What to do in Wismar

Activities, attractions and tours

Wismar featuring a sunset and a bay or harbour
St-Nikolai-Kirche featuring interior views, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Wismar which includes heritage elements
Wismar showing a sunset and a bay or harbour
Wismar showing heritage elements

Wismar Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Wismar has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Wismar, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Wismar with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Wismar

Wismar is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Wismar, and make it a breeze to explore Wismar and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Wismar to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Wismar, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Wismar.

Wismar attractions

Wismar has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Wismar to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Wismar.

Looking for things to do in Wismar can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Wismar or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Wismar attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Wismar Market Square

Wismar was built around its Market Square, which was set out on a 2.5-acre (1-hectare) lot at the time of its construction. Imposing in size and surrounded by both civic buildings and patrician townhouses, it hosts all sorts of civic events and festivities, including the city’s annual Swedish Festival and a triweekly farmers market. Visit Market Square today for the perfect place to get acquainted with Wismar and its people.
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Wilsmer Market Square featuring heritage elements

2. Holy Spirit Church

Built in the 13th century soon after the founding of the city, Holy Spirit Church served as both hospital and church, with beds for the ill and poor set up in the nave itself. Its distinctive flat ceiling was installed in the 17th century after a gunpowder explosion tore off its formerly gabled roof. Visit it now to see many of the works of art that were saved from grander houses of worship that were destroyed during World War II.
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Holy Spirit Church featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

3. St. Nicolai Church

Built as a church for sailors and fishermen, the St-Nikolai-Kirche is irrevocably tied to the maritime legacy of Wismar and the Baltic Coast. Founded in the 14th century and still in use as an Evangelical Lutheran church, it has one of the tallest naves of any church in Germany and is awe-inspiring for every visitor. This example of the magnificent brick gothic style defines religious architecture in Wismar and throughout the Baltic. Note its interior that was redone in a Baroque style during the height of Wismar’s power as part of the Hanseatic League.
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St-Nikolai-Kirche which includes interior views

4. Wasserkunst

Built in response to Golden Age Wismar’s need for municipal water, the Wasserkunst is a wonder of both engineering and design from the famous Utrecht architect Philipp Brandin. Construction was delayed for over 20 years as the builder and the city quibbled over money. When it was finally built in 1602, it was instantly recognized as a marvel, supplying 220 homes and 16 public fountains with a continuous flow of water. Continuously renovated over the years, it was finally retired at the end of the 19th century. See it today as an important landmark of Wismar’s Old Town.
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Wasserkunst featuring heritage elements, a sunset and a city

5. St. George's Church

Formerly Wismar’s largest and youngest major church, with origins in the 13th century, St. George’s now serves as a cultural space. Come here for panoramic views of the Mecklenburg countryside. After suffering extensive damage during World War II, the church was deemed dangerous and unusable until a group of local activists lobbied for its restoration. Today, it is a beloved part of the community and offers a rare wheelchair-accessible observation platform in Wismar.
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St. George\'s Church which includes tranquil scenes, a small town or village and heritage elements

6. Alte Wasserturm

Gaze at this structure standing proudly at the edge of Wismar’s Old Town. The Alte Wasserturm (Old Water Tower) epitomizes the many creative adaptations to war that have defined Germany’s Baltic region.
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Alte Wasserturm featuring heritage elements

What to do in Wismar

Popular places to visit

Wilsmer Market Square featuring heritage elements

Wismar Market Square

Find Wismar’s most splendid architecture as well as shops, restaurants and markets in and around this plaza, one of the biggest in northern Germany.

Wismar Market Square
Holy Spirit Church featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Holy Spirit Church

Appreciate distinctive Baltic religious art and treasures from throughout Wismar’s history in this small but beautiful long-lived place of worship.

Holy Spirit Church
St-Nikolai-Kirche which includes interior views

St. Nicolai Church

Let the massive size and intricate craftsmanship of this brick Gothic house of worship from the 1300s impress and inspire you.

St. Nicolai Church
Wasserkunst featuring heritage elements, a sunset and a city

Wasserkunst

Located in Wismar’s Market Square, this 17th-century building supplied the town with water and is an excellent example of Baroque civic design.

Wasserkunst
St. George\'s Church which includes tranquil scenes, a small town or village and heritage elements

St. George's Church

Panoramic views, contemporary art and performances await visitors to this reconstructed church in the western part of Wismar’s Old Town.

St. George's Church
Alte Wasserturm featuring heritage elements

Alte Wasserturm

Impressive engineering and military history come together sublimely at this Gothic structural marvel, once a part of Wismar’s city wall.

Alte Wasserturm
St-Marien-Kirche Steeple which includes heritage architecture

St-Marien-Kirche Steeple

The history of this tower is marked by conflict, but it is now a beloved landmark of the city, offering unbeatable views and interesting exhibits.

St-Marien-Kirche Steeple

Wonnemar Wismar

Bring the children to Wonnemar Wismar and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Wismar. Amble around the area's waterfront or visit its churches.

Wonnemar Wismar

University of Wismar

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit University of Wismar during your travels in Wismar. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the churches while you're in the area.

University of Wismar

 

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