Hanseatic Cities of Culture & Charm

Many travelers only catch a glimpse of Stralsund from the car on their way to Rügen—a big mistake. This proud Hanseatic city is one of the most beautiful historic cities in Germany. Once the second-most important trading center on the Baltic Sea after Lübeck, today its Old Town—with over 500 historic buildings—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Particularly impressive are the three imposing churches, especially St. Mary’s Church with its 104-meter-high tower and observation deck offering a magnificent view of the city, the sea, and Rügen. Equally worth seeing are the magnificent brick-Gothic-style town hall, as well as the Ozeaneum and the Maritime Museum, which delight visitors of all ages. Animal lovers and ship enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy—at the charming zoo or aboard the Gorch Fock training sailing ship.

The island of Rügen—and especially the town of Lauterbach—has a lot to offer. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, unique landscapes, the chalk cliffs, and the “Rasender Roland,” a nostalgic train that runs all the way to the mainland. Of course, there are also seaside resorts, such as Binz and Sellin. Since the island isn’t very large, you can visit and explore all the towns in a single day. The cliffs offer breathtaking views. Lauterbach is a small, idyllic town.

The island of Rügen—and especially the town of Lauterbach—has a lot to offer. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, unique landscapes, the chalk cliffs, and the “Rasender Roland,” a nostalgic train that runs all the way to the mainland. Of course, there are also seaside resorts, such as Binz and Sellin. Since the island isn’t very large, you can visit and explore all the towns in a single day. The cliffs offer breathtaking views. Lauterbach is a small, idyllic town.

Around 300 people live in this former fishing village on the Peenestrom River. Its history, however, has been anything but quiet: in 1942, the first rocket was launched into space from Peenemünde. Today, the Historical Technical Museum tells the story of this once-secret military research center.An impressive example of engineering can be seen in the Juliett U-461 submarine, an 86-meter giant open for visitors at the main harbor. Another highlight in this lively museum landscape at the northern tip of the island is the Phänomenta, an interactive science exhibition that inspires curiosity and offers fascinating hands-on experiences for both children and adults.

Wolgast, the former residence of the Dukes of Pomerania-Wolgast, continues to captivate visitors today with its blend of tradition and modernity. The town’s historic old town is well worth a visit, featuring St. Petri Church, the Baroque town hall, and numerous restored historic mansions. A visit to the zoo, the city museum, or the Peene Bridge—Germany’s largest cantilever bascule bridge—is highly recommended. If you have some extra time, a boat tour is a great idea.

Szczecin is a Hanseatic city in Poland, located on the Baltic Sea, with a beautiful harbor and a unique old town. The city’s most famous landmark is the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle, whitewashed and crowned with its distinctive onion dome. Also worth a visit is the Wały Chrobrego promenade, known as the Hakenterrasse, offering wonderful views over the city and the river.Rebuilt in 1693, the St. James Cathedral with its 110-meter tower is one of the highlights of the old town today. A special excursion destination is Dąbie Lake at the mouth of the Oder River, where visitors can go sailing or swimming in summer.

Szczecin is a Hanseatic city in Poland, located on the Baltic Sea, with a beautiful harbor and a unique old town. The city’s most famous landmark is the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle, whitewashed and crowned with its distinctive onion dome. Also worth a visit is the Wały Chrobrego promenade, known as the Hakenterrasse, offering wonderful views over the city and the river.Rebuilt in 1693, the St. James Cathedral with its 110-meter tower is one of the highlights of the old town today. A special excursion destination is Dąbie Lake at the mouth of the Oder River, where visitors can go sailing or swimming in summer.

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Eberswalde is a charming small town in Brandenburg, surrounded by dense forests and numerous lakes. Known as the “Forest City,” it captivates visitors with its idyllic natural beauty and historic architecture. The Finow Canal, one of Germany’s oldest man-made waterways, winds picturesquely through the town. In Eberswalde, modern urban life meets unspoiled nature, with attractions such as the Zoological Garden and the impressive St. Mary Magdalene Church. Ideal for hikers and culture enthusiasts, Eberswalde offers a relaxed, green oasis just outside Berlin.

Eberswalde is a charming small town in Brandenburg, surrounded by dense forests and numerous lakes. Known as the “Forest City,” it captivates visitors with its idyllic natural beauty and historic architecture. The Finow Canal, one of Germany’s oldest man-made waterways, winds picturesquely through the town. In Eberswalde, modern urban life meets unspoiled nature, with attractions such as the Zoological Garden and the impressive St. Mary Magdalene Church. Ideal for hikers and culture enthusiasts, Eberswalde offers a relaxed, green oasis just outside Berlin.

