Warnemünde is a relatively small resort on the coast of Germany but is also one of the major ports of call for ships sailing around Northern Europe.
That’s because the port on the mouth of the river Warnow acts as the gateway to both nearby Rostock and the German capital Berlin – which is a few hours away by train.
As a result, many people who visit Warnemünde on a cruise holiday will simply be passing through in order to head elsewhere, although the resort itself does have a range of attractions that are worth exploring in their own right.
These include the historic lighthouse, from where you can take in views across the Baltic, the former home of artist Edvard Munch (known for The Scream), the 19th century church and the traditional fishermen houses that line the streets of the old town area.
There is also various shops and restaurants, whilst the nearby sand dunes and large stretches of sand around the resort might be worth checking out if your cruise is during the middle of summer.
Head into Rostock and you can spend time exploring the picturesque buildings around the main market square, enjoying some retail therapy on Kröpeliner Straße or visit the historical old churches of St Nicholas’ and St Mary’s.
The former dates back to the 13th century and had to be extensively restored after being damaged in the Second World War, whilst the gothic building of St Mary’s features a huge tower and astronomical clock built in the 1470s.
There are various museums and galleries, whilst during the year there are a number of festivals that are held in Rostock – with Hanse Sail being particularly popular as hundreds of sail ships from all eras descend on the city.
Should you be amongst those who decide to visit Berlin then there are plenty go things to see in the German capital, although when you factor in the time to travel to and from the port, you would be well advised to do some planning in advance to maximise your time in the city.
The likes of the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the Holocaust Memorial are all popular visitor attractions whilst there are countless museums and galleries that include the Museum of Natural History.
With some careful planning, you’ll be able to get a taste of what Berlin has to offer during your Northern Europe cruise.