Overview

This city was founded nearly 800 years ago and has the oldest university in the Baltic region, dating back to 1419. Rostock is a charming and fantastic city situation on the banks of the River Warnow with its own seaside resort Warnemünde. The city has a mixture of rich traditions and modern life and appeals to a range of people wishing to relax and enjoy the culture. Rostock was one of the first Hanseatic cities and exerted great power and influence during the Middle Ages.

Kings and Tsars
Proud citizens and mighty rulers are what symbolise the towns and cities of northern Germany. The far-sightedness, energy and determination with which they planned and constructed their communities still amaze us today. It is the unique cultural heritage which attracts visitors to Mecklenburg and Vorpommern. There are said to be about 2000 Hanseatic castles, monasteries, manor houses and mansions, many of which date back to Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the principal architect of the House of Hohenzollern, the last line of German emperors.
Although never a place of residence for Germany’s emperors, Rostock was the focus of Danish and Swedish kings in medieval times. They founded monasteries here and for more than 150 years occupied the neighbouring medieval towns of Wismar and Stralsund (today both listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites).
At the end of the 19th century, with the development of the German railway network came the first direct transport connection to the German capital Berlin and in 1903 the rail link was extended northwards via rail ferry to Copenhagen. Thus Rostock is the perfect stopover destination for those wishing to visit Berlin.

City Life & Outdoor Events
“Stromerwachen” (the Awakening of the Alter Strom) in Warnemünde in late April/early May traditionally marks the start of the festival season. It features music and entertainment, and a pedestrian zone with a range of pastimes for the whole family, including stands offering tempting culinary tidbits.
A trip from Warnemünde through Hohe Düne will lead you past the nature reserve of Radelsee and through Rostock Heath to Graal-Müritz, while an alternative route goes west of the River Warnow to Heiligendamm, a newly restored imperial bathing resort once popular with German kaisers, Russian czars and other European royalty.

Great Shopping & Fine Food
Rostock is a great place to enjoy some shopping, with the historical downtown area a particularly pleasant place to browse and buy. Many stores are located in the historical town houses and old warehouses. And when it’s time to take a break, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants. The locals of Vorpemmorn and Mecklenborg have specialties such as cooking apples with bacon and potatoes.
To round off the day, enjoy a relaxing evening in a pub offering all the romance of the seafarers of old – try the famous “Zur Kogge” pub at the city docks, cosy cafés in the courtyard of the Holy Cross convent, or the town hall restaurant, which dates back to the 17th century.

Top 10 attractions
Rostock top 10 - don't miss

• Town Hall - One of the city’s oldest buildings.
• St. Mary’s church - Inside the church, its decoration and the famous astrological clock from 1472 are well worth a visit.
• St. Peter’s church - The St. Petri church is a basilica built around the time of the foundation of Rostock.
• Universitätsplatz (University Square)
• Rostock Zoo - The Zoo of Rostock is the biggest zoo on the Baltic coast.
• Academy of Music and Theatre – The monastery and its church built by Franciscan monks have a history dating back to 1223.
• City wall defences – See one of only three surviving gates of the original fortifications of Rostock.
• Culturel History Museum – located in former Cistercian convent.
• Ständehaus (house of Estates) historical building
• Warnemünde lighthouse and promenade - Warnemünde is a famous seaside resort just north of Rostock.