Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Motif and Inspiration for Caspar David Friedrich

Inspired by the beauty of the city's silhouette, the romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, the most famous son of the university and Hanseatic city, often chose the brick buildings as motifs for his paintings.

The silhouette of Greifswald from the air and view of the church towers and old town by day.

Salty Breeze Paired with University Air

The university and Hanseatic city of Greifswald is always worth a visit. When strolling through the historic old town, the brick town houses, the oxblood-red town hall, parts of the medieval defense system and the brick churches are particularly striking. It is easy to see why the towers of the three distinctive churches are called Long Nicholas, Fat Marie and Little Jacob by the locals.

The cityscape is particularly characterized by the buildings of the University of Greifswald. One of the most magnificent and powerful buildings is the baroque main building of the university, which was built in 1750 by the Swedes who ruled here for almost 200 years. Founded as early as 1456 and thus the second oldest high teaching institution in northern Europe, it continues to provide a young, open intellectual climate in the city today.

Picturesque Greifswald

Maritime flair is spread by the many ships on display in Germany's largest museum harbor. Let yourself be inspired by more than 50 ships with detailed descriptions. A worthwhile museum for art lovers is the Pommersche Landesmuseum Greifswald. Here you will find, among other things, original works by the Greifswald-born artist Caspar David Friedrichs. In his honor, there are also exhibitions in his residence, today's Caspar David Friedrich Center. One of his popular Greifswald motifs is the romantic ruins of Eldena Monastery, which still magically attracts many people today.

A City with Sound

Greifswald offers a wide variety of musical events - whether young and dynamic or classical and elegant. Music festivals, such as the Eldena Jazz Evenings, Greifswalder Bachwoche, the fishing festival Gaffelrigg or the Nordic Sound already have a long tradition.

The Vacation Experts for the Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Hanseatic City of Greifswald in Moving Pictures

Impressions from Greifswald

Excursion Destinations

Sights and Leisure Tips

  1. Theater Greifswald, © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

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  2. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Landscape park

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  3. Exterior view of the church, © Tourismusverband Vorpommern e.V.

    Behrenhoff village church

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  4. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

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  5. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

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  6. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

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  7. © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

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  8. © Wally Pruss

    Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

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  9. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

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  10. © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

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  11. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

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  12. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald museum shipyard

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  13. Side view of the church and cemetery, © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

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  14. © Förderverein Eldenaer Mühle

    VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  15. Village church Kemnitz

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  16. © Gudrun Koch

    Catch tower Greifswald

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  17. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Town Hall

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  18. © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

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  19. Caspar David Friedrich Center

    Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich Center"
  20. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald barrage

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  21. Ludwigsburg Palace

    Read more: "Ludwigsburg Palace"
  22. © Förderverein Eldenaer Mühle

    VIA MOLINA Baltic Sea Route Vorpommern

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  23. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

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  24. © Gudrun Koch

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

    Read more: "Arboretum of the University of Greifswald"
  25. © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

    Read more: "Rubenow Monument"
  26. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

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  27. © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

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  28. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Observatory

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  29. Earth history: From dinosaurs to the last ice age, © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

    Read more: "Pomeranian State Museum"
  30. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg"
  31. © Martin Weidemeier

    Eldena windmill

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  32. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

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Tour Tips for Exploring

On foot or by bike

  • © TMV/Tiemann

    Eastern Brick Circuit

    • Length: 305 km
    • Etappen: 5

    The brick churches in Rostock, Stralsund and Greifswald are considered the crowning glory of medieval architecture. In smaller harbor towns and in the hinterland, too, the red stones pile up to form imposing contemporary witnesses. In addition to a lot of history, cyclists enjoy unspoiled nature and swimming fun.

    Read more: "Eastern Brick Circuit"
  • © TMV/Gänsicke

    Baltic Sea Cycle Route

    • Length: 690 km
    • Etappen: 15

    The part of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route which leads through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a beautiful trail in Northern Germany, which winds through idyllic scenery, Hanseatic towns, three islands and classic villages.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Cycle Route"
  • © TMV/Foto@Andreas-Duerst.de

    Via Baltica

    • Length: 360 km
    • Etappen: 16

    In our hectic times, more and more people are looking for heavenly peace and divine inspiration. They find it in the liberating expanse of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Via Baltica"
  • © TMV/Petermann

    Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9

    • Length: 400 km
    • Etappen: 14

    Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic Sea – the Hiking Trail E9 connects the coasts of Europe. On the stretch between Travemünde and Ahlbeck, hikers can enjoy the diversity of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's coastal landscape.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9"
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    Event Tips

