Usedom, the 'sunny island', is shared by Germany and Poland. The island boasts 42 kilometres of unspoilt white sandy beaches and the distinction of being the sunniest part of both countries.
Usedom's combination of fine beaches, seaside promenades and untouched nature makes it an ideal destination for both relaxation seekers and active holidaymakers.
Beach chairs on Usedom island
The larger western part of Usedom belongs to Germany and the smaller eastern section to Poland. This dual heritage adds cultural depth to a visit, alternating between charming seaside towns with elegant 19th-century architecture and quiet fishing villages.
Visitors can stroll along the sandy coast, cycle through the coastal pine forests or relax in one of the island's traditional spa resorts.
The island of Usedom lies in the Baltic Sea off the north-eastern coast of Germany, part of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The island occupies a strategic position where the Peene River meets the Baltic Sea, forming a natural border between Germany and Poland. This 445 square kilometre island stretches approximately 66 kilometres from west to east, with its widest point measuring nearly 23 kilometres from north to south.
The German-Polish border runs through the eastern part of the island, with the Polish town of Swinoujscie (formerly German Swinemünde) occupying about 20% of the island. This division took place after the Second World War, when new borders were drawn. Today, the open borders of the European Union allow visitors to move freely between both parts of the island.
Usedom is part of a chain of Baltic islands that includes Rügen to the west and Wolin to the east in Poland. These islands share similar geological formations, created during the last Ice Age when glacial movements shaped the coastline.
The north coast of the island faces the open Baltic Sea with its characteristic sandy beaches, while the south coast meets the sheltered Achterwasser and Stettiner Haff lagoons, creating distinctly different landscapes within a small area.
Relaxing views over the water on Usedom island
Despite its northern location, Usedom enjoys a relatively mild microclimate influenced by the Baltic Sea, resulting in warmer waters and longer summers than other German coastal areas.
Usedom has its own small commercial airport near Heringsdorf, offering seasonal direct flights from German cities including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, as well as Switzerland and Luxembourg. These connections operate primarily between May and October, with limited service during winter months. The airport provides taxi and bus connections to major resort areas, with journey times under 30 minutes to most destinations.
Distance to Heringsdorf Airport: 12km
Distance to Rostock Airport: 142km
Distance to Berlin Brandenburg Airport: 217km
The most direct approach for international visitors involves flying to Berlin and continuing by train or car. Berlin's Brandenburg Airport connects to Usedom via regional trains, requiring a transfer at Züssow station before taking the island line. This rail journey typically takes around five hours, with trains running approximately every two hours throughout the day.
The closer Rostock Airport is much smaller and offers a limited choice of international flights.
Public transport on the island is efficient, centred on the UBB (Usedomer Bäderbahn), which runs from Züssow on the mainland through the main coastal resorts to the Polish border. This narrow-gauge railway operates hourly services, complemented by an extensive bus network linking smaller villages. Additional services are offered in the summer to cater for the increased number of visitors.
Two road bridges connect Usedom to the mainland - the main access point at Wolgast in the west and a smaller crossing at Zecherin in the south-west. During the summer months, these routes can experience significant delays, particularly on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings when weekend travellers arrive and depart.
Heringsdorf is the largest of the three Imperial Spas on the island of Usedom, known for its 508-metre-long pier and 12 kilometres of beach.
The town centre features well-preserved white villa architecture from the 1800s, when German aristocrats made it their summer residence. These villas now serve as hotels, restaurants and holiday apartments.
The spa resort of Heringsdorf on Usedom island
The town's main beach promenade stretches for 3.5 kilometres and connects with neighbouring Ahlbeck and Bansin. Visitors can walk or cycle along the promenade all year round. The beach itself offers traditional wicker beach chairs for hire and several beach bars in the summer.
The town is busy from June to September, but is relatively quiet the rest of the year. Winter visitors can still enjoy the pier and beach, although many shops reduce their opening hours or close.
Ahlbeck lies at the eastern end of the German island of Usedom, right on the Polish border. The town is famous for its 280 metre long pier, built in 1898 and now the oldest surviving pier in Germany. Like its neighbour Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck has classic white villa architecture from its days as an imperial resort.
The beach at Ahlbeck offers fine white sand and the typical wicker beach chairs found along the Baltic coast. The town's landmark is the distinctive blue and white pier house, which appears on many postcards of the region. A continuous seafront promenade links Ahlbeck to Heringsdorf and Bansin and is popular with walkers and cyclists.
Ahlbeck beach with the pier in the background
Many hotels offer spa and wellness treatments, continuing the town's long tradition as a health resort. The local train station provides connections to Berlin and other major cities, although most visitors arrive by car.
Ahlbeck's location next to Poland allows for easy day trips to Swinemünde. The town tends to be quieter than Heringsdorf, especially out of peak season.
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Usedom's recorded history begins with early Slavic settlements in the 8th century, when fishing communities established villages along the sheltered southern shores.
Archaeological finds indicate an earlier Germanic presence during the Bronze Age, with evidence of trading settlements involved in the amber trade.
The name "Usedom" derives from the Slavic term "uznam", meaning "river mouth", reflecting the island's location near the mouth of the River Oder.
