Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Motif and Inspiration for Caspar David Friedrich

Inspired by the beauty of the city's silhouette, the romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, the most famous son of the university and Hanseatic city, often chose the brick buildings as motifs for his paintings.

The silhouette of Greifswald from the air and view of the church towers and old town by day.

Salty Breeze Paired with University Air

The university and Hanseatic city of Greifswald is always worth a visit. When strolling through the historic old town, the brick town houses, the oxblood-red town hall, parts of the medieval defense system and the brick churches are particularly striking. It is easy to see why the towers of the three distinctive churches are called Long Nicholas, Fat Marie and Little Jacob by the locals.

The cityscape is particularly characterized by the buildings of the University of Greifswald. One of the most magnificent and powerful buildings is the baroque main building of the university, which was built in 1750 by the Swedes who ruled here for almost 200 years. Founded as early as 1456 and thus the second oldest high teaching institution in northern Europe, it continues to provide a young, open intellectual climate in the city today.

Picturesque Greifswald

Maritime flair is spread by the many ships on display in Germany's largest museum harbor. Let yourself be inspired by more than 50 ships with detailed descriptions. A worthwhile museum for art lovers is the Pommersche Landesmuseum Greifswald. Here you will find, among other things, original works by the Greifswald-born artist Caspar David Friedrichs. In his honor, there are also exhibitions in his residence, today's Caspar David Friedrich Center. One of his popular Greifswald motifs is the romantic ruins of Eldena Monastery, which still magically attracts many people today.

A City with Sound

Greifswald offers a wide variety of musical events - whether young and dynamic or classical and elegant. Music festivals, such as the Eldena Jazz Evenings, Greifswalder Bachwoche, the fishing festival Gaffelrigg or the Nordic Sound already have a long tradition.

The Vacation Experts for the Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Hanseatic City of Greifswald in Moving Pictures

Impressions from Greifswald

Excursion Destinations

Sights and Leisure Tips

  1. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

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  2. Parkgelände // © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Landscape park

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  3. Das Rubenowdenkmal steht auf dem Rubenowplatz vor dem Hauptgebäude der Universität Greifswald. // © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

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  4. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

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  5. View of the Eldena mill with the art barn in the background. // © Martin Weidemeier

    Eldena windmill

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  6. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Town Hall

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  7. Earth history: From dinosaurs to the last ice age // © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

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  8. © Förderverein Eldenaer Mühle

    VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  9. Caspar David Friedrich Center // © Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., ©2021 Gudrun Koch

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

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  10. © Förderverein Eldenaer Mühle

    VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  11. Side view of the church and cemetery // © MV-T/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

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  12. Neue Kapuzineraffenanlage mit Freigehege // © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

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  13. Exterior view of the church // © Tourismusverband Vorpommern e.V.

    Behrenhoff village church

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  14. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

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  15. Außenansicht der Kirche // © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

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  16. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald barrage

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  17. © Gudrun Koch

    Catch tower Greifswald

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  18. © Gudrun Koch

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

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  19. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

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  20. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald museum shipyard

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  21. Church with entrance portal // © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Village church Kemnitz

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  22. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Observatory

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  23. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

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  24. © Wally Pruss

    Sociocultural center St. Spiritus

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  25. Kastanienallee zum Barockschloss Griebenow mit Portal und Ehrenhof // © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

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  26. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

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  27. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

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  28. The University of Greifswald with the Rubenow Monument. // © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

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  29. Theater Greifswald // © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

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  30. Gebäude des Forstamts in Greifswald-Eldena // © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

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  31. St. Jacobi ist die kleinste der 3 gotischen Hauptkirchen in Greifswald // © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

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  32. Außenansicht Schloss Ludwigsburg // © MV-T/Tiemann

    Ludwigsburg Palace

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Tour Tips for Exploring

On foot or by bike

  • Vom Gehlsdorfer Ufer den Blick auf den Rostocker Stadthafen genießen // © MV-T/Tiemann

    Eastern Brick Circuit

    • Etappen: 5

    The brick churches in Rostock, Stralsund and Greifswald are considered the crowning glory of medieval architecture. In smaller harbor towns and in the hinterland, too, the red stones pile up to form imposing contemporary witnesses. In addition to a lot of history, cyclists enjoy unspoiled nature and swimming fun.