    Events, Exhibitions and Concerts

    1. © pixabay

      Musical get-together

      Read more: "Musical get-together"
    2. © Schnuppe Figurentheater

      The coffee gets cold at the fire department

      Read more: "The coffee gets cold at the fire department"
    3. © Linolschnitt: Lori Kranz

      A day with Caspar David Friedrich at St. Spiritus

      Read more: "A day with Caspar David Friedrich at St. Spiritus"
    4. © Theaterwerft

      Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs

      Read more: "Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs"
    5. © GMG / T. Behnke

      Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour

      Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour"
    6. © Schnuppe Figurentheate

      Island Ahoy - Schnuppe puppet theater

      Read more: "Island Ahoy - Schnuppe puppet theater"
    7. © Peter Koppatsch

      The coffee gets cold at the fire department

      Read more: "The coffee gets cold at the fire department"
    8. © Iwona Knorr

      From becoming hemic

      Read more: "From becoming hemic"
    9. © St. Spiritus

      MitMachProgramm for the Open Monument Day

      Read more: "MitMachProgramm for the Open Monument Day"
    10. © Theaterwerft

      The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann

      Read more: "The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann"
    11. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tour with "Margarethe Friedrich" through the CDF Center for the 23rd Greifswald Culture Night

      Read more: "Guided tour with "Margarethe Friedrich" through the CDF Center for the 23rd Greifswald Culture Night"
    12. Little Red Riding Hood or the power of fate

      Read more: "Little Red Riding Hood or the power of fate"
    13. © Lange Nacht der Comedy

      Long Night of Comedy Greifswald

      Read more: "Long Night of Comedy Greifswald"
    14. The most beautiful Sunday

      Read more: "The most beautiful Sunday"
    15. The most beautiful Sunday

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    16. © Annika Krueger

      MAKE A MOVE - HOL MICH AB-Tour 2025 Straze/Greifswald 1.11.25

      Read more: "MAKE A MOVE - HOL MICH AB-Tour 2025 Straze/Greifswald 1.11.25"
    17. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    18. © Wally Pruß

      Culinary city tour

      Read more: "Culinary city tour"
    19. © GMG/Wally Pruß

      Greifswald Old Town Tour

      Read more: "Greifswald Old Town Tour"
    20. © Greifswald Marketing GmbH

      Greifswald Kite Festival

      Read more: "Greifswald Kite Festival"
    21. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Soap workshop

      Read more: "Soap workshop"
    22. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art

      Read more: "Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art"
    23. All family

      Read more: "All family"
    24. © Theaterwerft/Thielk

      Port of Marriage - A Cabaret Reckoning

      Read more: "Port of Marriage - A Cabaret Reckoning"
    25. © Abbildungen von links oben nach rechts unten: Rainer Ahrendt, Ilona Schwenn, Foto Marktplatz (St. Spiritus), Juliane Rosswinkel, Michael Luhn, Wally Pruß

      My view of Greifswald

      Read more: "My view of Greifswald"
    26. Thumbelina

      Read more: "Thumbelina"
    27. © Jenny Thalheim

      Watercolor course

      Read more: "Watercolor course"
    28. © Marc Odre

      Star Combo Meissen

      Read more: "Star Combo Meissen"
    29. © GMG | Wally Pruß

      City festival "A day with Caspar David Friedrich"

      Read more: "City festival "A day with Caspar David Friedrich""
    30. © Wicht Theater

      The wolf and the 7 little goats

      Read more: "The wolf and the 7 little goats"
    31. © Joanna Wizmur

      Duxius

      Read more: "Duxius"
    32. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition

      Read more: "CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition"
    33. © Abbildungen von links oben nach rechts unten: Rainer Ahrendt, Ilona Schwenn, Foto Marktplatz (St. Spiritus), Juliane Rosswinkel, Michael Luhn, Wally Pruß

      My view of Greifswald

      Read more: "My view of Greifswald"
    34. © BoddenFolk e.V.

