Germany’s Baltic Sea: Tips for an affordable trip to the Ostsee
When planning a trip to Germany, most tourists think about a beer garden in Munich or the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, not the Baltic Sea coast in the former East German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
But trust us, they don’t know what they’re missing. With its calm waters, white sandy beaches, picturesque sandstone cliffs and shallow bays, the shores of the Baltic Sea (“Ostsee”) in “Meck-Pomm” are among the loveliest landscape the country has to offer.
To help you take advantage of this Northern treasure, we’ve gathered some helpful tips on how to plan your trip, ways to save, and included an itinerary of the must-sees, listed from East to West.
Tips for visiting the Ostee
Be sure to book hotels early
Although the Baltic Sea is less known to foreign visitors, it is very popular with German vacationers and the best places to stay fill up fast — for the most popular locations, many Germans book as early as November for the summer months. Be sure to do your research before just waltzing in to realize there’s no room at the inn, and there hasn’t been for over six months.
Brush up on your German
Although there are many places in, say, Frankfurt or Hamburg where it feels like you’ll hear basically every other language than German, this won’t be the case at the Baltic Sea. If you do hear someone speaking another language, chances are they are vacationing with their German partner.
Never fear, however, as you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around and communicating in English. However, the trip will still provide the perfect opportunity to brush up on your Deutsch and practice a few phrases you learned in college or high school.
Bring a rain jacket
If 100-degree weather and guaranteed sun is what you’re looking for in a summer vacation, you’d be better off heading to the Mediterranean. The temperatures along the Baltic coast are generally cooler and windier, and it often rains even at the height of summer.
Be prepared and pack a rain jacket, a light sweater and a few pair of pants mixed in with your tank tops, shorts or summer dresses.
Be prepared for clothing-optional beaches
The former East Germany was famous for embracing Freikörperkultur, which translates as “Free Body Culture”, and, in general, many Germans still love being naked in nature. Although nowadays some beaches are designated specifically for nudists, this rule is not strictly enforced by any means. You’re still likely to see grandma in the buff no matter where you are.
The good news is that if you feel like taking a swim in nothing but your birthday suit, feel free to do so. No one will even blink an eye.
Sample some Sanddorn
Called Sea Buckthorn shrub in English, Sanddorn is a bush-like tree that is covered with bright orange berries in the fall. Although you can’t eat the berries right off the tree, the locals make many products from the fruit, including candy, cakes, juice, and liqueur. The tangy, citrus taste and the neon orange color is slightly reminiscent of the space drink Tang. Maybe it’s not necessarily for everyone, but it’s worth a try.
Stralsund on the Baltic Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a charming old town. Photo: @readactor
Ostsee Itinerary
Although there are many great places along Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Baltic Sea coastline, here is a list of some of our favorite places to visit.
Usedom
Usedom is an absolute must see. Check out the three Kaiserbäder (imperial spas): Ahlbeck, Bansin, and Heringsdorf, with their beautiful, perfectly preserved 19th-century white villas. The island’s coastline is made up of one endless, white sandy beach, perfect for whiling away a lovely summer day.
Greifswald
This town boasts a partially preserved old town mixed in with some good old fashioned East German Plattenbau. When you’re there, check out Wieck, an old fishermen’s village, home to the Eldena abbey ruins, which were painted by Caspar David Friedrich. Search for hotels in Greifswald.
Stralsund
Home to many museums, including the popular Ozeanum, this perfectly preserved and beautifully restored Hanseatic city is an absolute highlight. Search for hotels in Stralsund.
Rügen
Great for bicycling, the island of Rügen has beautiful beaches with spectacular chalk cliffs, steam trains, and a handful of posh resorts, such as Binz and Sellin. What more could you ask for?
Hiddensee
Reachable only by ferry, the small island of Hiddensee is located to the west of Rügen and is completely car-free, making it one of the most peaceful places you’ll find on the coast. Search hotels in Hiddensee.
Fischland-Darß-Zingst
Quaint fishermen’s houses with thatched roofs and colorfully painted doors nestle past the dunes in several small villages along the peninsula Fischland-Darß-Zingst. Although a bit pricier to stay, the village Ahrenshoop is still well worth a visit. A famous artist colony since the end of the 19th century, the village is home to a small but lovely art museum as well as the Bunte Stube, a historic, Bauhaus-era building which sells books and local arts and crafts.
When you’re there, don’t forget to visit the West Strand, a wild beach bordered by pristine forest, arguably the most beautiful beach on the entire coast. The Bodden, a shallow bay located on the other side of the peninsula is also a lovely, quiet place for a bicycle ride. Search hotels in Fischland-Darss-Zingst.
Wismar
Similar to Stralsund, Wismar is another former Hanseatic town with an almost perfectly preserved old town. The beaches Rerik, Boltenhagen, and Wustrow are also nearby. Search for hotels in Wismar.
The wicker chairs along the beach are fun to rent but the price tag can add up after a few days. Photo: melquiades1898
Saving on your trip to the Ostsee
Bike it
If you want to save on train, bus and car fare, consider biking your way around Meck-Pomm’s Baltic Sea and through its towns. But don’t worry — although you should be reasonably fit, the trek will be a far cry from Tour de France. The entire area is very flat and there are bike trails along the beaches and bike lanes in all of the cities and towns.
To take a look at bicycle routes, click here. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become inspired and bike all the way to Poland.
Chow down on Fisch Brötchen
Although you can expect most of the restaurants in the area to serve entrées ranging between €12-€22, a Fisch Brötchen (fish sandwich) is always a good option for a cheap lunch under €5. Although the ubiquitous rollmops (pickled herring) is not for the faint of heart, you’ll also always find less adventurous options at hand, such as baked cod and smoked salmon.
If fish isn’t your thing, head off to a bakery and pick up a belegtes Brötchen (small sandwich), always available for under €5.
Consider camping
Not all lodgings on Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Baltic coast carry resort-like prices. If you hunt around, you should always be able to find something more affordable. However, if you don’t mind roughing it, the cheapest option is always camping. Get your tent ready and roll up your sleeping back, then book one of the campsites listed here.
Be stingy with the Strandkorb rentals
A trip to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Baltic coast is not complete unless you spend at least one lazy day lounging in a Strandkorb, the wicker beach chairs you’ll see on almost every beach. However, with prices ranging between €8-€10 a day, these lounge chairs can be costly!
Instead, shell out the cash for a Strandkorb when it’s especially windy, but just pick up a cheap beach umbrella for the nicer, sunnier days. Your wallet will thank you for it.
Consider visiting off season
Like any popular tourist destination, prices along the Baltic Coast go up exponentially in the summer. But the area is also beautiful in other seasons, especially the fall. Because of this, it’s worth considering a visit in October instead of July.
Book those hotels in advance (or try for the last minute)
It’s worth repeating: For the best deals on accommodation along the Baltic Coast, book the budget-friendly options well in advance, or take you chances with the last minute (but know that it’s a gamble!). Search hotels now.
About the author
Thanks so much for this article, I saved it back in 2021 and am now finally getting the chance to visit Germany’s Baltic (Ostsee) this June! Do you have any updated recommendations, or which of your previous recommendations is most easily reached by train or by car from Berlin? Vielen Dank!