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. © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

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

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

    Read more: "Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald"
  3. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

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  4. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Village church Kemnitz

    Read more: "Village church Kemnitz"
  5. © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

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

    Greifswald Observatory

    Read more: "Greifswald Observatory"
  7. © Sven Fischer

    Church St. Jacobi Greifswald

    Read more: "Church St. Jacobi Greifswald"
  8. Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek

    Read more: "Parish Church Greifswald-Wiek"
  9. © Wally Pruss

    Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

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

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

    Read more: "Wiecker wooden bascule bridge"
  11. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

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

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Mary's Church Greifswald"
  13. © Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., ©2021 Gudrun Koch

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

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

    Greifswald barrage

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

    Catch tower Greifswald

    Read more: "Catch tower Greifswald"
  16. © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

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

    Greifswald museum shipyard

    Read more: "Greifswald museum shipyard"
  18. © Wally Pruß

    Greifswald Information

    Read more: "Greifswald Information"
  19. © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

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

    Pomeranian State Museum

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

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald"
  22. © TMV/Tiemann

    Ludwigsburg Palace

    Read more: "Ludwigsburg Palace"
  23. © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Landscape park

    Read more: "Landscape park"
  24. © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

    Read more: "Village Church Groß Kiesow"
  25. © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

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

    Greifswald Town Hall

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

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

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

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg"
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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"
  • 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. European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along

      Read more: "European circle dance and BalFolk for dancing along"
    2. © 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)"
    3. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    4. © Tandera Theater

      Krümelken sien Äventüer - Krümelchen's adventures

      Read more: "Krümelken sien Äventüer - Krümelchen's adventures"
    5. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    6. © Ulf Deutscher

      The melancholy duffel bag

      Read more: "The melancholy duffel bag"
    7. © Martin Hiller

      Sound performance with Martin Hiller

      Read more: "Sound performance with Martin Hiller"
    8. Greifswald Old Town Tour

      Read more: "Greifswald Old Town Tour"
    9. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      neo - News from our workshops

      Read more: "neo - News from our workshops"
    10. © Bachwoche

      P. D. Q. Bach

      Read more: "P. D. Q. Bach"
    11. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      CDF drawing course

      Read more: "CDF drawing course"
    12. © Bachwoche

      This is my joy

      Read more: "This is my joy"
    13. © ©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"
    14. © 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"
    15. © Bachwoche

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

      Read more: "Johann Sebastian Bach: brother, father, godfather and father-in-law"
    16. © St.Spiritus

      Fete de la musique

      Read more: "Fete de la musique"
    17. © maike thiesen

      Atelier Thiesen

      Read more: "Atelier Thiesen"
    18. © GUStAV - Lark M. Toda, Dennis Quadt

      GUStAV green

      Read more: "GUStAV green"
    19. © Mossbauer

      ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald

      Read more: "ABBA - ABALANCE The Show Greifswald"
    20. © Foto: C. Behrens

      Kay Ray Show

      Read more: "Kay Ray Show"
    21. CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition

      Read more: "CDFZ_kontemporär: Guided tour through the current exhibition"
    22. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    23. © 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"
    24. © PLM

      Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet

      Read more: "Little griffins - The children on the Croy carpet"
    25. © Universitäts- und Hansestadt Greifswald

      9th Eldena Monastery Market

      Read more: "9th Eldena Monastery Market"
    26. © Jenny Thalheim

      Watercolor course

      Read more: "Watercolor course"
    27. © 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"
    28. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    29. East Europe Concert

