Camping on Usedom Island

The island of Usedom in north-east Germany entices visitors to enjoy a relaxing camping holiday with its beautiful dune landscapes, sea buckthorn bushes and coastal forests. Campers can enjoy the fresh, iodine-rich sea air in a tent or campervan close to the Baltic Sea at one of the nature campsites and find the best conditions for swimming and building sandcastles as well as a wide range of opportunities for active leisure activities. If you bring your dog with you, you can go for long walks on the sections of beach designated for four-legged friends.

Camping on Usedom: a dream holiday on the German Baltic coast

Waking up every day with the sound of the waves in your ears, taking long walks on the beach and discovering pretty little coastal towns from the imperial era. This is exactly what campers can look forward to on the island of Usedom. The peninsula in the north of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has long been a popular destination for camping holidaymakers who want to spend relaxing days by the sea in close touch with nature.

There is a large selection of campsites on Usedom. Holidaymakers can spend their holiday in a tent in the middle of the dunes, in a motorhome on a nature campsite or on a pitch in a family-friendly holiday village. Many pitches are located in coastal forests and have direct access to the water. So the nearest Baltic Sea beach is never far away.

Campsites with direct access to the beach can be found in the Baltic seaside resorts of Ahlbeck, Bansin, Heringsdorf, Ückeritz and Stubbenfelde, for example. There are also numerous sites on bodies of water such as Lake Wocknin, Lake Schmollen and Lake Gothensee. The campsites on the Szczecin Lagoon are an insider tip. The lagoon is located south of Usedom and, with its hidden bays, is the ideal place for those seeking peace and quiet.

Whether dune camp or holiday village: in the morning, holidaymakers only have to leave their camper and can jump straight into the cool water - a refreshing start to the day. After breakfast in a beach chair with aromatic sea buckthorn jam from the region, you can visit one of the many restaurants serving North German fish cuisine for lunch.

A short camping holiday on Usedom is the perfect idea for a family holiday between spring and autumn. Campers can explore the coast and dunes together with their children, go cycling and go on hikes through the hinterland. One of the most beautiful cycle routes is the mill tour around the Schmollensee lake. A tarmac path also connects the imperial spas in the north-east. If you fancy water sports, you can go sailing, surfing or kitesurfing between May and October.

Facilities at the campsites in Usedom

The holiday resorts and campsites in Usedom are well equipped. The offer ranges from simple nature campsites to spacious holiday villages with plenty of comfort. In addition to normal pitches and motorhome pitches, comfort pitches are usually also available. In some cases, campers can hire a caravan on site for the duration of their stay.

There are usually also tent pitches on the campsites, which also offer space for families and large tents. Some campsites have overnight cabins for cyclists and hikers. Rental accommodation, holiday rooms or mobile homes are also usually available. The more unusual accommodation options include camping barrels or glamping tents. Many campsites have a good infrastructure with a restaurant, bread roll service and gas bottle exchange.

Camping on Usedom with a dog

Dogs are not a problem at most campsites on Usedom. However, campers should inform themselves in advance about special rules such as the obligation to keep dogs on a lead. Outside the campsites, dogs should be kept on a lead. This is especially important when walking in the sensitive dune landscapes on the coast.

There are also a number of dog beaches on Usedom for guests with dogs. Beach areas for dogs can be found near Peenemünde, at the dune camp in Karlshagen or at the "Ostseeblick" campsite in Trassenheide.

The most beautiful holiday destinations on Usedom

In the north-east of Usedom lie the imperial spas, which are among the island's most important holiday resorts. White to golden yellow beaches, sophisticated spa architecture and piers extending far into the sea characterise the communities of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and the seaside resort of Bansin. In the summer months, holidaymakers like to stroll along the extensive promenades and enjoy the mild weather from a beach chair. The local restaurants have cosy terraces with a view of the Baltic Sea and serve regional cuisine.

Zinnowitz, to the north-west of the Kaiserbäder, offers similarly beautiful conditions for camping on Usedom. At 315 metres, the local pier is one of the longest on the Baltic Sea. At its end, there is a diving gondola that allows you to explore the seabed with dry feet.

The south-western coast of Usedom is predominantly characterised by brackish water areas, which are particularly popular with nature lovers. Places such as Lütow, Krummin and Pudagla are particularly popular with anglers and sailors. The current and wave conditions in these regions facing away from the open sea are perfect for beginners in water sports.

At the northern tip of Usedom, many guests visit Peenemünde, which is of cultural and historical interest due to its long history as a naval centre. The beach resort of Swinemünde in the Polish part of the island is extremely popular, especially in summer, thanks to its huge beach promenade and is located directly behind the German-Polish border.

Top sights on Usedom

Most visitors to Usedom travel to the imperial spas in the north-east of the island: Heringsdorf, the seaside resort of Ahlbeck and the seaside resort of Bansin impress with their white-clad spa villas, which are reminiscent of the spa and holiday culture of the turn of the century. The towns each have a pier at their centre, where you can enjoy fantastic views and regularly attend concerts.

Also worth seeing are the many thatched fishermen's houses, which now serve as guesthouses and restaurants. The best way to visit the communities is on the Usedom Bäderbahn railway. The train runs from Stralsund on the mainland coast via Züssow and Heringsdorf to Swinemünde in Poland. Passengers enjoy marvellous views of the Baltic Sea along the route.

