What a wonderful city! Wismar is definitely one of the most beautiful cities we have to offer up here in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the Baltic Sea. Germany is a very diverse and exciting travel destination anyway, but we especially love it here on our coast. The numerous Wismar sights truly impressed me, not to mention the incomparable charm that the Hanseatic city exudes.
If you’re traveling along the Baltic Sea coast, you should definitely stop in Wismar. You’re sure to really enjoy this maritime Hanseatic city. In the following post, I (Bolle) will tell you about my favorite sights in Wismar and give you plenty of other tips. Enjoy browsing!
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- The National Parks in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
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- Sights in Wismar
- 1. Idyllic Linden Garden
- 2. Pig Bridge
- 3. St. Nicholas Church in Wismar
- 4. Schabbellhaus Museum
- 5. Along the Frische Grube River
- 6. Historic Market Square & Town Hall
- 7. Pretty Krämerstraße
- 8. The lively Lübsche Straße
- 9. Tower of St. Mary’s Church
- 10. Archdeaconry
- 11. St. George’s Church & View
- 12. Holy Spirit Church & Backyard
- 13. The Red House (Vault)
- 14. At the Old Harbor
- 15. Wendorf Beach
- Cafés in Wismar
- Strolling & Shopping
- Excursions & Tours from Wismar
- Getting to Wismar
- Accommodation in Wismar
- Local Mobility
- Travel Reading & Tips
- Tourist Information & World Heritage House
- Conclusion on Wismar
Wismar Sights
I (Bolle) would never have thought that Wismar could be so charming, diverse, and truly beautiful. During my trip through the city, I constantly came across beautiful house facades, historic buildings, cool shops, and cafés. If you take enough time, you can discover so much more besides the typical Wismar sights. In the following section, I’ll share my top highlights in Wismar and take you on a virtual city tour. Have fun browsing and following along!
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1. Idyllic Linden Garden
Right next to the main train station, I discovered the Linden Garden. This is a small city park with benches, lawns, and sidewalks. The park is perfect for a short break and a picnic. At the entrance, you pass the former water tower, which supplied the city with drinking water in the 19th century. Stroll through the park along the water and enjoy the peace and quiet.
2. Pig Bridge
On my first few meters through Wismar, I discovered the so-called Pig Bridge, which is located directly in front of St. Nicholas Church and the Schabbellhaus (city history museum). Why the name? In the past, pigs were driven towards the market and the city center, over this bridge. This is probably where the name comes from. At the ends of the bridge, you’ll discover a total of four different pig sculptures. Supposedly, you’re supposed to rub the pigs; it brings good luck. Of course, I did that, and I really hope the piggies will bring me some luck now.
3. St. Nicholas Church in Wismar
The St. Nicholas Church is located right in the old town and looks very pretty even from a distance. A truly magnificent example was built here in the late Gothic style, and is one of the largest churches in Central Europe. For a donation of €2, you can also admire the church from the inside. During my visit, the 3rd North German Honey Market was taking place in front of the church, offering many honey specialties from the region.
4. Schabbellhaus Museum
Directly next to St. Nicholas Church and the Schweinsbrücke bridge is the very beautiful building “Schabbellhaus”. This house was built between 1569 and 1571 for the later mayor Hinrich Schabbell. Today, the City History Museum is located here in the Schabbellhaus. The museum shows, among other things, the Swedish period in Wismar and also houses the only original Wismar Swedish head. Opening hours and prices here.
5. Along the Frische Grube
You’ll quickly discover the “Grube”, the artificial watercourse that flows through Wismar. The “Frische Grube” street runs directly along this stream and takes you through beautiful corners of the city. In the past, the water from the pit served as drinking water for the residents and for domestic purposes. And if there was a fire somewhere, the water was used to extinguish fires. From St. Nikolai Church, you can reach the “Red House,” another Wismar attraction. More on this below.
6. Historic Market Square & Town Hall
After a short walk, you’ll reach Wismar’s historic market square, one of the largest in Northern Germany (approx. 10,000 square meters). There’s much to see around the market square; the house facades, which display the typical Hanseatic style, are particularly beautiful. Highlights include the “Wasserkunst” (Water Art), a building from the 16th century. The water from the fountain was used to supply the city with drinking water. You won’t miss this highlight.
The large market square is also home to the Wismar Town Hall with its Gothic town hall cellar, which is used for permanent exhibitions. Also worth seeing is Wismar’s oldest town house, the “Alte Schwede”. This building was built in 1380 and is particularly striking due to its pretty, stepped gable structure. Today, you’ll find the Alter Schwede restaurant here, which has received quite good reviews on Tripadvisor. The building directly next door is also very nice to look at. You might even spot the famous “Tittentasterstraße” street sign. It is said that the street was so narrow back then that two people would have to touch their chests when trying to cross.
