Usedom is Germany’s sunniest island and, especially in the summer, one of the most popular holiday regions on the Baltic Sea coast. But a holiday on Usedom in winter? Is it really worth it?
Our Tips for Usedom in Winter
Long walks are certainly the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a winter holiday on Usedom. But there is much more to discover. We traveled around Usedom, and these are our tips.
Beach Walk
We love walking on the beach in any weather. Usedom’s beach stretches for an impressive 42 kilometers, making it the longest continuous sandy beach in Germany. Here, fine, light sand meets the gentle waves of the Baltic Sea – perfect for a beach walk in any season.
In the summer, the beach attracts holidaymakers for sunbathing or a refreshing swim in the sea. The width of the beach, which is up to 70 meters in some places, offers enough space for everyone, even in high season.
In winter, the beach is rather quiet. Holidaymakers, dressed warmly, walk on the hard-packed sand right by the sea. The clear Baltic air is not only healthy but also refreshing. It becomes particularly beautiful when a fine layer of snow covers the beach and the small tidal creeks freeze over at low tide. This creates a magical atmosphere that you have to experience.
My personal highlight: a walk at sunrise or sunset.
The beach of Usedom is lined by the famous Imperial Spas of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin, which impress with their magnificent seaside resort architecture and historic piers.
Besides the seaside resorts, there are also quieter sections characterized by untouched nature. The combination of beach, dunes, and the coastal forest behind them makes the landscape unique.
Another highlight is the proximity to the Polish border: the beach of Usedom connects seamlessly with the Polish seaside resort of Świnoujście.
Wicker Beach Chair Factory in Heringsdorf
During our walk on the beach, the question arose for me: “Where are the wicker beach chairs?” Of course, in winter on Usedom, there are no beach chairs to be found there. So we set out to find some information.
Fortunately, Heringsdorf has the beach chair factory, which is also open in winter. Here you can see some of the products made there in the showroom and also take part in the regularly held guided tour.
During the tour, everything revolves around the wicker beach chair. How did it originate? How is it produced? What different types of beach chairs are there? And of course, “What happens to the beach chair in winter?” We even got to try weaving the wicker ourselves.
We really enjoyed the tour, and if you’d like to know more, you should read our article “Heringsdorf Beach Chair Factory – How is a Wicker Beach Chair Made?“. Or better yet, just book an appointment directly at the Usedom beach chair factory in Heringsdorf.
High Above Heringsdorf – On the Treetop Walk
Not far from the beach chair factory is the Usedom Treetop Walk. For those visiting Usedom in winter, this offers an opportunity to get a slightly different perspective on the island.
While in summer you walk along the path past dense treetops and the view is somewhat restricted by the leaves, in winter you can see wonderfully into and through the trees. You might be lucky enough to spot a snow-covered bird’s nest and look out over the forest floor.
I found the path up to the observation tower particularly beautiful. Even though a rather cold wind was blowing up there, we spent a good 30 minutes at the top. What a view towards the Baltic Sea! The water sparkled, a ship sailed by, and the gulls circled over the water.
Experiencing the sunset from up there is especially beautiful. The sun sets over the island’s interior and, even with a few clouds, paints the sky in the most beautiful shades. It’s really worth lingering up there a little longer.
For us, the winter visit was a complete success! If you would like more information, just follow the link to our article “Usedom Treetop Walk – An Adventure at Lofty Heights“.
Visit to a Day Spa
Winter on Usedom doesn’t always have beautiful days with blue skies. It can also snow, storm, or rain. But that’s no reason to hide away in your hotel or holiday apartment. How about a day of relaxation in one of the Day Spas instead?
Many hotels offer non-hotel guests the opportunity to use their spas and wellness facilities. However, it is usually requested to check availability in advance, as use for hotel guests must be guaranteed.
During our stay, we visited two hotels and used their sauna areas and pools. What a wonderful break, which, with a fantastic view over the Baltic Sea, created the perfect holiday feeling.
You can read about where we went and what makes these spas so special in our article “A Break at a Day Spa on Usedom – Pure Relaxation on the Baltic Sea“.
Trip to Peenemünde
Peenemünde is a small municipality in the far north of the island of Usedom. The town is located at the northernmost tip of the island, the so-called “Peenemünde Hook,” where the Peenestrom river flows into the Baltic Sea.
Peenemünde is primarily known for its historical significance. The town played a central role during the Second World War, as the Peenemünde Army Research Center was established here. In this facility, the first large rockets, such as the infamous V2, were developed and tested. These rockets are considered precursors to modern space technology.
The surrounding area is characterized by a picturesque landscape, shaped by the Peenestrom and the nearby Peenemünder Haken nature reserve. It’s worth planning some time for a short hike here.
We set out on the freshly snow-covered path along the protective dike and the nature reserve for a little hike.
