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. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald museum shipyard

    Read more: "Greifswald museum shipyard"
  2. Theater Greifswald, © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

    Read more: "Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald"
  3. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald barrage

    Read more: "Greifswald barrage"
  4. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald"
  5. © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

    Read more: "Pomeranian State Museum"
  6. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

    Read more: "Forestry office Jägerhof"
  7. © Gudrun Koch

    Catch tower Greifswald

    Read more: "Catch tower Greifswald"
  8. © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

    Read more: "Church St. Jacobi Greifswald"
  9. © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

    Read more: "University of Greifswald"
  10. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

    Read more: "Eldena monastery ruins"
  11. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg"
  12. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Mary's Church Greifswald"
  13. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

    Read more: "Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek"
  14. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Landscape park

    Read more: "Landscape park"
  15. © TMV/Tiemann

    Ludwigsburg Palace

    Read more: "Ludwigsburg Palace"
  16. © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

    Read more: "Greifswald Zoo"
  17. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

    Read more: "Wiecker wooden bascule bridge"
  18. Side view of the church and cemetery, © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

    Read more: "Village Church Groß Kiesow"
  19. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

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

    Greifswald Town Hall

    Read more: "Greifswald Town Hall"
  21. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

    Read more: "Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald"
  22. © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

    Read more: "Rubenow Monument"
  23. © Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., ©2021 Gudrun Koch

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

    Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich Center"
  24. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

    Read more: "Greifswald Information"
  25. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Village church Kemnitz

    Read more: "Village church Kemnitz"
  26. © Wally Pruss

    Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

    Read more: "Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus"
  27. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Observatory

    Read more: "Greifswald Observatory"
  28. © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

    Read more: "Baroque castle Griebenow"
  29. © Gudrun Koch

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

    Read more: "Arboretum of the University of Greifswald"
1 - 2 from 29

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"
  • Vacation times differently - pilgrimage migration in the Lassaner angle, © 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"
  • Content is loaded

    Event Tips

    Events, Exhibitions and Concerts

    1. © Geert Maciejewski

      Johann Sebastian Bach: Christus Oratorio

      Read more: "Johann Sebastian Bach: Christus Oratorio"
    2. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    3. © Sunnefa Gunnarsdóttir

      Nordic Sound 2025: Our luminous life

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Our luminous life"
    4. © André Gschweng

      Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst

      Read more: "Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst"
    5. © Wally Pruß

      Painting and drawing course

      Read more: "Painting and drawing course"
    6. © bernd anders

      Object Two

      Read more: "Object Two"
    7. © gabriele-koepp-

      Art barn/studio at the Eldena mill

      Read more: "Art barn/studio at the Eldena mill"
    8. © Peter Lloyd (links) | privat (rechts)

      Nordic Sound 2025: Afternoon of music

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Afternoon of music"
    9. © Bachwoche

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    10. © heide leukert

      Heather jewelry

      Read more: "Heather jewelry"
    11. © Bachwoche

      Town pipers, organists, cantors and bandmasters - the "musical Bach family" over two centuries

      Read more: "Town pipers, organists, cantors and bandmasters - the "musical Bach family" over two centuries"
    12. © PLM

      Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet

      Read more: "Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet"
    13. © 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"
    14. © ©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"
    15. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Guided tour with "Margarethe Friedrich"

      Read more: "Guided tour with "Margarethe Friedrich""
    16. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Long Night of the Galleries

      Read more: "Long Night of the Galleries"
    17. © Wally Pruß

      Culinary city tour

      Read more: "Culinary city tour"
    18. © Bachwoche

      When Bach mourns

      Read more: "When Bach mourns"
    19. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Candle workshop

      Read more: "Candle workshop"
    20. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Drink & Draw

      Read more: "Drink & Draw"
    21. © André Gschweng

      Vernissage: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst

      Read more: "Vernissage: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst"
    22. © Büttner

      Ceramics Neuenkirchen

      Read more: "Ceramics Neuenkirchen"
    23. © Bachwoche

      Traces of the heart

      Read more: "Traces of the heart"
    24. © Luna Soul

      Luna Soul

      Read more: "Luna Soul"
    25. © pixabay

      Musical get-together

      Read more: "Musical get-together"
    26. © Carsten Peter Schulze

      Deliver me, O Lord

      Read more: "Deliver me, O Lord"
    27. Atelier Wenk

      Read more: "Atelier Wenk"
    28. © Emelie Asplund

      Nordic Sound 2025: Pojkarna (The Boys)

