Humboldt penguins on the roof. Its striking white, sail-like building stands right on the harbor next to Stralsund's UNESCO-listed old town. Named European Museum of the Year in 2010, it is a top thing to do on the Baltic coast, especially on a rainy day.

Where it is and how to get there

Stralsund is a Hanseatic port city in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on the mainland opposite the island of Rügen. Many visitors combine the Ozeaneum with a beach holiday on Rügen or a day trip along the Baltic coast.

• By train: Stralsund has its own main station; from there it is about a 15-minute walk through the old town to the harbor, or a short ride by city bus.
• By boat: in season, Weiße Flotte ships connect Stralsund with Rügen and Hiddensee.
• By car: take the B96n toward Rügen and exit at "Ozeaneum/Hafen." Several parking garages are nearby, including "Am Ozeaneum" and "Am Hafen."

The address is Harald-Lastovka-Platz (formerly Hafenstraße 11), 18439 Stralsund; the visitor entrance faces the harbor.

What to see

The museum opened in July 2008 and was designed by the Stuttgart firm Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner. A fin whale skeleton greets you in the foyer. Inside, about 8,700 square meters of exhibition space, with around 50 aquariums and a walk-through tunnel tank, take you from the Baltic Sea to the open ocean:

• Aquariums of the Baltic, North Sea and North Atlantic.
• "Open Atlantic" tank: the largest tank holds 2.6 million liters (about 690,000 gallons) of water.
• "1:1 Giants of the Sea": life-size whale models in a huge hall.
• Exhibitions on ocean life and marine research, including a research submersible.
• "Sea for Children": a hands-on area for kids.
• Rooftop penguins: Humboldt penguins have lived on the roof terrace since 2010, with views of the harbor.

A new immersive show, "The World of Whales," has run daily since December 2025.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the Ozeaneum is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm (until 7 pm in July and August). It is closed on December 24 and closes at 3 pm on December 31. The ticket desk closes one hour before closing.

Admission is €20 for adults, €16 reduced and €12 for children aged 4 to 16; children under 4 are free. Each child pays €1 less when accompanied by an adult. A combination ticket for the Ozeaneum, the Meeresmuseum (Marine Museum) and the Natureum costs €35 for adults and is valid for three months. Book timed tickets online, especially during school holidays and on rainy days, as slots can sell out.

Short tours and the Marine Museum

To get your bearings, look out for the free 30-minute orientation tour "OZEANEUM kurz und knapp," included with admission; it starts in the foyer under the whale skeleton and covers highlights such as the Atlantic tank and the whale hall. Check the museum's event calendar for dates. The sister Meeresmuseum (Marine Museum) in the old town's former St. Catherine's monastery reopened in summer 2024 after four years of modernization and is covered by the combination ticket.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, particularly for families and anyone curious about marine life. Allow two to three hours. Over 8 million people had visited by 2022, and the museum remains one of the most visited in the region. Afterward, stroll around the harbor island and into the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with brick Gothic churches and merchant houses.