    Read more: "Eastern Brick Circuit"
  • Radwandern auf Fischland-Darß-Zingst // © MV-T/Gänsicke

    Baltic Sea Cycle Route

    • Etappen: 15

    The part of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route which leads through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a beautiful trail in Northern Germany, which winds through idyllic scenery, Hanseatic towns, three islands and classic villages.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Cycle Route"
  • Urlaub mal anders - Pilgerwanderung im Lassaner Winkel // © MV-T/Foto@Andreas-Duerst.de

    Via Baltica

    • Length: 360 km
    • Etappen: 16

    In our hectic times, more and more people are looking for heavenly peace and divine inspiration. They find it in the liberating expanse of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Via Baltica"
  • Der markante Darßer Leuchtturm ragt aus der Dünenlandschaft bei Prerow empor. Goldenes Dünengras wiegt sich im Wind, während der rote Turm den Blick über die weite Küstenlandschaft der Ostsee lenkt – ein Wahrzeichen zum Entdecken auf dem Darß. // © Francesco Carovillano

    Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9

    • Length: 400 km
    • Etappen: 14

    Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic Sea – the Hiking Trail E9 connects the coasts of Europe. On the stretch between Travemünde and Ahlbeck, hikers can enjoy the diversity of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's coastal landscape.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9"
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    Event Tips

    Events, Exhibitions and Concerts

    1. © privat

      The Imperial Police Regulations and the Dress Code in the Croy Tapestry

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    2. Das Lach-Event mit 5 Comedians an einem Abend // © Lange Nacht der Comedy

      Long Night of Comedy Greifswald

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    3. © Theaterwerft

      Poetry in bottles - You have to be able to say wine sometimes

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    4. © Theaterwerft

      Cuban Solyanka

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    5. © Zan Vidmar Zorc / UG

      University in the Town Hall: Preserve - Develop - Use. The archive as a research site and memory of the university

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    6. © LOOB

      Animals pet people

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    7. © Gina Heitmann / UG

      Universität im Rathaus: Making the invisible visible: Mathematics in medical imaging

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    8. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Candle workshop

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    9. © Giuliana Fanelli

      Piano Meets Poetry: Wandering Through Worlds with Rilke

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    10. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Ines Spanier & Oliver Thie: Forays

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    11. © (c) Ruth Tesmar

      "Wolfgang Koeppen - an approach" An exhibition by Ruth Tesmar

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    12. © DFG/David Ausserhofer

      The Croy Tapestry and the Religious Culture and Politics of Its Time

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    13. © Ausstellung-leihen

      Informal Chat About the Exhibition "Women in the Resistance"

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    14. © Josephine Steinfurth

      PARADISE - Josephine Steinfurth

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    15. © Theater Randfigur

      Tatütata in the Kids' Room

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    16. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition

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    17. © Boddenfolk

      Dancing

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    18. © Schnuppe Figurentheater

      Island Ahoy!

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    19. Maritime festival site in Greifswald-Wieck // © André Gschweng

      Fishing festival Gaffelrigg

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    20. © Theaterwerft

      Bo and Miss Frost - A little Christmas ice age

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    21. © Theater am Wandlitzsee

      Little Life - The Fishing Carpet Saga Part II

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    22. © Theater Puppenstelz

      The Hare and the Hedgehog – Cunning

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    23. © Laura Schirrmeister / UG

      University in the town hall: Victims of justice - innocent in prison. Reopening of criminal proceedings

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    24. © Ausstellung-leihen

      Whispering, Writing, Singing—Resistance at the Ravensbrück Women’s Concentration Camp

      Read more: "Whispering, Writing, Singing—Resistance at the Ravensbrück Women’s Concentration Camp"
    25. © M. Bohnstädt

      Live music with Martin Bohnstädt

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    26. © Ausstellung-leihen

      Exhibition: "Women in the Resistance Against Nazism"

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    27. "The Shepherd's Hour" by Nicole Zick

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    28. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Guided tour along the Caspar David Friedrich picture trail

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    29. © Theaterwerft

      Alone in the sauna

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    30. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Soap workshop

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    31. © Omas gegen Rechts

      Dramatized Reading of "Our Daughters, the Nazines"

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    32. The Captain and the Doctor look down on Woyzeck. // © Eric Recknagel

      Woyzeck

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    33. © Dorota Franková

      Can art heal social trauma?

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    34. © Josephine Steinfurth

      OPENING RECEPTION: PARADIES Exhibition by Josephine Steinfurth

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    35. Invitation to our regulars' table // © GUStAV / Lark M. Toda

      GUStAV regulars' table

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    36. © privat/blendeauf

      The Beginning of the Great Transformation and the Calm Before the Storm

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    37. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Children's tour through the Caspar David Friedrich Center

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    38. LKG // © Landeskirchliche Gemeinschaft (LKG) Greifswald

      Court service LKG Greifswald

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    39. Drawing cabinet in the Caspar David Friedrich Center with easel and objects for drawing // © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Drink & Draw

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    40. © Evelīna Deičmane/Heike Zappe/Ole Kracht

      Down by Law: Criminalization, Survival, and Solidarity in Europe

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    41. nach dem Bilderbuch von Marc-Uwe Kling und Astrid Henn // © Peter van Heesen

