A gem of northern Europe, Warnemunde is fishing port town on the Baltic sea just a short distance from the city of Rostock. Warnemunde is known for its white sandy beach, marina, and a quaint shopping promenade that runs alongside a picturesque canal.
With the feel of a small fishing village, this seaside resort attracts plenty of German visitors and is also a stop for numerous cruise lines that make their way along the coast each year. Offering an ideal day by the sea along with restaurants, shops and sights to enjoy, Warnemunde is well worth a trip during your time in northern Germany.
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How To Get From Rostock To Warnemunde
Warnemunde is a great place to choose for a day trip from Rostock. It can be reached in just 21 minutes via public transportation, with frequent trains departing every 8 minutes or so from Rostock Hbf (that’s an impressive 107 trains per day!)
Several S-Bahn routes run from Rostock to Warnemunde, though you can sometimes catch a high-speed ICE train too (despit the name, it’s only 1 minute faster). S-Bahns stands for Schnellbahn or Stadtschnellbahn and is simply a rail service that serves a metropolitan region – in this case, Rostock.
You should have no problem finding the train as the S-Bahn platforms are clearly marked with a white ‘S’ in a green circle. As Warnemunde is the last stop, you should also be able to easily find it on the departure board.
Book your S-Bahn tickets to Warnemunde ahead of time with the DB Navigator app
Don’t get off at Warnemunde Werft, as this is the shipyard outside of the town’s centre. Warnemunde will be the last stop. When you come out of the train station, you’ll be right at the top of the promenade running along der Alte Strom canal.
Once you are in Warnemunde, there’s no need to use any public transportation. It’s small enough to walk around and is also very flat.
Things To See In Warnemunde
I’ll level with you. In terms of things to do, like activities and tours, there isn’t all that much going on in Warnemunde. However, there is plenty to see. If you’re looking for an action-packed schedule, then one of the nearby cities may be a better bet for you.
If you’re like me, and enjoy a bit of walking, people-watching (and eating and drinking!) then Warnemunde will be perfect. Here are a few spots you should visit in the town.
Hotel Neptun
A hotel may seem like a slightly strange thing to list for places to see, but Hotel Neptun is integral to Warnemunde. Opened in the 1970s, this Swedish-designed 5 star hotel has not only featured extensively in the media but also hosted a number of high-profile guests including Fidel Castro and Angela Merkel.
Today, it is still run as a hotel and is also known for its magnificent sky bar, There, you can enjoy a classic cocktail or an ice cold German beer while looking out over the Baltic sea. It’s a little on the pricey side, but worth it for the experience. Just make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment and note that there is a formal dress code if you visit in the evening.
Warnemünde Lighthouse
Probably the most famous landmark of the town, this white lighthouse has a really unique look about it and dates all the way back to 1898. Thanks to its similarity to the lighthouse shown in the movie poster for Shutter Island, there is some speculation that it even served as inspiration for the ad!
Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse via a spiral staircase for the princely sum of 2 EUR. Once at the top you can enjoy fantastic views over the beach and the town, making for a perfect photo opportunity.
Warnemünde Beach
Even if you visit during the colder months like I did, a stroll down to the beach simply cannot be missed. If you follow the canal down towards the sea there is a short walk down to a different lighthouse (green this time) where you can look out to see, which I’d suggest doing first.
The beach sits just to the left of this flat path, with an opening where you can cross over up near the mouth of the canal. If you visit in summer, you’ll find the beach covered in Strandkorben or ‘beach baskets’ where tourists can sit and enjoy the sun.
Warnemunde is hugely popular with Germans, so be warned that over summer you certainly won’t be having a quiet day at the beach. Nonetheless, it’s well worth a visit, even if you just want to stroll along the shore.
Where To Eat In Warnemunde
Warnemunde may be small, but there’s certainly no shortage of spots to grab a bite to eat. Many of the restaurants are found along the main promenade, running alongside the Alter Strom canal.
The Warnemunde Fish Market
Photos courtesy of Rostocker Wochenmarkte
If you are wanting something light as opposed to a sit-down meal, then I would highly recommend getting a fish roll from one of the seven stalls that sit along the water’s edge. Note, you will only find them there on Saturdays and Sundays!
Not only are these stalls a great tradition in Warnemunde, but they offer a an amazing selection of fish that is as fresh as you can get. I also saw plenty of locals stopping by for the morning’s catch, which is always a good sign.
You can choose from a fried fish sandwich, grey shrimp, smoked salmon, herring, eel…the choice is endless and varies by season. Or if you fancy something warm lots of the stalls will fry up some calamari, fish nuggets or breaded shrimp for you too.
Restaurant Am Strom
Though I didn’t stay for dinner in Warnemunde, if I did this modern little seafood restaurant would be near the top of my list. I couldn’t help but notice it as I walked along the promenade, with a crisp white facade and Scandi-inspired outdoor decor.
The menu is packed full of typical north German fare, including schnitzel, pike perch fillet and herring just about every way you can think of. Online reviews are very good and from photos, the dishes look beautifully presented.
