From Rügen To Hamburg

Many travellers only see Stralsund on their way to Rügen — a big mistake. This proud Hanseatic city is one of Germany’s most beautiful historic gems. Once the most important Baltic trading hub after Lübeck, Stralsund’s old town with over 500 listed buildings is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its skyline is marked by the soaring spires of three grand churches, especially St. Mary’s with its 104 m tower and a stunning 90 m-high viewing platform offering views over the city and the sea to Rügen. Highlights include the magnificent town hall in Brick Gothic style and two fascinating maritime museums — the Ozeaneum and the Meeresmuseum — beloved by families. Add a charming zoo and the famous sailing ship Gorch Fock, and Stralsund becomes a perfect blend of history, sea, and discovery.

Many travellers only see Stralsund on their way to Rügen — a big mistake. This proud Hanseatic city is one of Germany’s most beautiful historic gems. Once the most important Baltic trading hub after Lübeck, Stralsund’s old town with over 500 listed buildings is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its skyline is marked by the soaring spires of three grand churches, especially St. Mary’s with its 104 m tower and a stunning 90 m-high viewing platform offering views over the city and the sea to Rügen. Highlights include the magnificent town hall in Brick Gothic style and two fascinating maritime museums — the Ozeaneum and the Meeresmuseum — beloved by families. Add a charming zoo and the famous sailing ship Gorch Fock, and Stralsund becomes a perfect blend of history, sea, and discovery.

Rügen Island, and especially the town of Lauterbach, have much to offer. Here you can experience beautiful beaches, unique landscapes, and the famous chalk cliffs. A true highlight is the Rasender Roland, a nostalgic steam train that runs all the way to the mainland. The island is also home to popular seaside resorts such as Binz and Sellin. Since Rügen is not very large, you can easily explore several places in a single day. The steep coastal cliffs offer breathtaking views over the Baltic Sea, while Lauterbach itself is a small, dreamy village that captures the essence of island tranquility.

Rügen Island, and especially the town of Lauterbach, have much to offer. Here you can experience beautiful beaches, unique landscapes, and the famous chalk cliffs. A true highlight is the Rasender Roland, a nostalgic steam train that runs all the way to the mainland. The island is also home to popular seaside resorts such as Binz and Sellin. Since Rügen is not very large, you can easily explore several places in a single day. The steep coastal cliffs offer breathtaking views over the Baltic Sea, while Lauterbach itself is a small, dreamy village that captures the essence of island tranquility.

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.

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, residence of the former Dukes of Pomerania-Wolgast, still convinces today thanks to its mixture of tradition and modernity. Worth seeing is the historical old town of the place with the St. Petri church, the baroque town hall and the many old restored manor houses. A visit to the zoo, city museum or even the Peene Bridge, Germany's largest balance beam bascule bridge, are highly recommended. If you have additional time, a boat tour is a good 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.

Schwedt/Oder is a city in northeastern Brandenburg, Germany, situated on the western bank of the Oder River along the border with Poland. It is the largest town in the Uckermark district and serves as a major industrial hub, primarily known for its massive oil refinery and paper industry.

Hohensaaten is a historic village and river port in the Brandenburg state of Germany, located directly on the border with Poland. Since 2009, it has been part of the municipality of Bad Freienwalde in the Märkisch-Oderland district.

Niederfinow is a municipality in Brandenburg, Germany, world-renowned for its historic and modern ship lifts. Located about 60 km northeast of Berlin, it serves as a critical junction on the Havel-Oder Waterway, connecting the German capital to the Baltic Sea port of Szczecin.

Eberswalde is a charming small town in Brandenburg, surrounded by dense forests and numerous lakes. Known as the “Forest Town,” it enchants visitors with its idyllic nature 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 highlights such as the Zoological Garden and the impressive Maria Magdalena Church. Ideal for hikers and culture lovers alike, 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 Town,” it enchants visitors with its idyllic nature 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 highlights such as the Zoological Garden and the impressive Maria Magdalena Church. Ideal for hikers and culture lovers alike, Eberswalde offers a relaxed, green oasis just outside Berlin.

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. With its rich history and modern significance, the city offers countless fascinating sights to explore. Among its most famous landmarks are the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and the Victory Column. Berlin is also home to all major government buildings – most notably the Reichstag, with its striking glass dome, which is well worth a visit. You can also discover sites of great historical importance such as Checkpoint Charlie or the East Side Gallery, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. And for shopping enthusiasts, the Kurfürstendamm – one of Berlin’s most iconic boulevards – offers a perfect mix of boutiques, cafés, and lively city flair.

Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. With its rich history and modern significance, the city offers countless fascinating sights to explore. Among its most famous landmarks are the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and the Victory Column. Berlin is also home to all major government buildings – most notably the Reichstag, with its striking glass dome, which is well worth a visit. You can also discover sites of great historical importance such as Checkpoint Charlie or the East Side Gallery, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. And for shopping enthusiasts, the Kurfürstendamm – one of Berlin’s most iconic boulevards – offers a perfect mix of boutiques, cafés, and lively city flair.

The capital of Brandenburg, Potsdam, is the most populous city in Brandenburg with about 180,000 inhabitants. However, Potsdam convinces primarily by a whole number of worthwhile sights, which even count to the UNESCO world cultural heritage. After all, the city was already in 1990 included in the so-called list of world cultural and natural heritage of mankind, because there is the largest German collection of world heritage sites. Since 2019, the Brandenburg city may also call itself a UNESCO film city. However, the most famous and important sights are definitely the famous Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful palace park, as well as the Potsdam Film Museum and the Mill Museum in the Historic Mill.

The capital of Brandenburg, Potsdam, is the most populous city in Brandenburg with about 180,000 inhabitants. However, Potsdam convinces primarily by a whole number of worthwhile sights, which even count to the UNESCO world cultural heritage. After all, the city was already in 1990 included in the so-called list of world cultural and natural heritage of mankind, because there is the largest German collection of world heritage sites. Since 2019, the Brandenburg city may also call itself a UNESCO film city. However, the most famous and important sights are definitely the famous Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful palace park, as well as the Potsdam Film Museum and the Mill Museum in the Historic Mill.

Genthin is a town in the Jerichower Land district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, with a population of approximately 13,400. Located between Berlin and Magdeburg on the Elbe-Havel Canal, it is known for its industrial history—particularly in detergent production—and its scenic surroundings.

Burg near Magdeburg is the self-proclaimed city of towers. Northeast of the state capital, the Elbe River marks the city area with its course. The medieval walls and towers can be seen from afar. For more than 300 years, the Witches' Tower has towered over the town. It is cozy in the old town quarter, where small cafés invite you to take a break after a walk through the old town alleys. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days in the streets of the city center. In addition to the regional vendors, the stores and boutiques also attract visitors - and restaurants and cafés in the lively center of the tower city take care of hunger. The churches, above all the Romanesque church of St. Nicolai or St. Peter's from the 13th century, are an exciting destination not only for churchgoers. After a short stroll through the city, the shady giant trees in Goethepark provide welcome cooling.

The city of Magdeburg on the Elbe is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. Among the prominent sights is the Gothic Cathedral of Magdeburg in the center. Next to it is the Hundertwasser House with the Green Citadel, in whose courtyard the typical architecture and colorful columns of the artist can be admired. The millennium tower, built of wood, is the highest wooden building in the world with a height of 60 meters and can be walked and climbed by visitors. Also worth seeing is the beautifully landscaped Elbauenpark.

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.

Located just outside Hamburg, the small town of Lauenburg has a beautiful old town, which nestles picturesquely on the slopes of the Elbe River and is home to many galleries and arts and crafts businesses. Thanks to the charming atmosphere of the town, walks in this district are very nice. Also worth seeing is the lovingly designed Elbschifffahrtsmuseum, which is housed in a historic building in the middle of the old town and vividly depicts the most important aspects of shipping on the Elbe, which has always been very important for Lauenburg.

Located just outside Hamburg, the small town of Lauenburg has a beautiful old town, which nestles picturesquely on the slopes of the Elbe River and is home to many galleries and arts and crafts businesses. Thanks to the charming atmosphere of the town, walks in this district are very nice. Also worth seeing is the lovingly designed Elbschifffahrtsmuseum, which is housed in a historic building in the middle of the old town and vividly depicts the most important aspects of shipping on the Elbe, which has always been very important for Lauenburg.

Geesthacht is the largest city in the District of the Duchy of Lauenburg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Located roughly 34 km southeast of Hamburg on the right bank of the River Elbe, it serves as a significant hub for both scientific research and energy production.

Hamburg is a port city on the Alster River, which is a tributary of the Elbe. At the same time it is one of the three new federal states since the reunification of Germany. The Hamburg fish market is a popular tourist magnet. The Reeperbahn is one of the most visited attractions in the city. Visitors can get up close to their stars at the Panoptikum, a wax museum. The Speicherstadt offers cafes, museums and smaller canals and the Elbphilharmonie, which is located on the banks of the Elbe, is considered a "cultural monument for all".

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.