7. Pretty Krämerstraße
For me, the most beautiful street in Wismar is definitely Krämerstraße, with its breathtakingly beautiful house facades. I couldn’t get enough of the view and visited the street several times. It was especially beautiful in the morning, when the first rays of sunlight reflected in the windows. The street is one of the oldest in the city and shouldn’t be missed on your trip. Many merchants (sellers of general goods) had settled here in the past, hence the name.
In Krämerstrasse you will also find the headquarters of Karstadt AG. Here in Wismar, Rudolph Karstadt actually opened the first department store in 1881. Back then, it was still called a “cloth, manufacturing, and confectionery store.” What made the department store so special and successful was that Rudolph Karstadt introduced low, fixed prices and dispensed with the usual haggling. Today, there are more than 79 department stores with over 19,000 employees. Rudolph Karstadt would certainly have been proud of himself if he saw how successful his company still is today.
8. The lively Lübsche Straße
You are standing directly next to the Karstadt building on Lübsche Straße. I would simply call this street the “main shopping mile.” Here you’ll find all kinds of shops, such as H&M, Tchibo, Hugendubel, C&A, Mäc Geiz, Hunkemöller, and many more. You’ll also find florists, pharmacies, opticians, cafés, and restaurants here. Have I already mentioned how beautiful the numerous house facades look? The entire old town is full of them, and one house looks more beautiful than the next.
9. Tower of St. Mary’s Church
Be sure to visit the tower of St. Mary’s Church, which is located between St. George’s Church and the World Heritage House. St. Mary’s Church was one of the oldest buildings in the city of Wismar at the time, but was so badly damaged in World War II that the remains had to be demolished in 1960. Today, all that remains of St. Mary’s Church is the 80-meter-high tower. Several statues stand in the forecourt. You can visit a free exhibition with a 3D film screening and enjoy the view of the old town from over 67 meters high (3€ for adults).
10. Archdeaconry
Near the tower, I discovered the so-called Archidiakonat. This is a listed building, which at one time served as the archdeacon’s administrative and residential building. To explain: An archdeacon used to be a deputy to a resident bishop and took on certain administrative tasks (Source: Wikipedia). The facade in the Brick Gothic style is particularly beautiful.
11. St. George’s Church & View
The next church in Wismar is the beautiful St. Georgen Church, located not far from the Fürstenhof. This church is one of the largest brick churches in Northern Germany. Until 1990, only a ruin remained, doomed to destruction. However, with the help of numerous donations, the church was rebuilt. Exhibitions and concerts are regularly held in the interior. Otherwise, there is nothing else to see inside except high, red brick walls and arches.
A top Wismar attraction is certainly the 35-meter-high observation deck. From up there, you have a beautiful view of parts of the old town and the harbor. For just €3 (€2 for a reduced rate), you can take the elevator up and enjoy the view. Admission to the church itself is free. On a clear day, you can even spot the island of Poel on the horizon. The €3 was definitely worth it, and I was able to take many beautiful photos from up there and enjoy the view.
12. Holy Spirit Church & Backyard
I spontaneously passed by the Holy Spirit Church, which made a very unassuming impression from the outside. If I hadn’t seen the gate to the backyard, I probably would have kept walking. Only later did I learn that this church was once a hospital church, where the injured and sick were cared for. And by the way: The entrance gate to the courtyard has occasionally served as a backdrop for the cult TV series SOKO Wismar.
So I strolled to the backyard and was pleasantly surprised by the idyllic setting. In the middle of the city, I discovered a wonderfully quiet spot, perfect for a break. The water from the small fountain trickled next to me, and in front of me, bees buzzed among the colorful flowers. I made myself comfortable on the bench, pulled out my lunchbox, and enjoyed the wonderful solitude. You can visit the church daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A donation of €1 is requested.
13. The Red House (Vault)
If you search the internet for “Wismar Sights,” you’re sure to come across the “Red House”. This half-timbered house is located at the end of the pit, just before the Old Harbor. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the wines delivered here were tested for quality in the vault. Today, the vault houses three charming holiday apartments, which have been lavishly renovated and leave nothing to be desired. Book here.