If you are travelling with children on Usedom, you can visit Karl's strawberry farm in Koserow. Exciting games and action are on offer all year round, from strawberry picking in summer to ice skating in winter. Climbing trails, pony courses, bouncy castles, giant slides and a creative workshop are just some of the many entertainment options on the site.

The Ostseetherme spa is a different kind of attraction: Located in the Ahlbeck spa, the wellness centre offers a varied sauna world, swimming and relaxation pools, massage jets, slides and baby pools, among other things. There is also a health studio with qualified doctors, fitness trainers and physiotherapists. They offer various courses to get the body moving.

The seaside resort of Swinoujscie on the Polish side in the east of Usedom is also within easy walking distance. The lively coastal town has a large beach promenade and is a popular summer destination for Polish and German beach holidaymakers. A lively nightlife, live music and lots of entertainment await visitors here. You can pay in euros, so currency exchange is not necessary.

Activities and excursions on Usedom

Away from the campsite, there is a lot to experience on Usedom. Here are some tips for an active holiday on a camping holiday in Usedom.

Bathing fun in the Baltic Sea

Once you arrive on Usedom, the beach is the perfect place to relax, swim and play sports. In rainy weather, one or two swimming pools on Usedom offer an alternative to the Baltic Sea.

Usedom's golf courses

Usedom is also a real recommendation for golfing. Golfers can enjoy a game on Usedom's beautiful golf courses and breathe in the sea air. Lake Balmer See with its two 18-hole courses is a particularly recommended destination.

Travelling by bike

You can hire bikes at most campsites on Usedom and explore the island in a mobile and active way. On two wheels, you can easily explore the picturesque coastal formations and get some exercise in the fresh air. Conveniently, cyclists can also get to remote places that are difficult to reach by car and offer pure romantic seclusion.

Many holidaymakers even organise their journey by bike: the cycle path from Berlin to Usedom is 337 km long and offers fantastic views and breathtaking nature. The route northwards takes you through the vast expanses of the Uckermark, through historic towns such as Prenzlau and Pasewalk and past the Mecklenburg Lake District.

Cinema and climbing

In towns such as Peenemünde, Zinnowitz and the imperial spas, there is also a whole range of excellent cinemas. Usedom's climbing forest near Ückeritz is the perfect place to have fun outdoors with the family on sunny days.

Events

Especially in the warm season there are a variety of events and festivals on Usedom. Here are a few recommendations.

July

• Usedom Pirate Spectacle: From 12 July to 15 July, the seaside resort of Heringsdorf is transformed into a real pirate's nest for three days. The buccaneers provide exciting activities and good humour for the young guests, the highlights are the re-enacted sea battles.
• Usedom Beach Cup: With more than 1,000 participants and over 80 courts, the Usedom Beach Cup is the largest of its kind in the world. The event is held every year from 27 July to 29 July on the beach in Karlshagen.

July - August

• Vineta Festival: With this spectacle, Usedom commemorates the Hanseatic town of the same name that was once engulfed by the sea. The legend of the town is retraced with thrilling musical shows on the Baltic Sea stage in Zinnowitz.

September

• Usedom Marathon: Every year at the beginning of September, the island of Usedom hosts its international marathon. Participants run from Swinemünde past the imperial spas to the campsite in Bansin and finally to the Peene Stadium in Wolgast.

October

• Usedom Kite Festival: While imaginative kite constructions decorate the sky, Peter Maffay's fairytale dragon Tabaluga entertains young and old on stage. The event in Karlshagen traditionally ends with a firework display and takes place every year at the beginning of October.

Gastronomy and tips for gourmets

Due to its location in the north of Germany, Usedom is inextricably linked with fresh seafood. The fish that ends up on the table comes mainly from the Baltic Sea, the brackish water areas in the south and from the island's lakes. If you fancy it, you can go fishing yourself.

Alternatively, guests can simply visit one of the many restaurants with a view of the Baltic Sea. Here, the fish is traditionally fried until crispy. Another classic is, of course, marinated herring. As is typical in pre-Pomeranian cuisine, it is eaten with potatoes. In April, the herring weeks are a good opportunity to savour the delicacies. This period is ideal for camping on Usedom.

In GDR times, solyanka with sausage, gherkins, onions, tomatoes and letcho became a classic on all Usedom menus. The spicy soup is refined with sour cream and a slice of lemon and is a recommended snack for in between meals.

A real feast is on the menu during the game weeks in October. The game dishes on Usedom are prepared with plenty of flavour and reinterpreted time and again. For digestion, you can treat yourself to the caraway schnapps Köm or sip a sea buckthorn liqueur with relish.

Best time to travel for a camping holiday on Usedom

Usedom has a pleasant maritime climate with refreshing breezes from the Baltic Sea. The season usually starts in May, the driest month on the island. Temperatures rise to around 20°C during this period. This mark is clearly exceeded in June, July and August. Peak temperatures of 30°C are not uncommon in midsummer, which is also when the sun is most likely to shine.

During this time, water temperatures of around 15°C in the Baltic Sea off Usedom are ideal for swimming. In September, mild temperatures invite you to go on excursions on foot or by bike. In the winter months, it is rather cool on Usedom: temperatures of around 5°C and ice floes off the coast are possible.