The area around Hamburg is more than impressive: Picturesque beaches,crystal-clear lakes and fairytale castles lie just outside the city gates. One town stands out: Kühlungsborn is the largest Baltic seaside resort in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is affectionately known as the “green town by the sea”. The town is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast around 25 kilometers west of Rostock. Just a two-hour drive from Hamburg, Kühlungsborn is well worth a visit – we’ll explain why.
The green town by the sea
Kühlungsborn was created in 1938 through a merger of two municipalities and was granted town rights and the name Ostseebad Kühlungsborn in the same year. The town has held the title of “seaside resort” since 1996. Towns are only awarded this title if certain criteria are met: These include a location directly on a seashore and healthy and monitored air quality.
The seaside resort of Kühlungsborn is so special because it combines the sea with green nature. This is because the town forest almost completely surrounds the town, giving rise to the nickname “green town”. This city forest divides the Baltic seaside resort into an eastern and western part and offers numerous paths for hiking and cycling. There are also high altitudes: the Kühlung mountain range to the south of the town gives the landscape its name and reaches a height of almost 130 meters.
And of course, what would a seaside resort be without the sea? Kühlungsborn is located directly by the sea and boasts a real record: the town has Germany’s longest beach promenade, which is around 4.8 kilometers long. As you stroll along the promenade, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the sea. Next to the long, wide sandy beach is a modern marina with space for up to 400 boats. If you want to do more than just relax, there is plenty to see here.
Experience little adventures in Kühlungsborn
Kühlungsborn offers a wide range of attractive tourist attractions. Here you can not only experience some relaxing wellness and health offers, but also get active in sports. With activities such as surfing, jogging and hiking in the fresh sea air, Kühlungsborn offers something for all tastes. The 240-metre-long pier invites you to take a stroll out to sea.
Kühlungsborn can also be proud of its gastronomy, with many different regional and international cuisines . The town’s architecture is characterized by lovingly restored villas and guest houses in the style of the turn of the century, giving the town a charming and sophisticated flair. The town is known throughout Germany as an exclusive seaside resort with a mixture of historic architecture and modern infrastructure.
The journey from Hamburg to Kühlungsborn takes around two hours by car. The route is mostly via the A1 and A20 highways and the B105 federal highway. There are also bus and train connections, but these take considerably longer. If you’re looking for a vacation nearby, you’ve definitely come to the right place!