The Baltic Sea (Ostsee) is a very popular holiday/vacation destination for families due to it's warm summer weather, sandy white beaches and beautiful seaside resorts. Here are my tips of good places to visit along the Baltic Sea with children. Please note that the journey times given are approximations and of course will be affected by traffic/delays and/or where about's in Berlin you are setting off from.
Binz (Ruegen), image source
Binz (Ruegen)
Why: Binz is the largest seaside-resort on the island of Rügen, located on the eastern coast. The resort is well-known for it's traditional seaside architecture, little train tours and white beaches.
Journey time from Berlin: Car 3 hours / Train 4 hours
Tips: If your little one(s) love steam trains, then why not take a ride on ''Rushing Roland'', the steam train that travels across the island numerous times a day. Kids Club Binz offers both summer and winter programme's of kids activities (in German) for those parents who are hoping for a bit of time to themselves. Whilst in Binz, check out the Jagdschloss Granitz (Granitz Hunting Lodge). Built 107m above sea level, the lodge can be accessed by train from Binz (with the Rügen Light Railway.) Find out more about Binz in English here.
Why: Binz is the largest seaside-resort on the island of Rügen, located on the eastern coast. The resort is well-known for it's traditional seaside architecture, little train tours and white beaches.
Journey time from Berlin: Car 3 hours / Train 4 hours
Tips: If your little one(s) love steam trains, then why not take a ride on ''Rushing Roland'', the steam train that travels across the island numerous times a day. Kids Club Binz offers both summer and winter programme's of kids activities (in German) for those parents who are hoping for a bit of time to themselves. Whilst in Binz, check out the Jagdschloss Granitz (Granitz Hunting Lodge). Built 107m above sea level, the lodge can be accessed by train from Binz (with the Rügen Light Railway.) Find out more about Binz in English here.
Schwerin Castle, image source
Schwerin (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Why: Schwerin has a lot to offer for any adventurous family. From a large castle (Schwerin Castle) that looks like it came right out of a fairy tale, a Fire Brigade museum which boasts 55 fire engines and anything else firemen related, a museum filled with arcade 'flipper' machines (Flippermuseum Schwerin), royal gardens, lakes and much much more.
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 hours by car / 2 hours 20 mins by train
Tips: If Schwerin Castle and the Fire Brigade Museum aren't enough to fill your trip, check out Schwerin Zoo, Schwerin's seven lakes , the old town and a highlight of the yearly Schwerin calender is the Dragon Boat Festival at the end of August.
Why: Schwerin has a lot to offer for any adventurous family. From a large castle (Schwerin Castle) that looks like it came right out of a fairy tale, a Fire Brigade museum which boasts 55 fire engines and anything else firemen related, a museum filled with arcade 'flipper' machines (Flippermuseum Schwerin), royal gardens, lakes and much much more.
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 hours by car / 2 hours 20 mins by train
Tips: If Schwerin Castle and the Fire Brigade Museum aren't enough to fill your trip, check out Schwerin Zoo, Schwerin's seven lakes , the old town and a highlight of the yearly Schwerin calender is the Dragon Boat Festival at the end of August.
Bansin, Usedom, image source
Usedom
Why: Usedom sits on the border between Poland and Germany and boasts to be the sunniest region of both countries! The island is known for it's beautiful white beaches, spas, royal history and traditional Baltic cooking.
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 1/2 hours by car / 3 1/2 hours by train
Tips: Usedom offers a selection of seaside resorts: Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin. On top of the mile upon mile of sandy beaches, there is also Wildlife Usedom, with it's playgrounds, petting zoo and pony riding. In Mölschow, the kids can check out model trains and experience farm life and at Phänomenta, children can get hands-on with experiments. If you are looking for some fresh air, why not check out Usedom's Nature Park.
Why: Usedom sits on the border between Poland and Germany and boasts to be the sunniest region of both countries! The island is known for it's beautiful white beaches, spas, royal history and traditional Baltic cooking.
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 1/2 hours by car / 3 1/2 hours by train
Tips: Usedom offers a selection of seaside resorts: Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin. On top of the mile upon mile of sandy beaches, there is also Wildlife Usedom, with it's playgrounds, petting zoo and pony riding. In Mölschow, the kids can check out model trains and experience farm life and at Phänomenta, children can get hands-on with experiments. If you are looking for some fresh air, why not check out Usedom's Nature Park.
Warnemünde, image source
Warnemuende
Why: Warnemuende is a beautiful Baltic coast town with it's ownlighthouse which you can climb the many winding steps to the top of if you have the time and energy and perhaps older children!
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 1/4 hours by car / 3 1/2 hours by train
Tips: The Warnemünde beach is perfect for flying kites so bring one with you to make the most of sea breeze. Stroll through it's old town and look at the painted fisherman's cottages or take a bus to Bad Doberan where you can catch a ride on a steam train and check out some of the other towns nearby. Also in Warnemünde is Karls-Erlebnis-Dorf, open between the 1st May and 31st October, It offers a whole day of fun for families including learning about minerals, experience the joys of 'Strawberry Land', climb and dig in their playgrounds and taste their handmade foods.
Why: Warnemuende is a beautiful Baltic coast town with it's ownlighthouse which you can climb the many winding steps to the top of if you have the time and energy and perhaps older children!
Journey time from Berlin: approx 2 1/4 hours by car / 3 1/2 hours by train
Tips: The Warnemünde beach is perfect for flying kites so bring one with you to make the most of sea breeze. Stroll through it's old town and look at the painted fisherman's cottages or take a bus to Bad Doberan where you can catch a ride on a steam train and check out some of the other towns nearby. Also in Warnemünde is Karls-Erlebnis-Dorf, open between the 1st May and 31st October, It offers a whole day of fun for families including learning about minerals, experience the joys of 'Strawberry Land', climb and dig in their playgrounds and taste their handmade foods.
