Heiligendamm: Beach, Seaside Resort History and Nature on the Baltic Sea

In Heiligendamm, the Baltic Sea combines beach, seaside resort history and an experience of the surrounding landscape. The wide, fine sandy beach slopes gently toward the Baltic Sea and has been awarded the Blue Flag for its excellent water quality. Heiligendamm has been a seaside resort since 1793. This makes it possible to combine days by the water with historical impressions and excursions into the surrounding countryside.

Beach and Pier

Heiligendamm Pier is ideal for watching sunsets and enjoying panoramic views of the sea and coast. Together with the gently sloping beach, it creates a clear focus for visitors who want to experience the Baltic region up close while also looking out across the coastline.

Architecture and Seaside Resort History

The present-day spa house was inaugurated in 1817 and became a landmark of the seaside resort. By 1870, an imposing classical ensemble of white lodging houses, bathhouses and social buildings had been created in Heiligendamm. Following many years of reconstruction, the historic ensemble of buildings opened as the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm in 2003. The years 1817, 1870 and 2003 refer to different phases in the history of the town, from the spa house through the ensemble to its later opening as the Grand Hotel.

The Lutheran Church of Heiligendamm is a listed church building in Heiligendamm. It was ceremonially consecrated on July 31, 1904. This adds another specific historic building from the seaside resort’s past to the architectural character of the town.

Forest, Lake and Cycling Tour

The Heiligendamm spa forest covers 74,000 square metres. A cycling tour from Heiligendamm around Lake Conventer passes through the 216-hectare Lake Conventer nature reserve. This area is of great importance to birds as a breeding and resting ground. Heiligendamm can therefore also be experienced through its forest, lake and protected habitats, not just through its beach.

Hiking and the Molli

A 14.7-kilometre, moderately difficult coastal hike leads from Kühlungsborn via Heiligendamm to Bad Doberan. A ride on the Molli railway covers 15.4 kilometres through narrow streets and past meadows and fields to the region’s holiday resorts and excursion destinations. The Molli runs daily from Bad Doberan to Heiligendamm station, passing through Bad Doberan along the way. For your planning, a designated coastal hike and a regional Molli journey are therefore the two different options in focus.

Parking in the Town Area

The parking regulations throughout the entire town area of Heiligendamm must be observed: a restricted parking zone applies there. On public land, you may park only in parking areas specifically designated and signposted for this purpose. If you are arriving by car, it is best to take this requirement into account when planning your trip.

For further orientation, you can also include Wittenbeck, Steffenshagen, Bartenshagen-Parkentin, Reddelich, Börgerende-Rethwisch, Admannshagen-Bargeshagen and Retschow in your plans.

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

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Heiligendamm: Germany’s oldest seaside resort on the Baltic Sea.