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 barrage

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  2. © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

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  3. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

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  4. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

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  5. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald museum shipyard

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  6. © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

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  7. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Landscape park

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  8. © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

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  9. © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

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  10. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

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  11. © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

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  12. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

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  13. © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

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  14. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Observatory

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  15. Chestnut avenue to Griebenow baroque palace with portal and courtyard of honor, © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

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  16. Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

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  17. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

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  18. Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

    Read more: "Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus"
  19. © Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., ©2021 Gudrun Koch

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

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  20. © TMV/Tiemann

    Ludwigsburg Palace

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  21. © Gudrun Koch

    Catch tower Greifswald

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  22. St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

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  23. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

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  24. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Town Hall

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  25. © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

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  26. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

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  27. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

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  28. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Village church Kemnitz

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Tour Tips for Exploring

On foot or by bike

  • 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. © Irene Zandel

      The Christus Oratorio

      Read more: "The Christus Oratorio"
    2. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      CDF drawing course

      Read more: "CDF drawing course"
    3. © Christiane Waak

      Glitter, glitter

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    4. © Bachwoche

      Traces of the heart

      Read more: "Traces of the heart"
    5. © Jenny Thalheim

      Watercolor course

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    6. Greifswald ZIRKULUM

      Read more: "Greifswald ZIRKULUM"
    7. © Claudia Burmeister

      Illustrations of Low German terms

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    8. © Geert Maciejewski

      Johann Sebastian Bach: Christus Oratorio

      Read more: "Johann Sebastian Bach: Christus Oratorio"
    9. Long Night of Comedy Greifswald

      Read more: "Long Night of Comedy Greifswald"
    10. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    11. © André Gschweng

      Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst

      Read more: "Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst"
    12. © (c) Astrid Brünner, VG Bildkunst 2025

      "Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes

      Read more: ""Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes"
    13. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Drink & Draw

      Read more: "Drink & Draw"
    14. © Wally Pruß

      Night watchman tour in Greifswald

      Read more: "Night watchman tour in Greifswald"
    15. © ©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""
    16. © Reiner Mnich

      FIL: Paths to happiness

      Read more: "FIL: Paths to happiness"
    17. © Martin Hiller

      Sound performance with Martin Hiller

      Read more: "Sound performance with Martin Hiller"
    18. © PLM

      Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet

      Read more: "Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet"
    19. Fishing festival Gaffelrigg

      Read more: "Fishing festival Gaffelrigg"
    20. © Boddenfolk

      Dancing

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    21. © 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"
    22. © Marc Odre

      Star Combo Meissen

      Read more: "Star Combo Meissen"
    23. © Peter van Heesen

      The fable of Filemon Faltenreich or the soccer world championship of flies

      Read more: "The fable of Filemon Faltenreich or the soccer world championship of flies"
    24. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      neo - News from our workshops

      Read more: "neo - News from our workshops"
    25. © Förderverein für krebskranke Frauen

      Flea market favorites

      Read more: "Flea market favorites"
    26. © Sebastian Reiter

      Bangers Only!

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    27. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Long Night of the Galleries

      Read more: "Long Night of the Galleries"
    28. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Guided tour along the Caspar David Friedrich picture trail

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    29. © Maren Winter

      Caspar peek into the world

      Read more: "Caspar peek into the world"
    30. © (c) Tine Schmidt, @zitronenmund

      Lecture performance "unsweet candy - molecular cuisine with algae sugars"

      Read more: "Lecture performance "unsweet candy - molecular cuisine with algae sugars""
    31. © Foto: Thomas Ulrich

      Visit: Justice Center Greifswald

      Read more: "Visit: Justice Center Greifswald"
    32. © (c) Robert Conrad, Robert Havemann Gesellschaft

      775 years of Greifswald: Robert Conrad from Greifswald + in Berlin and the world

      Read more: "775 years of Greifswald: Robert Conrad from Greifswald + in Berlin and the world"
    33. © GMG / T. Behnke

      Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour

      Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour"
    34. © 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"
    35. Concert: The forest

      Read more: "Concert: The forest"
    36. © St.Spiritus

      Fete de la musique

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    37. ELDENA JAZZ EVENINGS GREIFSWALD

      Read more: "ELDENA JAZZ EVENINGS GREIFSWALD"
    38. © Angela Pfennig

      Plants at midsummer time

      Read more: "Plants at midsummer time"
    39. © Iwona Knorr

      From becoming hemic

      Read more: "From becoming hemic"
    40. © Maren Winter

      Caspar peek into the world

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    41. © Foto: Agentur 2d, Daniel Dobroczek

      Inspection: New construction of the KiTa Schönwalde

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    42. © 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"
    43. © https://fete-greifswald.de/

      Fête de la Musique Greifswald 2025

      Read more: "Fête de la Musique Greifswald 2025"
    44. © Cantemus Chor Greifswald

      The sound of water - of rivers, seas and rain showers

      Read more: "The sound of water - of rivers, seas and rain showers"
    45. © GMG/Wally Pruß

