Stralsund between Brick Gothic, the Sea and Map Culture

Stralsund combines a medieval old town with museums devoted to the sea, a harbour with ferry connections to Hiddensee and a beach. You can shape your trip in a variety of ways: around Brick Gothic and the city’s history, exhibitions about maps and marine life, or experiences by the water. When choosing a holiday apartment in Stralsund, it helps to consider which of these aspects interests you most.

Old Town History and Brick Gothic

The historic old town is part of the “Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar,” which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 27 June 2002. Its medieval layout has remained virtually unchanged to this day, including the street network, the arrangement of streets and squares, and the plot structure. As you walk through Stralsund, a guided city tour takes you past winding lanes, imposing churches and impressive Brick Gothic architecture. These details give the old town its distinctive character and make its history visible in the streetscape.

The Museum House offers a closer look at the city’s architectural history. Built around 1320 as a merchant’s house, it is one of the oldest houses in the city. Another aspect of cultural history is explored through playing cards: the Stralsund Playing Card Factory is a museum, workshop and laboratory that produces both historic and new card designs. The two places offer different perspectives—an old merchant’s house in one, and the connection between a playing-card museum and card production in the other. If you enjoy learning more about architectural styles and craftsmanship, the city offers more than just a single historic attraction.

Marine Life in Two Different Ways

The museums also have different areas of focus. Since 1951, the MEERESMUSEUM has been located in the former Dominican monastery of St. Catherine in the old town. Its 31 aquariums include a “Caribbean Reef” with 800,000 litres of water. The OZEANEUM focuses on the northern seas: exhibitions, the “Sea for Children” and 50 aquariums take visitors on an underwater journey through this marine region. One of the world’s largest whale exhibitions features life-size replicas of marine mammals, including a 26-metre-long blue whale. The rooftop terrace is home to a Humboldt penguin enclosure, with panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage city skyline.

The museums offer a range of options to consider when planning your trip: you can focus on the aquariums at the MEERESMUSEUM, the northern seas at the OZEANEUM or the life-size whale replicas. Families looking to discover different interests together can also include the “Sea for Children” in their plans—without everyone having to find the same exhibitions interesting.

Harbour, Hiddensee and the Beach

From Stralsund harbour, daily ferries run to all three harbours on the island of Hiddensee. Harbour cruises offer unobstructed views across the Strelasund, towards the old town and the nearby coast of Rügen. The ferry routes and cruises offer different perspectives on the waterscape: one looks towards destinations on the island of Hiddensee, while the other looks back at Stralsund and its surroundings.

For a day at the sandy beach, Stralsund Beach offers 20,000 m² of fine sand. It is accessible by bus route 4, getting off at the “Klinikum am Sund” stop. If you would rather spend your holiday exploring city history and museums than relaxing at the beach, these experiences may weigh more heavily in your choice of accommodation. That way, you can explore Stralsund according to your group’s interests without having to settle on just one kind of outing.

More destinations: Amt Miltzow, Amt Niepars, Sassnitz, Amt West-Rügen, Amt Nord-Rügen, Amt Franzburg-Richtenberg, Marlow and Amt Barth.

For the overarching travel overview: Vorpommern-Rügen.