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. Because of its great historical and contemporary significance, the city has many sights to offer.First and foremost, a few well-known landmarks should be mentioned: the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and the Victory Column. In addition, all the major government buildings are located here: for example, the Reichstag, with its famous dome, is definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, the city is home to the sites of several important historical events, such as “Checkpoint Charlie” or the “East Side Gallery,” a remnant of the Berlin Wall. There is also no shortage of shopping opportunities; for example, Kurfürstendamm is very well known.”

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. Because of its great historical and contemporary significance, the city has many sights to offer.First and foremost, a few well-known landmarks should be mentioned: the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and the Victory Column. In addition, all the major government buildings are located here: for example, the Reichstag, with its famous dome, is definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, the city is home to the sites of several important historical events, such as “Checkpoint Charlie” or the “East Side Gallery,” a remnant of the Berlin Wall. There is also no shortage of shopping opportunities; for example, Kurfürstendamm is very well known.”

Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, is the state’s most populous city with approximately 180,000 residents. Above all, however, Potsdam stands out for its many worthwhile attractions, some of which are even designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After all, the city was added to the so-called List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites as early as 1990, as it is home to the largest concentration of World Heritage sites in Germany. Since 2019, the Brandenburg city has also been designated a UNESCO Film City. Among its best-known and most important attractions are undoubtedly the famous Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful palace gardens, as well as the Potsdam Film Museum and the Mill Museum in the historic mill.

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Burg near Magdeburg is the self-proclaimed “City of Towers.” To the northeast of the state capital, the Elbe River marks the city limits as it flows through the area. The medieval walls and towers are visible even from a distance. The Hexenturm has towered over the town for more than 300 years. The Old Town district has a cozy atmosphere, where small cafés invite you to take a break after strolling through the narrow streets of the Old Town. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days in the streets of downtown. In addition to regional vendors, the shops and boutiques are also a draw—and restaurants and cafés in the lively center of this city of towers are there to satisfy your hunger. The churches—most notably the Romanesque St. Nicolai Church and the 13th-century St. Petri Church—are fascinating destinations not just for worshippers. After a short stroll through town, the giant, shady trees in Goethe Park offer welcome relief from the heat.

The Hanseatic town of Tangermünde not only impresses with its well-preserved old town and its brick-built former city fortifications, but also offers a very special attraction in the form of the castle, which is well worth seeing. Numerous architecturally unusual buildings such as the Elbtor (Elbe Gate), which is part of the city fortifications, and the imposing Eulenturm (Owl Tower) make a walk through the town an entertaining pleasure. Interesting insights into the town's history are offered by the lovingly designed town history museum located in Tangermünde's historic town hall.

The Hanseatic town of Tangermünde not only impresses with its well-preserved old town and its brick-built former city fortifications, but also offers a very special attraction in the form of the castle, which is well worth seeing. Numerous architecturally unusual buildings such as the Elbtor (Elbe Gate), which is part of the city fortifications, and the imposing Eulenturm (Owl Tower) make a walk through the town an entertaining pleasure. Interesting insights into the town's history are offered by the lovingly designed town history museum located in Tangermünde's historic town hall.

The small town of Lauenburg, located just outside Hamburg, boasts a beautiful old town that nestles picturesquely on the banks of the Elbe and is home to many galleries and arts-and-crafts shops. Thanks to the town’s charming atmosphere, strolls through this neighborhood are a real pleasure. Also worth seeing is the lovingly designed Elbe Shipping Museum, which is housed in a historic building in the heart of the old town and vividly illustrates the most important aspects of shipping on the Elbe—a tradition that has always been of great significance to Lauenburg.

The small town of Lauenburg, located just outside Hamburg, boasts a beautiful old town that nestles picturesquely on the banks of the Elbe and is home to many galleries and arts-and-crafts shops. Thanks to the town’s charming atmosphere, strolls through this neighborhood are a real pleasure. Also worth seeing is the lovingly designed Elbe Shipping Museum, which is housed in a historic building in the heart of the old town and vividly illustrates the most important aspects of shipping on the Elbe—a tradition that has always been of great significance to Lauenburg.

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Hamburg is a port city on the Alster, a tributary of the Elbe. It is also one of the three new federal states that were established following Germany’s reunification. The Hamburg Fish Market is a popular tourist attraction. The Reeperbahn is one of the city’s most visited attractions. At the Panoptikum, a wax museum, visitors can get up close to their favorite celebrities. The Speicherstadt offers cafés, museums, and small canals, and the Elbphilharmonie, located on the banks of the Elbe, is considered a “cultural landmark for everyone.”

Hamburg is a port city on the Alster, a tributary of the Elbe. It is also one of the three new federal states that were established following Germany’s reunification. The Hamburg Fish Market is a popular tourist attraction. The Reeperbahn is one of the city’s most visited attractions. At the Panoptikum, a wax museum, visitors can get up close to their favorite celebrities. The Speicherstadt offers cafés, museums, and small canals, and the Elbphilharmonie, located on the banks of the Elbe, is considered a “cultural landmark for everyone.”