Whether for a vacation or a day trip – only about an hour away from the Hanseatic city by train or car is a Baltic Sea beach known for its fine sand, fresh sea breeze, variety and elegant atmosphere. Although there are also some beautiful places to swim in Hamburg itself – for example for nudists who want to enjoy their freedom – sometimes you just want to go further afield to really switch off. Whether it’s the North Sea or the Baltic Sea, there are many great destinations, including the island of Sylt, which is popular with Hamburg locals. But one place in particular stands out for your short summer vacation from Hamburg: Timmendorfer Strand.
Arrival & directions
Why is Timmendorfer Strand the perfect destination for a short summer vacation? Major events such as beach volleyball tournaments and fireworks provide a real vacation feeling. There are also five free parking spaces near the beach and excellent rail connections to Hamburg and Lübeck. It only takes about an hour to get to Timmendorfer Strand by train. A short change is usually required in Lübeck, after which you will quickly arrive at your destination. There are around 27 connections a day that will get you there in comfort. Ticket prices start at around €20. To ensure that your short summer vacation from Hamburg gets off to a smooth start, it’s best to check the current connections directly on the Deutsche Bahn website.
Alternatively, for those traveling by car: The journey takes around 10 minutes less than by train. Take the A1 towards Lübeck and then the A226 and B75 to get directly to Timmendorfer Strand. If you prefer to enjoy a little more scenery on the way, you can choose the route along the coast via Travemünde instead – this will take you closer to the sea and offers idyllic views.
Leisure activities at Timmendorfer Strand
The beautiful beach promenade from the center of Timmendorfer Strand to Scharbeutz is ideal for idyllic walks of around 45 to 60 minutes. If you prefer a slightly longer route, you can stroll along the shore to Niendorf harbour and back – a distance of around 5.8 kilometers. Sports enthusiasts will also get their money’s worth here: the beaches around the Seeschlösschen and the new, 427-metre-long Maritim pier are particularly popular meeting places for the younger crowd in summer. The so-called sports beach is located directly on the pier, where holidaymakers can take part in a varied sports program free of charge during the summer months.
Families can enjoy an exciting adventure at the Sea Life Aquarium: Around 2,500 sea creatures await you here – from moray eels to rays and sharks to seahorses – spread across around 38 tanks. Visitors travel through different habitats: from the local waters of the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic and tropical oceans. Cycling tours or hikes to the neighboring seaside resorts of the Bay of Lübeck also offer a change from beach life. Cycling is permitted on the promenade at Timmendorfer Strand and Niendorf, and the well-maintained paths to Sierksdorf are even suitable for inline skaters.
Away from the hustle and bustle – back to nature
Niendorf is particularly popular with its small harbour, where visitors can enjoy fresh fish straight from the cutter every day – accompanied by a view of the colorful hustle and bustle of the fishing boats. This place is an ideal excursion destination for families: down-to-earth, close to nature and far away from the glamorous coastal hustle and bustle. If you’re looking for high-rise buildings, classy boutiques or trendy cafés, you won’t find them here – but that’s exactly what makes Niendorf so charming.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for real peace and quiet, you should definitely pay a visit to Hemmelsdorfer See. Located just a few minutes from the Baltic Sea beach and west of the center of Timmendorfer Strand, a completely different landscape awaits you here: quiet, wide and natural. The lake is a former estuary basin and is now a protected inland body of water which, together with its northern shore, has been designated a nature reserve. An idyllic contrast to the lively beach life and the perfect addition to your short summer vacation from Hamburg.