Att se och göra i Hansastaden Wismar

There is a lot to see and do in the Hanseatic city of Wismar in Germany. We have been here together with a really nice group in another eleven motorhomes to experience "Schwedenfest". We start by telling you about the historic town of Wismar, and what you can see and do here.

Wismar in northern Germany

Wismar is a German harbour town and Hanseatic city on the Baltic Sea in Germany. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This historic town, once part of the Swedish provinces in Germany, sits nicely on the coast between Lübeck and Rostock. A former East German town, it was once relatively run down, but is now restored and charming.

Long time in Swedish ownership

Wismar was part of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages, and between 1648 and 1903 it was owned by Sweden. In 1803, however, the town was pledged to the Grand Duke to provide Sweden with a loan.

In 1903, Sweden chose not to honour the loan and Wismar became the property of the Grand Duke. Every year, residents and tourists in the town are reminded of the relationship between the countries by the 'Schwedenfest', held every August.

Wismar i Tyskland - se och göra i Wismar

Wismar Tyskland — Right next to the old harbour, we saw this charming house

READ MORE: Things to do in Germany - 26 tips for experiences and sights

Things to see and do in Wismar

Wismar in Germany is a nice town with beautiful old houses, the grand market square and a nice harbour. Definitely worth a visit! But what can you see and do in Wismar? Here are six tips.

1. Check out historic buildings

The old town of Wismar is full of historic buildings and, together with Stralsund, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 27 June 2002. It includes the Market Square and the neoclassical Town Hall. There is also the "Alter Schwede" (Old Swede) restaurant, which is Wismar's oldest building and where you can see a photo of the Swedish king. Another famous building is the Wismarer Wasserkunst pumping station.

The city is also full of magnificent brick churches. We looked at the Marienkyrkan, or rather the 80 metre high tower, which is the only thing left of the building. The church was badly damaged during World War II and then deliberately destroyed by the East German communist regime.

Wismar stad — Historic buildings everywhere you turn ...

2. Admire the view from St George's Church

For a really good view of Wismar, look for St George's Church. Here you can take the lift up to a vantage point, where you'll have great views of the town in several directions. Among other things, you get a nice view of the church of St Nicholas.

READ MORE: Facts about Germany - 30 things you might not know
READ MORE: 6 picturesque towns in Germany - along holiday routes

3. Eat fish and seafood

Wismar is by the sea, so it's not surprising that people like seafood here. Down by the harbour, there are plenty of small stalls selling fresh and smoked fish, fresh and smoked shrimp, and breaded fish sandwiches made to order.

We bought great cold smoked salmon and ate breaded pike-perch at a simple restaurant on the waterfront. We were also recommended the restaurant To'n Zägenkrog for good fish dinners, but since we didn't book a table, we didn't get a seat there ...

Wismar fiskaffär — Seafood in the port of Wismar

Wismar skepp — Thankfully, someone is keeping an eye on the ships ...

4. try German "sect"

The German equivalent of champagne is 'sekt'. We were told about the sekt cellar Hanse Sektkellerei at Turnerweg 4, 10 minutes from the main square, where you can both taste and buy. Very nice! There were 25 cartons for our part by taxi to the campsite.

Wismar sekt — Peter and Kenneth try a cult

5. Take a boat ride in Wismar

If you want to take a look around on the water, you can take a boat trip around Wismar with "Adler Schiffe". You will be guided on board (possibly only in German) and you can order a beer or perhaps a "Berliner wasser" - beer mixed with fruit juice.

6. Experience "Schwedenfest"

Of course, if you want to experience Wismar's Swedish history, the best time to come is during Schwedenfest, which takes place every year on a weekend in mid-to-late August. This is a historical spectacle and the whole town is filled with carolines, horses and gunpowder smoke. In front of the courthouse on Markplatz in the city centre, historical events are re-enacted.

Swedish flags fly around the city, people dress up like they used to, and cannons and muskets are fired. There are plenty of stalls serving food and beer as well as live bands and fireworks. Read about our experiences at Sweden Festival.

Wismar Freedomtravel — At the Schwedenfest in Wismar 2017

Schwedenfest 2017 — It's like being in the middle of a Carolinian field camp ...