14. At the Old Harbor
From the vault, continue right along the street until you reach the Water Gate, the last of the city’s five gates. At that time, the gate was an important part of the fortifications; today, it stands as a testament to times long past. On the other side begins the beautiful Old Harbor of Wismar. In addition to historic buildings (granaries), you’ll also find numerous restaurants, shops, quaint and historic ships, as well as apartments and vacation homes.
At the upper end of the harbor stands the so-called “Tree House”, which once served as accommodation for workers who had to close the harbor at night or in times of danger. Today, changing exhibitions are held here. In front of the building are the two famous “Swedish heads,” which used to be set up at the harbor entrance.
15. Wendorf Beach
Wismar has several beaches nearby. Just 2 kilometers from the city is the Wendorf Beach. Here, you can expect good water quality, beach chairs, a mini golf course, and a restaurant nearby. The beach has fine sand and slopes gently towards the sea. Wendorf also has a pier and a marina.
Cafés in Wismar
During my tour of Wismar, I checked out a few cool cafés and food spots. The Café Sinnenreich is located not far from St. Nikolai Church and awaits you with a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for reading a book while sipping a delicious coffee. The Café Glücklich serves delicious breakfast, coffee, and cake.
In the center of Wismar, you’ll eventually pass the Alte Löwenapotheke. Today, this is no longer a pharmacy, but a retro café with a cozy atmosphere. The café is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cappuccino and a slice of homemade cake were particularly delicious.
The Café 28 on the market square is also a popular meeting place for coffee and cake. Here you can also get homemade cakes, breakfast, and other fresh specialties. You can sit outside or inside the retro café itself. In the center of Wismar, you’ll also find the new Café EigenSinn, which features a shop and workshop. In addition to fine coffee and tea specialties, you’ll enjoy a lovingly prepared breakfast with regional and homemade products, cakes, tarts, cookies, spreads, and much more.
You should make a reservation for these cafés, especially on weekends; otherwise, you’ll hardly find a free spot, especially in the morning. This, of course, also depends on the time of year; at the end of August, the cafés were naturally packed. Alternatively, you’ll find many bakeries in the center of Wismar, where you can also get breakfast, coffee, and cake.
Strolling & Shopping
I also passed by some cool shops in the old town and at the harbor. I highly recommend the Naturwaren store on Sargmacherstraße. Here you’ll find a small selection of high-quality natural cosmetics. I immediately bought a can of deodorant cream there. At STYLE-Ist on Altböterstraße, you can find a small selection of sustainable clothing. At Brausekontor near the Schweinsbrücke, you’ll find truly quaint retro decorative items. The shop itself is like a small museum with many items from times long past.
If I had bought some flowers, I would have gone to the Stil & Blüte store. I really liked the outside, and it was very lovingly decorated. However, I didn’t need any flowers. I found the “Hanse-Hygge” shop (Lübsche Straße) really cool and interesting. Here you can buy cups, tea, spices, coffee, cool postcards, decorative items, clothes, and lots of lovely knick-knacks. Right next to the Alte Löwenapotheke (Old Lion Pharmacy) is a wine and delicatessen shop with spices, wines, oils, and other specialties.
Excursions & Tours from Wismar
How about a boat tour from the harbor? Boats depart from here daily for the popular harbor tours. You’ll get a glimpse into Baltic Sea life, pass the overseas harbor, the longest bridge in the state, and sail past the fishing village of Hoben, the marine technology shipyard, and the old shipyard harbor. The tour lasts just under an hour and costs €13.50 for adults. Tickets and times here.
There’s a lot to discover around Wismar. The island of Poel is only 17 kilometers from Wismar and awaits you with its long sandy beaches (click here for the article). Or how about a trip to the Baltic Sea resort of Boltenhagen? Here you can relax on the beach, explore the pier, Bothmer Castle, and the cliffs, among other things. A trip to Schwerin is also highly recommended. Don’t miss the stunningly beautiful fairytale castle, Lake Schwerin, the historic old town, and the view from Schwerin Cathedral.
Of course, I’d also like to recommend our hometown of Rostock. Stroll along the harbor and watch the many ships and small boats on the water. Walk through the maritime city center around the Neuer Markt, drive to Warnemünde by the sea, treat yourself to the best burgers in town, and enjoy the view of the chilled-out city from the water in Gehlsdorf. Ah…we simply love Rostock! Click here for our Rostock guide.
Getting to Wismar
By train:Wismar is located on the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast between Rostock and Lübeck. The RB11 train runs hourly from Rostock to Wismar, and from Berlin there are trains to the Hanseatic city every two hours. The journey takes around three hours. If you’re coming from Hamburg, you’ll usually have to change trains in Schwerin. Depending on the connection, the journey then takes two to two and a half hours.
