Germany Cruise from Berlin to Stralsund — 7 Days

Berlin, Germany

Berlin rewards visitors who look beyond its grand boulevards. The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and remnants of the Wall trace a city shaped by empire, division and reunification. Museum Island holds five major museums, while neighbourhood cafés and galleries reveal a lively present. Berlin lies inland; cruise calls marketed as Berlin generally involve a long transfer from Warnemünde. Allow time for the journey and choose your sights carefully.

Lehnitz-Oranienburg, Germany

Lehnitz brings you to Oranienburg, a compact town on the Havel north of Berlin. Its Baroque palace, once home to the Hohenzollerns, now houses an art collection and gardens beside the river. Nearby, the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum preserves the history of the Nazi concentration camp; allow time for a thoughtful visit. For a gentler interlude, follow the waterways and woodland paths around Lehnitz.

Hohensaaten, Germany

Hohensaaten sits where the Oder meets the Oder-Havel Canal, on Germany’s quiet eastern frontier with Poland. From the water, this Brandenburg village opens onto canals, wetlands and broad river skies. Nearby, the historic Niederfinow boat lifts reveal the engineering ambition behind Europe’s inland waterways. Come ashore for a quieter Germany: working waterways, open countryside and the distinctive stillness of the Oder valley.

• Niederfinow Boat Lift (Ask Travel Agent)

Schwedt-Oder, Germany

Schwedt sits beside the Oder, close to the Polish border and the Lower Oder Valley National Park. Broad floodplains, quiet waterways and seasonal birdlife offer a striking change from city sightseeing. The town reflects a complex past: wartime destruction reshaped its centre, while tobacco cultivation once brought prosperity. Come for open landscapes, local history and a rare look at Germany’s river frontier.

Szczecin, Poland

Szczecin rewards travelers who look beyond Poland’s familiar capitals. Set on the Oder River, it is a historic port with broad boulevards and an easygoing waterfront. Begin at Wały Chrobrego, the riverside terrace, where grand civic buildings frame views across the working harbor. Then visit the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle or the striking white Philharmonic, both reminders of a city rebuilt with purpose. Allow time for a café and a walk through the compact old town.

• Mescherin (Ask Travel Agent)

Wolgast, Germany

Wolgast rewards travelers who look beyond the beach resorts of nearby Usedom. Set beside the Peenestrom, this compact Hanseatic town is the mainland gateway to the island, reached by a striking bridge. Explore streets around St. Peter’s Church, then pause on Schlossinsel, once home to the Pomeranian dukes’ residence. The Peene harbor keeps Wolgast closely tied to its maritime setting.

Peenemunde-Usedom, Germany

Peenemünde sits at the northern tip of Usedom, beside the Peenestrom waterway. Behind its quiet waterfront lies a pivotal, unsettling chapter in modern history. The Historical-Technical Museum occupies the former power station of the wartime rocket research center. Exhibits explain how the V-2 was developed here and confront the human cost of its production and use. Come for clear-eyed history, then linger over the island’s broad skies, pine-fringed shore, and brisk Baltic air.

Lauterbach-Rugen, Germany

Lauterbach is Rügen’s small harbour village, where sailboats and fishing craft share the water with excursion boats. Step ashore for an easy waterfront walk, or ride the narrow-gauge Rasender Roland railway into Putbus. Known for its neoclassical architecture and landscaped grounds, the town offers a striking change from the coast. Boat trips reach Vilm, a protected island in the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, on guided visits.

Stralsund, Germany

Stralsund stands on Germany’s Baltic coast, where medieval streets meet the waters of the Strelasund. Its red-brick churches, merchants’ houses and town hall reflect the wealth of a former Hanseatic trading power. The UNESCO-listed old town rewards an unhurried walk, while the Ozeaneum brings Baltic marine life into view. Look beyond the harbor, and you’ll find a city shaped by the sea, with a direct link to Rügen Island.