At the very least I’d keep it in mind for a coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up!
Restaurant Zum Stromer
For something a little more traditional, Restaurant Zum Stromer should fit the bill. I’m honestly kicking myself for not noticing this gorgeous restaurant during my visit, as I don’t think I could have resisted paying them a visit.
Located at the quiet end of the canal, it serves up beautiful fish dishes in a romantic and atmospheric setting. which is nautically inspired without feeling a bit kitsch.
if you’re visiting in the colder months, the cosy interior and glowing fire are sure to warm your cockles, while in the summer they have a lovely terrace to enjoy.
Shopping In Warnemunde
While you won’t find many big-name stores in Warnemunde (which I think is part of its charm!) there are some great spots to go window shopping or pick up a special memento of your trip.
Buchhandlung Krakow Nachf.
I never could resist a bookshop, and this little store is full of surprises. Naturally, they don’t offer English books, but it’s still fun to explore the shelves and there is lots of beautiful stationery, cards and small gifts to look at too.
If you’re looking for a present for a child in particular I’d definitely recommend stopping by. There are also lots of books about the area that are fun to flick through for the photos, even if you can’t understand what they say!
Lillebo
This lovely little homeware shop can be found just opposite the fish market, and is a real treasure trove of unique home items. Lillebo stocks primarily Scandinavian brands and so of course, oozes an effortless style.
Prices can be a little on the steep side, but for something a little special it’s an ideal place to look. A note for those visiting from Rostock, there’s a larger Lillebo there too if you don’t want to carry heavy homeware around.
Warnemünder Schmuckeck
If I want to take home a souvenir I usually opt for either jewellery or art, and I was instantly drawn to the window display in this fabulous little jeweller’s. Though Warnemünder Schmuckeck does have lots of expensive items, there are also plenty of affordable options should you want to make a purchase.
I ended up finding a gorgeous, simply amber ring that cost only 19 EUR. The man who served me was extremely helpful, finding me the perfect size, and also spoke excellent English. I’ve been wearing the ring for a number of weeks now and can say with certainty that it’s a high-quality piece I hope to treasure forever!
Where To Stay In Warnemunde
While I just visited for the day, you may want to extend your time in Warnemunde with an overnight stay. If you feel like treating yourself, of course Hotel Neptun is a great choice. But if, like me, your budget is a little more modest, there are other fantastic hotel options to choose from.
Hotel Belvedere
Located right on the Alte Strom canal, this elegant hotel is ideally situated to enjoy everything Warnemunde has to offer. The rooms at Hotel Belvedere are extremely stylish but still comfortable and cosy, and in my opinion it’s excellent value for money at around 140 EUR a night. This is a little more than I’d usually spend, but for what you get I think it’s well worth it.
Reviewers are particularly positive about the level of service and the hotel breakfast, and the hotel also has its own sauna for guests to enjoy. If I chose to stay overnight in Warnemunde, Hotel Belvedere would probably be my top pick!
Hotel Am Alten Strom
For a more affordable option with a similarly fantastic location, you can’t go too far wrong with Hotel Am Alten Strom. It doesn’t have quite the same boutique feel as Hotel Belvedere, but this family-run hotel has been around for 100 years and is much loved by its guests.
Despite its central location, guests describe it as lovely and quiet, and it has great amenities including its own spa, bar and restaurant. Plus, it’s super affordable at only around 85 EUR per night.
Other Warnemunde Hotels Under 150 EUR Per Night
Residenz-Strandhotel | Park-Hotel Hübner | Pension StromInn | Kurpark Hotel
Cruises: Excrusions From Warnemunde To Berlin
While researching this blog post, it came to my attention that several cruise ships dock at Warnemunde with the option to take a shore excursion to Berlin. This may be a controversial opinion, but I would not recommend making the trip over to Germany’s capital city. Here’s why.
Berlin is really not close to Warnemunde, with even the most direct route by car or coach taking the best part of 3 hours and cutting into your free time. Not only that, but Berlin is huge and there is so much to see there that you’ll only manage the smallest glimpse before having to head back to your ship.
Yes, you will be able to hit the main sights like Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, but you won’t be able to experience the true spirit of Berlin and everything it has to offer.
If you want to visit somewhere with a bit more going on, or simply experience a German city, then I’d definitely recommend heading into Rostock instead.
It’s a vibrant university city with lots going on, including plenty of interesting museums and a beautiful old town. Unless you truly think you will never be in Germany again, I think you’d be wise to skip Berlin on this trip.
Map Of Warnemunde
Below you can find a map of Warnemunde with most of the places listed in this post plotted onto it. This will not only help you know where you are going, but should also give you a good idea of just how close together everything is.
Just click on the numbers to see which place they represent along and click ‘Details’ to find key information.
Conclusion: Is Warnemunde Worth Visiting?
In my eyes, that’s a resounding yes! Warnemunde is a great place for anyone wanting to enjoy the laidback atmosphere of a seaside town with a little hint of nostalgia. Along with great options for shopping and dining, there is a beautiful beach to enjoy and a truly unique experience to be had.
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