Short break in Zinnowitz on the island of Usedom

Our spa vacation in Zinnowitz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was finally upon us. Usedom is the second largest island in Germany after the island of Rügen and boasts a 42 km long coastline, which is also the longest in all of Europe. Even as a teenager, I (Bolle) often visited Usedom because our training camp was held there every year in Heringsdorf/Ahlbeck. This time, however, we went to Zinnowitz, completely without handball and jerseys. In the following article, we reveal our best tips and highlights for Zinnowitz and the surrounding area.

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Welcome to Zinnowitz
Our accommodation on the beach
Other accommodations in Zinnowitz
Beach promenade and pier
The beautiful town center of Zinnowitz
Public transport on Usedom
Tips for excursions in the surrounding area
Tips for a vacation With children

Welcome to Zinnowitz

With around 1,200 hours of sunshine per year, Zinnowitz is the sunniest region in all of Germany. So we were optimistic that we’d be lucky with the weather. Another plus: The seaside resort of Zinnowitz has been awarded the Blue Flag and boasts a wonderful, fine sandy beach. Three days of Baltic Sea, beach, and good cheer lay ahead of us. We desperately needed that at this point, as we’d spent most of the previous weeks sitting in front of our laptops. So, of course, we were especially looking forward to the “offline time.”

Usedom-Zinnowitz-Bruecke-Steg-Tauchgondel

The small town of Zinnowitz is located on the island of Usedom, between Karlshagen, Trassenheide, and Koserow. The beautiful imperial spa towns of Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck, and Bansin are also very close by. Here you’ll see lavishly restored Wilhelminian spa villas, countless buildings featuring resort architecture, and beautiful piers. No matter which region you choose, the island of Usedom truly has a lot to offer.

Our accommodation on the beach

We stayed at the 4-star Vineta Hotel*. We were able to check into our lovely room on the first floor in a prime location, right on the beach promenade. The hotel has three buildings: the hotel, the residence, and the chalet. The restaurant served local and regional dishes, as well as coffee and cake. Another plus: the hotel has a small but excellent wellness area with a sauna, relaxation room, and small pool. You can book massages and wellness treatments in advance or directly at the hotel.

Our room was spacious and equipped with a balcony. After opening the balcony door, we had a direct view of the sea. Jackpot! The room itself featured a small seating area with a table and chairs, a flat-screen TV with a desk, and a very small but adequately equipped bathroom with a shower.

We were completely satisfied and can definitely recommend the hotel without reservation. The hotel particularly scored points not only for its location, but also for the food. On the first evening, we were treated to a romantic candlelight dinner with wine. The four-course meal was so delicious that we fell into bed with completely overflowing stomachs afterward.

Other accommodations in Zinnowitz

We’ve selected a few more accommodations for you and researched them to the best of our knowledge. Reviews from previous guests, the location, and online photos were important to us. Ultimately, however, it’s up to you to decide which accommodation you choose. We have to say that Zinnowitz doesn’t have any particularly stylish or hip hotels; they’re rather old-fashioned.

This hotel is located directly on Zinnowitz’s beach promenade, just a stone’s throw from the sea. Look forward to a sun terrace, stylish and comfortable rooms, and a delicious breakfast buffet in the morning. Previous guests particularly praise the location and the very friendly staff.

4 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor

The Hotel Kleine Strandburg awaits you with a sauna, spacious rooms with balconies, a restaurant, and three terraces. The beach and pier are just a few minutes away. The hotel offers rental bikes so you can explore the area on your own. Previous guests particularly praise the food, service, and spacious rooms.

4.5 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor

The Parkresidenz Sanssouci is located in the second row and just 5 minutes from the beach. Apartments with a bedroom, living area, large kitchen, and bathroom await you here. This is a spacious vacation apartment that is popular with bookings. Previous guests particularly like the amenities, location, and cleanliness.

8.8 out of 10 on Booking.com

Beach promenade and pier

On the first day, it rained for a few hours, so we hid in the hotel’s wellness area. On the second day, however, the sun shone from morning to evening. It was a fantastic day by the sea. Although it was still too cold for swimming, we still didn’t miss the opportunity to take a walk on the beach. The beach promenade was carefully designed as a small park and features restaurants, snack bars, benches, shops, a concert stage, and the Vineta pier.

At the end of the Vineta pier, there is a diving gondola. This allows you to explore the deep bottom of the Baltic Sea. For 30 minutes, you will descend into the depths. If visibility is good and with a little luck, you might see jellyfish, crabs, and other sea creatures. If visibility is poor, a film about the flora and fauna of the Baltic Sea will be shown. Additional diving gondolas are located in Sellin on Rügen and in Zingst. Cost in Zinnowitz: Adults €8, children €5. More information here: Zinnowitz Diving Gondola.

The promenade is wooded at the east and west ends of the beach. There you’ll also find a dog beach and nudist areas. On the beach itself, you can rent a beach chair for around €7 a day. This isn’t such a bad idea, especially in hot temperatures. Restrooms are available at regular intervals along the promenade, and they’re free for you to use. You can really let off steam on the beach. The sporting activities range from volleyball, trampolines, jet skis, banana boats, motorboats, to a giant water slide. There’s even a surfing and sailing school (Sail Away Usedom) right on Zinnowitz’s beach.

