Warneműnde
Flynn Marr 2 February 2026
On the west side of the Warnow, just off the beach, is the 19th century old lighthouse which is now just a tourist attraction.
In the North of Germany the river Warnow flows into the Baltic and near its mouth passes through the industrial city of Rostok a few kilometers from the sea. Right at the mouth of the Warnow is Warneműnde, or in English, Mouth of the Warnow. This is a seaside resort community with lovely little shops, restaurants, inns and miles of white sandy beaches.
In the depth of the cold war this area was in the German Democratic Republic , Soviet East Germany, and was developed as a vacation destination for the Party faithful. Since reunification this area has remained a popular tourist destination.
After our day in Copenhagen the Eurodam travelled overnight almost directly South about 180 kilometers to Warneműnde. Entering the river Warnow between matching red and green lighthouses we tied up in the center of this delightful vacation town for a day ashore.
Holland America always offers day excursions for every stop and here we could have taken a day trip by train into Berlin. Because our trip already planned
Postcards can be an excellent addition to ones memories of their travels. This view of Warneműnde was not something that a day tripper would normally come across.
a few days in Berlin this did not make sense and so we elected to stay in Warneműnde and have a relaxing day exploring.
By the time we were up, had breakfast and found our way to the gang plank it was about 11:00 am so we had about 5 hours to explore. However, since the dock was in the middle of the town we were able to get right to it. Leaving the ship, which towered over the surrounding buildings, we found we were on a spit of land between the river and the town and we had to cross a little bridge which left us in the center of a delightful German village.
At first we just wandered in the streets of the town looking in shops and enjoying the sun and the multitude of flowers that bloomed everywhere. The houses and buildings were clean, tidy and in many places bedecked with flowers in beds and boxes on balconies.
As I have said before, look for titles for your pictures to guide viewers through your images. We found this office building near the docks just as we got off the ship.
Warneműnde is a town of two and three story buildings with a few up to five a six floors. The Eurodam towers over the buildings, massive like a floating skyscraper.
Susan stands looking back at the Eurodam as she sits at the dock. The size of this ship up close from the wharf inspires awe.
Going into town we had to cross a small canal which seemed to be used by smaller fishing boats and pleasure craft.
The houses were smaller than at home and very colorful. Everything was so clean and well scrubbed. The residents here were obviously very proud people.
Balconies and flower boxes were full of beautiful flowers like these petunias and geraniums. They were everywhere in boxes and garden beds.
Outside a pub we found Susan posed beside Captain Morgan.
Buildings in Warneműnde were generally not more than a few stories high so that the Eurodam with more than thirteen decks towered above the city.
Lunch time and I had a chance to sample the local brew. Very fine!
The interior of the church is not like a Catholic church but rather is plain and unadorned in the German protestant style.
We had no particular plan to our walk but were simply following where curiosity led us. We came upon the Kirchenplatz, or church square, where the red brick Lutheran church of Warneműnde stood. It dated from 1871 and as it was open we went in.
Susan had a grandson, Sandro, die very young which affected her deeply. Everywhere we go we look into the
The Kirche Warneműnde in the Kirchenplatz is an Evangelical Lutheran church consecrated in 1871.
Susan lights a candle for a grandson who died far too early. She does this in all of the churches we visit throughout Europe.
churches and wherever possible Susan lights a candle for him and says a small prayer. 25 years later and the pain has still not gone away.
After leaving the Kirchenplatz we walked down towards the ocean front beach where we found the old 19th century lighthouse which is now a tourist attraction. It has been replaced by two smaller lighthouses right at the entrance to the river Warnow.
It is possible to climb to the top of the old ligthouse from where one gets a fine view of the town and the beach front.
Here I am in the piazza at the base of the old lighthouse. You can see what a beautiful day we had in Warneműnde.
If we look west from the top of the old lighthouse you can see the wide promenade along the immense sandy beach. Unfortunately we did not have time to walk out onto the beach.
Looking inland from the old light house we can see the buildings of Warneműnde . The small boat canal is visible and beyond it is the river Warnow and the M.S. Eurodam at dock. In the far distance is the industrial city of Rostock.
We left the old lighthouse and continued to walk out onto the breakwater as far as we could go. By the time we got to the end and took a few pictures it was time to find our way back to the Eurodam. It seems like we did very little but we did use up our whole day. Warneműnde turned out to be a delightful very laid back afternoon and we were left wishing we had more time to explore. It may not have been the most exciting or historic town but it left us with memories of a most pleasant afternoon.
Behind Susan is the wide beach of Warneműnde from the end of the breakwater.
The two modern lighthouses that stradle the mouth of the river Warnow.
The Back on Board Beer Hall
When we returned to the ship around 4:00 pm we were in for a surprise. I cannot recall if we had been forewarned, probably we were, but I guess we didn’t get the memo. I remember that we were surprised.
The Lido deck pool had been covered over, penants had been strung across the pool deck, tables had been set up and and a feast had been laid on. Local provisions had been obtained on shore for an evening party with a strong German flavour. There was local bread, beer, sausage and sauerkraut. And there was the Rostock Brass Band!
Susan returning to the Eurodam.
On our return to the ship we found the Lido Pool Deck had been transformed into a German Beer Hall complete with brass band. We were back early and these pictures are before the deck filled with passengers. The party that followed was one of the best nights we have spent on board a cruise ship!
A display of bread for our German Beer Hall meal. Notice the pretzles! Much of this bread was sourced on shore from local bakeries. I had a pretzel which was just OK. But the whole wheat rye bread was fantastic. I loved it.
There was a good selection of local beer!
Sausage on the BBQ. This is Weisswurst, a Pork and Veal Sausage that originated in Bavaria. And it is delicious.
Roast suckling pig was on the menu and it was fantastic!
Tomato and onion salad.
A little zucchine humour amongst the sausages. Someone in the kitchen loved carving.
The Rostock-Warneműnde Brass Band was really good. It sounded just like one would image a polka band should sound. Susan and I got up and danced several numbers during diner. She has this ‘thing’ about dancing!
Look at this for diner! Potato salad, sauerkraut, sausage, suckling pig, great bread, and beer. It’s enough to make one want to be German!
The ship’s kitchen came up with desert and, as usual, they did a great job. The chef on board is really a master of deserts.
And that was our day in Warneműnde. It was quiet, warm, sunny, and totally enjoyable. We could have filled another day with no trouble: a walk on the beach, try different restaurants, venture into Rostock, take a tour on the water. But it was not to be. We had to go.
Tomorrow we will set out for Helsinki in Finland but it will take us a day at sea to get there. So we will have time tomorrow to discuss the camera equipment we are using on this trip and what other options we might have considered. But that is for tomorrow.
Back in our room our animal friend for tonight was a ….. maybe a crab? Whatever, it was a great end to a really neat day.
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