Altefähr: Beach, Water Sports and Maritime History
Accommodation in Altefähr
Beach and Water on the Strelasund
Altefähr combines a beach, maritime experiences and routes for active days with historical discoveries. The beach is right on the Strelasund. If you are weighing up a day by the water, outdoor activities and local history while planning your holiday, you will find several different options here. The natural beach section is particularly appealing for families: it is 35 metres wide and has a gently sloping bathing shore with shallow water, which is also suitable for toddlers.
File:Altefähr-Blick nach Stralsund-WUS01781.jpg
Photo: Rainer Halama via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
There is also a bathing ramp at the beach, which enables wheelchair users to access the water for bathing. The beach is supervised by the DLRG. These features describe different aspects of the bathing facilities: the shallow water is relevant when planning with small children, while the ramp provides wheelchair users with access to the water for bathing. If you are planning to make the beach an important part of your stay, you can take these specific features into account when choosing your holiday destination.
There are also various ways to get out on the water: from Altefähr, you can sail, surf, go motorboating or explore the island from the water by kayak. The Altefähr surf spot is nearby, in the immediate vicinity of the Hanseatic city of Stralsund. The different activities appeal to different interests and can inspire your travel plans, without requiring you to focus your stay on just one type of water sport.
Getting Around by Bike, on Foot or by Ferry
Altefähr connects to the Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route. The Rügen Loop Trail provides another point of reference for planning: it begins and ends in Altefähr. If you are interested in cycling or the loop trail, you can consider Altefähr as a starting and finishing point. These two options describe different ways to enjoy an active trip and should not be combined into a single route.
A passenger ferry connects the Hanseatic city of Stralsund with Altefähr on Rügen, crossing the Strelasund in 15 minutes. This makes the crossing a practical option for travellers who want to include both places in their plans. When choosing a holiday apartment in Altefähr, it may be important to consider whether you are looking at the town itself as a base for beach and water activities, cycling and the loop trail, or the ferry connection.
Harbour, Historic Ship and Local History
The historic ship ERNA is moored in the harbour of Altefähr. It was built in Holland in 1904 and is now based in the seaside resort of Altefähr, where it has a permanent berth. The ship connects a specific spot in the harbour with a history that dates back to its construction. St. Nikolai Church also offers a historical point of interest: parts of the church date from the 15th century. It is open to visitors free of charge from Pentecost until the harvest festival.
The annual traditional festivals in Altefähr include the herring festival on 1 May. If you would like to plan your stay around local traditions and festivals, this date is a useful fixed point for your plans. There is also a tourist information office right in the harbour. There, you can get brochures, town maps and maps of walking, water and cycling routes. These resources can help you get an overview of the different ways to spend your days in Altefähr.
Altefähr is a particularly suitable place to look for a holiday apartment if you would like to combine the beach and water activities with routes, the ferry connection or historical experiences. Which of these interests takes priority for your trip will help guide your choice of holiday destination. Other places to consider for your trip are Gingst, Ummanz, Dreschvitz, Trent, Kluis, Neuenkirchen, Hiddensee Island and Schaprode.
For the overarching travel overview: Amt West-Rügen.
