This Baltic Sea university town has charming cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses. Students fill its many pubs and cafes, while its historic center includes medieval churches.
Greifswald, a Baltic Sea port in northeastern Germany, has grown beyond its medieval Hanseatic roots into a university city of 59,000 residents. You'll find students chatting in cafes along the Ryck River while historic sailing ships line the museum harbor. Walk through streets lined with brick Gothic churches, including the Dom St. Nikolai with its 100-meter tower, or take a day trip to see the white chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park.
Getting to Greifswald
You can reach Greifswald from Berlin or Hamburg (both 250 kilometers away) via the Autobahn 20. Trains run regularly from Berlin, with the journey taking about three hours. The city center lies three kilometers from the Baltic shore, and boats can access the sea via the Ryck River.
University Life
Since 1456, the University of Greifswald has shaped the city's atmosphere. Today, more than 10,000 students study here, with many working in biotechnology and plasma physics research institutes alongside Siemens Labs. Join one of the language summer schools or attend cultural workshops that run throughout the year.
Cycling Around Town
With 44% of residents cycling daily, Greifswald ranks first in German bicycle usage. Take the riverside path along the Ryck from the city center to the seaside district of Wieck. In summer, the riverbank comes alive as students and locals gather at outdoor bars and cafes.
Maritime Activities
At Greifswald-Wieck, Germany's largest museum harbor houses more than 50 historic vessels. Two student sailing clubs operate between Rügen and Usedom islands, where steady winds create good conditions for sailing. During warm months, you can row, canoe, or fish along the Ryck River.
Gothic Architecture
The 100-meter tower of Dom St. Nikolai stands as the city's highest point. Three main churches define the skyline - locals call them Long Nicholas, Fat Marie, and Little Jacob. Walk past the medieval town hall from 1350 and sections of old city walls to understand Greifswald's Hanseatic history.
Museums and Culture
At the Pomeranian State Museum, you can see paintings by local artist Caspar David Friedrich alongside exhibits about regional history. Each year, the Nordischer Klang festival brings Nordic music and art to Greifswald - it's Germany's biggest Nordic cultural celebration outside Scandinavia. Watch opera, ballet, and theater performances at Theater Vorpommern.
Surrounding Nature
Three national parks lie within an hour's drive: Jasmund, Müritz, and Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft. The Bay of Greifswald stretches across 514 square kilometers with an average depth of 5.6 meters. These shallow, brackish waters create specific conditions where particular marine species thrive.