      Read more: "East Europe Concert"
    30. © Landesverband für Angewandte Kunst MV

      Long evening of galleries at St.Spiritus

      Read more: "Long evening of galleries at St.Spiritus"
    31. © Boddenfolk

      Dancing

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

      Vacation workshops at the CDF Center

      Read more: "Vacation workshops at the CDF Center"
    33. © GMG / R. Wolf

      Long evening of galleries in Greifswald

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

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    35. © Tandera Theater

      Rambazamba Legendary

      Read more: "Rambazamba Legendary"
    36. © Reiner Mnich

      FIL: Paths to happiness

      Read more: "FIL: Paths to happiness"
    37. © Greifswald Marketing GmbH

      Greifswald Kite Festival

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

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    39. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2023

      Drink & Draw

      Read more: "Drink & Draw"
    40. © Amt für Bildung, Kultur & Sport Greifswald / (c) Philipp Schroeder (Lensescape.org)

      ELDENA JAZZ EVENINGS GREIFSWALD

      Read more: "ELDENA JAZZ EVENINGS GREIFSWALD"
    41. © 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"
    42. © GUStAV / Lark M. Toda

      GUStAV regulars' table

      Read more: "GUStAV regulars' table"
    43. © Geert Maciejewski

      Johann Sebastian Bach: Christus Oratorio

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

      Family ties - Bach with a difference

      Read more: "Family ties - Bach with a difference"
    45. © 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"
    46. © 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"
    47. © heide leukert

      Heather jewelry

      Read more: "Heather jewelry"
    48. © Büttner

      Ceramics Neuenkirchen

      Read more: "Ceramics Neuenkirchen"
    49. © Sophia Hegewald

      Concert: The forest

      Read more: "Concert: The forest"
    50. © Wally Pruß

      Culinary city tour

      Read more: "Culinary city tour"
    51. © Uwe Heunrich

      Greifswald ZIRKULUM

      Read more: "Greifswald ZIRKULUM"
    52. © bernd anders

      Object Two

      Read more: "Object Two"
    53. © Wicht Theater

      Hans in'n Glück - Wicht Theater from 4 years

      Read more: "Hans in'n Glück - Wicht Theater from 4 years"
    54. © Kathrin Brunck

      Atelier KaKri

      Read more: "Atelier KaKri"
    55. © GMG / T. Behnke

      Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour

      Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich - Anniversary tour"
    56. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Long Night of the Galleries

      Read more: "Long Night of the Galleries"
    57. Summer blossoms, © Angela Pfennig

      Plants at midsummer time

      Read more: "Plants at midsummer time"
    58. Night watchman tour in Greifswald

      Read more: "Night watchman tour in Greifswald"
    59. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    60. Illustrations of Low German terms

      Read more: "Illustrations of Low German terms"
    61. Hanke Brothers

      Read more: "Hanke Brothers"
    62. © André Gschweng

      Vernissage: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst

      Read more: "Vernissage: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst"
    63. © Bachwoche

      When Bach mourns

      Read more: "When Bach mourns"
    64. © Bachwoche

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    65. © Theaterwerfrt

      Little Life - The Fishing Carpet Saga Part II

      Read more: "Little Life - The Fishing Carpet Saga Part II"
    66. © Foto: André Gschweng

      Progress in the 2025 construction year

      Read more: "Progress in the 2025 construction year"
    67. © Jörg Brandt

      Artist's studio Jörg Brandt

      Read more: "Artist's studio Jörg Brandt"
    68. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Sophie Müller 2024

      Soap workshop

      Read more: "Soap workshop"
    69. © Wally Pruß

      Painting and drawing course

      Read more: "Painting and drawing course"
    70. © Bachwoche

      Traces of the heart

      Read more: "Traces of the heart"
    71. © Geert Maciejewski

      Great chamber music

      Read more: "Great chamber music"
    72. © Theaterwerft

      Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting

      Read more: "Pretty best enemies - a comedic summit meeting"
    73. © Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg Greifswald/Vincent Leifer

      Moments that remain. On the political and social influence of images of crisis and war in the 20th and 21st centuries

      Read more: "Moments that remain. On the political and social influence of images of crisis and war in the 20th and 21st centuries"
    74. © Bachwoche

