Usedom - the sunny island

Moonlike seaside resorts with magnificent villas, miles of sandy beaches, plus unspoiled nature and small fishing villages in the hinterland - Usedom, Germany's second largest island in the Baltic Sea, is a perfect Destination for families, active vacationers and culture fans. By the way, good weather is guaranteed - with almost 2000 hours of sunshine a year, Usedom is one of the sunniest areas in Germany.

Three jewels of spa architecture, the seaside resorts of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin, are located on the Europa Promenade, the longest beach promenade in Europe. The summer residences of the noble society of the 19th and early 20th centuries are lined up there. You will find columns and triangular gables inspired by temple buildings as well as magnificent villas full of ornamental wooden ornaments and round arches. One of the island's landmarks was also built here: Germany's oldest pier in Ahlbeck shines from a distance in bright white with a red roof and green turrets. The platform with the restaurant is a popular photo motif and has often been a film set.

Usedom is surrounded by the Stettiner Haff, the Peenestrom and Achterwasser, and there are numerous lakes in the hinterland. Away from the bustling seaside resorts, you will find plenty of peace and quiet between small fishing villages, forests and reed-fringed lakes. The best way to discover the Achterland is by bike or on foot. Two historic windmills in Benz and Pudagla as well as the three Usedom castles Wasserschloss Mellenthin, Schloss Stolpe and Schloss Pudagla can be visited. Other worthwhile destinations are the harbors of Kamminke and Balm. Here you will also find Usedom's two golf courses.

Among the favorite destinations in the north of the Baltic Sea island are the three Baltic Sea resorts of Karlshagen, Trassenheide and Zinnowitz. Karlshagen is the only resort on the German Baltic coast to have its own children's spa director. Supported by an energetic team, she provides plenty of action for kids. Family fun includes face painting, a pirate treasure hunt, a mini-disco, a children's information center and "Karlchen's Magic Forest" - a large playground behind the dunes. You can look forward to over 2000 hours of sunshine a year in Trassenheide. In addition to a fine sandy beach with a large shallow water area, the highlights of the Baltic seaside resort include the "House on the Head", a butterfly farm and the hands-on exhibition "Wildlife Usedom". Like the three imperial resorts, the 700-year-old fishing village of Zinnowitz has spa architecture that is well worth seeing. You can relax with a visit to the Amber Spa, a stroll through the numerous small boutiques or a walk along the long promenade.

At the narrowest point of the island are lined up four seaside resorts next to each other. Around the former fishing villages and current vacation resorts of Zempin, Koserow, Loddin and Ückeritz, you have the opportunity to find the "gold of the sea", washed-up amber, every now and then after stormy days. Otherwise you can go surfing, sailing, cycling on well-developed cycle paths or take a tour on a pleasure boat.

Incidentally, one of the most important beach chair inventions also comes from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: About 140 years ago, a Rostock basket maker built the first beach chair - today it is impossible to imagine a vacation on the Baltic Sea without it. At Basketwork in Heringsdorf on Usedom, beach chairs have been manufactured since 1925, including luxury models with heated seats, massage function or sound system.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Usedom: Plan arrival.

Cover photo: A Baltic Sea island like in a picture book - Usedom beach at dawn © Patrick - stock.adobe.com