The beautiful town center of Zinnowitz

This small and tranquil town invites you to linger and stroll. Several bakeries and cafés line the streets. Here you can take a leisurely stroll and pick up a souvenir or two for your loved ones. Products containing sea buckthorn (sea buckthorn candies, sea buckthorn liqueur, and much more) are popular. In the streets, you’ll find some charming boutiques and shops selling typical Baltic Sea products (clothing, bags, scarves, postcards, maritime decor, and much more).

Your taste buds are also catered for. Popular restaurants include: Pier 14, Zum Smutje, MS Libelle, and Oase am Meer. You’ll find pizza and pasta (at Primavera) as well as Indian food (at Indian Villa). Fancy a snack? The Lift Café is particularly popular. It’s located right in the center on the promenade.

The lift takes you 25 meters above sea level. Once at the top, you can enjoy a fantastic view overlooking Zinnowitz and the Baltic Sea. You can also order coffee, tea, and cake at the lift café. The lift rises every hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.. Other cafés include Cafe La Mer, Belle Epoque, Tendenz, and Hotel Sonneneck.

Public Transport on Usedom

Usedom has a well-developed rail network. The Usedomer Bäderbahn (Usedomer Bäderbahn) operates between Świnoujście (Poland) and Peenemünde, among other destinations. This makes it easy to explore other parts of the island by train. A trip to Albeck/Heringsdorf takes just under 44 minutes.

It’s only 14 minutes by train from Zinnowitz to Peenemünde. A trip to Poland is also possible. The trip takes only 51 minutes. We traveled to Zinnowitz with the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ticket for €27, which was easy and valid for the entire day (until 3 a.m. the following day).

The bus service is also operated by UBB. Connections to Świnoujście are available via the two border crossings at Garz and Ahlbeck. UBB even offers a long-distance bus fleet to and from Rostock, Hamburg, and Berlin. You can find connections, prices, and timetables here: Usedomer Bäderbahn.

Tips for excursions in the surrounding area

Thanks to the good public transport connections, you can also explore the surrounding towns. It’s even more convenient with your own car, of course. We recommend a trip to Ahlbeck & Heringsdorf with its beautiful beach promenade and famous piers. Don’t forget the beautiful pier in Sellin. A detour to Bansin and Koserow is also worthwhile.

In the hinterland, you will find peace and quiet, proximity to nature, and a harmonious landscape with many sights, such as the moated castle in Mellenthin. A short trip to Stralsund, Greifswald, or Wolgast might also be of interest to you. In Heringsdorf, you can visit the observatory or take a detour to Welzin to the island cheese dairy.

In Peenemünde, you will find the Museum of Rocket Construction in World War II. A visit to the U-461 submarine is also interesting. Also in Peenemünde is the Phänomenta, with an interactive exhibition on the topics of natural sciences and physics. Admission for adults is €8.50 and for children €3.50–€6.50.

In bad weather, a trip to the Ostseetherme in Heringsdorf is recommended. Here, you’ll find a swimming pool, sauna, and wellness area. A day ticket costs €10 for adults and €8 for children. The Bernstein-Therme in Zinnowitz is also very popular. It’s a bathing paradise with a wellness area and an 850-square-meter seawater pool. A day ticket costs €15.80 (children pay €9.80).

Tips for a vacation with children

There’s also plenty to do for little ones on the island of Usedom. The Kinderland in Trassenheide is particularly popular. Here you’ll find a butterfly farm, the “The World Is Upside Down” house, a playground, a super slide, a trampoline, a large bouncy ball, a children’s train, mini golf, and much more.

After paying the entrance fee, all attractions (except for some coin-operated machines) are free and have no time limit. Admission: Adults €5, children €9, seniors €4. You can find more information here: Kinderland Usedom.

Karl’s Strawberry Farm is located in Koserow. This adventure village offers countless attractions for young and old. There’s a toboggan run, tractor rides, stick bread baking, a playground, a farm, or a potato sack slide.

You’re guaranteed to never get bored here. There’s no admission fee; almost everything is free. Only a few attractions require a small fee. However, you can also purchase a day ticket for €12, which gives you free access everywhere.

Other options: Wolgast Animal Park, the cultural barn of the old estate in Mölschow, the climbing forest in Neu Pudagla, the indoor climbing garden in Hangar 10, the river landscape adventure park, the DDR Museum in Dargen, and the Usedom Island Nature Park.

As you can see, you can experience a lot on the island of Usedom and, above all, have a great short vacation. We feel completely at home on the Baltic Sea (and also the North Sea) and enjoy spending a few days by the sea. You should treat yourself to this time out every now and then. The sea is good for you, no matter where or when. Even in winter, the Baltic Sea has incredible charm. Then you can enjoy a relaxing wellness vacation by the sea. Not so bad, is it?