Not only is Rostock's Hanse Sail the largest maritime event in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it is also a huge public festival with an eclectic mix of entertainment and cultural attractions.

Maritime festival in Rostock
Hanse Sail, the Baltic region's biggest regatta for traditional sailing boats, attracts around half a million people to the Hanseatic town of Rostock every year. Everywhere you look there are tall ships, museum ships and vintage boats. The traditional sailing vessels are a particular highlight of the regatta, while on dry land there is also a fantastic programme of entertainment.

Rostock's two most important churches are located in its centre - St. Mary's has an astronomical clock dating from 1472 and from the tower of St. Peter's there is a good view of the old quarter and the town harbour. The historic town hall is on Neuer Markt square. The main university building is in the middle of the pedestrianised area.

Rostock Volkstheater stages drama, music theatre and dance theatre and is home to the North German Philharmonic. Performances by young artists from the College for Music and Drama add to the town's rich cultural life. Contemporary art can be seen at the Kunsthalle art gallery.