Wismar i Tyskland - Schwedenfest — "Original Swedish thin bread roll"

See more in Northern Germany

There is of course much more to see and experience in northern Germany. Here are some tips on interesting places to visit in the neighbourhood:

Hanseatic city of Lübeck is known, among other things, for its marzipan
Timmendorfer Strand offers a long sandy beach and a nice pier
Goods is a charming town on the great lake of Müritz.
Stralsund is a harbour town that has also been in Swedish ownership.
Hamburg offers boat trips, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the world's largest model railway.

Facts about Wismar in Germany

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Language: German (some also speak English)
Currency: Euro
Price mode: A bit cheaper than Sweden
Residents: Wismar 43 000 (2018)
Time difference: None
Emergency number: 112
Religion: Christianity
El: Like Sweden
Water: Drinking beard
Tourist OfficeLübsche Str. 23a

Early history of Wismar

Early history: The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, including by Germanic tribes and western slaves.
12th century: The first known use of the name Wismar was in 1147 when the Danish King Sven Grate sailed to 'Wizmar Harbour'.

Medieval history of Wismar

13th century: The city of Wismar was founded around 1226. In 1280, the city, together with Rostock, Lübeck and Hamburg, formed the 'Vendian City League'. In the Middle Ages, the city was an important member of the Hanseatic League.
14th century: In 1310 the city made an unsuccessful rebellion against Henry II the Lion of Mecklenburg. In 1350 about 2000 inhabitants, a large part of the population, died of the plague.
16th century: In 1594 the Viechelner Fahrt (Wallenstein Canal) was opened, but it became impassable for cargo ships in the 17th century.

The Swedish history of Wismar

17th century: From 1632, Wismar was ruled by Sweden. The town was occupied by Swedish troops, and after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the Swedish king acted as county governor. During the Scanian War, Wismar was briefly ruled by Denmark.
19th century: In 1893, Wismar was pledged by the Swedish king to the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin as security for a loan.
20th century: The loan was not repaid and at the end of the period, in 1903, Wismar became the property of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

The contemporary history of Wismar

The Second World War: Wismar suffered heavy aerial bombing during World War II, and many historic buildings were damaged.
The communist era: On 1 July 1945, the city fell to the Soviet occupation zone and then to East Germany (GDR).

Food and drink

Brauhaus am Lohberg/Gasthaus Brauerei Wismar at Kleine Hohe Str. 15. Very good according to many reviews.
Restaurant and café Schwedenwache at Am Markt 9 should also have good food. We have only had one beer there.
Old Swede at Am Markt 22, in Wismar's oldest building, is almost a must if you're there.

Accommodation in Wismar

Steigenberger Hotel Stadt Hamburg at Am Markt 24 on the main square
You can also look for accommodation for your stay in Wismar in Germany on Booking.com

Pitch and camping

Ostsee camping Zierow at Strandstr. 19 c is a nice campsite. By car you go via Lübsche Str towards Wismar and it takes 15 minutes and is 8.8 km. Read more about Baltic Sea campsite.
Mobile home park Westhafen Wismar Schiffbauerdamm has 12 pitches for motorhomes.

Shopping in Wismar

Mecklenburg shopping centre (MEZ) at Marktstrasse 1, 23968 Gägelow. Closed on Sundays. If you drive from Wismar via Lübcshe Strasse, it is 5.7 km.

Journey to Wismar in Germany

FlightsFlying from Stockholm to Hamburg takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Driving from Hamburg to Wismar takes about 1 h 30 min (134 km).
Ferry Gothenburg-Kiel: You can travel with Stena Line. By car from Kiel via A20, about 1 h 40 min (147 km).
Ferry Trelleborg-Rostock: With Stena Line. Car from Rostock via A20, approx. 50 min (63 km)
Trelleborg-Sassnitz ferry: With Stena Line. By car from Sassnitz via A20, approx. 2 h and 20 min (203 km).

24 Comments

Add yours →

Lennart says:

Nice place, really!

21 August 2017 - 7:23

Diana says:

Lovely you have it hugs

21 August 2017 - 8:17

Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Like northern Germany we have driven a lot there.

