If you want to experience a beautiful sandy beach in Germany, travel to Timmendorfer Strand, located on the Baltic coast. Here you will also find beautiful houses, lively restaurant streets and a long pier.
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Sandy beach in Germany
When we yesterday described the place we are in many people guessed Rügen, or possibly somewhere near Rügen. No wonder! We would love to visit Rügen on occasion, but as you may have noticed, we also love to seek out those little gems that many may not know about. This time we've been helped by our partner, the Schleswig-Holstein region, to find Timmendorfer Strand!
Timmendorfer beach
Timmendorfer Strand is not only a beach, but also a town located in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, just over two miles north of Lübeck along with Niendorf. Although perhaps a little unknown in Sweden, this is a very popular seaside resort in northern Germany.
The history of Timmendorfer Strand began around 1260 when a town was built on the coast. The town was destroyed in 1872 by a violent storm surge known as the Backa River, the worst ever to hit the Baltic Sea. Eight years after the storm, the town began to take advantage of the splendid shoreline to create a lakeside resort. In 1951, Timmendorfer Strand was officially designated a health resort (Seeheilbad).
In Timmendorfer Strand you will find a long beautiful sandy beach with fine-grained soft sand. All along the beach you can rent the characteristic "beach baskets", and in the most central part of the beach there is a long pier. Just above the beach there is a nice promenade. Good to know is that you have to pay the "kurtaxe" (a kind of local tourist tax) if you want to stay on the beach during the day - currently 3 euro per day.
A quiet holiday town
Timmendorfer Strand exudes calm and a relaxed atmosphere. It is extremely well-kept, with neat parks and modern shopping streets. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafés, with pleasant inviting outdoor seating areas.
Above all, the resort seems to attract a more mature audience, although of course you will also see some families with children here. Coming here felt a bit like coming to a really good health resort. Everything is clean and tidy, and everything is done at a pleasant pace.
The Schleswig-Holstein region also boasts two 18-hole courses, which opened in 1973. In fact, the Seeschlösschen Timmendorfer Strand Golf Club is the largest and most popular golf complex in northern Germany.
Bird park
The Vogelpark campsite is located 2-3 kilometres from the most central parts of Timmendorfer Strand at Vogelpark on An der Aalbeek. It costs 10 euros to stay overnight, which you pay at a vending machine. If you want electricity, you can also pay for that at a vending machine.
We have just arrived in Germany, and it was pure luck that we just had 10 euros in coins on us. We managed without electricity. You are so used to using cards for everything in Sweden, but here you need cash (and coins!).
The parking space is excellent and there is also the possibility to empty the tanks and wash the car. There is a small harbour just below the site, from where you can take various boat trips. You can also walk down to the beach or to the bird park nearby. If you want to get into town, you can cycle, take the local bus or bring your campervan and park in town for the day.
See more in Northern Germany
Be sure to see more as you travel around northern Germany! Here are some suggestions of interesting and places to visit nearby:
- Husum and Sankt-Peter Ording are charming places on the North Sea coast.
- Lübeck is a beautiful city on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with lots of good marzipan.
- Wismar is a historically interesting city, which was owned by Swedes for 300 years.
- Hamburg is an exciting city with boat tours, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the world's largest model railway.
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Facts about Timmendorfer Strand
- Country: Germany
- Language: German (some also speak English)
- Currency: Euro
- Price mode: A bit cheaper than Sweden
- Residents: Timmendorfer Strand ca 10 000 (2017)
- Time difference: None
- Emergency number: 112
- Religion: Christianity
- El: Like Sweden
- Water: Drinking beard
- Tourist Office: Timmendorfer Pl. 10
Travel to Timmendorfer Strand
Most common are the ferries that take you from several destinations to and from Sweden. We've been on all of them and we think Stena-Line from Gothenburg is the best. We come from Stockholm and it is nice to go from Gothenburg. If you are from the more southern parts of Sweden, it might be easier from Trelleborg. There are also lots of bus trips to Timmendorfer Strand.
- Gothenburg-Kiel with Stena Line. From Kiel via the B76 it takes just over an hour and is 68.1 kilometres long.
