Germany isn’t a country that is best known for beaches and that’s a shame, as it actually has some amazing coastline and islands. Not convinced? Take a look at stylish Sylt, full of coastal glamour. Or Timmendorfer Strand, with its relaxed atmosphere and many wellness hotels.
For a cosy beach break soaked in history and natural beauty, I’d head for Travemünde. Here’s why.
You Can Stay in the Cutest Beachside Bungalows.
Travemünde as a coastal town that has blossomed over the past few years, and the modern Beach Bay Promenade is the place to go to be fed, watered and entertained. But if you’re seeking a slightly wilder Baltic adventure, move slightly out of town and rent a bungalow nestled in the dunes.
The Danish style beach homes are simple, homely and just steps away from the beach and the Baltic. Perfect for that early morning dip or sunset stroll.
You know that ‘Coastal Grandmother’ trend that exploded this year? This is the perfect place for it.
Facilities here are limited, you’ll need to walk or cycle into the town centre for most things. There’s a small reception-cum-shop, a daily bread van, bikes for hire and a beach shack bar. And that’s about it.
The beach and the Baltic are the stars of the show here.
Getting Here Feels Like Adventure
There is a land route into the resort meaning you could drive right in if you wanted to. But to make your holiday feel like a real escape, I’d reccomend taking the small car ferry that connects Priwall and Travemünde.
Well, maybe ferry is a little grand. It’s a little drive- on boat that takes the traffic across the harbour. You can see one side from the other and the whole process takes about fifteen minutes. But crossing the water lets you feel like everyday life is left behind.
The ferry sails regularly throughout the day and you purchase tickets at the port from a ticket machine or directly from staff.
You Can Rent an Authetic ‘Strandkorb’
If you want to make a day of it, rent the traditional German Strandkorb beach chairs. They can be rotated to catch the sun or turn your back to the wind and the canny Germans have thought of everything. There’s usually a folding shelf for your book, sunglasses, morning coffee or glass of champagne. Much nicer than a towel on the sand and perfect for the changeable weather blowing in off the Baltic.
You Can Go on Board the Passat
In the early 1900’s, the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg produced a fleet of cargo ships known as the legendary Flying P-Liner series. The four mast Passat was one of them. Following her maiden voyage round Cape Horn to Chile, she conquered many a stormy sea before being retired to Travemünde.
The ships story is fascinating -She spent WW1 in Chile, was given to the French as post-war reparation, was sold to a Finnish captain and narrowly avoided the scrap yard in Belgium.
Just as intriguing as the ship herself are the stories of those who sailed on her, and none more so than that of cabin boy Herbert Scheuffler. He went off to sea in 1932 aged just 15, and many of the on-board displays are based on his diary entries. He’s such a part of the ships heritage, he has a statue right next to her.
The old boat hasn’t been totally dry docked as a museum piece though. In keeping with seafaring tradition, the Passat is kept as a proper ship and always has a ‘hand-span of water under its keel’
Now a much loved and well protected floating emblem of the town, and well worth a visit.
You Can Day Trip to Lübeck
Lübeck- Hanseatic city, UNESCO world heritage site and the prettiest place to stroll. As well as being packed with historic buildings and monuments like the Holstentor with its beautiful sleeping lions, Lübeck is also home to some more hidden attractions.
Look beyond the facade of the grand old merchants’ houses in the old town and you’ll find a hidden world of medieval alleyways and courtyards. Today they are pretty places, pleasant to be. It wasn’t always so. I’d recommend booking a tour– if you aren’t in the know, (we weren’t) they aren’t all that easy to find!
You can’t visit this city without noticing something. Lübeck loves marzipan. Really, really loves it. They sell it, they make insane models out of it, the dress cakes in it, there’s even a Marzipan museum. Marzipan is an absolute thing here (a bit like Aachen with their beloved Printern)
The keeper of all this marzipan madness is Niederegger. They run the museum, which is free of charge and worth a look just to see the twelve-life size marzipan man sculptures that are the star attraction.
They also run a cafe, produce beautiful cakes and create a range of delicious goodies. The terrible thing is, I can’t eat marzipan. The cakes were a no go for me. I awarded myself two ice-creams instead and they were both delicious.
More on beautiful Lübeck here, and Travemünde here. We booked our bungalow with Landal, details here.
Have you been to any German seaside resorts? Are you buying into the whole ‘coastal grandmother’ trend?
Let’s chat in the comments, I love hearing from you. It makes my day.
