Heringsdorf Pier

The Heringsdorf Pier on the island of Usedom is one of the longest piers in Germany, stretching 508 meters into the Baltic Sea. It is the landmark of the "Imperial Spas," the elegant 19th-century seaside resorts of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin. A covered walkway leads out to a pavilion with a striking pyramid roof, making it one of the most relaxing things to do on Germany's Baltic coast in any weather.

History

In the late 19th century, Heringsdorf was one of the most fashionable seaside resorts of imperial Germany, popular with Berlin society. Between 1891 and 1893 the wooden Kaiser Wilhelm Pier, about 500 meters long, was built here with turrets, colonnades, restaurants and shops; a landing stage for coastal steamers followed in 1903. After World War II the pier was neglected, and on June 27, 1958, it burned down in a fire set by two teenagers. The current pier opened in 1995, about 50 meters from the old site.

What to see and do

• The walkway: roughly 300 meters run over the water on piles, roofed and sheltered from the wind.
• The pier head: the pyramid-roofed restaurant is the classic photo spot, with views along the coast toward Ahlbeck and Bansin.
• Boat trips: excursion boats stop at the pier head, linking Usedom's piers and crossing to neighboring Poland.
• Shops and cafés: the building complex at the land end houses restaurants and souvenir shops.

The pier is free and open to the public. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to walk out and back, longer with a coffee or a boat trip. Sunrise is the magic hour here, and early morning is also the quietest time.

Practical information

The Heringsdorf tourist office, run by the Imperial Spas tourism company, opens Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and weekends 10 am to 4 pm from April to October, with shorter weekend hours in winter (as of October 2026). Staff can help with boat schedules and events. Shop and restaurant hours vary by season, and prices are in euros.

How to get to Heringsdorf

Heringsdorf is in the far east of Usedom, a few kilometers from the Polish border and roughly a three-hour drive north of Berlin. By train, travel to Züssow and change to the Usedomer Bäderbahn (UBB), the island railway, which stops in Heringsdorf; the pier is about a 15-minute walk from the station. Regional trains accept the Deutschlandticket. Drivers reach the island over the bridges at Wolgast or Zecherin, but parking near the seafront fills up quickly in summer.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially combined with a walk along the promenade. The flat, wide walkway works well for strollers and wheelchairs, and kids love the seagulls, boats and sandy beach next to it.

Nearby

• Ahlbeck Pier: the historic 1882 pier with its restaurant, one of the Baltic's best-known views.
• Bansin Pier: a simpler 285-meter pier with views of the cliffs.
• Beach promenade: links all three Imperial Spas and continues to Świnoujście in Poland.