Karlshagen between the Baltic Sea beach and nature

A fine, white sandy beach up to 80 metres wide is a defining feature of Karlshagen. There is also a supervised bathing beach, nature activities and a harbour from which excursion boats set off onto the Peenestrom. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Karlshagen, you can consider which aspects of this Baltic Sea resort you want to shape your holiday: days at the beach, outdoor activities, encounters with nature or experiences on the water.

Beach days with different options

The supervised bathing beach is 1,200 metres long in total. Designated sections of the beach are set aside for naturism, dogs and sports. Seven permanent volleyball courts offer another option for active days at the beach. Those interested in watersports will find opportunities for windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding at the sports beach. This means you can enjoy the beach on holiday for swimming, exercise or watersports, depending on your interests.

The Baltic Sea water at Karlshagen beach is also marked with the Blue Flag. Families can explore coastal wildlife with the beach explorers: children use magnifying glasses and nets to examine various animals, including seagulls, jellyfish and mussels. Alongside swimming, the beach also offers opportunities for little nature observations.

Experience nature and enjoy the outdoors

The Karlshagen Nature Conservation Centre focuses on the nature and birdlife of Usedom. Its offerings include a natural history exhibition and various themed guided tours. This complements the immediate impression of the beach with the opportunity to learn about local nature and the island’s birds.

Cycle paths and hiking trails around Karlshagen lead towards Peenemünde and via Zinnowitz towards Koserow. They are considered suitable for families. You can choose between cycling and hiking for an excursion and plan your route in whichever direction you prefer. If you would rather be on the water, you can take excursion boats from Karlshagen harbour onto the Peenestrom.

Harbour, local cuisine and getting here

The harbour serves both excursion boats and recreational craft. It has modern mooring facilities, berths at the pier and a slipway; recreational boats can be launched for a fee. The access channel branches off from the Peenestrom fairway at the PN32/Kr2 navigation mark. With a water depth of 3 to 4 metres, the harbour is navigable even for vessels with a deep draught.

At the harbour and near the beach, on the forecourt, restaurants serve Pomeranian home-style cooking, Italian cuisine and freshly caught fish. You can also travel by train: from Zinnowitz, you can reach Karlshagen directly by train with one change. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore start by focusing on the experiences that matter to you during your stay and consider Karlshagen as a base for the beach, nature and harbour.

Local history and summer events

The local history museum traces Karlshagen’s development through historical documents and information panels. Topics include the founding of the village and the beginnings of tourism. The history of Karlshagen Church can also be described through specific milestones: it was built in 1912, completely destroyed during the turmoil of war, rebuilt in 1953 and later extensively renovated.

Every summer, the Karlshagen Chalk Painting Festival takes place on the beach forecourt, attracting several hundred participants. Another annual event is the USEDOM BEACH CUP. First held in 2000, it originated in Karlshagen on Usedom. Today, the tournament attracts about 1,500 players and is played on approximately 100 courts. The two events offer different highlights: painting takes centre stage at the Chalk Painting Festival, while the Beach Cup focuses on sport on the beach.

More destinations: Peenemünde, Trassenheide, Mölschow and Zinnowitz.

Back to the main travel overview: Amt Usedom-Nord.