The Top Things to See and Do in Rostock

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Saint Mary’s Church is the largest of the three town-centre churches and the only one that came out of World War II unscathed. The 13th-century brick Gothic building was modified over the years, and its tower was only completed in the 18th century. It’s worth exploring the treasures inside, which include a medieval astronomical clock, an organ, a beautiful high altar and stained-glass windows.

Rostock’s cultural history museum occupies rooms of a historic monastery founded in 1270 by Queen Margrethe of Denmark. The permanent exhibition displays a wide range of artefacts, from toys, coins, ecclesial art and handicrafts made from tin, silver and ceramics to antique jewellery and archaeological finds from all over Mecklenburg.

The striking structure is one of Rostock’s four historic city gates you can still see today. The Dutch Renaissance gate was erected on the ruins of a Gothic gate between 1574 and 1577. The city-facing side flaunts the city’s seal and emblem and the Latin words ‘Sit intra te concordia et publica felicitas’ (May unity and prosperity reign within your city walls).

Rostock’s Nikolai Church was built in 1230, making it one of the oldest in the region, but after the community service was combined with the nearby Saint Petri Church, the Nikolai Church underwent elaborate reconstruction works, repurposing it into a cultural centre and living space. Churchly services are still on the agenda, as are concerts, lectures and other cultural get-togethers.

Kröpeliner Straße is Rostock’s main shopping street and seamed with chain and speciality shops, boutiques and cafés, all of which have moved into the colourful and faithfully reconstructed gabled houses. The historic Kröpeliner Tor, one of Rostock’s four remaining towers of the medieval city fortification, and the new market square frame the busy street.

The steeple of the Gothic Saint Petri Church soars 117 metres (384 feet) over Rostock’s old town. After a 1942 bomb raid struck the city’s oldest church, it destroyed the copper-plated tower top, Rostock’s most prominent landmark. Reconstruction works only commenced slowly, but in 1994, the embellished steeple finally shone like new. A lift takes visitors up to a viewing platform at 45 metres high, giving them panoramic vistas over the city.

Rostock is a mere 15-minute drive or train ride away from the coast, and Warnemünde Beach lures people out of the city and towards the Baltic Sea. A typical beach day here can include some relaxed hours in one of the canopied wicker beach chairs, long walks along the waterfront promenade, kitesurfing, sailing, swimming and other activities.

If you eat one meal in Rostock, make sure it’s at Zur Kogge. The maritime-themed restaurant is the eatery in town and features a beautiful and detailed décor of wood-worked furniture, framed stained-glass art, life rings, ship lanterns and scale model ships suspended from the ceiling. On the menu are seafood dishes that come straight from the nearby port and hearty side dishes.

If you make your way up to the coast, plan some time to amble along Warnemünde’s most popular strolling promenade. Shops and boutiques along the so-called Am Strom stock cute maritime souvenirs and beachwear, and the countless bars, cafés and restaurants serve everything from cold beer and French fries to cocktails and seafood platters.

More than 4,800 men and women were incarcerated in Rostock’s pre-trial prison between 1960 and 1989. Most of them were prisoners of conscience awaiting their trial after they tried leaving the GDR. The Stasi prison is now a museum and memorial site that people can visit as part of a guided tour that grants a glimpse into the day-to-day life of prisoners and the nifty methods that East Germany’s secret police used to monitor the public.