      QuerBach - from Bach to Prince

      Read more: "QuerBach - from Bach to Prince"
    75. © gabriele-koepp-

      Art barn/studio at the Eldena mill

      Read more: "Art barn/studio at the Eldena mill"
    76. © Geert Maciejewski

      Family ties - Bach with a difference

      Read more: "Family ties - Bach with a difference"
    77. Summer blossoms, © Angela Pfennig

      Plants at midsummer time

      Read more: "Plants at midsummer time"
    78. © Stiftung Friedliche Revolution

      Podcast "We are the people" goes on tour through eastern Germany

      Read more: "Podcast "We are the people" goes on tour through eastern Germany"
    79. © Oliver Borchert

      Thomas Naedler - Low German songs

      Read more: "Thomas Naedler - Low German songs"
    80. © Sebastian Reiter

      Bangers Only!

      Read more: "Bangers Only!"
    81. © Carsten Peter Schulze

      Deliver me, O Lord

      Read more: "Deliver me, O Lord"
    82. © Bachwoche

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    83. © St.Spiritus

      The mole and his friends

      Read more: "The mole and his friends"
    84. © André Gschweng

      Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst

      Read more: "Guided tour: Final exhibition in the Spielhalle Kunst"
    85. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach & Sons II

      Read more: "Bach & Sons II"
    86. © Bachwoche

      Spiritual morning music

      Read more: "Spiritual morning music"
    87. © ©Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., Foto: Karl Mühlbach 2022

      Candle workshop

      Read more: "Candle workshop"
    88. © Lange Nacht der Comedy

      Long Night of Comedy Greifswald

      Read more: "Long Night of Comedy Greifswald"
    89. © ©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""
    90. © Jubiläumsbüro

      Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art

      Read more: "Finissage: Bye-bye arcade art"
    91. © St.Spiritus

      "Mit den'n Plattkring plattdüütsch dörch Griepswold" - Low German walk through Greifswald with Christian Peplow

      Read more: ""Mit den'n Plattkring plattdüütsch dörch Griepswold" - Low German walk through Greifswald with Christian Peplow"
    92. © 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"
    93. © Irene Zandel

      The Christus Oratorio

      Read more: "The Christus Oratorio"
    94. © Geert Maciejewski

      Cantata for the festive service

      Read more: "Cantata for the festive service"
    95. Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    96. © Theaterwerft

      Soljanka Cubana

      Read more: "Soljanka Cubana"
    97. © Bachwoche

      Bach & Sons I

      Read more: "Bach & Sons I"
    98. © 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"
    99. © (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"
    100. © Roland Wenk

      Atelier Wenk

      Read more: "Atelier Wenk"
    101. © Theaterwerft

      The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann

      Read more: "The king of fences by Nicole Zick / Jens Hasselmann"
    102. © Theaterwerft

      Mary finds Plesio - The discovery of the dinosaurs

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

      Youth dance project

      Read more: "Youth dance project"
    104. © ©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"
    105. © Moritz Haase

      "Sing it, sister!" - Women's choir festival in Greifswald

      Read more: ""Sing it, sister!" - Women's choir festival in Greifswald"
    106. © Geert Maciejewski

      Bach at night

      Read more: "Bach at night"
    107. © Peter van Heesen

      The dispute

      Read more: "The dispute"
    108. © Monika Multhauf

      Pommernhus Greifswald

      Read more: "Pommernhus Greifswald"
    109. © Geert Majiewski

      Choir family meeting

      Read more: "Choir family meeting"
    1 - 2 from 109

    Greifswald Hotels

    7 Ergebnisse
    • © 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 Kronprinz

      Hotel Kronprinz

      • Lange Straße, 17489 Greifswald

      Hotel Kronprinz in Greifswald offers 31 rooms in a central location

      Read more: "Hotel Kronprinz"
    • 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"
    • Double room, © 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"
    • © 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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