Greifswald

Greifswald combines a historic Old Town with places that recall Caspar David Friedrich and the maritime life along the Ryck. The city offers a variety of ways to explore, from the Old Town to the fishing village of Wieck.

Brick Gothic and Caspar David Friedrich

The historic Old Town is defined by medieval Brick Gothic architecture. A prominent cultural landmark is St. Nikolai Cathedral: it is the painter Caspar David Friedrich’s baptismal church and also a cultural monument of national significance. If you would also like to discover Greifswald through its art history, the Caspar David Friedrich Picture Trail leads through the city and its surrounding area. Its 15 stops take in important places in the painter’s life and work.

You can explore the Picture Trail independently on foot or by bicycle. Another way to learn about Friedrich’s story is a guided tour of the Caspar David Friedrich Center, his birthplace. In authentic rooms, it tells the story of his family as well as his father’s soap-making and candle-making businesses. If you plan to take this tour, check booking options in advance.

Walks around the Old Town and along the Ryck

The ramparts encircle the historic heart of Greifswald for more than two kilometers and invite you to enjoy long walks throughout the year. This offers a different way to experience the city than the Picture Trail: here, the focus is on a longer walk around the historic center, while the trail’s stops lead to places associated with the painter.

Another route starts at the Museum Harbor in downtown Greifswald. From there, a well-maintained towpath runs for around five kilometers along the Ryck directly to Wieck. Its approximate length and route make it a practical option if you would like to connect the city, the riverbank and the fishing village on foot. Wieck is also a distinctive place because of its drawbridge, which was officially inaugurated on July 25, 1887. Its two leaves, each 13.30 meters long, are still raised by hand.

Museum Harbor and trips to Wieck

Greifswald’s Museum Harbor is home to more than 50 ships and is considered Germany’s largest museum harbor. You can also experience the Ryck toward the Bodden from on board: the museum ships Hanne-Marie and Vorpommern take passengers from the harbor via Wieck and out onto the Greifswalder Bodden. Before your trip, check whether these sailings are available on your travel dates.

During the season, the excursion boat MS Stubnitz sails daily from Greifswald Museum Harbor via Wieck and out onto the Greifswalder Bodden, then back again. In Wieck, passengers can board and disembark on the south side to explore the fishing village and the Eldena Monastery Ruins. For this seasonal connection, check the timetable and operating days in advance. This will help you decide whether you would prefer to discover Greifswald through its Old Town and cultural landmarks, along the Ryck’s walking routes, or with a boat trip as an additional option.

Discover more destinations: Amt Züssow, Ueckermünde, Amt Löcknitz-Penkun, Amt Torgelow-Ferdinandshof, Anklam, Amt Landhagen, Amt Uecker-Randow-Tal, Amt Am Stettiner Haff.

Back to the main travel overview: Vorpommern-Greifswald.