Travemünde – Maritime History and Baltic Sea Views
Accommodation in Travemünde
Travemünde combines maritime architecture and shipping history with experiences by the water. The four-masted barque PASSAT lies at the mouth of the Trave and has become the seaside resort’s floating landmark. The Old Lighthouse in Travemünde dates back to 1539 and houses a maritime museum. This gives you a range of themes to focus on when planning your visit: historic ships and buildings, the Baltic Sea in aquariums, or routes with views of the water.
Ship History and Maritime Heritage
The exhibition aboard the PASSAT features diary entries by a 15-year-old boy. He signed on to the PASSAT in 1932 and sailed around the world aboard her; his notes offer insights into his daily life on the ship. This approach connects a specific historical event with a personal perspective. Rather than viewing the circumnavigation of the world solely as a milestone in shipping history, the diary brings life on board into focus. If you are interested in maritime history, you can explore it here through the story of one individual.
The Old Lighthouse offers a different perspective: its date, 1539, places the building within a long history, and it houses a maritime museum. Together, these places offer different ways of exploring the maritime past: a young person’s perspective aboard a ship, and a historic building with a museum.
Baltic Sea Aquariums on the Priwall
On the Priwall, the Travemünde Baltic Sea Station focuses on the Baltic Sea. Its aquariums display native marine life, and there is also a small marine museum. If you would like to learn about the Baltic Sea not only through ships, but also through its native marine life, this offers another way to explore the subject.
The Baltic Sea Station also offers an interactive tour lasting around an hour. You can feel the marine life, feed voracious flatfish and ask questions. The tour complements viewing the aquariums with hands-on participation and discussion. At about an hour long, it can be planned as a separate activity during your stay.
Promenades and Ships by the Water
The promenade loop connects the two banks. It links the Trave Promenade on the town side of Travemünde with the new promenade on the Priwall side and includes two leisurely short ferry rides across the mouth of the Trave. The crossings are part of the loop itself. If you plan to take this route, it is worth checking the ferry timetable so you can account for both crossings.
The crescent-shaped Nordermole, made of reinforced concrete, extends about 250 metres out to sea. From there, you can watch ships coming and going, including small fishing boats and sailboats. The mole therefore offers a distinct focus on shipping: unlike the promenade loop, which is defined by the connection between two promenades and its short ferry rides, here the focus is on ships along the water’s edge.
Discover more destinations: Lübeck, Sankt Jürgen.
Go to the main travel overview: Lübeck.