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Pojkarna (The Boys)"
    29. © Kathrin Brunck

      Atelier KaKri

      Read more: "Atelier KaKri"
    30. © theater2go

      "Wrecks" by Neil LaBute

      Read more: ""Wrecks" by Neil LaBute"
    31. © Boddenfolk

      Dancing

      Read more: "Dancing"
    32. © Theaterwerft

      Alone in the sauna

      Read more: "Alone in the sauna"
    33. © ©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"
    34. © Foto: K.Voll

      Transformation concert at the opening of the Greifswald Organ Summer

      Read more: "Transformation concert at the opening of the Greifswald Organ Summer"
    35. The melancholy duffel bag

      Read more: "The melancholy duffel bag"
    36. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art

      Read more: "Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art"
    37. © (c) WKA Uni Greifswald

      "The painter saw the city from here." Wolfgang Koeppen and Caspar David Friedrich

      Read more: ""The painter saw the city from here." Wolfgang Koeppen and Caspar David Friedrich"
    38. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    39. © Bachwoche

      This is my joy

      Read more: "This is my joy"
    40. © BoddenFolk e.V.

      European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along

      Read more: "European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along"
    41. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    42. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    43. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    44. The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann

      Read more: "The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann"
    45. © Martin Velíšek

      Vernissage: The dog with the topknot

      Read more: "Vernissage: The dog with the topknot"
    46. © Ivan Boll (Floating Sofa Quartet) | Carolina Stenback (Northflip)

      Nordic Sound 2025: Folk Night

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Folk Night"
    47. © Wally Pruß

      Night watchman tour in Greifswald

      Read more: "Night watchman tour in Greifswald"
    48. © Wally Pruß

      Nordic Sound 2025: Ceremony

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Ceremony"
    49. © Reiner Mnich

      FIL: Paths to happiness

      Read more: "FIL: Paths to happiness"
    50. Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    51. © Greifswald Marketing GmbH

      Greifswald Kite Festival

      Read more: "Greifswald Kite Festival"
    52. Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    53. © Geert Maciejewski

      Cantata for the festive service

      Read more: "Cantata for the festive service"
    54. © Geert Maciejewski

      Family ties - Bach with a difference

      Read more: "Family ties - Bach with a difference"
    55. © ©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"
    56. © Zeichnung aus einem Brief von Friedrich an Johannes Karl Hartwig Schulze am 08. Februar 1809

      The world as the center of art - Claudia Heinicke, Juliane Laitzsch, Ramona Seyfahrt

      Read more: "The world as the center of art - Claudia Heinicke, Juliane Laitzsch, Ramona Seyfahrt"
    57. © Bachwoche

      Bach & Sons I

      Read more: "Bach & Sons I"
    58. © Sebastian Reiter

      Bangers Only!

      Read more: "Bangers Only!"
    59. © St.Spiritus

      St. Spiritus at the Day of the Neighbors

      Read more: "St. Spiritus at the Day of the Neighbors"
    60. © Theaterwerft

      Poetry in bottles - You have to be able to say wine sometimes

      Read more: "Poetry in bottles - You have to be able to say wine sometimes"
    61. © Theaterwerfrt

      Little Life - The Fishing Carpet Saga Part II

      Read more: "Little Life - The Fishing Carpet Saga Part II"
    62. © Geert Majiewski

      Choir family meeting

      Read more: "Choir family meeting"
    63. © Caspar David Friedrich, Neubrandenburg, 1816/1817, Pommersches Landesmuseum

      Homecoming from New York - Caspar David Friedrich's painting Neubrandenburg

      Read more: "Homecoming from New York - Caspar David Friedrich's painting Neubrandenburg"
    64. © Bachwoche

      Youth dance project

      Read more: "Youth dance project"
    65. © GMG / T. Behnke

      Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour

      Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour"
    66. © Jenny Thalheim

      Watercolor workshop in the arboretum

      Read more: "Watercolor workshop in the arboretum"
    67. © Uwe Heunrich

      Greifswald ZIRKULUM

      Read more: "Greifswald ZIRKULUM"
    68. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      Vernissage of the exhibition "neo - News from our workshops"

      Read more: "Vernissage of the exhibition "neo - News from our workshops""
    69. © Bachwoche

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    70. © Foto Pajtim Statovci (c) Ano Kurki; Foto Stefan Moster (c) Mathias Bothor

