Warnemünde

Warnemünde is the seaside resort of the Hanseatic city of Rostock and one of the most popular beach towns on Germany's Baltic coast. It combines one of the widest sandy beaches in the country with a historic lighthouse, a striking 1960s seafront pavilion and a canal lined with fishing boats and cafés. Huge cruise ships glide past the promenade into the harbor channel. If you are looking for things to do near Rostock, or a Baltic beach day trip from Berlin or Hamburg, Warnemünde is the classic choice.

From Fishing Village to Resort

First mentioned in 1195, Warnemünde was bought by Rostock in 1323 to secure the city's access to the sea. For centuries it was a village of fishermen and pilots. The first bathers arrived around 1821, and villas, hotels and a spa hall followed. Today it is a district of Rostock that welcomes many times its population in visitors each summer.

Things to Do in Warnemünde

• The beach: up to 150 meters wide, it is considered the widest on Germany's Baltic coast, lined with the region's iconic hooded wicker beach chairs.
• The lighthouse: built in 1897 and still in use, the roughly 37-meter tower can be climbed from April to October for views over the sea and the harbor entrance.
• The Teepott: a pavilion with a dramatic curved concrete roof designed by engineer Ulrich Müther in 1968, now home to restaurants.
• Alter Strom: the old river arm at the heart of town, with fishing boats selling fresh fish on one side and cafés and shops on the other.
• The West Pier: walk out to the green harbor light to watch ships enter and leave.
• Local history museum: in a fisherman's house from 1767, covering fishing, seafaring and sea rescue.

The Norwegian painter Edvard Munch lived here in 1907 and 1908, and his former home is a small point of interest for art lovers.

Cruises and Events

Warnemünde is Germany's second most important cruise port after Kiel, with a dedicated cruise center since 2005. In July the Warnemünder Woche sailing regatta, and in August the Hanse Sail tall-ship festival, each draw around a million visitors.

How to Get There

Rostock is roughly two hours by train from Hamburg and about two and a half to three hours from Berlin. From Rostock Hauptbahnhof, the S-Bahn takes around 20 minutes to the end of the line at Warnemünde station, right on the Alter Strom. The Deutschlandticket covers the regional trains and S-Bahn. Parking in town fills up fast in summer, so the train is usually the easier option.

The beach and promenade are free and open at all times. The tourist information office at Am Strom 59 is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. between May and October, with shorter hours in winter (as of October 2026).

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes. Summer is peak beach season, while May, September and October are quieter and ideal for long walks along the promenade. Allow at least three to four hours for a day trip, more if you want to swim or combine it with Rostock's old town.

Nearby

• Rostock Old Town, with St. Mary's Church and the city harbor, about 20 minutes by S-Bahn
• Hohe Düne, a marina and beach across the channel, reached by ferry
• Planetenwanderweg, a roughly 6 km coastal trail with a scale model of the solar system