- Trelleborg-Rostock with Stena Line. From Rostock via A20 it takes about 1 h 30 min and is 132 km
- Trelleborg-Sassnitz with Stena Line. From Sassnitz via the A20 it takes just over 3 hours and is 286 km
- Stockholm-Hamburg by plane takes about an hour and thirty minutes direct. Rent a car at Hamburg airport and drive via A1 and it takes about 1 hour and 30 min and is 84,7 km
Food and drink
- Johanssens at Strandstrasse 150 (German)
- Horizont on Strandallee 49 (modern)
- Das Landhaus auf Strand allee 154 (German)
- Schifferklause on Stranallee 60 (French) Ö
- Lidl at Gneversdorfer Weg 28 , 8.7km from Timmendorfer Strand
Accommodation in Timmendorfer Strand
- Apartment-Hotel Seeschlösschen at Strandallee 166
- Hotel Sand at Strandallee 168
- Barefoot Hotel Timmendorfer Strand at Schmilinskystrasse 2
- Grand Hotel Seeschlösschen Spa & golf Resort at Strandallee 141
- Airbnb has several different accommodations and price ranges in Timmendorfer Strand.
Pitch and camping
- There are several campsites in the area. Check for example at camping.info.
- The Vogelpark campsite is located 2-3 kilometres from the most central parts of Timmendorfer Strand at Vogelpark on An der Aalbeek. It costs 10 euros to stay overnight, which you pay at a vending machine (2018).
Shopping
- Citti-Park at Herrenholz 14, Lübeck.
- LUV shopping at Dänischburger Landstr. 81, Lübeck.
- Markant market at Vorwerker Str. 62 Lübeck.
- Sky Supermarket at Hamburger ring 7 Scharbeutz.
You might also like:
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Things to do in Celle, Germany - 12 tips for the half-timbered village
Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg - and sandstone caves
Moritzburg Castle near Dresden - a fairytale hunting lodge
Schwerin Castle - fairytale castle in northern Germany
Sanspareil rock garden and Zwernitz castle in Bavaria
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Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We who have no experience of the Baltic coast have actually been to Timmendorfer Strand. Admittedly only for a lunch break on the way to Holland's tulips in April, about +3 degrees, grey clouds and a dry tasteless piece of fish.
After this post, we are clearly ready to give the resort a second chance!!
03 July 2018 - 6:10
Helena says:
Glad you were just here! The weather affects the experience a lot! Three degrees doesn't sound as inviting ... 😉 You'll have to give the resort a chance in summer 🙂
03 July 2018 - 9:09
Lena - good for the soul says:
How nice and cozy it seems to be! I understand that it is a popular city for the Germans.
Hug Lena
03 July 2018 - 6:29
Helena says:
Nice and relaxed! 🙂
03 July 2018 - 9:09
Anonymous says:
In the past, when we ferried Trelleborg-Travemünde, we often visited Timmendorfer Strand.
Now we always drive through Denmark to avoid spending 6 hours on a boring ferry. Are there many so called pearls in Germany ?
03 July 2018 - 7:48
Helena says:
Glad you've been here often! Surely there are many gems in Germany!
03 July 2018 - 9:11
Ama de casa says:
Looked very cozy! But not taking cards in these times... It was kind of like the "good old days", before the euro that is. Back then they didn't take cards at food and petrol stations either, which made me one of those "ugly" people who hoarded sandwiches from the breakfast buffet. We wanted to go to France right away. Probably why we've seen so little of Germany as we have - didn't feel worth having to change Deutschmarks for a one-off stop.
PS: On the map it looks like you took the wrong ferry? There were many who landed much closer to your destination... 😉 😀
03 July 2018 - 8:47
Helena says:
Cards have not worked very well here. Either they only take cash, or they only take "regular" cards (we think it's German cards, because we have both Visa and Mastercard, and those are usually considered pretty regular cards otherwise ;)) So, now we've taken out cash! And yes, we probably could have taken a different ferry! We booked the ferry early, and decided the route later ... 😉
03 July 2018 - 9:14
Ditte says:
Seems like a nice stop and the town in particular looked inviting. Have only been on a few road trips and mostly passed through Germany on the way to other countries, taking it as a transport route. Usually have flown south and then rented a car in the countries we visited. But then mostly to "save" time. Nice to now see more of Germany.