      Nordic Sound 2025: Bolla

      Read more: "Nordic Sound 2025: Bolla"
    71. © WP Steinheisser

      Hanke Brothers

      Read more: "Hanke Brothers"
    72. © Bachwoche

      QuerBach - from Bach to Prince

      Read more: "QuerBach - from Bach to Prince"
    73. © Geert Maciejewski

      Family ties - Bach with a difference

      Read more: "Family ties - Bach with a difference"
    74. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    75. © Sophia Hegewald

      Concert: The forest

      Read more: "Concert: The forest"
    76. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    77. © Peter van Heesen

      Jeeps

      Read more: "Jeeps"
    78. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    79. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Show and hands-on workshop: Soaps

      Read more: "Show and hands-on workshop: Soaps"
    80. © Martin Velíšek

      The dog with the topknot

      Read more: "The dog with the topknot"
    81. © Wally Pruß

      Intercultural Café

      Read more: "Intercultural Café"
    82. © Jenny Thalheim

      Watercolor course

      Read more: "Watercolor course"
    83. © GMG/Wally Pruß

      Greifswald Old Town Tour

      Read more: "Greifswald Old Town Tour"
    84. © GMG / R. Wolf

      Long evening of galleries in Greifswald

      Read more: "Long evening of galleries in Greifswald"
    85. © Monika Multhauf

      Pommernhus Greifswald

      Read more: "Pommernhus Greifswald"
    86. © St.Spiritus

      Screen print with Friedrich motif

      Read more: "Screen print with Friedrich motif"
    87. © Jörg Brandt

      Artist's studio Jörg Brandt

      Read more: "Artist's studio Jörg Brandt"
    88. © Christian Berger

      By BUSiness-Class to the new employer

      Read more: "By BUSiness-Class to the new employer"
    89. Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    90. © Unser Ladebow e.V. / Heino Förste

      Cycling to the remains of Ladebow airfield

      Read more: "Cycling to the remains of Ladebow airfield"
    91. © Angela Pfennig

      Plants at midsummer time

      Read more: "Plants at midsummer time"
    92. © René Greiner

      Spring concert by the choirs of St. Spiritus

      Read more: "Spring concert by the choirs of St. Spiritus"
    93. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    94. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      CDF drawing course

      Read more: "CDF drawing course"
    95. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach & Sons II

      Read more: "Bach & Sons II"
    96. © Schnuppe Figurentheater

      Island Ahoy - Schnuppe puppet theater

      Read more: "Island Ahoy - Schnuppe puppet theater"
    97. © Foto: André Gschweng

      Progress in the 2025 construction year

      Read more: "Progress in the 2025 construction year"
    98. © Theaterwerft

      Stundl by the Sea - The Freest Fishing Carpet Saga Part I

      Read more: "Stundl by the Sea - The Freest Fishing Carpet Saga Part I"
    99. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Soap workshop

      Read more: "Soap workshop"
    100. © GUStAV / Lark M. Toda

      GUStAV regulars' table

      Read more: "GUStAV regulars' table"
    101. © Bachwoche

      P. D. Q. Bach

      Read more: "P. D. Q. Bach"
    102. © Theaterwerft

      Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs

      Read more: "Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs"
    103. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Artist talk: Art as the center of the world

      Read more: "Artist talk: Art as the center of the world"
    104. © Geert Maciejewski

      Great chamber music

      Read more: "Great chamber music"
    105. © Theaterwerft / Peter van Heesen

      The pot-bellied pig

      Read more: "The pot-bellied pig"
    106. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      neo - News from our workshops

      Read more: "neo - News from our workshops"
    107. © privat

      Bach and Waldi - a great composer and a little dog (UA)

      Read more: "Bach and Waldi - a great composer and a little dog (UA)"
    108. © Irene Zandel

      The Christus Oratorio

      Read more: "The Christus Oratorio"
    109. © ©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""
    110. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    111. © Bachwoche

      Johann Sebastian Bach: brother, father, godfather and father-in-law

      Read more: "Johann Sebastian Bach: brother, father, godfather and father-in-law"
    1 - 2 from 111

    Greifswald Hotels

    5 Ergebnisse
    • © Mercure Hotel

      Mercure Hotel Greifswald

      • Am Gorzberg, 17489 Greifswald

      Look forward to relaxing days at the beautiful Baltic Sea!

      Read more: "Mercure Hotel 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"
    • © 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"
    • © 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"
    • © 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"

    Content is loaded

    Content is loaded

    Protected by