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Rostock is the largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, though not its capital. It is a hub for Baltic Sea ferries, Germany's largest port for cruise ships by number of boardings and pleasant enough for a longer stay mostly due to its Hanseatic heritage.
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Visit the sandy 3-km beach at Warnemünde in the north. Go swimming there, if the weather is warm enough.
St. Peter's Church
Petrikirche boasts the tallest tower of the three remaining churches within the old town. The church itself can be visited for free (open daily, mind the Sunday service 11:00-12:00), but there is a small admission fee for the tower (€3, €2 reduced fee, family ticket €6). Climbing the steep spiral stairs is fun and a good exercise! There is also a barrier-free option: the parish has had the original bell shaft replaced by a lift which brings you up to the lower of the 2 platforms. Both offer good views over town, river and harbour. Many guided tours of Rostock also start in front of the church. The parish has installed what is probably the only free public toilet in the old town (although it might be a nice idea to put some coins into the collection column inside the church), also barrier-free and accessible from the outside, to the left of the main entrance.
Founded in 1899, this 56-hectare facility in the Barnstorfer Wald is the largest zoo on the German Baltic coast. It houses approximately 6,500 animals across 500 species within a zoo-botanical landscape that integrates diverse educational programs and accessible animal exhibits.
Built in 1897 and still in use, this landmark offers panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and the coastline. The lighthouse is also an officially registered venue for civil wedding ceremonies and is accessible to the public.
Teepott
Built in 1968, this iconic three-story circular building is a prominent example of East German hyperbolic paraboloid shell architecture. Located near the Warnemünde lighthouse and harbor entrance, it houses several restaurants and tourist facilities.
Marienkirche
The greatest church of Rostock, a huge brick Gothic church, built from the 13th-15th century with an astronomical clock of 1472 and fine historical altars.
Ghost Forest of Nienhagen
Located along the coastline between Nienhagen and Warnemünde, this woodland is characterized by coastal trees shaped by strong winds and salt spray, creating a distinct, twisted appearance. It is a popular destination for walks along the cliffs and the beach.
The Stadthalle Rostock has many shows and music events.
Hansa Rostock is the most successful football club from the former East Germany and has a very dedicated fan base. The club plays in the 3. Liga (third tier). The Ostseestadion (capacity 29,000) offers an intense atmosphere, especially during home matches. Tickets for most matches can be bought online or at the fan shop, though high-profile games may sell out. Single tickets usually range from €15 to €40.
The Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt (KTV, "Kröpelin Gate Suburb") was the first part of Rostock built outside the medieval city walls, in the 2nd half of the 19th century. It was designed to house workers flocking to the newly industrialised town. Today's KTV is one of the most popular residential areas, especially with students and artists. It is here that you will find the highest density of bars, cafes and small shops selling handicraft or organic food. To get to KTV from Rostock's main shopping street (Kröpeliner Straße), follow it all the way to the west, passing Kröpelin Gate and crossing the tram lines. Everything in front of you now is already part of KTV. Check out the Doberaner Platz, where most tram lines stop, where the best Döner Kebab is sold, and where everyone seems to meet before a pub crawl with friends.
Frequent passenger ferries and sightseeing boats connect Rostock’s city harbor with Warnemünde, providing an alternative to the S-Bahn for traveling to the coast.
city walls
While much of Rostock's fortifications were removed on the "sea"side (towards the river Warnow), a large part of the city wall remains on the "land" side and is certainly worth a visit. You will encounter the three remaining gates, Kröpeliner Tor, Steintor (stone gate) and the oldest, Kuhtor (cow gate). Guided tours (some of them by a guide dressed up as a medieval night-watchman) are available and recommended for anyone interested in the history of the town. They can be booked under the stated link or in the tourist office. For the "night-watchman" tour, it is also possible to simply turn up at Petrikirche at 20:00 if you're not with a large group, but the tour will then be in German only.
Take some drinks and food down and watch time pass by - as well as sailing boats, rowing boats, and plenty of seagulls. If it's herring season, the quay at the Silos will be full of fishermen. If you're not into bring-your-own, there is a number of restaurants and bars along the quay, from German, Italian and Greek to Spanish cuisine. The Irish Pub is also in the Silos. Between the theatre and Latino bar "Besitos", you will find plenty of young people playing "Kubb", at least during summer. Why not try it out yourself? If you ask nicely, you are sure to be allowed a shot. Or buy your own wooden kit at the games store "Wupatki", Rungestraße 17. This part of the harbour is usually called "Strand" (beach) by locals, even if there is no sand within sight.
Fish restaurant and fish shop. On Facebook.
Steak house.
Italian food.
Chinese-run restaurant/bar that serves German and Asian food in a cool setting that's more suitable to a drinking crowd. Friendly staff, however the food can be hit or miss. Rather unpretentious from outside, so at least in shoulder season, just popping in to get a table is not an issue.
Upscale patisserie. It's recommended to book a table during tourist seasons (online form). All-day breakfast, ice-cream parlour and cocktails.
The Trotzenburg brews their own beer.
Bar and restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere.
Techno and 1990s rave in a bunker on the grounds of the former Neptun Werft shipyard.
Live concerts and club nights from indie to electro in a building from the GDR period with ornamental wallpapers and deers' heads on the wall.
The Jaz Rostock offers regular live music concerts and techno club nights.
Student parties from rock to electronic music.
Impressive techno club in an old power plant that can be considered a role model for club scenes in large metropolises.
formerly: Hanse Hostel
Only private rooms, no dorms anymore. There is free internet, a great kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, oven, stove and fridge. Bathroom facilities are very good. There is a TV, DVD and VCR downstairs as well as a bunch of board games, books and a dart board. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the place is clean, tidy and modern.
formerly: Jellyfish Hostel
Only private rooms, no dorms even though called a hostel. Situated in a beautiful old town house in the old town of Rostock just around the corner from the medieval Steintor. Though the hostel is in the very city center – the Neuer Markt is two minutes by foot – it is really quiet there. Has a spacious common room, where breakfast (€8.00) is served if pre-ordered, and another smaller lounge on the third floor. In the fully equipped kitchen you can cook or just store your beverages in the fridge. The 8-bed dormitories are very spacious due to the very high ceilings, which even have stucco. The owners and all employees are quite young, easy going and very helpful.
Beautiful terrace, nice people and good ambiance.
The hotel has very wide beds and good aircondition. Public underground car park in the hotel basement with direct elevator access to all floors. Fitness center and sauna. Wheelchair accessability.
A luxury hotel with yacht harbour next to Warnemünde.
Rostock hosts a variety of weekly markets throughout the city and surrounding areas, offering a selection of regional produce, artisanal goods, and local specialties. These markets provide insight into regional food culture and are held on different days at various locations, including the Neuer Markt in the city center.
By train
By car
From Hamburg take the motorway A1 to Lübeck and from there take the A20 to Rostock. It's a 2-hour trip.
By bus
There are numerous domestic and international bus connections to Rostock; Flixbus being the major operator.
By boat
Rostock is one of the hubs for Baltic Sea ferries in Germany. And the busiest German port for cruises.
By bicycle
The Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route passes through Rostock.
Public transport (bus, tram, ferry, train, etc.) in Rostock is part of the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW), the traffic association which provides a common ticketing and integrated transport system in the surrounding area.
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