Christianity arrived in the 12th century when Bishop Otto of Bamberg led missionary efforts throughout Pomerania. This period marked the beginning of Germanic influence as the island came under the control of Pomeranian dukes, who gradually introduced German settlers and customs.
The monasteries established during this period became centres of agriculture and learning, fundamentally changing the island's economic structure from one based on fishing to a mixed economy including agriculture.
The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) brought devastation to Usedom as Swedish forces occupied the island, building forts and using it as a strategic position.
Swedish control lasted until 1720, when Prussia gained the territory through the Treaty of Stockholm.
Usedom's transformation into a fashionable resort began in the 1820s, when members of the Prussian royal family first visited the island's beaches. The opening of seaside resorts in Heringsdorf (1825) and Ahlbeck (1852) marked the beginning of organised tourism.
Typical Usedom spa resort architecture in Zinnowitz
When Kaiser Wilhelm II made Usedom his favourite summer destination in the 1890s, the island's reputation among the German aristocracy and wealthy Berliners was cemented, prompting the construction of grand hotels and villas in the distinctive resort architecture still visible today.
The Second World War changed Usedom's fortunes dramatically when the island became home to the V1 and V2 rocket development centre at Peenemünde. Allied bombing destroyed much of the site in 1943.
The end of the war led to the division of the island, with the eastern part assigned to Poland, creating a border that remained heavily restricted during the Cold War years.
The East German authorities developed Usedom as a prime holiday destination for workers, building many company-owned holiday homes and expanding facilities for domestic tourism.
Following German reunification in 1990, the island underwent extensive renovation of historic buildings and modernisation of infrastructure.
The opening of borders within the European Union in 2007 restored the island's historic links, allowing free movement between the German and Polish parts of the island after decades of separation.
Usedom's 42 kilometres of fine, white sandy beaches are the island's crown jewel. The gently sloping shoreline makes for safe, family-friendly swimming conditions during summer months.
Water temperatures reach a pleasant 20°C between June and September, making it ideal for swimming. The Baltic Sea here has very low salinity compared to oceans, making it gentler on the skin and eyes.
Most beaches offer excellent facilities including beach chair rentals (Strandkörbe), clean toilets and beach cafés. The wider beaches around Zinnowitz and Karlshagen are particularly suitable for families with young children.
Active visitors can try windsurfing or kitesurfing, with rental shops and schools dotted along the coast. For naturists, designated FKK beaches can be found near Bansin and Karlshagen where clothing-optional sunbathing is permitted.
The island boasts several impressive piers (Seebrücken) that extend dramatically into the Baltic Sea. These structures aren't merely functional but architectural showpieces with significant historical value.
Ahlbeck Pier, Germany's oldest surviving seaside pier dating from 1898, extends 280 metres into the sea. Its distinctive architecture makes it instantly recognisable and a photographer's dream.
Typical Usedom spa resort architecture in Zinnowitz
Heringsdorf Pier stretches an impressive 508 metres, making it continental Europe's longest pier. The modern structure (rebuilt in 1995) houses shops, restaurants and exhibition spaces.
The 285-metre Zinnowitz Pier features a diving gondola that lowers visitors into the Baltic Sea for underwater viewing. This glass cabin descends 4 metres below the surface, offering fascinating glimpses of marine life.
Usedom's flat terrain makes it perfect for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and fitness levels. The island boasts over 200 kilometres of well-maintained cycling paths.
The coastal bike route (Ostseeküstenradweg) follows the entire shoreline, offering spectacular sea views and connecting all major resorts. Inland routes take you through enchanting forests and past tranquil lakes and meadows.
Bicycle hire shops are plentiful in all major towns, offering daily and weekly rentals at reasonable rates. E-bikes are increasingly available for those wanting extra assistance.
For walkers, the island offers numerous marked hiking trails. The Gnitz Peninsula circuit provides breathtaking views across the Achterwasser lagoon, while the forest paths around Heringsdorf showcase the island's diverse flora and fauna.
The Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum occupies the site where Nazi Germany developed the world's first ballistic missiles. This sobering yet fascinating complex offers crucial insights into scientific achievements with terrible consequences.
The V1 and V2 rockets developed here represented revolutionary technology that later influenced space exploration and missile development worldwide. The museum presents this complex history through informative exhibits balancing technical details with ethical reflection.
The museum buildings at Peenemünde
The Power Station, an impressive brick building in modernist style, now houses the main exhibition. Outdoor displays feature original rocket parts and launch equipment preserved from the era.
Guided tours in English are available daily during summer months. Allow at least three hours to fully explore this extensive site that played such a pivotal role in 20th-century history.
Almost half of Usedom is a nature reserve, making it a paradise for nature lovers. The Usedom Nature Park encompasses a variety of habitats from coastal dunes to inland forests.
The Achterland region has many small lakes and marshes where white-tailed eagles and ospreys nest. Guided birdwatching tours offer the chance to see these magnificent birds of prey.
The island is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife including red deer, wild boar and beavers. Dawn walks through the inland forests often yield wildlife sightings in the off-season.
The coastal areas are home to unique dune vegetation and rare orchid species. The Golm nature reserve near Kamminke protects several endangered plant species found nowhere else in Germany.
Most of the towns and villages on Usedom island have their own physical tourist information offices. The island tourist promotion board has its own website but unfortunately it is only in German (at the time of writing).
Website: usedom.de