      European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along

      Read more: "European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along"
    35. © Wally Pruß

      Night watchman tour in Greifswald

      Read more: "Night watchman tour in Greifswald"
    36. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Children's tour through the Caspar David Friedrich Center

      Read more: "Children's tour through the Caspar David Friedrich Center"
    37. © Peter Koppatsch

      The coffee gets cold at the fire department

      Read more: "The coffee gets cold at the fire department"
    38. © (c) Astrid Brünner, VG Bildkunst 2025

      "Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes

      Read more: ""Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes"
    39. © GUStAV / Lark M. Toda

      GUStAV regulars' table

      Read more: "GUStAV regulars' table"
    40. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Family tree tour in the family cabinet with "Margarethe Friedrich"

      Read more: "Family tree tour in the family cabinet with "Margarethe Friedrich""
    41. © Wally Pruß

      Painting and drawing course

      Read more: "Painting and drawing course"
    42. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    43. © Dorothea Laack

      All You Need is Love

      Read more: "All You Need is Love"
    44. The princess and the pea

      Read more: "The princess and the pea"
    45. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Guided tour along the Caspar David Friedrich picture trail

      Read more: "Guided tour along the Caspar David Friedrich picture trail"
    46. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Candle workshop

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    47. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tours on Friedrich's birthday

      Read more: "Guided tours on Friedrich's birthday"
    48. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Artist Talk with Friedrich Andreoni and curator Nicole Wittmann

      Read more: "Artist Talk with Friedrich Andreoni and curator Nicole Wittmann"
    49. © Theaterwerft / Peter van Heesen

      The pot-bellied pig

      Read more: "The pot-bellied pig"
    50. Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?

      Read more: "Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?"
    51. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Drink & Draw

      Read more: "Drink & Draw"
    52. © strom und wasser

      Electricity & water

      Read more: "Electricity & water"
    53. All family

      Read more: "All family"
    54. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Open Monument Day: free admission and guided tour

      Read more: "Open Monument Day: free admission and guided tour"
    55. © Karl Mühlbach, 2022 für Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V.

      Guided tour of the Caspar David Friedrich Center

      Read more: "Guided tour of the Caspar David Friedrich Center"
    56. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      CDF drawing course

      Read more: "CDF drawing course"
    57. Culture night at St.Spiritus

      Read more: "Culture night at St.Spiritus"
    58. © Musiktheater Cammin

      "Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?"

      Read more: ""Ernst Barlach - Are we in the good times?""
    59. © Tom Schweers

      Thumbelina

      Read more: "Thumbelina"
    60. Friedrich Andreoni: This all sounds

      Read more: "Friedrich Andreoni: This all sounds"
    61. Colorful hands-on program

      Read more: "Colorful hands-on program"
    62. © Foto: C. Behrens

      Kay Ray Show

      Read more: "Kay Ray Show"
    1 - 2 from 62

    Greifswald Hotels

    7 Ergebnisse
    • © Jack & Richie‘s

      Jack & Richie's

      • An der Mühle, 17493 Greifswald

      Welcome to Greifswald's Jack & Richie's, located directly at the listed Wiecker wooden bascule bridge and the nearby marina.

      Read more: "Jack & Richie's"
    • © Hotel Ostseeländer

      Hotel Ostseeländer

      • Gustav-Jahn-Str. 6, 17495 Züssow

      Hotel Ostseeländer is located in a beautiful park and has individually furnished rooms. Despite its quiet location, the ideal starting point for (almost) all activities. The cuisine is characterized by regionality and products from our own organic cultivation.

      Read more: "Hotel Ostseeländer"
    • © Hotel Kronprinz

      Hotel Kronprinz

      • Lange Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      Hotel Kronprinz in Greifswald offers 31 rooms in a central location

      Read more: "Hotel Kronprinz"
    • © slube

      slube at the marina Greifswald

      • Salinenstraße, 17489 Greifswald

      Coastal feeling meets cool student city: With slubes you stay right in the heart of Greifswald at the marina overlooking the Ryck River. Directly between Rügen and Usedom, it is not far to the Baltic Sea beach and great windsurfing and sailing locations.

      Read more: "slube at the marina Greifswald"
    • Visit the Stettiner Hof directly on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route in Neuenkirchen near Greifswald, © Stettiner Hof

      Stettiner Hof

      • Theodor-Körner-Straße, 17498 Greifswald-Neuenkirchen

      Welcome to the Stettiner Hof! Enjoy your stay away from stress and city noises, directly at the gates of Greifswald. The charming atmosphere and regional cuisine will win you over. The hotel offers up to 21 comfortable rooms and 3 spacious suits. WIFI is free all around the house. We wish you nice days.

      Read more: "Stettiner Hof"
    • © VCH Hotel

      VCH Hotel

      • Wilhelm-Holtz-Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      VCH Hotel in Greifswald with 78 rooms including breakfast

      Read more: "VCH Hotel"
    • © Mercure Hotel

      Mercure Hotel Greifswald

      • Am Gorzberg, 17489 Greifswald

      Look forward to relaxing days at the beautiful Baltic Sea!

      Read more: "Mercure Hotel Greifswald"

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