Stralsund Christmas Market
An Advent market in the UNESCO World Heritage old town around the Alter Markt and town hall with stalls and festive programme in December.
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Stralsund
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ℹ️Practical info — Stralsund
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The Ozeaneum gets very crowded on rainy days and weekends; buy your tickets online in advance to skip the long ticket queues.
- The old town is mostly pedestrianized and paved with uneven cobblestones, so comfortable, flat walking shoes are essential.
- Parking in the historic center is difficult; use the large parking garages just outside the old town, like the one at Hafeninsel.
- Avoid driving across the Rügen bridge during Friday afternoon or Sunday evening in summer, as holiday traffic jams are severe.
- Take the harbor ferry for a cheap and scenic view of the city's striking Brick Gothic skyline from the water.
🍽 Food
🍽
Bismarckhering
A famous local pickled herring. Grab a fresh 'Fischbrötchen' (fish sandwich) from the fishing boats at the harbor.
🍽
Stralsunder Marzipan
Though less famous than Lübeck's, local bakeries in the old town serve excellent, handmade marzipan treats.
🍽
Störtebeker Beer
A renowned local brew. Try the different varieties at a traditional Brauhaus in the city center or the brewery itself.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Ossenreyerstraße
The main pedestrian shopping street in the historic center, excellent for clothing, souvenirs, and local boutiques.
🛍
Amber Jewelry
Often called the 'Gold of the Baltic', you can find beautiful amber crafts in small shops around the old market square.
🧘
Knieperteich & Frankenteich
The large ponds encircling the old town feature peaceful walking paths and spectacular views of the church spires.
🧘
St. Johannis Abbey (Johanniskloster)
The tranquil ruins and beautiful courtyards of this former monastery offer a great escape from the busy streets.
Water temperature…
Stralsund is a significant Hanseatic city on the Strelasund, a strait of the Baltic Sea, and serves as the gateway to the island of Rügen. Its old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002, alongside Wismar, and is an outstanding example of medieval town planning and Brick Gothic architecture in the Baltic region. The town hall, built in the 13th century with its delicate decorative facade, is considered one of the most beautiful secular buildings in Northern Germany. Stralsund was an important member of the Hanseatic League and was under Swedish rule from 1648 to 1815, which continues to shape the city's architecture and culture today. A modern landmark is the Ozeaneum on the harbor island, which, as part of the German Oceanographic Museum, has spectacular insights into the underwater world of the northern seas. The city is also an important location for shipbuilding and the maritime economy. The Rügen Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Germany, connects Stralsund with the neighboring island. Numerous museums and historic warehouses at the harbor tell of the city's illustrious trade history.
- Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
- Top sights: Ozeaneum · Gorch Fock I · Stralsund Town Hall
- Nearby: Prohn (8 km)
- Population: ~59.450
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 45 | 42 | 34 | 47 | 57 | 74 | 73 | 57 | 62 | 57 | 62 |
Live webcam – Stralsund
See what it looks like near Stralsund right now.
Stralsund › North-east: Stralsund Promenade - Nordmole · 1.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Stralsund was granted Lübeck city rights in the year 1234.
- The Stralsund Town Hall features a decorative facade with seven towers.
- St. Mary's Church was the tallest building in the world between 1549 and 1647, standing at 151 meters.
- The Rügen Bridge is a total of 2,831 meters long.
- The Ozeaneum was named 'European Museum of the Year' in 2010.
- The Treaty of Stralsund in 1370 marked the pinnacle of Hanseatic power.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:552.5 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
Your day starts in the south of the Old Town at the massive St. Mary's Church. From there, stroll through UNESCO-protected alleys to the Old Market, the heart of the city. After a traditional fish lunch, dive into the underwater world at the Ozeaneum. Spend the afternoon on the Harbor Island between historic ships and the modern silhouette of the Rügen Bridge.
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🚶 17'0.7 km
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10:14 · 47'
Old Town Hall & St. Nicholas Church
Admire the ornate facade of the town hall, a masterpiece of brick Gothic.
🚶 8'0.26 km
🚶 11'0.39 km
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14:42 · 47'
Gorch Fock I Museum Ship
Visit the historic sailing training ship directly in the harbor.
🚶 9'0.28 km
09:00→17:255.1 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 37–51 €Entries 32€ · Transport 12€
By bike, you will explore not only the Old Town but also the beautiful promenade along the Strelasund. The tour leads from the waterfront through the city gates into the historic center and on to the harbor. A highlight is the ride towards the Rügen Bridge, where you can admire the impressive engineering up close. The trip ends with a relaxed loop around the Frankenteich lake.
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🚲 7'0.65 km
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🚲 12'1.47 km
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09:00→16:4010.9 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 28€ · Transport 2€
This car tour combines the highlights of Stralsund with the best panoramic views. You start with a drive across the impressive Rügen Bridge to Altefähr to photograph the famous skyline. Then, park centrally at the harbor and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and the Ozeaneum on foot. Finally, drive to green Devin for a quiet view over the Strelasund.
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09:10 · 47'
Altefähr (Sund Panorama)
Drive across the Rügen Bridge for the best view of the Stralsund skyline.
🚗 15'3.56 km
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Sights in the town Stralsund (16)
Gorch Fock I🏛 museum
This historic three-masted barque is moored in Stralsund harbor and can be visited as a museum ship.
🌐 gorchfock1.de🕒 Apr-Oct: 10:00-17:00; Nov-Mar: 10:00-16:00
HanseDom Stralsund👨👩👧 family
Recreation and sports park in Stralsund, part of the HanseDom complex.
🌐 hansedom.de🕒 Mo-Su 09:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 09:30-23:00
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need for the Ozeaneum?
You should plan at least 2 to 3 hours to see the exhibitions and aquariums at your leisure.
Is Stralsund reachable by car from Rügen?
Yes, the Rügen Bridge and the Rügen Causeway connect the island directly to the mainland at Stralsund.
Are there parking facilities near the harbor?
Yes, there are several parking garages, such as 'Am Hafen' or 'Ozeaneum', right by the water.
Which local specialty should you try?
The Bismarck herring is said to have been invented here, a fish roll at the harbor is a must.
Why is Stralsund a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Due to its nearly unchanged medieval layout and significant Brick Gothic architecture.
Stralsund: where is it located?
Stralsund is located in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.
Stralsund: what is there to see?
Highlights include Ozeaneum, Gorch Fock I, Stralsund Town Hall.
Stralsund: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Stralsund: why is it worth visiting?
Stralsund is a significant Hanseatic city on the Strelasund, a strait of the Baltic Sea, and serves as the gateway to the island of Rügen.
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