Popular with landscape artists over a century ago, Ahrenshoop is a charming coastal community set between the Bodden waters at the Baltic Sea. A beautiful part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, this picturesque destination now attracts couples, families and friends dreaming of a laid-back beach break or an outdoorsy holiday. Cosy and comfortable, the best places to stay in Ahrenshoop promise excellent regional cuisine and wellness centres, too, for the ultimate restorative escape.
The narrow Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula was originally home to fishing and farming communities. In the 1890s, an artists’ colony was established by landscape painters including Paul Müller-Kaempff, who founded the Künstlerhaus Lukas art school. This creative spirit continues to characterise Ahrenshoop, with a burgeoning array of galleries, studios, workshops and cultural events held throughout the year. Tour the impressive Kunstmuseum, admire the pretty thatched Kunstkaten and the unusual Bunte Stube, and meet artists in their workshops during the open house season.
Venture beyond the little town for fantastic hiking and cycling trails. The Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, known for its expansive sandy beach, is not to be missed, nor are the clifftop paths to the south of Ahrenshoop. Enjoy refreshing ocean dips, sailing excursions and afternoons of sandcastle-building in the sunshine. Come winter, the town is also charming, with crackling fires and fabulous fare on offer at the best places to stay in Ahrenshoop.