The Swedes haven't discovered this gem yet – it's just a ferry ride away.

Writer: Helena Bergström

Should we even share this tip, or should we keep it a secret...? It only takes 6-8 hours by ferry from southern Sweden, and then you're in a holiday paradise with miles of sandy beaches, beautiful spa hotels with German seaside resort architecture and countless opportunities for food and nature experiences. Could it be too good to be true?

Usedom – a gem on the other side of the Baltic Sea

Not many people in Sweden are familiar with the island of Usedom, which is strange considering that this fantastic holiday island is only a ferry ride away. The island, which has a coastline on the Baltic Sea, is shared by Germany and Poland, and the easiest way to get there from Sweden is by ferry to the Polish city of Swinoujscie.

The ferries depart from Ystad, Trelleborg or Malmö and you can choose to travel with Unity Line, TT-Line, Polferries or Finnlines. To reach the German part of the island – and the imperial spa towns – continue from Swinoujscie by car, taxi, train, bus... or perhaps by bicycle.

The imperial spa towns on Usedom

There are three imperial spa towns (Die Kaiserbäder) on the island of Usedom: Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin. These towns enjoyed their heyday during the German Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming holiday paradises for the imperial family, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Prussian elite.

The towns are renowned for their grand imperial architecture, long sandy beaches and range of spa and wellness facilities. It is not difficult to imagine how the fashionable spa guests of the turn of the century once strolled around here in parasols and rustling beautiful clothes.

After the Second World War, Usedom became part of what was then East Germany, and times changed radically in many ways. There was no longer any money to maintain the grand villas, some buildings were constructed in the socialist style, and many hotel and other business owners saw their properties confiscated by the state.

Now Usedom is flourishing once again. In the summer, people come here to sunbathe and swim. All year round, tourists flock to spa and wellness, nature experiences and good food. The beautiful hotels once again boast updated splendour, and the bathing towers are no longer used to prevent people from fleeing to the West – but solely to ensure the safety of beachgoers.

A holiday paradise – all year round

Summer is peak season, but holidaymakers flock to Usedom all year round. The beaches are certainly attractive for sunbathing and swimming in the summer heat, but also for autumn walks and daring winter swims. In addition, Usedom is once again flourishing as a health resort, or spa town if you will. Every other hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools, saunas of every conceivable kind and all kinds of wellness, health and beauty treatments.

All three imperial spa towns also offer a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafés, where you can enjoy everything from traditional hearty German dishes to more modern innovations. Or why not visit a vineyard, a brewery, a coffee roastery or a local mustard and oil producer?

Usedom can be explored by car, bus, train or bicycle. For those who wish, there are also various excursions to book, such as scenic ”Island safari” on the roof of a Land Rover. Of course, you will also find art, crafts and historically interesting sights.

Usedom – the ”secret” gem

So why is Usedom, which is so incredibly beautiful and only a ferry ride away from Sweden, so unknown among Swedish tourists? Well, there may be several answers to this question. One explanation may, of course, be that the area was completely closed off during the GDR era, i.e. between 1949 and 1990. But that's not whole the explanation.

If you compare it with Poland, which was also closed during the GDR era, then both Gdansk and Sopot Today, these are fairly well-known destinations for Swedes. Another explanation is probably that Usedom has mostly marketed itself to German-speaking audiences: German holidaymakers, but also Austrians, Swiss and Poles who speak German.

It is clear that the residents of Usedom are unaccustomed to tourists who do not speak German. Most things are still only In German: hotel and tourist company websites, menus, small signs at the breakfast buffet, information leaflets in hotel rooms... Some people, often those in more outgoing roles, speak English. The majority stick to German, or become noticeably nervous as they awkwardly search for English vocabulary.

But don't they want English-speaking tourists? Yes, of course they do! But it feels like it's still in its infancy. When we point out that translation into English would be great in various places, they thank us for the suggestion, as if they haven't really had time to think about it yet. Perhaps so few people have asked...

It will take another group of tourists who haven't studied German at school to change that. But it will happen. And if you travel here now, you will get to experience this fantastic place. before everything has been adapted for Swedes. Just a ferry ride away, a gem awaits that somehow feels a little protected and unexploited and, for us Swedes, a little exotic and glamorous.

And yes, it works perfectly well even if you don't speak German, as long as you're prepared for the conversations to be a little choppy at times... The willingness, friendliness and openness are there!

So, what are you waiting for? Here you will find all our best tips about Usedom. Or, come to think of it, maybe I shouldn't have told you about this fantastic gem...

A short film from Usedom

This trip was a press trip organised by Tourism Association Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own!