About the Port
Wismar's old town, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site shared with nearby Stralsund, preserves the character of a once-powerful Hanseatic League port. Redbrick Gothic churches, including St. Nikolai and St. Georgen, rise above gabled merchant houses, while the broad Marktplatz—among the largest market squares in northern Germany—anchors a network of cobbled lanes leading down to the harbor. Centuries of trade with Baltic neighbors left a distinctive architectural stamp still visible today.
The harborfront and historic center sit within easy walking distance of the pier, making it simple to explore on foot. Visitors wander past the ornate Wasserkunst fountain, duck into small breweries carrying on a local brewing tradition, and take in views across the water where fishing boats and pleasure craft share the same quiet basin once used by Hanseatic traders.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Wismar.
Climb St. Georgen's Tower
The rebuilt Gothic church offers a viewing platform with sweeping rooftop and harbor views; a short walk from the Marktplatz, worth the climb for orientation over the old town.
Sample a Local Brew
Duck into a small brewery near the harbor to try beer made in a centuries-old Hanseatic tradition, best paired with a plate of regional fare.
Photograph the Wasserkunst
This ornate Dutch Renaissance fountain has supplied the town's water since the 1600s and anchors the Marktplatz, one of northern Germany's largest squares—an easy first stop from the pier.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Wismar
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Champlain | 10 | $11,530 | |
| May 23, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 9 | $6,554 | |
| Jul 19, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Quest | 25 | $12,489 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Quest | 43 | $19,829 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Quest | 15 | $6,569 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 25 | $21,398 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 7 | $4,398 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 14 | $9,898 | |
| May 6, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 14 | $8,798 | |
| May 13, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 7 | $4,998 | |
| May 13, 2028 | Seabourn | Seabourn Quest | 19 | $11,698 | |
| Jun 30, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 12 | $13,060 |