Rostock

All About Rostock

Divided by the Warnow River, Rostock is a northeastern German town founded in 1218. Once a member of the Hanseatic League, Rostock was East Germany’s primary seaport and a vital commercial and shipbuilding region until the country’s unification. Now a relatively modest city, it maintains its industrial persona but is more successful as a college town.Taking a ferry to Rostock is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets

Home to Rostock University, which started in 1419, the city has an energetic international population. Juxtaposing against its contemporary ambiance are the heritage monuments such as the 13th-century Town Hall and St. Mary’s Church that survived the extensive bombing during WWII. A favorite cruise destination with ever-growing ferry traffic, Rostock is a beautiful way to enter Germany. It is one of the country’s hidden gems that only a few travelers take the time to admire thoroughly.

Routes and Ferries to Rostock

Tourists from Germany’s northern neighbors and across the Baltic Sea typically travel using ferry tickets to Rostock. Bookable through Ferryscanner, ferries from Trelleborg in Sweden take 6 hours to reach the city. Stena Line and TT-Line combined have six sailings on this route daily. The ferry from Klaipeda, Lithuania docks at Rostock once a week after a 24-hour journey. Scandlines covers the 1 hour 45 minutes voyage from Gedser in Denmark 10 times a day.

As an important port town, Rostock has excellent road and rail links with the rest of the country. Trains and buses from Leipzig, Hamburg, and Berlin are standard and readily available.

A quick way to reach Rostock is by taking a flight to Rostock-Laage Airport. The airport has a domestic connection with Munich all year round. For international travelers, planes arrive here seasonally from Egypt, Luxembourg, Turkey, and Spain. Plan to land or depart from Hamburg Airport if searching for a broader range of flights. Hamburg Airport is a 2-hour drive from Rostock.

Port of Rostock

The Port of Rostock has been an important gateway to the Baltic Sea since the 14th century. It went through a period of lull in the early 20th century. There has, however, been a resurrection of sorts ever since the mid-1900s. Occupying space on both sides of the Unterwarnow, it now consists of a cargo, chemical, and fishing port in addition to having separate cruise and ferry terminals.

The cruise harbor in Warnemünde is 13km away from the center. However, those arriving with ferry tickets to Rostock get to sail further into the port, disembarking closer to the main city. Both the cruise and ferry ports of Rostock have seen a steady rise in popularity and traffic since the late 1990s. The ferry terminal of Rostock with its five berths welcomed 2.5 million passengers, primarily from Denmark and Sweden, in 2019. Facilities at or near the ferry terminal include a restaurant, WCs, parking, a bus stop, and a taxi stand.

Best Beaches

Most of the beaches in Rostock are Blue Flag accredited and have their waters regularly monitored during the summer months. While the town has a wonderful and lively beach of its own, it is worth venturing out in search of the region’s less-crowded coastal treasures if staying in Rostock for a few days.

Warnemünde Strand

The most popular beach in Rostock is at the seaside resort of Warnemünde. Situated 20 minutes from the city center, this broad white-sand stretch is alive with activities on warm sunny days. At the beach, you can rent chairs, windsurf, wave at passengers traveling on boats with ferry tickets to Rostock, or indulge in delicious seafood at any of the restaurants on the promenade. For something truly spectacular, visit the Warnemünde Lighthouse. Built-in 1898, visitors can climb up the 36.9-meter-high tower to enjoy stunning city and sea views.

Diedrichshagen Strand

Those wishing to escape the bustle of Warnemünde Beach should head further west to the sandy shore of Diedrichshagen. This 2.8km long beach has individual sections for nudists and dog owners. The forested area bordering the strip is part of a nature reserve and excellent for walks. The seabed can be a little stony, and thus, it’s a good idea to wear water shoes if you are planning to swim.

Strand Nienhagen

Among the most underrated beaches in Rostock municipality, Strand Nienhagen is only a half-hour away from the center of the city. Primarily a sandy beach with some gravel, the calm waters here are a big draw for families with little children. One can also do horse riding on the beach. Strand Nienhagen has paid parking and food stalls. Many locals come here frequently to walk around the hauntingly beautiful ‘ghost forest’ that edges along the shore.

