Discover Heiligendamm

Heiligendamm combines the atmosphere of a traditional seaside resort with the Baltic Sea beach, Neoclassical architecture and a variety of excursions. The town has been a seaside resort since 1793. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Heiligendamm can therefore plan their stay according to different interests: relaxing hours on the wide sandy beach, culture centred around the historic townscape, a coastal hike or a ride on the Molli Railway each offer a different perspective on the town.

Seaside Resort History and Distinctive Architecture

Heiligendamm’s historic appearance is defined by white lodging houses, bathhouses and society houses. An imposing Neoclassical ensemble was created here by 1870. The present-day Kurhaus was inaugurated in 1817 and became a landmark of the seaside resort. Following many years of reconstruction, the historic ensemble of buildings opened as the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm in 2003.

The Lutheran Church is also part of the town’s history. The listed church building was ceremonially consecrated on 31 July 1904. Those interested in architecture and the development of seaside resorts will therefore find several different points of interest in Heiligendamm: the representative buildings, the Kurhaus and the church each embody a different facet of the town.

Beach, Pier and Coastal Paths

Heiligendamm’s beach is wide and fine-sandy, with a gently sloping shore leading into the Baltic Sea. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for its excellent water quality. The pier offers another experience by the water: it is ideal for watching sunsets and enjoying the panorama of the sea and coast. These two aspects of the town may play an important role when choosing your accommodation if you would like a sea view to be part of your travel plans without limiting your holiday to beach days alone.

More active days can include a 14.7-kilometre, moderately difficult coastal hike. It runs from Kühlungsborn via Heiligendamm to Bad Doberan. This gives you a specific opportunity to incorporate Heiligendamm into a longer hike along the coast. Take the length and stated difficulty level into account when planning.

Nature Between the Spa Forest and Lake Conventer See

The townscape also includes the 74,000-square-metre spa forest. Those wishing to experience a variety of landscapes during their stay can also plan a cycling tour around Lake Conventer See. The route passes through the 216-hectare Conventer See nature reserve, which is of great importance to birds as a breeding and resting area. This creates a contrast between the Baltic coast, forest and protected landscape for travellers interested in nature.

Travelling on the Molli Railway

A ride on the Molli Railway adds a special transport experience to the range of excursion options. The route is 15.4 kilometres long and passes through narrow streets as well as meadows and fields, leading to holiday resorts and excursion destinations in the region. The Molli runs daily through Bad Doberan to Heiligendamm station. This means the railway can be included in your travel plans as an excursion in its own right, especially if, in addition to the beach and architecture, you would like to explore the surrounding region along this route.

Practical Information for Your Stay

If you are arriving by car, you should consider the parking situation early in your planning: a zone-wide no-parking restriction applies throughout Heiligendamm. On public areas, parking is permitted only in designated and clearly signposted parking spaces. When looking for a holiday apartment, it is useful to determine your priorities in advance. The beach and pier, cultural history, nature experiences, the coastal hike or the daily Molli connection each lead to different ideas of the right kind of stay in Heiligendamm.

A special event is the annual torch swim at the pier. It combines rescue exercises with an atmospheric torch swim in the Baltic Sea. Heiligendamm is therefore not only a historic seaside resort, but also a place with a recurring maritime tradition.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to compare Heiligendamm with other places, you can find additional destinations here: Steffenshagen, Wittenbeck, Reddelich, Nienhagen, Admannshagen-Bargeshagen, Bartenshagen-Parkentin, Retschow and Börgerende-Rethwisch.

For the higher-level travel overview: Amt Bad Doberan-Land.