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

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

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  2. Ludwigsburg Palace

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  3. View of the Eldena mill with the art barn in the background., © Martin Weidemeier

    Eldena windmill

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  4. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

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  5. Greifswald barrage

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  6. Exterior view of the church, © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

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  7. The University of Greifswald with the Rubenow Monument., © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

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  8. © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

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

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

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  10. © Tourismusverband Vorpommern e.V.

    Behrenhoff village church

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  11. Greifswald Observatory

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  12. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

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  13. © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

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  14. Village church Kemnitz

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  15. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Town Hall

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  16. © Gudrun Koch

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

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  17. Forestry office Jägerhof

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  18. Catch tower Greifswald

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  19. New capuchin monkey enclosure with outdoor enclosure, © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

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  20. Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

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  21. © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

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  22. VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  23. Landscape park

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  24. © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

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  25. Rubenow Monument

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  26. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

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  27. Greifswald museum shipyard

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  28. VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  29. St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

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  30. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

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  31. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

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  32. © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

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Tour Tips for Exploring

On foot or by bike

  • Eastern Brick Circuit

    • Length: 305 km
    • 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"
  • Baltic Sea Cycle Route

    • Length: 690 km
    • 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"
  • Vacation times differently - pilgrimage migration in the Lassaner angle, © TMV/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"
  • 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. Culture night at St.Spiritus

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    2. The most beautiful Sunday

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    3. Star Combo Meissen

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    4. Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs

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    5. © Theaterwerft/Thielk

      Port of Marriage - A Cabaret Reckoning

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    6. Greifswald Kite Festival

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    7. BINGO

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    8. Guided tour with "Margarethe Friedrich" through the CDF Center for the 23rd Greifswald Culture Night

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    9. © Linolschnitt: Lori Kranz

      A day with Caspar David Friedrich at St. Spiritus

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    10. Watercolor course

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    11. All family

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    12. Island Ahoy - Schnuppe puppet theater

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    13. © BoddenFolk e.V.

      European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along

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    14. Drink & Draw

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    15. © Seebühne Hiddensee

      Little Red Riding Hood or the power of fate

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    16. Kay Ray Show

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    17. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tour of the Caspar David Friedrich Center

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    18. "Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?"

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    19. Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?

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    20. © (c) Astrid Brünner, VG Bildkunst 2025

      "Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes

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    21. CDF drawing course

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    22. Painting and drawing course

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    23. © GMG / T. Behnke

      Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour

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    24. Night watchman tour in Greifswald

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    25. © Schnuppe Figurentheater

      The coffee gets cold at the fire department

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    26. Culinary city tour

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

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

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    28. MitMachProgramm for the Open Monument Day

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    29. City festival "A day with Caspar David Friedrich"

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    30. All family

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    31. Candle workshop

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    32. Family tree tour in the family cabinet with "Margarethe Friedrich"

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    33. The pot-bellied pig

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

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

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    35. All You Need is Love

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    36. © GMG/Wally Pruß

      Greifswald Old Town Tour

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

      Friedrich Andreoni: This all sounds

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    38. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Open Monument Day: free admission and guided tour

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    39. Thumbelina

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    40. Thumbelina

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    41. The coffee gets cold at the fire department

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    42. The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann

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    43. Electricity & water

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    44. Colorful hands-on program

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    45. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tours on Friedrich's birthday

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    46. MAKE A MOVE - HOL MICH AB-Tour 2025 Straze/Greifswald 1.11.25

      Read more: "MAKE A MOVE - HOL MICH AB-Tour 2025 Straze/Greifswald 1.11.25"
    47. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Children's tour through the Caspar David Friedrich Center

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    48. The princess and the pea

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

      Guided tour along the Caspar David Friedrich picture trail

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    50. The coffee gets cold at the fire department

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

      Soap workshop

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    52. Long Night of Comedy Greifswald

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    53. © Abbildungen von links oben nach rechts unten: Rainer Ahrendt, Ilona Schwenn, Foto Marktplatz (St. Spiritus), Juliane Rosswinkel, Michael Luhn, Wally Pruß

      My view of Greifswald

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    54. Artist Talk with Friedrich Andreoni and curator Nicole Wittmann

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    55. Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art

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    56. © Wicht Theater

      The wolf and the 7 little goats

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    57. GUStAV regulars' table

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    58. © Abbildungen von links oben nach rechts unten: Rainer Ahrendt, Ilona Schwenn, Foto Marktplatz (St. Spiritus), Juliane Rosswinkel, Michael Luhn, Wally Pruß

      My view of Greifswald

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    59. CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition

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    60. Theater Workshop I Bridge over the river

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    61. The most beautiful Sunday

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    62. © Joanna Wizmur

      Duxius

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    Greifswald Hotels

    7 Ergebnisse
    • 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"
    • 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"
    • Mercure Hotel Greifswald

      • Am Gorzberg, 17489 Greifswald

      Look forward to relaxing days at the beautiful Baltic Sea!

      Read more: "Mercure Hotel Greifswald"
    • VCH Hotel

      • Wilhelm-Holtz-Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      VCH Hotel in Greifswald with 78 rooms including breakfast

      Read more: "VCH Hotel"
    • Hotel Kronprinz

      • Lange Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      Hotel Kronprinz in Greifswald offers 31 rooms in a central location

      Read more: "Hotel Kronprinz"
    • 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"
    • 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.

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