Pier bridges are among the most popular destinations along the Baltic Sea coast for tourists and locals alike. While in their early days ships and boats were moored at the piers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, nowadays young and old are drawn to the meter-long promenades by the sea. Whether it's Germany's oldest pier in Ahlbeck or the longest of its kind in continental Europe in Heringsdorf or the pier in Germany's first seaside resort Heiligendamm, each one is worth a trip surrounded by a fine, salty Baltic Sea breeze.

More than just the Sea: This is what you can experience on the Piers

Stroll across the sea and let your gaze wander into the distance - a walk across one of the Baltic Sea piers is simply part of a beach vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. For the best view, telescopes are available at many piers. And along the beach promenades, guests can stroll leisurely through the many small stores or indulge in delicious treats in a restaurant.

However, the piers are not only suitable for strolling and as a photo backdrop - throughout the year there are plenty of events and activities here that you have to try. How about the following ideas, for example?

• Go on a Boat Tour
  
  Originally, piers were used as mooring points for ships that couldn't reach the shore in shallow waters. Even today, many of the piers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern serve as landing stages for shipping traffic - for example, the piers at Binz, Sellin & Göhren. From here, tourists can embark on a sightseeing tour across the Baltic Sea or along the chalk coast, or take a day trip to the seaside resorts on the island of Rügen .

• Put your own skills to the test in a sandcastle competition
  
  The white sandy beaches on the Baltic Sea coast are an invitation to build a sandcastle. How convenient that the piers are located directly on the beach! Therefore, the sandcastle competitions that take place in many places have almost become a tradition (if available, link to appropriate subpage) - in Boltenhagen, Warnemünde , Graal-Müritz or Zierow, young and old can start digging and, with a little luck, win one of the attractive prizes. Whether as a team or solo artist, everyone can participate free of charge. Registration takes place on site with the organizer.

• Discover creative and homemade things at an arts and crafts market
  
  The piers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are the scene of numerous events. This is also the case for the arts and crafts market that takes place during the summer months at the pier forecourt in Graal-Müritz. Curious people and art lovers can marvel at creative creations made of glass, wood and leather, silver or ceramics at the market and purchase special souvenirs of their vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

• Visit a pier festival
  
  With fireworks and live music, the popular piers are transformed, for example, at the pier festival Boltenhagen, Binz or Zinnowitz in a colorful hustle and bustle full of culinary delights and lots of fun and games for the whole family.

• Go diving
  
  A special excursion destination is located on the Zingst pier: a diving gondola that takes you four meters below the surface of the sea. During the 40-minute dive, visitors learn about the underwater world of the Baltic Sea and get up close and personal with plants and animals.

• Try your luck as an angler
  
  A bridge in the middle of the sea makes many an angler's dream come true. If you want to go fishing on one of the sea bridges, you can look forward to proud catches such as cod, flounder, sea trout and turbot - provided you are lucky. Newcomers to fishing without a fishing license can obtain a tourist fishing license in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This is valid for 28 days and entitles the holder to fish at designated fishing waters throughout Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.