      The NEINhorn

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    42. © Pixabay

      Musical Gathering

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    43. © privat

      Collective Intelligence in Humans and Animals

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    44. © privat

      Paludiculture as a Sustainable Use of Rewetted Peatlands

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    45. © Isha Photography

      Philip of Hesse’s Legs: Writing a Flesh-and-Blood Biography

      Read more: "Philip of Hesse’s Legs: Writing a Flesh-and-Blood Biography"
    46. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tour of the Caspar David Friedrich Center

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    47. © Pandora Film Verleih

      With Love, Hilde — Film and Discussion

      Read more: "With Love, Hilde — Film and Discussion"
    48. Gallery of Romanticism, ART+COM Studios // © ART+COM Studios

      Gallery of Romanticism

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    49. © Bildnachweis: E.G. (c) terrain vague, S.P. (c) Silke Peters

      COLORBLIND: Texts from the Blue Island

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    50. © (c) Brigitte Friedrich, Süddeutsche Zeitung

      "I have never forgotten my mother's fairy tale word ..." Wolfgang Koeppen's stories

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    51. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

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    52. © Theater am Wandlitzsee

      Sex? I'd love to!

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    53. Portrait of Professor Dr. Jochen Müller (left) and Professor Dr. Christian Stecker (right) // © privat

      After the election (in Saxony-Anhalt) is before the election (in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). Voting Patterns and Government Formation in State Elections in Eastern Germany

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    54. © privat

      Czech Independent Literature and Culture in the Samizdat Era: Books, Publishers, Magazines, Technologies, and Topics

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    55. © (c) Ronja Falkenbach

      Israel at War. An Eyewitness Account.

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    56. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.,

      Opening of the exhibition "away from reality II" by Giacomo Orth

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    57. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

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    58. © (c) Detlef Witt

      “The Stralsund Sculptor Elias Kessler: Baroque Sculpture in Northeast Germany”

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    Accommodation in Greifswald

    9 results

    • © Jack & Richie‘s

      Jack & Richie's

      • An der Mühle, 17493 Greifswald

      Welcome to Greifswald's Jack & Richie's, located directly at the listed Wiecker wooden bascule bridge and the nearby marina.

      Read more: "Jack & Richie's"
    • Visit the Stettiner Hof directly on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route in Neuenkirchen near Greifswald // © Stettiner Hof

      Stettiner Hof

      • Theodor-Körner-Straße, 17498 Greifswald-Neuenkirchen

      Welcome to the Stettiner Hof! Enjoy your stay away from stress and city noises, directly at the gates of Greifswald. The charming atmosphere and regional cuisine will win you over. The hotel offers up to 21 comfortable rooms and 3 spacious suits. WIFI is free all around the house. We wish you nice days.

      Read more: "Stettiner Hof"
    • © Hotel Kronprinz

      Hotel Kronprinz

      • Lange Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      Hotel Kronprinz in Greifswald offers 31 rooms in a central location

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    • © VCH Hotel

      VCH Hotel

      • Wilhelm-Holtz-Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      VCH Hotel in Greifswald with 78 rooms including breakfast

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    • © Mercure Hotel

      Mercure Hotel Greifswald

      • Am Gorzberg, 17489 Greifswald

      Look forward to relaxing days at the beautiful Baltic Sea!

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    • Double room // © Hotel Ostseeländer

      Hotel Ostseeländer

      • Gustav-Jahn-Str. 6, 17495 Züssow

      Hotel Ostseeländer is located in a beautiful park and has individually furnished rooms. Despite its quiet location, the ideal starting point for (almost) all activities. The cuisine is characterized by regionality and products from our own organic cultivation.

      Read more: "Hotel Ostseeländer"
    • © DJH MV / Danny Gohlke

      DJH Youth Hostel Greifswald

      • Pestalozzistraße, 17489 Greifswald

      Welcome to our city hostel between the Islands of Usedom and Rügen. Here you can have it all: Culture, nature, history and sports - it's all on your doorstep.

      Read more: "DJH Youth Hostel Greifswald"
    • Herberge "Alter Heuboden" // © Sabine Petters

      Hostel "Alter Heuboden" Jager

      • Jager, 18519 Sundhagen

      Lovingly designed hostel on the European long-distance hiking trail E9 and the Via Baltica, not far from the Baltic Sea coastal cycle path.

      Read more: "Hostel "Alter Heuboden" Jager"
    • © slube

      slube at the marina Greifswald

      • Salinenstraße, 17489 Greifswald

      Coastal feeling meets cool student city: With slubes you stay right in the heart of Greifswald at the marina overlooking the Ryck River. Directly between Rügen and Usedom, it is not far to the Baltic Sea beach and great windsurfing and sailing locations.

      Read more: "slube at the marina Greifswald"

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