Greifswald 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Greifswald: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
St. Nikolai Cathedral

A 13th-century brick Gothic cathedral with a distinctive spire. Climb the tower for panoramic views of the city and the Baltic coast. The interior features a striking astronomical clock and medieval f

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00 (tower closes 17:30)

Free entry

💡 Climb the 264 steps to the tower early in the morning to avoid queues; the view peaks at sunrise.

Hotels near St. Nikolai Cathedral →
Afternoon
Caspar David Friedrich Centre

A small museum dedicated to the Romantic painter who grew up in Greifswald. Displays original letters, sketches, and reproductions of his famous works, with context on his life and inspirations.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed Mon

Free entry

💡 Free entry only on the first Wednesday of each month. Check their website for temporary exhibition fees.

Hotels near Caspar David Friedrich Centre →
Evening
Where to eat

Boddenblick · ££

Reusenhaus · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Greifswald

Morning
Greifswald Botanical Garden

A research garden with over 3,000 plant species, including a tropical greenhouse, alpine rockery, and medicinal plants. Well-signed paths, benches, and a small pond make it a calm escape.

🕐 Daily 08:00-18:00 (greenhouse closes 16:00)

💡 The alpine section blooms best in May; the greenhouse is a good shelter on rainy days.

Midday
Greifswald Botanic Garden

Over 200-year-old botanical gardens with outdoor collections and several greenhouses. Good for a quiet stroll among labelled plants and trees from around the world.

🕐 Outdoor grounds: daily 8am-dusk. Greenhouses: daily 10am-4pm.

💡 The greenhouses close earlier than the outdoor grounds (usually 4pm). Aim for late afternoon in summer when light filters well through the glass.

Afternoon
Market Square (Marktplatz)

Central square lined with Gothic brick buildings, the old town hall and a 14th-century church. No entry fee to walk around and see the architecture.

🕐 24/7 public space. Market on Tuesdays and Fridays 8am-1pm.

💡 Go just before midday on weekdays to see local vendors set up for the weekly farmer's market. Good for cheap fruit or snacks.

Late afternoon
Eldena Abbey Ruins

The red-brick ruins of a 13th-century Cistercian abbey, famously painted by Caspar David Friedrich. Open fields surround the arches and walls, with a small cemetery and information boards.

🕐 Open 24 hours (no gate)

💡 Cycle there via the Ryck trail (15 minutes) rather than walk – bike rentals are cheap at the station. Visit at golden hour for the best light on the ruins.

Evening
Dining tonight

Zur Fähre

Il Ponte

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
St. Mary's Church (St. Marien)

Large brick Gothic church from the 13th century. Free entry to the nave; minimal fee (around €2) to climb the tower for city views.

💡 Skip the tower if you have a bad knee – the 264 steps are steep and narrow. But the panorama over the rooftops and to the Baltic is worth the cost on a clear day.

Midday
Pommersches Landesmuseum

Regional museum covering Pomeranian history from the Middle Ages to modern times, plus art galleries and archaeological finds. Admission is cheap (€5 for adults

💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of each month. The café upstairs does decent cake for under €3.

Final meal

Maria

Fischer-Hütte

Getting Around Greifswald

FlixBus 007 From 1.80 5 min

Better to walk from station—pension is only 800m. Bus useful if raining.

Linie 3 From 1.80 4 min

Single ticket valid 1 hour. Pension is 200m from Am Schießwall stop—head towards St. Nikolai Cathedral.

Greifswald Taxi From 15€ 10 min

Call 03834 505555 or use 'Taxi Greifswald' app. Cash preferred. For airport runs from Hamburg, expect 180–200€ — then take the train instead.

Greifswald local bus line 2 or 4 From 2.40€ (single ticket) 20 min

Get a 24-hour VGN ticket (6€) if you plan multiple bus trips — buy at ticket machine at main station or via app.

IC/ICE (InterCity/InterCity Express) From 20€ (advance Sparpreis) 180 min

Book online at bahn.de a few days ahead to get the cheap fixed ticket. Direct regional trains also run every two hours if you miss the IC.

RE3 Regional Express From 25 210 min

Buy a Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket for €36 (covers up to 5 people). Final leg to pension: 10-min walk from station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Greifswald?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like St. Nikolai Cathedral and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Greifswald?

See our full best time to visit Greifswald guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Ryck Hotel, Mercure Hotel, Barbara Hinze. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.