Rostock

Travel Guide

Rostock which includes a garden and a city as well as a small group of people
New Market showing heritage elements and a city
Rostock which includes street scenes and a square or plaza as well as a small group of people
New Market which includes a city, a sunset and heritage elements
Rostock which includes heritage architecture

This maritime city’s attractive Brick Gothic architecture gives visitors an insight into Europe’s prominent 14th and 15th-century Hanseatic era.

Rostock is the largest city in the north German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. You will find a lot of the city’s action at the Rostock Harbor. If you are visiting in August, you might catch the Hanse Sail, which attracts millions of people to the harbor each year. You will see up to 300 tall ships, sloops, cruise ships, ferries, museum schooners and vintage yachts at the festival.

The event takes place in front of the city’s Old Quarter where you can learn about Rostock’s history. Red-brick and pastel-colored buildings date back to the 14th and 15th centuries when the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive alliance of merchant guilds, dominated trade along the coast of northern Europe. Explore the eastern part of the quarter where you will find historic attractions, including St. Peter’s Church, St. Mary’s Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion.

One of the best ways to see Rostock is by boat on the Warnow River. When exploring the river, make sure you see Alter Strom, a charming old arm of the river in the seaside suburb of Warnemünde. There, you will find pretty, colorful fishermen’s cottages, small local stores, cafes and restaurants.

To experience a different side of the city, head to the University of Rostock. It was founded in 1419, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. Wander around the college grounds and enjoy the Baltic Sea views that students are treated to while they study.

In the evening, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs to explore around the city.

For some fresh air and exercise after your night out, head to the Rostock Heath, which is a 20-minute drive north of downtown Rostock. It is the largest coastal forest in Germany and visitors can tour the area and learn about its history in the forest museum.

Rostock has a small downtown area and there are a number of pedestrian zones, so it’s easy to see a lot of the city’s attractions on foot. You can get fast rail connections from Rostock Central Station to Hamburg and Berlin. Public transportation is available around the city, including a good tramway network as well as buses and ferries.

Where to stay in Rostock

Warnemuende Church which includes heritage architecture, outdoor eating and a church or cathedral

Warnemünde

5/5(6 area reviews)

Well-liked for its beaches and restaurants, Warnemünde is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Warnemünde Cruise Center and Warnemunde Lighthouse, and jump on the metro at Warnemuende Station to get around the city.

Warnemünde

Markgrafenheide

While Markgrafenheide might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Markgrafenheide Beach and Marina Warnemuende.

Markgrafenheide
Warnemünde

Hohe Düne

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Hohe Düne. You might want to make time for a stop at Marina Warnemuende or Hohe Düne Beach.

Hohe Düne

Diedrichshagen

You'll enjoy the beaches and parks in Diedrichshagen. You might want to make time for a stop at Warnemunde Beach or Wilhelmshöhe.

Diedrichshagen
New Market which includes a city, a sunset and heritage elements

Stadtmitte

Unique features of Stadtmitte include the historic sites and bars. Make a stop by New Market or Kröpeliner Tor while you're exploring the area.

Stadtmitte
Rostock which includes street scenes and a square or plaza as well as a small group of people

Nördliche Altstadt

If you're spending some time in Nördliche Altstadt, Kröpeliner Tor and New Market are top sights worth seeing.

Nördliche Altstadt
pentahotel Rostock

pentahotel Rostock

Schwaansche Str. 6, Rostock, MV
$126 nightly
The price is $143 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$143 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great inexpensive hotel"

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

pentahotel Rostock
Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Duene

Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Duene

Am Yachthafen 1, Warnemuende, Rostock, MV
$241 nightly
The price is $266 total per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
$266 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (967 reviews)
"It was amazing! I did ask bellhop to deliver my luggage After dinner I stopped registration and my luggage was still there. I took my luggage back to my room."

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2025

Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Duene
ScanHotels City

ScanHotels City

4.5 out of 5
Lange Strasse 40, Rostock, MV
$152 nightly
The price is $172 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$172 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"A very nice hotel that exceeded my expectations. It’s very spacious and clean. Do not skip the breakfast buffet!!!"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

ScanHotels City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
comfortable 4-star roof terrace apartment, quiet and central

comfortable 4-star roof terrace apartment, quiet and central

Rostock
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Warnemunde Beach and Rostock Port ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (23 reviews)
Geburtstagsfeier
"Wunderbar"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

comfortable 4-star roof terrace apartment, quiet and central
Haus Shiralee

Haus Shiralee

34A Fritz-Reuter-Straße, Rostock
Stay at this apartment in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Warnemunde Beach and Rostock Port are ...
"Perfekte Lage, sehr nette Kommunikation. Problemloser Check-In und Check-Out. Hunde sind auch willkommen. Vielen Dank!"

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024

Haus Shiralee
The Green Rostock Apartment Hotel

The Green Rostock Apartment Hotel

Große Wasserstraße 10, Rostock, MV
Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in Rostock. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and onsite car rentals. Popular attractions Rostock Port and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (118 reviews)
Comfortable and spacious
"This was our third stay at the hotel, and this time we had a large apartment which was very well proportioned. The hotel is very central to Rostock and therefore very convenient to all that Rostock offers."

Reviewed on Sep 9, 2022

The Green Rostock Apartment Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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