The water of the Peenestrom glittered in the sun, the meadows were covered in snow – this is how one imagines winter on Usedom! While we were walking between the water and the nature reserve, several birds of prey flew over us, searching for their next meal on the icy meadows in the reserve. In the entire time, only one other walker came towards us; we had nature all to ourselves and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
After the walk, we were drawn back to the town. Our destination: the Peenemünde Historical-Technical Museum.
Peenemünde Historical-Technical Museum
The museum was founded in 1991 and is located on the site of the former power plant of the Peenemünde Army Research Center on the island of Usedom.
During the Second World War, Peenemünde was a center for the development of rocket weapons, particularly the infamous V2 rocket. This rocket was the first of its kind to reach space and is considered a forerunner of modern space technology. At the same time, however, it also stands for the horrors of war, as it was used as a weapon against civilian populations.
The visit to the Peenemünde Historical-Technical Museum gave me somewhat mixed feelings. On the one hand, the museum offers an impressive opportunity to discover the history of rocket research and its impact on modern space travel. On the other hand, it also shows the dark chapters of warfare. But this chapter, too, is a part of the past and must not be forgotten.
Island Safari in Winter on Usedom
With morning temperatures below freezing, we stood in front of our accommodation and waited for the arrival of the off-road vehicle that would take us on a tour of the island for a few hours.
After a cheerful “hop in quick, it’s warm in the car,” the journey into the island’s hinterland began. The tour is offered year-round and zigzags through the Achterland (hinterland), to secluded beach sections, and along forest paths into the nature reserve. We took part in a shortened tour that lasted only 3.5 hours. Normally, it is a full-day tour.
One of the highlights of the tour is certainly the ride on the roof of the off-road vehicle. Especially in winter, the lack of leaves on the trees gives you an excellent view of the surroundings. It’s a bit cooler than on a summer tour, but afterwards, there’s hot tea or mulled wine to quickly chase away the cold. You can read and see more impressions in our article “Island Safari on Usedom – A Winter Adventure in Nature“.
We interrupted the tour through the snowy landscape several times for photo stops and learned a lot about the island’s formation, flora, and fauna during the drive. A great island experience that I would definitely like to have again in another season. The nature on Usedom is so diverse that you would certainly get completely new impressions.
Theater Visit
As is well known, it gets dark early in winter on Usedom too. But that’s no reason to spend the rest of the day in your hotel room or holiday apartment.
How about a visit to the theater?
One evening, we were drawn to “Die Blechbüchse – DAS GELBE THEATER Zinnowitz” (“The Tin Can – THE YELLOW THEATER Zinnowitz“). After finding a parking spot, we approached the theater – and – it really is a yellow tin can! From the outside, the building is reminiscent of a kind of warehouse, like one I know for hay or straw. The corrugated iron structure is painted sunny yellow and, visually, doesn’t really fit into the surroundings at all.
When you step inside, you find yourself in a small foyer with a bar and a cloakroom. A staircase leads to the balcony, and on the ground floor, rows of chairs and the stage are in the stalls. It quickly became quite full, and alongside locals from Usedom, a few holidaymakers also found their way to the theater.
It was a beautiful and entertaining evening where we got to see “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” We don’t get to go to the theater very often, and it was a really nice change of pace that made us want to soak up more culture again.
Culinary Forays
Whether in summer or winter, there is a lot to discover on Usedom from a culinary perspective.
For example, we visited the Usedomer Brauhaus (Usedom Brewhouse). Great home-brewed beer, hearty food, and all in a cozy, rustic atmosphere. We ate well there and took part in a brewery tour. The beer won us over.
The Wasserschloss Mellenthin (Mellenthin Moated Castle) is a great culinary destination in the hinterland. Here you’ll find a coffee roastery, a distillery, a brewery, and the brewery restaurant with changing theme nights.
Our tips:
Beer! The brewery’s beer is very good, and you should definitely take part in a tasting.
Cake! I haven’t eaten such good cake in a long time.
When you’re by the sea, you should of course not miss eating fish. We stopped at Uwes Fischerhütte (Uwe’s Fish Hut) right on the beach promenade. They offer various fish dishes and also the classic fish sandwich to go.
I chose the fried fish (Backfisch) with fried potatoes, and Patrick opted for a fish platter with fried potatoes. The fish was super delicious, but the fried potatoes were the absolute highlight. I haven’t had such crispy fried potatoes in a long time.
Is it Worth Going to Usedom in Winter?
Our conclusion after 4 days on the island – winter on Usedom is great! Fresh air, waves, a nearly empty beach, a bit of snow, and few people – for us, the perfect getaway!
It certainly won’t get boring on the island. There is so much to discover that we will definitely spend a longer winter break on the island again.
The visit in winter took place as a research trip with Usedom Tourism.
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