Markgrafenheide Beach

Markgrafenheide lies 30 minutes to the east of Rostock and is a serene sandy strip near a popular retreat. There are direct bus and ferry connections to the beach, making it a suitable option to spend the entire day. Markgrafenheide has separate zones for nudists, but the central part is family-friendly, with lifeguards on duty. Food and drink stalls, as well as chair hire, make the beach all the more comfortable. Perfect for children, the water at the beach is shallow, up to 40 meters.

Strand Hohe Dune

A quieter and less-crowded beach in Warnemünde, Strand Hohe has a lovely rural feel, brought about by the low-lying dunes that border it. It takes 30 minutes from the city to reach here, but there is ample parking close to the shore. A vast sandy stretch, the water here is shallow. Those looking to swim will have to go 15 meters into the sea for it to get deep enough. An unsupervised beach, one will only find basic amenities like toilets and food stalls here.

Neighborhoods

The neighborhoods of Rostock are individual in nature, guaranteeing a distinct and vibrant atmosphere that has made the city a popular haunt with ex-pats and international students. Having one of the lowest crime rates in the country, you’ll find something of interest in Rostock, no matter which neighborhood you decide to explore.

Steintor-Vorstadt

The city’s poshest area with board streets, villas, and townhouses, Steintor-Vorstadt, is also the location of Rostock’s central railway station. Idyllically situated alongside the river, this gorgeous neighborhood is much-preferred by tourists wanting to stay in budget hotels. While traversing around here, stop by the Maritime Museum. Opened in 1978, the museum is housed in a building that was previously the local fish market. Inside, one can go through old photographs and learn about the city’s past as a naval base.

Warnemünde

A quiet fishing village transformed into a thriving seaside resort, Warnemünde is Rostock’s most vivacious suburb. The two biggest draws of the neighborhood are its beach and streets lined with shops and restaurants. Crowded with cruise passengers on most days, some of the hidden gems of Warnemünde are its lighthouse, Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s fishermen’s house, and the Heritage Museum. Mittlemole is another must-visit spot. A viewing platform in the harbor, one can wave to passengers with ferry tickets to Rostock from here as they arrive on boats from Sweden and Denmark.

Reutershagen

Reutershagen is a peaceful enclave founded in 1919 that lies away from the hubbub of the city center. Named after novelist Fritz Reuter, the neighborhood has several community gardens such as KGV Fritz Reuter e.V. and Kleingartenanlage ‘Unkel Bräsig’. Rostock Botanical Gardens are just across the southeastern edge of Reutershagen. Fun and activity seekers can step inside Neptun-Schwimmhalle for a refreshing swim or visit Moya, an intimate events space that regularly hosts music concerts.

Südstadt

Südstadt is the hub of all student life as University Rostock covers most of the area in this otherwise quiet neighborhood. Boasting wide-open spaces, Südstadt is also home to Stadthalle Rostock. The indoor arena regularly hosts sporting competitions and cultural activities. Besides the shopping mall Südstadt Central, the neighborhood has several small music and dance clubs frequented mainly by students.

Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt

The city’s hippiest area, Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt, is a river-facing neighborhood famous for its lively ambiance. Parts of the university trickle down into this area, making it a favorite with students who like to visit Kröpe street for its bars, restaurants, and shopping possibilities. The neighborhood’s main attractions comprise the Volkstheater Rostock, Lindenpark – a public garden, Kröpeliner Tor Center – a shopping mall, and Kröpeliner Gate – a 13th-century gothic tower that visitors can climb.

Transportation Around Rostock

Using public transport in Rostock is suitable for travelers as buses, trams, and ferries cover most of the city areas. Day tickets for local travel typically cost €5.20. A better alternative is purchasing the Rostock Card. Having different variations based on hours of use and areas covered, the city pass costs between €9 and €30. The fee includes free public transport, an audio guide in English, and free entry or discounts at museums and other commercial establishments.

On the other hand, while easy to find, taxis can add significantly to your daily expense. They also have a separate daytime and night-time rate. All the top car rental agencies have offices in Rostock. Not a requirement for city travel, feel free to book a vehicle only if you plan to explore other towns like Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg along Germany’s northern coastline.