Car Hire Rostock - Mini guide to Rostock

Rostock, founded in 13th century, is the largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The city is set on a wide and navigable estuary of the Warnow River and throughout the Cold War was the largest and busiest seaport in East Germany.

Rostock has many historic points of interest, including the Petri Church with its 117-metre high steeple that was rebuilt in 1994 and can be climbed from within. Marien Church features an astronomical clock, dating from the 15th century. Also impressive are the Rochus altar, the pulpit, the high altar and the noblemen's box, with the organ above it.

The Holy Cross Cloister is a heritage and historical museum which features a comprehensive collection of Dutch paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It offers a great deal of information about the development of the city, and has a continually changing programme of special exhibitions. The Town Hall dates from the 13th century but the Baroque frontage and the reception hall were completed in the mid-18th century.

The sturdy Kuhtor is the oldest tower gate in northern Germany. The Kroepeliner Tor at the end of the pedestrian zone is a breathtaking Gothic structure. Today, the 54-metre high tower serves as a museum. Other attractions in the town include: the Seafaring Museum, which includes maritime coinage and models; Zoo Rostock, which houses 2,000 species from across the globe; and the Botanical Garden, which covers eight hectares. Rostock's most photographed street, Kröpeliner-Strasse, a pedestrians-only walkway, is lined with shops.

Nearby Warnemuende has developed from a tiny fishing village into one of the finest resorts on the Baltic coast. Here, the 500-metre long Westmole and the Marine Promenade, with its lighthouse, attract many tourists. There are lots of small shops and quaint bars among the gabled houses in the Alten Strom. The Heritage Museum is situated in one of the half-timbered houses. Also of interest is the Warnemuende lighthouse, which was built in 1897. A pleasant drive is to Stralsund, 72km away on the E22 and you can visit all the curious seafront towns along the way.

Rostock is 117km northeast of Lübeck and 282km northeast of Berlin. The nearest airport is Flughafen Rostock-Laage, which receives domestic flights. Driving from Berlin, you can take the scenic E55. Alternatively, the A19, A10 and A24 will also get you there from Berlin. The city is also well connected to rail and bus services from around Germany and the rest of Europe.