Although there are plenty of interesting things to see and do on Rügen alone, you may also want to explore the surrounding area. The town of Stralsund, also called the gateway to Rügen, and the lovely town of Greifswald are excellent places to see the medieval brick Gothic architecture which is typical of north German towns. For this kind of architecture Rostock is second to none.Stralsund
This Hanseatic town on the Strelasund Strait is the ideal base for excursions to the islands of Rügen, Hiddensee, Usedom and the Fischland-Darss-Zingst peninsular. The colourful gabled houses, splendid churches, medieval abbeys and impressive town hall make this town a fascinating corner of the world for culture lovers. The red brick Gothic architecture of the medieval houses dominates the townscape and this is one of the reasons why Stralsund and Wismar are UNESCO World Heritage sites.Greifswald
Greifswald is situated right on the European Route of Brick Gothic Architecture but has much more to offer than just brick buildings. The main places of interest in the town are the medieval town centre, the ruins of Eldena Abbey and the fishing village of Wieck with its historic drawbridge. Famous sons of the town include Caspar David Friedrich, who became famous through his drawings of Greifswald and the surrounding area, and the German author Hans Fallada.Rostock
Rostock is a Hanseatic town which is almost 800 years old and has retained much of its original charm. There is a vibrant cultural scene in the town and its seaside resort of Warnemünde. The most important churches in Rostock are situated at the heart of the town - the Church of St. Mary contains an astronomical clock dating from the year 1472 and from the tower of St. Peter's Church you can enjoy lovely views over the old quarter and the town harbour. The historic town hall is on Neuer Markt square.