Exploring the Warnemünde Cruise Port: Excursions, Berlin, and More
Warnemünde, Germany, is a charming seaside resort town on the Baltic Sea. Many cruise lines advertise calls here as “Berlin,” but that’s a bit, well, misleading — but more on that later. First, let’s talk about Warnemünde proper and all it offers because I really like this cruise port!
Warnemünde, pronounced “Var-nuh-MUHN-duh,” features a picturesque harbor, sandy beaches, and proximity to historic Rostock. Rostock-Warnemünde is the most popular and significant cruise ship port in the southern part of the region, popular in Baltic cruise itineraries, and is visited by more than 180 ships annually. I visited here aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam.
Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam.
If this is one of your ports of call, you’ll need to decide if you want to stay near the port and explore Warnemünde and/or Rostock, or if you want to venture into the much more well-known city of Berlin. If you want to get to Rostock, it’s close but not walkable, so you’ll need to book an excursion or arrange for your own transportation there. If you prefer to stay in Warnemünde, you can simply walk there straight off the ship and be right in the center of this charming village, filled with history, shops and restaurants, a marina, and old fishing houses, within just minutes. Berlin will require more complicated planning.
Transportation at the Warnemünde Port
The availability of ride-share services like Uber isn’t guaranteed at cruise port calls on Baltic itineraries, but it is available here. There are also taxis, although I did not see a taxi stand anywhere near the cruise terminal (although I may have just missed it). The Warnemünde Train Station is right there, immediately outside of the cruise terminal, so if you’re brave enough to take public transportation, this is a great and affordable way to get around if you aspire to venture outside of Warnemünde.
Things to See and Do in Warnemünde
European cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited, so if you’re looking for things to do in Warnemünde, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.
If you plan to stay in Warnemünde, my recommendation is to save money on transportation and excursions and just walk around and enjoy all that this area has to offer on foot.
Alter Strom
Alter Strom means “Old Channel,” and this simply refers to the central area of Warnemünde, even though it’s not in the town center (that’s called Kirchplatz). Once you get off the cruise pier, you’re basically in Alter Strom. You’ll first encounter a small carnival-type area with concessions, a tented beer hall, street performers, and a Ferris wheel. I rode the Ferris wheel, and it was a fun way to get a birds-eye view of the port area and city.
Once you continue out past this area, you’ll pass the train station, cross a bridge, and be in the Alter Strom Canal area, which is oh-so-charming! The Alter Strom Canal is a scenic waterway connected to the larger Warnow River that flows from the Baltic Sea through the town and is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and historic fishing boats. Simply walking around this area and grabbing a bite to eat is a treat.
Pro Tip: There’s a “lock bridge” along the canal, where lovers can personalize a lock and affix it to a fence along the river. If this appeals to you, plan ahead and bring a lock with you!
Kirchplatz
Outside of Alter Strom is Kirchplatz, which is simply the name for another section of this town. Kirchplatz is a picturesque square known for its historic church, charming traditional houses, and tranquil atmosphere. And when I say tranquil, I mean it! A big takeaway from my Baltic cruise experience was how quiet it is everywhere — even in bustling city centers. I’ve traveled to Europe extensively, but I never noticed the tranquility as much as I have at the ports of call on this itinerary. As a stereotypically loud American, I had to be mindful of my own speaking volume.
In Kirchplatz are the History Museum (more on that next) and the iconic Warnemünde Church, where visitors can admire its historic architecture, beautiful interior, and intricate woodwork.
Heimatmuseum Warnemünde
The Heimatmuseum Warnemünde, or Warnemünde History Museum, is a local history museum located in Kirchplatz. It’s housed in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that illustrate the maritime and cultural heritage of Warnemünde. I’m a sucker for museums, especially quirky or small ones, so of course I had to visit. It is a small museum, but well worth the $4 USD cost and was a quick way to learn about the area’s history. We were in and out in about 30 minutes. There’s no need to pre-book this; simply buy tickets on-site.
Warnemünde Lighthouse
About a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal is the Warnemünde Lighthouse, another popular local attraction. Standing at a height of 121 feet, it is an iconic landmark, offering panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding area. Visitors can climb to the top for a small fee to enjoy breathtaking vistas and learn about the history of the lighthouse.
Teepott
Located right by the lighthouse is the Teepott (Teapot), a distinctive building featuring a unique teapot-shaped design. It serves as a symbol of Warnemünde’s maritime vibe and history. It houses restaurants, cafes, and shops, offering visitors a picturesque spot to enjoy waterfront views and local food and drink.
