Rostock and Warnemünde, Germany are probably two of the loveliest places in northern Europe that you have never heard of.
Rostock is one of Germany’s finest former Hanseatic cities. Warnemünde, on the estuary of the Warnow River, is the seaside resort of Rostock and has a sensational broad sandy beach, the largest on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast.
Warnemünde is also one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, commonly marketed as Berlin (Warnemünde), enticing cruise passengers with the opportunity to visit the German capital. But I say don’t bother visiting Berlin from a cruise stop in Warnemünde.
Don’t get me wrong; I love Berlin and have visited it more than once. However, a shore excursion to Berlin from Warnemünde is a very long and expensive day trip.
Instead, spend your day in Warnemünde and Rostock. To help you make the most of your one day in Warnemünde and Rostock, here are some essential practical tips, including how to get from Warnemünde cruise port, and my pick of what to do.
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How I Visited Rostock and Warnemünde on a Cruise
Warnemünde was the final port of call on my 2-week Baltic cruise:
- Cruise operator: Celebrity Cruises
- Cruise ship: Celebrity Silhouette
- Time in port: 7 am – 9.30 pm
I started my day in Rostock and spent the afternoon in Warnemünde. There were two reasons for this.
Firstly, I wanted to witness the whirring of Rostock’s famous astronomical clock. But also, as I was in Warnemünde in the afternoon, this allayed any anxieties about getting back to the ship on time.
Warnemünde train station is an easy walk from the cruise port. From here, a train will take you to Rostock Hbf in 20 minutes.
A Morning in Rostock
From Rostock Hbf, it’s a pleasant 15-minute walk into the centre of town. Alternatively, jump on tram #5 or #6.
Passing through the city’s imposing steintor (city gate), you will soon arrive at Neuer Markt (market square).
Visit Neuer Markt (Market Square)
With its Renaissance-era gabled merchants’ houses lining a cobblestoned square, Rostock’s Neuer Markt oozes historic charm. As a member of the powerful Hanseatic League from the 13th Century, Rostock became an important port and centre for trade and shipbuilding on the Baltic.
Rostock was badly damaged by bombing raids in 1942, but mercifully much of its heritage was spared. This includes the merchants’ houses on the market square, a kilometre-long stretch of the city’s 13th-century defensive walls and the Rathaus (town hall).
Stroke the snake’s head at Rostock’s Rathaus (town hall)
The youthful appearance of Rostock’s pink arcaded Rathaus on the market square belies its age. Dating from the 13th Century, it is one of the oldest town halls in Germany. Damaged by a storm in the 18th century, its facade was given a Baroque makeover, even if the interior is much older.
Don’t leave the market square before petting the head of the snake sculpture guarding the entrance to the town hall. Local tradition holds that this will bring you good luck.
Watch the astronomical clock’s performance at St Mary’s Church
On the other side of the market square is St. Mary’s Church, also dating from the 13th Century, which is Rostock’s largest and most beautiful church.
Time your visit for midday to see the Apostles’ Procession at the astronomical clock. Created by the watchmaker Hans Düringer in 1472, and working with original parts, six figures (evangelists and apostles) move past Christ in a solemn procession.
Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Stop by Universitätsplatz
Walking west from St Mary’s Church along Rostock’s main shopping street you will reach the triangular Universitätsplatz.
Founded in 1419, Rostock University is one of the oldest universities in the world. The Neo-Renaissance main university building is on the west side of the square. In the centre of Universitätsplatz is Der Brunnen der Lebensfreude (Fountain for the Joy of Life).
Created by Jo Jastram and Reinhard Dietrich, this contemporary fountain features 20 bronze sculptures of animals and people and 18 water jets.
An Afternoon in Warnemünde, Germany
The guidebooks will tell you that Warnemünde’s highlights are its late 19th-century lighthouse and the Teepott (Teapot) Building, an interesting example of East German (DDR) architecture. But for me, the star of the show was Warnemünde’s beach.
Walk along Warnemünde’s beach
Stretching for over 9 miles, the fine, sugar-white sand of Warnemünde’s beach is dotted with playgrounds, barbeques and the town’s characteristic deckchairs.
These hooded deckchairs, or Strandkörbe, were invented in 1882 by Wilhelm Bartlemann, a basket-maker from Rostock. They were an instant hit and can now be found peppering the beaches of resorts across Germany.
