Family holiday on the sunny island of Usedom – experiences and tips for your Baltic Sea holiday with children

Even on the way to the Baltic Sea, we realized that Usedom truly deserves its nickname, "Sunshine Island." While we were still driving through heavy rain, the clouds parted the moment we reached the island. The sky turned a brilliant blue, the sun shone warmly – it almost felt as if Usedom itself were welcoming us. This was exactly how we had envisioned the start of our first family vacation with our baby.

We stayed in our room at the Hampton by Hilton in Swinemünde for six days (you can find our [information/review] here). Hotel review), a modern hotel in a newly built residential and hotel complex. Since we were traveling with a stroller, we deliberately planned excursions that were easily accessible and less hectic. Early June was ideal for this, as the island was pleasantly quiet. We met many older couples taking advantage of the off-season, but also families like ours whose children weren't yet of school age. Overall, we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that makes Usedom so special in the off-season.

Swinemünde – a lively start to our family holiday

The Polish part of the island proved surprisingly diverse. Just across the border, we reached Świnoujście, which had changed dramatically in recent years. While the typical Polish markets still lined the main road into town, the days of counterfeit brand-name goods were over. Instead, there were now cafes, souvenir shops, wood carvings, and a few stores that were particularly appealing to day-trippers.

Swinemünde showed its best side along the long beach promenade. Many buildings had been recently renovated, new hotels had sprung up, and modern apartment complexes were interspersed among the typical prefabricated apartment blocks. This mix made the city exciting and authentic. Significant investments are currently underway, creating small architectural highlights with new residential areas and hotels.

We were particularly impressed by the barrier-free access to the beach. A wooden boardwalk led partly over the dunes, allowing for walks with strollers or wheelchairs. The beach itself was wide, spacious, and clean – ideal for families looking for space to play and relax. We often walked for hours along the water's edge, always heading towards Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf, enjoying the fresh sea air.

Another advantage of Swinemünde is the excellent local amenities. With Lidl and Kaufland within walking distance of the hotel, everyday life with a baby was much more relaxed.

Ahlbeck – classic seaside resort architecture and perhaps the most beautiful promenade on the island.

For many, Ahlbeck is one of the most beautiful places on Usedom – and we quickly understood why. The promenade seemed like a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The gleaming white villas, the manicured front gardens, and the numerous cafés lent the place a special elegance.

A real highlight was the historic Ahlbeck pier, which stretched far out into the sea. From up there, the view was breathtaking. We saw the endlessly wide beach, the coastline, and in the background, the town's classic buildings. It's precisely this mix that makes Ahlbeck one of the most popular seaside resorts on the island. As for the food, we loved the small smokehouses. Whether it was Bismarck herring or freshly smoked salmon – that's what a Baltic Sea holiday tastes like to us.

Our parking tip: The central parking lot was invaluable for us. You can park for free for two hours and it's just a short walk to the pier.

Heringsdorf – sophisticated, popular and full of atmosphere

Heringsdorf struck us as somewhat more upscale. The townscape was dominated by numerous clinics, large hotels, and elegant houses. The promenade was well-maintained but noticeably more crowded than in Ahlbeck. We got the impression that many tourists prefer Heringsdorf, perhaps because of the famous pier or the many restaurants.

The Heringsdorf pier was quite an experience for us. It housed small shops, an outlet mall, and at the end, a large restaurant – a kind of shopping street over the water. The LED screen on the beach, displaying advertisements, brought a smile to our faces. Beach cinema in Heringsdorf – why not? However, the beach here was narrower and therefore filled up more quickly. For families with strollers, we found the wider beaches in Swinoujscie and Ahlbeck more pleasant.

Parking in Heringsdorf is only available in paid parking lots with tickets or in the parking garage. The walks from the parking lots are short. There are, of course, parking spaces near the center, but the slightly further-away parking garage is also only a 15-minute walk from the pier.

Zinnowitz – quiet, charming and a beautiful destination for families

Zinnowitz was somewhat off the beaten track of the well-known trio of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin, which made it so appealing to us. The atmosphere was quieter, more relaxed, and less crowded with tourists. Pretty houses and well-tended gardens lined the promenade. In the small shops, we found postcards, nautical decorations, and children's toys – perfect for a leisurely family stroll.

Zinnowitz's pier wasn't as spectacular as Heringsdorf's, but it was distinctive, featuring an underwater diving bell at the end that can be a real highlight for children. The further north you walked, the narrower the beach became. This might not be ideal for families with lots of sand toys, but it's all the more beautiful for walks and quiet moments by the sea.

Bansin – small, friendly, and with a soft-serve ice cream highlight

Bansin was the most compact of the three imperial seaside resorts. Nevertheless, it was bustling with activity, as many holidaymakers appreciated its central location and the short distance to neighboring towns. The promenade was attractively designed, although shorter than those in Ahlbeck or Heringsdorf. Bansin's pier was situated somewhat away from the town center and was smaller, but offered a fantastic view of the beach and the surrounding houses.

You can park along the road towards the center using a parking meter, or, as we did, park for an hour in the Sky supermarket parking lot. It's actually only for customers, but I'm sure not all the cars parked there belonged to supermarket shoppers.

Peenemünde Technical Museum – impressive, historical and interesting for families

Peenemünde lies in the north of the island of Usedom. This small fishing village became famous for Hitler's rocket base and coal-fired power plant. The V1 and V2 rockets, which are now on display at the site, were tested here. The expansive grounds vividly recount the history from its founding in 1936 through the GDR era and its transformation into a museum. The exhibition in the main building is truly fascinating. Visitors learn how it all began, how the first rocket tests were conducted, and their impact on the times – whether in Germany, the USA, or Russia. The exhibition also explains how the rockets functioned and the initial challenges faced before the first rocket could launch into space from the Peenemünde base.

At the power plant, you can see how energy was once generated from coal. Most of the old boilers, coal chutes, machinery, and components are still intact. Upstairs, there's a large hall that, thanks to its excellent acoustics, is even used for concerts today. The enormous old machines also vividly illustrate just how inhumane the work must have been for the concentration camp prisoners and inmates back then! Recently, a viewing platform was added to the roof of the power plant. A glass elevator has been providing access to it since the end of May. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go up. Apparently, it offers a great view of the museum grounds and you can even see as far as Rügen.

There are paid parking spaces around the museum, but they aren't expensive. The museum is fully accessible and therefore easily reachable with a stroller. There are ramps and older elevators that go to every floor. The staff is very helpful and friendly and will immediately lend a hand if a stroller needs to be carried up the long flight of stairs in the power plant.

Our conclusion: Usedom was ideal for our relaxing family vacation.

Usedom pleasantly surprised us. The island offered the perfect mix of beach, nature, history, and charming spots. It was ideal for a family vacation on the Baltic Sea.

• wide beaches
• barrier-free promenades
• quiet pre-season
• good infrastructure for families
• many small places that could be explored at a relaxed pace.

Our impression: If you're planning a child-friendly holiday on Usedom, this is the perfect place. Whether you're looking for the lively charm of Swinemünde or the classic architecture of Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf – the island offers enough variety to keep you busy for several days or even a whole week.

Did you like this article? Then share it on social media! This way you'll be supporting our work. We also welcome your opinion in the Comments.