      Greifswald Old Town Tour

      Read more: "Greifswald Old Town Tour"
    46. © Wally Pruß

      Painting and drawing course

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    47. © Sandra Ludewig

      Max Prose

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    48. © Bachwoche

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    49. © Theaterwerft

      Soljanka Cubana

      Read more: "Soljanka Cubana"
    50. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      Long evening of galleries at St.Spiritus

      Read more: "Long evening of galleries at St.Spiritus"
    51. © Peter van Heesen

      The dispute

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    52. © Iwona Knorr

      Vernissage of the exhibition "Vom heimisch werden"

      Read more: "Vernissage of the exhibition "Vom heimisch werden""
    53. © GMG / R. Wolf

      Long evening of galleries in Greifswald

      Read more: "Long evening of galleries in Greifswald"
    54. © Bachwoche

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    55. © Theaterwerft

      Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs

      Read more: "Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs"
    56. © (c) Robert Conrad & RHG

      Special opening on MV Day - photo exhibition by Robert Conrad

      Read more: "Special opening on MV Day - photo exhibition by Robert Conrad"
    57. © Geert Maciejewski

      Cantata for the festive service

      Read more: "Cantata for the festive service"
    58. © Bachwoche

      QuerBach - from Bach to Prince

      Read more: "QuerBach - from Bach to Prince"
    59. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Soap workshop

      Read more: "Soap workshop"
    60. © Angela Pfennig

      Plants at midsummer time

      Read more: "Plants at midsummer time"
    61. © Greifswald Marketing GmbH

      Greifswald Kite Festival

      Read more: "Greifswald Kite Festival"
    62. © Baltic Blues Boys

      The Baltic Blues Boys play as part of the Long Night of the Galleries at the Störtebeker Brauhaus Greifswald

      Read more: "The Baltic Blues Boys play as part of the Long Night of the Galleries at the Störtebeker Brauhaus Greifswald"
    63. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art

      Read more: "Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art"
    64. © Layout: swinxgrafix

      U 20 Poetry Slam

      Read more: "U 20 Poetry Slam"
    65. © St.Spiritus

      Screen print with Friedrich motif

      Read more: "Screen print with Friedrich motif"
    66. © St.Spiritus

      The mole and his friends

      Read more: "The mole and his friends"
    67. © WP Steinheisser

      Hanke Brothers

      Read more: "Hanke Brothers"
    68. © Foto: C. Behrens

      Kay Ray Show

      Read more: "Kay Ray Show"
    69. © BoddenFolk e.V.

      European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along

      Read more: "European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along"
    70. © (c) Fischer Verlag

      KoeppenTage 2025- Thomas Mann's radio speeches "German listeners!" Radio broadcasts to Germany

      Read more: "KoeppenTage 2025- Thomas Mann's radio speeches "German listeners!" Radio broadcasts to Germany"
    71. © (c) Astrid Brünner, VG Bildkunst 2025

      Vernissage: "Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes

      Read more: "Vernissage: "Metabolate" Artistic scientific research on marine transformation processes"
    72. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    73. © St.Spiritus

      Screen print with Friedrich motif

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    74. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Children's tour through the Caspar David Friedrich Center

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    75. © (c) Shushan Avagyan

      Re-membering the literary landscape. Public reading with Shushan Avagyan

      Read more: "Re-membering the literary landscape. Public reading with Shushan Avagyan"
    76. © (c) sunoid

      Long evening of galleries: Concert performance with SUNOID (Berlin)

      Read more: "Long evening of galleries: Concert performance with SUNOID (Berlin)"
    77. © Pixabay

      Vacation course "High pressure area" with Manja Graaf

      Read more: "Vacation course "High pressure area" with Manja Graaf"
    78. © ©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"
    79. © Wally Pruß

      Painting and drawing course

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    80. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    81. © Theaterwerft

      The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann

      Read more: "The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann"
    82. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Candle workshop

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    83. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    84. Culinary city tour

      Read more: "Culinary city tour"
    85. © (c) Der schwarze Kanal

      KoeppenTage 2025: Uwe Johnson and the political magazines of GDR television "Prisma" and "Der schwarze Kanal"

      Read more: "KoeppenTage 2025: Uwe Johnson and the political magazines of GDR television "Prisma" and "Der schwarze Kanal""
    86. © 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"
    87. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    88. © Musikschule

      Summer concert

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    89. © St.Spiritus

      Glass bead workshop

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    1 - 2 from 89

    Greifswald Hotels

    7 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"
    • 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"
    • © VCH Hotel

      VCH Hotel

      • Wilhelm-Holtz-Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      VCH Hotel in Greifswald with 78 rooms including breakfast

      Read more: "VCH Hotel"
    • 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"
    • © Hotel Kronprinz

      Hotel Kronprinz

      • Lange Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      Hotel Kronprinz in Greifswald offers 31 rooms in a central location

      Read more: "Hotel Kronprinz"
    • © 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

      • 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"

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