Yachts and ocean giants

The Baltic Sea is a fascinating experience at any time of year. Swimming and soaking up the sun on the beach head the summer shopping list. Why not in Warnemünde? Kilometres of fine white sand beach stretch from the cliffs in the west to Rostock Heath in the east, blue Europe flags vouch for the excellent water quality. A Mecca for swimming, sunbathing and surfing, but also for a relaxing walk along the beach in all weathers. Fans of Nordic walking breathe in the healthy Baltic Sea air with delight. And wellness holidaymakers, who mostly come to the coast in the cool season, appreciate the special climate too.

 
Anyone who loves the sea and ships will really get their money's worth in Rostock and Warnemünde. There are ships of every shape and size to admire, from the tiniest dinghy to ocean giants. Here are the great ferries, putting out to sea from the Port of Rostock to Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Estonia, Latvia or Finland. There are the freighters from every part of the world or the high-speed craft of the German Navy, harbouring at Hohe Düne. The cruisers conjure up a maritime atmosphere too, mooring at Warnemünde Cruise Center from April to September. At over 100, the number of ships calling in will be breaking through a sound barrier. And the white ladies of the seas are not just there for show: it will also be possible to start a Baltic cruise from Warnemünde.

 
Deep-sea anglers and those wishing to become so come into their own in Warnemünde. Pot-bellied trawlers sail from Alter Strom for sea or fishing trips. Fixed-term fishing certificates for tourists are a novelty. Lots of passenger vessels at Warnemünde's Alter Strom invite you on a round sea or harbour trip. Others cruise along the Warnow River with their guests from Warnemünde to Rostock city harbour or back to the resort. All of them have Rostock's fascinating backdrop of port, huge ferries and modern shipyards and make sightseeing tours every day during the season.

 

Top-line sailing and an attractive programme of culture make the Warnemünde Week the highlight of every season. For the 71th time in 2008, from 5 to 13  July. More than 2,500 sportsmen from the four corners of the earth come to the Baltic Sea and the Warnow river to one of the largest international sailing events in Germany. While countless sailing boats paint a colourful panorama on the sea, kite surfers and catamarans can be inspected from right up close on the beach.  

 
One month later, the traditional sailing ships and impressive windjammers come to the Rostock coast and are the leading characters of one of the largest maritime festivals in the Baltic region: the 18th Hanse Sail from 9 to 12 August. The unique maritime atmosphere at Rostock city harbour and in Warnemünde delights more than a million visitors every August.

 
There are also day and multi-day trips on offer for passengers, the brave can experience events from the water or even from the air. What is guaranteed is seafaring romance, a market mile with music and entertainment, not to mention exhibitions and fireworks.