21 August 2017 - 9:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What we've seen of northern Germany is nice, but we'd love to see more!
  
  21 August 2017 - 21:57
  
Steve says:

Charming city with lots to offer. Even an authentic Swedish flatbread roll.

21 August 2017 - 12:32

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Well, if it's going to be Swedish, it's going to be Swedish 😉.
  
  21 August 2017 - 21:58
  
Husbilen Helge says:

Thin bread rolls with smoked mackerel or herring are a must. Something we always try to get when we are in northern Germany. Deliciously worse!

21 August 2017 - 16:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agree that thin bread roll with herring is good! Think these were with sausage ... 😉 ...
  
  21 August 2017 - 21:58
  
Kenneth Risberg says:

Very nice trip and great fellowship.
The Wismar and Schwedenfest was a real experience and well executed/ realistic by the "soldiers".

Thank you Helena and Peter!

21 August 2017 - 16:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Agreed! Glad to hear that you are happy with the trip! We thought it was an absolutely awesome bunch who came along!
  
  21 August 2017 - 22:00
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Many people praise northern Germany so we realise we have many gems left to discover! Here we have stayed in northern German cities, there has usually been a Christmas market.... As usual, great blog posts with nice pictures.

21 August 2017 - 17:15

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like our posts! We also haven't seen much of northern Germany actually, except e.g. Lubeck in the winter, and now Wismar. But it is very possible that there will be more!
  
  21 August 2017 - 22:01
  
Matts Torebring says:

Cool and close to going there. Enjoy!

21 August 2017 - 20:46

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It's nice to have destinations that aren't so far away sometimes 😉.
  
  21 August 2017 - 22:02
  
Ann-Louise says:

Looks very nice. What fun with the "Swedish flatbread roll" 🙂 ðŸ™'

21 August 2017 - 20:50

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Right? I've never seen thin bread rolls outside of Sweden before 😉.
  
  21 August 2017 - 22:02
  
BP says:

What a marvellous cavalcade of pictures! Wismar is very similar to Gdansk and Sopot. The houses are very similar to those in Gdansk and fish and seafood are "national dishes" on the entire stretch of beach between Gdansk and Gdynja.

By the way, it's fun to have real thin bread rolls. If it's Swedish, it's Swedish!

21 August 2017 - 20:54

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We thought exactly the same when we arrived in Wismar. I immediately said that I thought it reminded me of Gdansk and Gdynia 😉.
  
  21 August 2017 - 22:03
  
Deciree says:

It's a nice little town...cosy with the Swedish party as well together with all the motorhomes that went with you 🙂.

21 August 2017 - 21:32

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fun and different experience to travel such a large group together 🙂 .
  
  22 August 2017 - 7:13
  
Ditte says:

What fun with a piece of Swedish history in Germany. Fun to experience the party on site.
Nice with tips on what to do here and glad you had time to look around.

21 August 2017 - 21:55

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It was a fun and slightly different experience 🙂
  
  22 August 2017 - 7:14
  
Ama de casa says:

Now my comment disappeared... 🙁 The internet can be really stupid sometimes.

But it looked like you had a great stay there at the Swedish party 🙂.

22 August 2017 - 4:30

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But how strange ...! It was not in the spam mail either ... but yes, a really good stay despite all the rain!
  
  22 August 2017 - 7:15

Things to see and do in the Hanseatic City of Wismar

Wismar in northern Germany

Long time in Swedish ownership

Things to see and do in Wismar

1. Check out historic buildings

2. Admire the view from St George's Church

3. Eat fish and seafood

4. try German "sect"

5. Take a boat ride in Wismar

6. Experience "Schwedenfest"

See more in Northern Germany

Facts about Wismar in Germany

Early history of Wismar

Medieval history of Wismar

The Swedish history of Wismar

The contemporary history of Wismar

Food and drink

Accommodation in Wismar

Pitch and camping

Shopping in Wismar

Journey to Wismar in Germany

You might also like:

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24 Comments

Lennart says:

Diana says:

Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Helena says:

Steve says:

Helena says:

Husbilen Helge says:

Helena says:

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Deciree says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

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