Wismar Swedish Festival
The largest Swedish festival outside Sweden, held each August to recall Swedish rule over the Hanseatic town.
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Wismar
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Wismar
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the market square, one of the largest and most beautiful in Northern Germany, featuring the famous Wasserkunst.
- Buy freshly caught fish directly from the boats at the Old Harbor (Alter Hafen), a truly local experience.
- Enjoy a panoramic view over the city from the tower of St. George's Church (St. Georgen).
- Take a harbor boat tour to see the city and the impressive shipyards from the water.
- Look for the 'Schwedenköpfe' (Swedish heads) around the city, which commemorate the 155 years of Swedish rule.
🍽 Food
🍽
Alter Schwede
The oldest townhouse in the city, located on the market square, serving traditional food in a historic atmosphere.
🍽
Fish Buns (Fischbrötchen)
Grab a classic herring roll directly at the Old Harbor for a quick and tasty snack.
🍽
Harbor Seafood
Try fresh Baltic sea fish like cod or plaice at one of the restaurants along the waterfront.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Wismar Market Square
The historic buildings around the square house many small boutiques and souvenir shops.
🛍
Hanse Sektkellerei
Visit Germany's northernmost sparkling wine cellar for a unique local gift.
🧘
Lindengarten
An idyllic park located right by the historic city wall, first-rate for relaxing.
🧘
Old Harbor (Alter Hafen)
A stroll along the quay in the evening gives a peaceful atmosphere with views of the ships.
Water temperature…
Wismar is a striking Hanseatic city located on the Baltic Sea coast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Since 2002, its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized as one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval trading town in the Baltic region. The city is a showcase for Brick Gothic architecture, featuring massive structures like St. George's Church and St. Nicholas' Church, the latter of which has one of the highest naves in Germany. Wismar's marketplace is one of the largest in Northern Germany, covering 10,000 square meters and featuring the "Wasserkunst," an ornate Renaissance water fountain. A unique chapter in Wismar's history is the "Swedish Period" (1648-1903), during which the city belonged to the Swedish crown, a legacy celebrated every year at the Swedish Festival. Today, Wismar is a major industrial hub known for its advanced shipbuilding yards and wood processing industry. Its scenic Old Harbor (Alter Hafen), with its traditional fishing boats and historic warehouses, serves as a popular social and culinary center for locals and visitors alike.
- Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
- Top sights: Wasserkunst · Alter Schwede · Wassertor
- Nearby: Hohenkirchen (11 km)
- Population: ~44.022
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 48 | 45 | 36 | 51 | 63 | 77 | 69 | 54 | 57 | 55 | 62 |
Geography
Facts
- Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002
- The marketplace measures exactly 100 by 100 meters
- Swedish rule officially lasted from 1648 to 1903
- St. Nicholas Church features a 37-meter high nave
- Total city area spans about 41 square kilometers
- Home to major modern shipbuilding facilities
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Wismar (11)
Frequently asked questions
Is Wismar part of the UNESCO World Heritage?
Yes, together with Stralsund, Wismar's historic old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002.
What is the Alte Hafen?
A historic harbor basin where you can buy fresh fish directly from the boats and enjoy a stroll.
Which churches should one visit?
St. Nicholas, St. George, and the ruins of St. Mary are particularly worth visiting.
What is the 'Wismarer Wasserkunst'?
A magnificent Renaissance fountain on the market square that used to provide the city's drinking water.
When is the best time for fish buns?
Fresh every day at the Alte Hafen, especially in the morning when the boats return with their catch.
Wismar: where is it located?
Wismar is located in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.
Wismar: what is there to see?
Highlights include Wasserkunst, Alter Schwede, Wassertor.
Wismar: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Wismar: why is it worth visiting?
Wismar is a striking Hanseatic city located on the Baltic Sea coast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
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