Stroll the streets of Warnemünde
The best way to spend your day in Warnemünde is to simply stroll its streets. Its canalside, fringed with former fishermen’s houses, and its beachfront promenades are just made for wandering around.
Stop to pick up a portion of fresh seafood or a juicy brätwurst from one of the many vendors. They taste even better washed down with a refreshing local Rostocker beer.
And don’t miss Alexandrienstrasse with its cobblestones and wooden fishermen’s houses.
Visit Warnemünde’s Lutheran Church
Warnemünde’s current Lutheran Church has been serving the congregation since 1871. Take a look at the church’s Gothic altar, dating from 1474, in particular, the odd placement of its group of carved wooden figures in the central panel.
How to Get from Warnemünde to Rostock
Option 1: Travel by train from Warnemünde to Rostock
The modern, frequent S-Bahn train will whisk you from Warnemünde train station to Rostock Hbf in 20 minutes. Warnemünde train station is an easy 10 – 15 minute walk from the cruise port.
Buy your ticket from one of the machines at the station or the ticket office. This ticket also includes the tram in Rostock.
You can check the timetable and current prices here. Don’t forget to validate your ticket in the orange machine on the platform before boarding the train.
Option 2: Take the boat from Warnemünde to Rostock
If you haven’t had enough of being on the water, there is a passenger boat service between Warnemünde and Rostock.
Popular Rostock and Warnemünde Shore Excursions
But perhaps you prefer someone else to take care of all of the arrangements for you? Booking a shore excursion independently is often much less expensive than going through your cruise operator.
Here are a few highly-rated half-day tours to consider:
Warnemünde & Rostock: Half-Day Shore Excursion
Enjoy a 5-hour walking tour of Warnemünde & Rostock with a guide. Includes pick-up from the cruise terminal.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & PRICE
Schwerin Castle and Rostock from Warnemünde
Or why not grab the chance to visit one of Germany’s magical castles from Warnemünde along with Hanseatic Rostock? Also includes pick-up from the cruise terminal.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & PRICE
And If You Want to Take a Day Tour to Berlin from Warnemünde?
Of course, you can always take a day trip to Berlin from Warnemünde but caveat emptor.
The one-way journey by bus or train takes around three hours. Even with a long day in port, this will give you barely five or six hours to explore Berlin.
Because of the distance involved, I don’t recommend visiting Berlin from Warnemünde independently.
The easiest way to do this is to book a shore excursion with your cruise operator. A cheaper alternative is to join a group tour with an independent operator. Here are a few options that will fit the bill:
Berlin Shore Excursion from Warnemünde Port
This affordable and comprehensive group tour takes in the highlights of Berlin, including Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO BOOK
Private Tour of Berlin’s World War II and Cold War Sites
Or why not take a private excursion to Berlin, which guarantees to get you back on board on time for departure? The beauty of this day tour is that it is fully customisable to fit your interests.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO BOOK
Enjoy your day in Rostock and Warnemünde
I thought that I would be merely filling time in Warnemünde and Rostock. How wrong was I! Warnemünde turned out to be one of my favourite stops on my Baltic Sea cruise
Rostock has an almost palpable historic charm, a legacy of its Hanseatic links. Warnemünde is a wonderfully laid-back seaside resort with an extraordinary beach.
My decision not to return to Berlin was the right one for me. Whilst I can understand cruise passengers taking the opportunity to visit this great city, it is one heck of a day trip.
Packing a good guidebook to allow you to explore the ports of call on a Baltic cruise independently is a wise move. I can recommend the excellent Lonely Planet Cruise Ports Scandinavia & Northern Europe I used on this cruise.
If you have found this itinerary helpful, take a look at my guides to the other ports of call on this cruise:
- Visiting St. Petersburg on a Cruise Ship: The Ultimate Guide
- One Day in Stockholm: Visiting Sweden on a Cruise
- One Day in Tallinn: A Cruise to Estonia
- One Day in Helsinki from a Cruise: A Walking Tour
- One Day in Copenhagen: 6 Best Things to Do On a Cruise Stop
Finally, if you are new to cruising, I also have guidance on planning your first cruise and cruise cabin tips, including a review of single cabins for if you are cruising alone.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.