Copy it into your account, move it to your own dates and make it yours — swap stops, change the pace, add days.
Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.
A Hanseatic start by the bay
A short journey, leaving the whole afternoon free for the old town.
Parts of Wismar's old town are a traffic-calmed zone; it's best to park on the outskirts and continue on foot.
This is where your journey begins. From Hamburg, you'll head at an easy pace towards the Baltic coast.
Wismar's fully preserved brick old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and clusters around one of northern Germany's largest market squares, with the Wasserkunst fountain as its landmark. Winding lanes lead to the mighty brick churches of St Nikolai and St Georgen. A good place to soak up the Hanseatic past on a leisurely stroll.
The old harbour, with its historic Tree House and warehouse buildings, tells of Wismar's maritime heyday. In autumn, excursion boats still set off from here, and a replica of the Poel cog often lies moored in the water. A lovely way to close out the first day by the water.
A central holiday flat in one of the old town's restored townhouses, within walking distance of the market square and harbour. Perfect for an evening stroll through the illuminated lanes.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Salt warehouses, shipyard views and your first taste of bodden air
A relaxed morning still in Wismar, followed by the day's longer leg.
Driving time comes in just under three hours, with a buffer for a stop in Ahrenshoop.
The historic salt warehouses at the harbour bear witness to the lucrative salt trade of the Hanseatic era, when Wismar served as a hub for Lüneburg salt. These imposing brick buildings are now listed monuments and form a striking backdrop to the harbour. A short but worthwhile stop before continuing on.
The old fishing and artists' village of Ahrenshoop already drew painters around 1900 with its distinctive light between the Baltic Sea and the bodden lagoons. Reed-roofed houses, small galleries and the art museum define the village today. A walk to the Hohe Ufer cliffs offers your first sweeping view over the Baltic.
A quiet holiday flat in one of Prerow's typical reed-roofed houses, and a great base for exploring the Weststrand and Darßwald forest. From here, you can reach all of the peninsula's highlights over the coming days via short journeys.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The wild west of the peninsula
Darßer Ort can only be reached on foot or by bike; allow plenty of time for the there-and-back walk.
Sturdy walking shoes and windproof clothing are worth it, as the Weststrand can be rough in autumn.
The Weststrand is considered one of Germany's most beautiful natural beaches: undeveloped, wild and fringed by wind-sculpted coastal woodland and gnarled trees. Driftwood and salty surf make it a truly wild experience. A long beach walk is a must here.
The Darßer Ort lighthouse stands at the wild north-western tip of the peninsula and can only be reached on foot or by bike through the national park. The attached Natureum tells you more about coastal dynamics, and the viewing platform offers views over the endless coastal landscape. Climbing to the top rewards you with a magnificent panoramic view.
Prerow's modern pier reaches far out into the Baltic Sea, offering a sweeping view over the Nordstrand beach at the end of the day. The broad sandy beach is the perfect spot to wind down after a day of walking. Especially atmospheric at sunset.
Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park
The cranes fly in at dusk; plan your return journey to make use of the remaining daylight.
Bring binoculars and stick to the paths in the core area to avoid disturbing the birds.
The Baltic resort of Zingst combines a broad sandy beach with wide bodden meadows, and is a hotspot for crane watching in autumn. The pier, with its seawater monitoring station, and the town centre are perfect for a stroll. Numerous cycling and hiking trails lead from here into the national park.
The national park protects a unique landscape of shallow bodden lagoons, wind flats and salt meadows. In autumn, tens of thousands of cranes rest here, flying in spectacularly to their roosting sites each evening. Viewing points and guided tours bring this natural spectacle to life.
Holstentor and a Hanseatic finale
The drive back from Darß to Lübeck is the longest leg of the trip; set off early and plan a break.
Park at ground level on the edge of Lübeck's old town and continue on foot, as the lanes are narrow.
The Holstentor is Lübeck's landmark and one of Germany's best-known city gates, with its two round towers and the inscription Concordia domi foris pax. Inside, a museum tells the story of the Hanseatic League's power. The view from the gate square across the old town skyline is a classic photo opportunity.
Lübeck's old town island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with the Marienkirche, the Gothic town hall and narrow lanes lined with brick houses. Amid traditional marzipan shops and merchants' courtyards, you can wander through Hanseatic splendour on foot. A fitting close to your journey along the Baltic.
A holiday flat on the old town island, within walking distance of the Holstentor, town hall and Marienkirche. Perfect for winding down your last evening in the Hanseatic city before heading home the next day.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Copy it and move it to your own dates.
Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.