Strand Warnemünde
Strand Warnemünde, or “Warnemünde Beach,” is a scenic stretch of sandy shoreline along the Baltic Sea, renowned for its soft sand, clear waters, and lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy sand and sun, scenic views of the surrounding landscape, and landmarks such as the Teepott and the Warnemünde Lighthouse. While I’m all about a beach day, I recommend not banking on this port of call for this due to the unpredictable weather conditions. Namely, it will likely be too chilly and/or windy to enjoy fully.
Die Warnemünder Molen
Die Warnemünder Molen, or “The Warnemünde Piers,” are stone piers that extend into the Baltic Sea from the Warnemünde beach. They offer visitors stunning views of the coastline and serve as popular spots for fishing and leisurely walks. In addition to offering cruisers a picturesque place to stroll, these historic structures also serve a practical purpose by helping to stabilize the shoreline and protect the harbor entrance.
Getting to Rostock from Warnemünde
Rostock is adjacent to Warnemünde but small enough that cruisers can feasibly explore both towns within one port day. Top things to do in Rostock include exploring its charming Old Town with landmarks like St. Mary’s Church, enjoying a leisurely stroll along the Warnow River, and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of Neuer Markt Square with its historic buildings, cafes, and shops.
Rostock is similar to Warnemünde in that it’s an opportunity for visitors to explore history, culture, and great architecture and visit various shops and cafes. However, it has a bit more to offer due to its much larger size. Getting there is easy, as there are frequently departing S-Bahn trains from Warnemünde and Rostock, and the ride takes less than 30 minutes. As noted above, an S-Bahn train station is immediately outside the cruise terminal.
If you’re like me, though, and find international public transportation to be intimidating (coupled with a paranoia of missing the ship), you can always summon an Uber. And, of course, cruise line excursions are always an option.
Getting to Berlin from Warnemünde
When planning for this port of call, I considered skipping out on the quaint village of Warnemünde in favor of exploring Germany’s much more popular city of Berlin. Although I had visited Berlin just a year prior, my boyfriend had never been, so it’s an option that we seriously considered, especially since Holland America Line advertises this stop as Warnemünde/Berlin, giving the impression that Berlin is close.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Berlin is, in fact, 2.5-3 hours away from Warnemünde in distance. And that’s each way. The thought of spending 5-6 hours of time on a port day transiting on a train or bus did not appeal to me. Plus, the Berlin excursions were very expensive. So we ultimately chose to just stay in Warnemünde and explore, and I have no regrets. Warnemünde ended up being one of our favorite ports of call, and it was a highly enjoyable and relaxing day.
Cruise Excursions to Berlin
That being said, Berlin is still a great city, filled with rich history and myriad things to do, and it’s understandable if you want to visit and aren’t deterred by the transit time. If you do opt for Berlin, I strongly recommend booking an official cruise line excursion. Why? Namely, the distance. When you engage in a cruise excursion this far from port, you’re significantly upping the chance of something happening that will delay your return.
In fact, on the day of our call to Warnemünde, there was a minor train accident, fortunately with no injuries, that delayed the return of 27 of our fellow cruisers returning from Berlin by several hours. They did not return to our ship until the wee hours of around 1 am, and Holland had to make alternate arrangements to pick them up from the now non-functional train to get them back to the ship. They did not get left behind because this was a cruise line excursion.
Related: Learn the pros and cons of independent versus cruise line excursions.
If you do opt to venture into Berlin from Warnemünde, either on your own or through an excursion, you can reach the city by train, with direct connections available from Warnemünde Station to Berlin Hauptbahnhof, the central train station in Berlin. The journey typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, allowing you to enjoy the scenic German countryside along the way, and once in Berlin, you’ll have access to a wealth of historical and cultural attractions to explore.
Language and Currency in Warnemünde
The primary language spoken in Warnemünde, as in the rest of Germany, is German. However, due to its status as a tourist destination and its location in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, some residents may also speak English, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors in the port areas were fluent in English.
The official currency in Warnemünde and throughout Germany is the Euro (€), and most vendors do not accept US currency. In fact, one food vendor got outright offended when my boyfriend asked if they would accept US currency, as he had run out of Euros.
Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Warnemünde Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Rostock-Warnemünde cruise ship schedule can be found at Cruisemapper.
Warnemünde Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on European cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Warnemünde operates in the Central European Time (CET) zone (UTC+1) during standard time and Central European Summer Time (CEST) zone (UTC+2) during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current local time when planning travel or activities.
Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” that corresponds with the point of embarkation, so if your cruise sails from Amsterdam or Ijmuiden, which are also in the Central European Time (CET) zone, these times should be consistent.
