Rostock, the almost 800 year old Hanseatic town, has retained much of its original charm and today, together with the seaside resort of Warnemünde, has a diverse cultural scene. This vibrant and cosmopolitan university and port town has a historical centre with typical north German brick architecture and a tangible maritime atmosphere. Rostock is the largest city in the north German state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Rostock is located on the Warnow river; the quarter of Warnemünde, 12 km north of the city lies directly on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
How to Get There:
The Airport Rostock-Laage lies near Rostock.Ryanair has a service from Stockholm Skavsta airport to Rostock-Laage airport. Alternatively you can fly to Hamburg or Berlin Schönefeld and travel by train to Rostock. From Hamburg Central Station you can take the train to Rostock. Buy a Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-Ticket. With this MV-Ticket you can travel with 5 Persons from Hamburg to Rostock. From Hamburg take the motorway to Lübeck and from there turn to Rostock. (1 1/2 hour trip). If starting in Berlin you have to drive in the direction of Hamburg until you have to switch for Rostock. This trip will take 2 1/2 hours. Ferry from Gedser in Denmark every second hour, from Trelleborg in Sweden several times per day and Superfast Ferries from Helsinki to Rostock.
What to See:
The Fountain of the Joy of Life is situated in University Square. It is a DDR monument to Rostock's rebirth after WWII. East Germans have no body shyness - (hence the vast amount of nudist beaches on the Baltic coast) - and that this fountain with it's nude statues happily cavorting in the water, is known locally as "The Porn Fountain"; Volkstheater, or People's Theatre, subsidized by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has its own drama, opera and ballet ensembles and its own orchestra, the North German Philharmonic; Gabled houses in New Market square have been carefully preserved and show how this city was once extremely prosperous and important in the Hanseatic league trading association; The 15th-century Kerkhofhaus is considered the best preserved brick Gothic house in Rostock. St. Mary`s Church Marienkirche, on Ziegenmarkt, is an imposing Brick Gothic church. The main pedestrian precinct is Kröpeliner Straße, that runs east from the Neuer Markt to the 14th-century Kröpeliner Tor, a former town gate. The Brick Gothic Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church), which is the oldest church in Rostock, built in mid-13th century. Heavily damaged during World War II and subsequently restored, the building is now used as an exhibition centre and concert hall, due to its outstanding acoustics. Warnemünde is the seaside part of Rostock and a major attraction of the city. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the maritime flair of old houses, a large beach, a lighthouse and the old fisherman port. The economy is strongly influenced by tourism, the University of Rostock and maritime industries (especially shipbuilding) and the service sector.
Where to Eat:
The Hay Moon: Heumond;Goldener Anker; The Marientreff; Ich liebe es; Borwin - Hafenrestaurant; Das Kartoffelhaus and Restaurant Weinwirtschaft come highly recommended.
Events:
The city is home to the annual Hanse Sail festival, during which many large sailing ships and museum vessels are brought out to sea, drawing over 1.5 million visitors. There is an annual Jazz festival taking place in June called Ostsee-Jazz. Further events include: Kurfilmfestival FiSh; Rostocker Kulturwoche; Sommer der Kulturen; Rostocker Hafenfest; Boulevardfest and the Warnemünder Woche.
Hotels:
Rostock has over 60 hotels and inns/B&Bs. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Rostock; penta hotel Rostock; Steigenberger Hotel Sonne; InterCity Hotel Rostock and Best Western Hanse Hotel Warnemuende are top grade. The Trihotel Rostock; Elbotel Hotel-Restaurant Rostock; Ibis Rostock and Hotel Citymaxx are a notch below.