03 July 2018 - 9:09
Helena says:
We've also often seen Germany as a transport route (although we've made some interesting forays at times). Good to see some more! We've gotten tired of driving too far, and have become curious to see what you can find along the roads 🙂
03 July 2018 - 9:16
Our Vantastic Travels says:
Here was in the 70s with tents. Luckily the place has developed into a nice seaside resort with many opportunities for food and coffee It's easy to prioritise Lubeck or Rugen when we're nearby. Have a good trip,
03 July 2018 - 10:02
Helena says:
How nice that you were here already in the 7th century! I imagine the place has evolved a lot, it felt very modern!
03 July 2018 - 10:37
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Northern Germany is a pearl
03 July 2018 - 10:03
Helena says:
Indeed! There are many great places 🙂
03 July 2018 - 10:37
Mr Steve says:
That was a real gem you found. So fresh and appealing in every way. Well, except for the cash required thing, but if you know about that, that's not a problem either. It will be fun to follow the continuation.
03 July 2018 - 10:41
Helena says:
Yes, very nice! It's a bit unfamiliar and awkward that you have to have cash, but really it's fine as long as you're prepared 😉
03 July 2018 - 14:18
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
How nice! By the way, could you bring us one of those beach baskets? Want!!!! ;D
03 July 2018 - 11:17
Helena says:
Haha, they are nice!!?? 🙂
03 July 2018 - 14:19
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
Would fit perfectly outside the awning..;D
03 July 2018 - 18:30
Maria's Memoirs says:
Nice beach! 🙂
03 July 2018 - 19:18
Helena says:
Right!?
03 July 2018 - 20:40
Matts Torebring says:
We've almost decided on "home turf" next year, maybe we'll test the weather in Jutland. If we don't like it there, or it's too cold, well then we're northern Germany on a coffee break. If it's not good there either, we have some gems in northern France just a day's travel away..
03 July 2018 - 19:40
Helena says:
Isn't it good to have a camper!? You can take it as it comes, and change when it suits you 🙂
03 July 2018 - 20:42
BP says:
I've never heard of Timmendorfer Strand, but these fun beach baskets are so characteristic of northern Germany's beaches. The bathing and spa resort reminds me a lot of Sopot, at least the buildings.
03 July 2018 - 21:03
Helena says:
The northern coast of Germany reminds a lot of the northern coast of Poland, I agree!
04 July 2018 - 9:42
Mr Thomas Spindler says:
Wow, I'm glad you found it! I grew up there myself as a child all summer holidays. My grandmother & grandfather ran an apartment hotel during the summers where my brother & I ran small errands for the guests during the 70's & 80's. The restaurant to the right of Restaurant Oswald (pictured above) is called Filou and I can highly recommend it! Greetings from Spindler in Sweden ;-). We'll probably stop there on our way home at the end of July for a few days. Usually parked on a good spot in Scharbeutz near the beach centrally.
03 July 2018 - 23:10
Helena says:
But what fun! 🙂 Many thanks for the tips! We've had time to roll on now, so unfortunately can't make it to the restaurant though. We didn't find the place you are talking about?
04 July 2018 - 9:44
Mr Thomas Spindler says:
Hamburger ring 6, new service house and nice parking place. Received high ranking in a German motorhome magazine 2017.
https://www.womohafen-scharbeutzer-strand.de
04 July 2018 - 12:16
Conny says:
Who wants to feel stranded in Germany! Well, quite a few it seems. Lying and pressing? How is tanning activity evaluated? Is there a sunburn colour chart to compare against, day by day?
04 July 2018 - 6:36
Helena says:
Haha, it doesn't have to be so bad to be "stranded" in Germany 😉
31 August 2018 - 16:45
Lena in Wales says:
Nice reunion of Timmendorfer Strand!
04 July 2018 - 11:27
Helena says:
Glad you were here! 🙂
31 August 2018 - 16:46
Anna / Boihusbil says:
Fun to find your own gems of course! Understand that the Germans like our right to do everything when they have to pay 3€ just to be on the beach...
06 July 2018 - 8:19
Sofia Diefke says:
You don't just pay to "BE" on the beach, you pay to keep the whole resort including the beach clean and tidy including all the beach showers, super clean public toilets and much more that characterizes the German bath and spa resorts.
06 July 2018 - 9:05
Annica Westerling says:
We have stayed at Vogelpark one night quite OK but we found a dog bathing beach in the village! What luck for our puma dogs. There they could run, swim and play with other dogs quite freely and we could sit with a coffee in the cosy chairs.
29 August 2018 - 18:58
Helena says:
Great that you found a dog bathing beach for your dogs! 🙂
31 August 2018 - 16:47