Fischland-Darss-Zingst

A peninsula with wild dunes, storm-proof forests and a red brick lighthouse. Fischland-Darß-Zingst is described as one of the most beautiful and varied coasts of the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is a paradise surrounded by water and close to nature, perfect for relaxation. Here you can visit idyllic places that live their traditions and give you an insight into the culture of Fischland-Darß-Zingst.

Shaped by wind and waves

The nature of the peninsula

Fischland-Darß-Zingst is located between Rostock and Stralsund and can be explored on foot, by bike, by horse-drawn carriage or by water. The peninsula is bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Bodden waters Saaler Bodden, Bodstedter Bodden and Barther Bodden.

The peninsula consists mainly of the "Vorpommern Boddenlandschaft" National Park. Every year in autumn, up to 70000 cranes come to Zingst to rest here. They rest in the southern part of the Boddenlandschaft before continuing their flight. Watching the cranes as they pass through is a special experience for many locals and tourists.

A highlight of the national park is the natural Darß west beach with its fallen trees and wild plants. Since the pristine Darß forest borders directly on the west beach, it is possible to spot deer while walking through the dunes.

The Darß forest, with its pines, alders and pedunculate oaks, is ideal for exploring by bike. Fischland-Darß-Zingst has great cycle paths and numerous bike rentals for cyclists. The best way to immerse yourself in the peninsula's natural landscape and its idyllic places is by bike.

There is a cliff on the peninsula between Ahrenshoop and Wustrow. With its distinctive nature, it offers an impressive backdrop for painters and photographers and is perfect for a long walk on the beach.

Traditional yet modern

The Culture of the Peninsula

Traditions are particularly well preserved on the peninsula. The Zees boats with their brown sails are typical for the region around Zingst. Here, holidaymakers can take part in sailing trips or experience the large traditional regattas in the Bodden ports. But centuries-old crafts and amber also have a high priority on Fischland-Darß-Zingst.

Ahrenshoop is a Baltic Sea resort known as an artists' colony and is definitely worth a visit. What makes this former fishing and seafaring village unique are the typical houses with their thatched roofs, the intact nature and the exceptional lighting conditions that transform the place into a very special splendor in every season.

For all photography enthusiasts, the Environmental Photo Festival "horizonte zingst" a great cultural experience that takes place every year from the end of May in Zingst. Workshops, lectures and discussions on the topic of the environment and photography are offered here every day.

Another attraction on Fischland-Darß-Zingst is the Darßer Ort. There you will find the NATUREUM and the Darßer lighthouse, which offers a unique view of the Darßer Weststrand and the Darßwald. The NATUREUM is an outpost of the German Meeresmuseums Stralsund and can only be reached on foot, by bike or carriage.

Further information about Fischland-Darß-Zingst can be found on the Website.

Tour suggestion to Darßer Ort

From Stralsund to the Darß Lighthouse

If you are planning a visit to the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula, you should follow our tour suggestion to Prerow and hike to Darßer Ort. Admittedly, you have to get up early for this tour. But it's worth it, as Darßer Ort is well worth seeing!

The excursion starts at about 7:30 am from Stralsund main station. From here you take the German train with a 5-minute change in Velgast to Barth and arrive there shortly before 8:00 a.m. From the station in Barth you can take the Bus Shortly after 8:00 a.m., drive through to Prerow Mitte, where you will arrive after a 40-minute drive. There are various ways to get to Darßer Ort. You can hike, cycle or take a horse-drawn carriage. Your route will take you through the pristine Darß forest. Once you have arrived at Darßer Ort, the Darßer Ort lighthouse awaits you. If you climb up the tower, you will get a unique view of the Baltic Sea. When the weather is nice, you can see as far as Hiddensee. And when the weather is particularly good, you can also see as far as the Danish island of Møn.

If you want to learn more about the Darß natural area, the NATUREUM to visit. The Natural History Museum is part of the German Oceanographic Museum and is located in the core zone of the Vorpommern Boddenlandschaft National Park on the<msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight"><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-word-highlight">grounds</msreadoutspan> of the lighthouse. Here you can discover Baltic Sea</msreadoutspan>aquariums, a beach and dune garden and a wetland biotope during your museum visit. After visiting the museum, museum visitors can have a small meal in the museum café (not a public excursion café), which is attached to the NATUREUM, to continue their tour refreshed.

From the lighthouse it is only a few steps to the Darß west beach, which lies directly on the Darß forest and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe with its untouched nature and<msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight"><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-word-highlight">isolation</msreadoutspan>. If you are good on your feet, you could go on an adven</msreadoutspan>ture and hike along the 14 km long fine sandy beach. For our tour, however, we do not want to hike that far, but prefer to walk or take a carriage through the Darß forest back to the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow.

If you still have time after your stay at Darßer Ort, explore the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow. The 395 m long pier is recommended. If you stroll along it, you will be rewarded with a great view of the Baltic Sea and the Prerow coast.

What makes the former fishing and seafaring village unique are the old thatched captain's houses with their carved and brightly painted Darß front doors, which you will come across on your tour of discovery.
After spending a while in Prerow, you can start your return journey by bus from Prerow Mitte. You travel to Ribnitz and arrive at West Station after just over an hour. From here you take the train back to Stralsund Central Station, where your tour finally ends.