Helen x
The Strandkorb beach chairs are very interesting – never heard of them before. Love those medieval structures…the real and the marzipan ones. And…I am one of those who would never think of beaches and Germany in the same sentence. Thanks for the education and the tour!
I’m glad I can do a little bit to promote the gorgeous German coastline. Thanks for coming along, a pleasure to have you and your thoughtful comments are always appreciated.
Lübeck looks charming and I simply love anything coated in marzipan Helen. I haven’t been to Baltic Germany yet but hope to sometime especially after reading this.
I hope you do Marion- you can have my share of marzipan delights! Lots of sailings across to Finland from Travemund, maybe a little Baltic adventure awaits?
GoshI I didn’t know that Helen, butI it’s something I’d love to do. Coincidentally we just returned from an autumn trip to Helsinki last night. M xx
I’m beginning to see why you want to move there, Helen. Travemunde looks lovely and there’s nothing I like better than a boat trip. Good idea those beach chair cum huts, aren’t they? My Polish family like to holiday at the Baltic and I’ve always liked the sound of Lubeck. Good times ahead, for sure! Never heard of the coastal grandma thing but I’m often out of touch with trends.
Funnily enough Jo, I’ve had my eye on a Polish seaside resort called Hel as it was the setting for a Polish TV show I binge watched. This year has been tricky for travel between passport dramas and the Mr being on standby most of it, but next Summer.
I miss the trends too, unless the trend is ‘dog walking clothes and pocket of poo bags’ then I’m accidently cool. But I listen to the teens and lurk when they’re on the social medias and I pick up the odd gem!
That little isthmus, or whatever you call them, looks very nice. I have Polish cousins who have stayed there 🤗💗
I loved Lübeck the one time I visited My husband had a friend here who has since died so we’re unlikely to go back. But I enjoyed my brief meeting with that coastline, and would like to explore more.
It’s definitely an area I’d like to see a bit more of too, and maybe a bit of island hopping.
I’ve never been to Travemünde, but just before the Corona pandemic I had a brief visit to Lübeck to see an opera called “Montezuma” by Carl Heinrich Graun, to a text by none other than the reigning monarch of Prussia at the time, King Friedrich II aka Friedrich the Great.
https://operasandcycling.com/montezuma-in-lubeck/
Brilliiant stuff, your passion for opera has taken you far and wide! Do you still attend live performances?
Yes, I still do attend live performances — when the pandemic situation permits.
The Baltic coastline looks like somewhere I would enjoy. But what is the Coastal Grandma trend? X
So I tried to explain this trend in my own words and just wrote a rambling, wittering reply. So I’ll leave a link instead. Although I’m behind because the trend has now apparently moved on to ‘Country Grandmother’ and I’ve no idea on that one!
https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/coastal-grandma-trend/
Haha, ok. 🙂
Great piece Helen. I had not an inkling of Travemünde’s existence, so this entire piece has been enlightening. The beach homes in the dunes look and feel great, any idea why they chose Danish style structures? Love the Strandkorb too, not sure I’ve seen anything like them before. The local sights all appeal, from the fine looking Passat to Lübeck, which looks worthy of an extended stay in itself. I have a soft spot for Marzipan too 😉
I’m not sure about the Danish style huts, the Danish neighbours aren’t so far away. Maybe just a bit of cultural crossover? Oh I love the beach chairs, I quite fancy one for the garden when we put down roots somewhere. Thanks for stopping by, much appreciated!
I have to say I never think of beaches and Germany, though they look great and I love the Strandkorb beach chairs…and a wander through Lübeck also looks amazing…
The German coastline is a bit underrated outside Germany, but definitely worth a visit. So many beautiful resorts and islands.
Germany has really perfected its own version of the beach holiday and it’s definitely worth considering. Some beautiful beaches and islands on the Baltic coast.
If you are visiting Germany and are on the lookout for a place that will enchant you with the thrill of the crashing waves and the scenic beauty all around, the realms of possibility are quite endless. I know that many people don’t associate Germany as a beach destination, but when it comes to the Germany beach resorts, the possibilities around are quite endless and enigmatic. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Yes! I’d love to return and do some island hopping. I loved the whole Baltic experience. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Thanks for calling my attention to the German seaside – honestly never thought about having a sea holiday in Germany, but it seems to be awesome! 🙂
So many people say this, but the German coastline has so much to offer. Wellness, history, natural beauty- definitely worth a visit!
I never even knew there was a German seaside! Thank you for sharing, I’ll definitely add this to my travel list.