In August 2026, I stopped in Rostock for a day while on a 9-day Baltic cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun. What often makes this port a highlight is that is used as a gateway to Berlin. The two cities are far apart, about 150 miles, and it’s a ~2.5-3 hour ride each way. For those who really want to get to Berlin, it’s worth it. For me (and by this point of the trip), I didn’t have it in me to sit on a train or bus for that long. Which gave me the opportunity to explore beautiful Rostock! While we were docked here all day and late into the evening, I spent a few hours in the morning wandering the city and then enjoyed an afternoon back on board without a lot of other people! Here is how to spend a morning in Rostock, Germany!
Read More: Full Review: 9-Day NCL Sun Baltic Cruise
Rathuas & Neuer Markt
Right at the very edge of Rostock’s Old Town is Rathaus Rostock (Town Hall). This large pink building is so beautiful and fun to photograph and was constructed all the way back in 1270! During regular business hours, the town hall is open to visitors. Unfortunately we were in port on a Saturday, so I just got to admire it from the outside! Just across from town hall is the Neuer Markt town square. This is the main square in Old Town and has been the heart of the city since the 13th century. The square was pretty quiet when I arrived in the morning, but came alive with vendors and street musicians a few hours later.
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church is the iconic church in the heart of Rostock. It’s located just off of Neuer Markt town square. It’s a massive Gothic basilica that was built back in the 13th century. Admission to enter is €4 per person, and the hours vary by season. You can check the hours for when you will be visiting by clicking here. The highlight of St. Mary’s church? The astronomical clock! The 11 meter high clock stands right behind the altar and was built in 1472. It is the only one of its kind that is still in working condition with the original clockworks.
Stroll Kröpeliner straße
Next on your morning in Rostock? Strolling Kröpeliner straße! This pedestrian-only street is the main throughfare in the city center. The best part of exploring Rostock in the morning is that you can have time on this street before the world wakes up. It was so relaxing to get to stroll and photograph the buildings without the crowds. I returned to Kröpeliner straße again later in the day to bop into some of the shops and it was nice to see the street coming alive with people. Best of both worlds!
University & Fountain of Joy
Along the Kröpeliner straße, a highlight was definitely stopping at Universitätsplatz (University Square). This little square in the heart of the city is home to, you guessed it, the University of Rostock. While it is still an operating university to this day, the outside of the main building is so intricate and wonderful to photograph. In the center of the square is the Brunnen der Lebensfreude (“Fountain of Joy”). The fountain has many bronze sculptures of different types of “joy” – running, playing, dancing, laughing (among a few other things). Tons of benches surround the fountain which make for a perfect place to relax and people watch. A quintessential European old town square!
Kröpeliner Gate & City Wall
At the very end of Kröpeliner straße is Kröpeliner Gate. The gate was undergoing restorations when I visited and was covered in scaffolding, which was a bit of a bummer (and I realized I didn’t even take any photos of it!). But either way, you can still enter the gate to see exhibitions about the city. You can even climb to the top of for 360 degree views of the city. Just across from the gate is also the start of Historische Stadtmauer (the city wall). The city wall was built in the 13th century and sadly, parts of it were damaged during WWII. Thankfully, many of the damaged portions were rebuilt to its original glory. It’s so surreal to walk past city walls in these medieval old towns and just imagine how much history has happened on these very grounds over the years!
Walk through Wallanlagen
After a morning in Rostock exploring the city center, take time for a little escape. Wallanlagen is the main park next to the city center. It is such a beautiful and tranquil retreat! Enter here, right across from the Kröpeliner Gate and wander through the park paths. I loved how quiet it was, despite being right next to the city center. Walking along the water straight through the park was such a highlight. Once you get to the end, just across the street is Rostocker Rosengarten, a beautiful rose garden filled with a ton of beautiful trees, bushes, flowers, and fountains. It felt like I was in a fairy tale!
Stone Gate and Ständehaus
After strolling through the Rostocker Rosengarten, finish the loop of Rostock back to where you started near Rathaus. Steintor (Stone Gate) used to serve as the main entrance to the Southern part of the city. Unfortunately it was another one that suffered damage in WWII, but was reconstructed in the 1950’s to its original design. Just across the street is a building that stopped me in my tracks: Ständehaus Rostock. This wasn’t on my radar at all before visiting Rostock, but the brick facade, decorative statues, and large coat of arms on the front were absolutely stunning. It originally served as the Parliament and Administration house, but today serves as a courthouse. I love stumbling upon hidden gems!
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