By car: Of course, Wismar isn’t easily accessible from every corner of Germany. However, if you’re coming from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it’s just a stone’s throw away. From Rostock (A20), it takes around 1 hour, from Schwerin (A14), just 40 minutes. If you’re coming from Hamburg (A20), you should allow around 1.5 hours, and from Berlin (A24), 2.5 to 3 hours. No car? Then book a rental car here*.
By bus: Long-distance buses also serve the Hanseatic city. Flixbus* buses run from various German cities to Wismar, which is the central bus station (Bus Stop 1). From Rostock, you can get to Wismar in just 50 minutes for just €5.99. From Hamburg, you can get to Wismar directly in around 2 hours, starting at just €9.99. You can book tickets here*.
Staying overnight in Wismar
Wismar is a rather unmanageable city, but it’s still worth choosing accommodations in the center. This way, you can reach all of Wismar’s major attractions on foot, without needing a car or bike. In the following overview, we’ve selected a few hotels for you that we would also book ourselves. Since we live next door in Rostock, we can always drive back home and don’t need accommodation.
Pension Westphal’s
Book a room here*
Let’s start with this truly lovely accommodation. Pension Westphal’s is located right in the center of the Hanseatic city, just a stone’s throw from the market square and the Old Harbor. The rooms are comfortably furnished and feature a box-spring bed, bathroom with shower, TV, and seating.
5 out of 5 points from 12 reviews on Tripadvisor*
Hotel am Alten Hafen
Book a room here*
This charming 3-star hotel is located in Wismar’s Old Harbor and awaits you with bright, comfortable rooms. They are equipped with a large bed, seating, TV, and bathroom. Previous guests particularly praise the friendly staff, location, and breakfast.
4 out of 5 points from 120 reviews on Tripadvisor*
Ohlerich Speicher App. 12
Book a room here*
The apartments in the Ohlerich Speicher at Wismar’s Old Harbor are truly stylish and modern. The App. 12 awaits you with a balcony and sea view, with 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, sauna, and dining and living areas.
8.7 out of 10 points on Booking.com*
Holiday apartment with sea view at the harbor
Book a room here*
We found another beautiful holiday apartment. This one is also located in Wismar’s Old Harbor and offers a prime view of the water. Look forward to a well-equipped kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living area, and balcony. Previous guests particularly praise the ambience, location, and modern amenities.
9.4 out of 10 points on Booking.com*
Local mobility
Wismar is a manageable size, and you can easily reach the most important sights on foot. In my opinion, you don’t need a bike or a car. Wismar has a very well-developed bus network, so you can reach destinations even further away.
If you want to explore a bit more and check out the surrounding area, you can rent a bike from MOBIL Fahrrad at the harbor. You can find cool bike tours through the area here: Wismar Bike Tours.
Travel Reading & Tips
For my trip, I borrowed the travel guide from via reise* from the Rostock City Library. I couldn’t find a travel guide specifically for Wismar, but Wismar appears in many travel guides about the Baltic coast and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Otherwise, I like to look around on Google Maps before a trip.
To do this, I simply enter “Attenter “actions/sights” and then look at the marked points on the map of the respective city. This allowed me to save the most important sights in Wismar on my map in advance. In Wismar, I simply went with the flow and by the end of the day had logged almost 20,000 steps on my fitness tracker*.
Tourist Information & World Heritage House
If you need more information on site and want to browse brochures, you should go to the Tourist Information. It is located right next to the World Heritage House. Did I actually mention that the old town of Wismar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002? In the Visitor Center, you can gain interesting insights into the long history of the Hanseatic City of Wismar through the various exhibitions.
The World Heritage House is open all year round. The times vary depending on the month. From April to September, the center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from October to March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Tourist Information Office next door is also open all year round, always from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here you can get information about guided tours of the city, public transport, sights in Wismar, and everything else you need to know about the city.
Tours offered
- SOKO Wismar city tour
- Night watchman tour through the old town at night
- Klaus Störtebeker – public city tour
- Discover Wismar – public city tour
- Information and tickets: 03841/22529121
Conclusion about Wismar
The Hanseatic city of Wismar really surprised me. Although I had been to the city many times in the past, it was due to sports. Of course, there was never time for an intensive city tour back then. It was incredibly fun to stroll leisurely through the city and discover the different corners. Wismar is small, manageable, and incredibly charismatic. I particularly liked the many historic buildings and the beautiful Hanseatic-style house facades. Oh… and not to forget the proximity to the Water. Wismar offers a great mix of water, harbor, and historic old town.