Fischland-Darß-Zingst

Fischland-Darß-Zingst (or Fischland-Darss-Zingst; FDZ for short) is a peninsula on the Baltic Sea Coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.

Fischland-Darß-Zingst is a typical example of northeastern Germany's graded Baltic Sea Cost. Created by the tides and currents, it forms a barrier which separates a lagoon (German: Bodden), the Saaler Bodden, from the open sea. While the relatively straight seaside has some of Germany's finest sand beaches, the quieter lagoon side—divided into many small bays and surrounded by reeds—is a unique natural habitat, protected as a National Park.

Even though Fischland-Darß-Zingst (FDZ, for short) is geographically speaking one single peninsula, there are three different names for its distinct sections, for historical reasons. Arriving from the mainland, you first reach the elongated, very narrow Fischland (only 300 metres wide on its narrowest point), that used to belong to the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg. Next comes the bulkier Darß that historically is a part of Western Pomerania. Finally Zingst used to be a separate island, until a storm tide in 1872 created a dam and closed the Preerow strait, thereby joining it with the peninsula. The geography is still changing, with sea currents carrying sand off the already narrow Fischland section, making it even thinner, and dropping it at the growing Darßer Ort promontory. Moreover, the uninhabited former island Großer Wieck east of Zingst has recently become part of the peninsula due to silting.

Fischland-Darß-Zingst has long been popular with artists, especially during the late 19th and early 20th century when there was a whole artists' colony in Ahrenshoop, but there still is a number of artists who either live here permanently or visit the peninsula regularly.

There are six municipalities on the peninsula, each consisting of one or more villages or townlets: (from west to east) Wustrow, Ahrenshoop, Born, Wieck, Prerow and Zingst.

• Darßer Ort lighthouse and natureum, Darßer Ort 1-3, 18375 Born am Darß (Not accessible by car; best to go by bicycle or walk, alternatively there are horse carriages and a trackless train, +49 38233 304. Daily 10AM-6PM (June–August), 10AM-5PM (May, September, October), Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM (November–April). Landmark on the peninsula's northernmost point; the "Natureum" is a branch of the German Maritime Museum of Stralsund, informing about the Darß natural space, its coasts, animals, history etc. Tickets € 5, children € 3.
• Darß forest and western beach. Unspoiled coastal forest, touching the unfrequented beach, many windswept trees
• Ahrenshoop art museum, Weg zum Hohen Ufer 36, 18347 Ahrenshoop. daily 11AM-6PM (April–October); Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM (November–March). Architecturally unusual building, houses a collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures by artists who have lived, worked or visited Ahrenshoop or nearby places. € 8 (students € 3–4).
• Wustrow Church. 19th-century Gothic revival brick church. The 18 metre-high steeple offers one of the most panoramic views of the peninsula.
• Zingst local museum. Museum of local history, art, model ships, history of shipbuilding and navigation.
• Picturesque fisherman's houses thatched with reeds and painted in different bright colours are omnipresent.

Darßer Ort lighthouse and natureum, Darßer Ort 1-3, 18375 Born am Darß (Not accessible by car; best to go by bicycle or walk, alternatively there are horse carriages and a trackless train, +49 38233 304. Daily 10AM-6PM (June–August), 10AM-5PM (May, September, October), Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM (November–April). Landmark on the peninsula's northernmost point; the "Natureum" is a branch of the German Maritime Museum of [[Stralsund]], informing about the Darß natural space, its coasts, animals, history etc. Tickets € 5, children € 3.

Darß forest and western beach. Unspoiled coastal forest, touching the unfrequented beach, many windswept trees

Ahrenshoop art museum, Weg zum Hohen Ufer 36, 18347 Ahrenshoop. daily 11AM-6PM (April–October); Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM (November–March). Architecturally unusual building, houses a collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures by artists who have lived, worked or visited Ahrenshoop or nearby places. € 8 (students € 3–4).

Wustrow Church. 19th-century Gothic revival brick church. The 18 metre-high steeple offers one of the most panoramic views of the peninsula.

Zingst local museum. Museum of local history, art, model ships, history of shipbuilding and navigation.

Picturesque fisherman's houses thatched with reeds and painted in different bright colours are omnipresent.

Apart from the obvious swimming and sunbathing, the peninsula is perfect for cycling and horseriding. You may take a diving, sailing or kitesurfing course, sail on a traditional Zeesenboot, or watch birds such as cranes.

• Gut Darß, Am Wald 26, 18375 Born, +49 38234 5060. Organic farm with a climbing forest and miniature golf course. The farm's café, restaurant and shop offer food from local production and a boar barbecue buffet twice a week from May to October.
• Kiteschule Darss, Strandübergang 34, 18375 Prerow (beach section no. 34, +49 170 2712527. Kitesurfing courses for beginners and advanced; stand-up paddleboarding tours; children's holiday-camp. Two-day beginners' course € 195.
• Wassersportzentrum Zingst, Strandübergang 6, 18374 Zingst (beach section no. 6. daily 8AM-8PM (May–September). Kitesurfing and windsurfing courses of different levels (from one-day trial course to advanced courses); catamaran sailing, stand-up paddleboarding. Two-day beginners' course € 169–269 (depending on dates).
• Zeesboote sailing boats "Sannert" and "Blondine" at Althagen harbour, Contact "Räucherhaus", Am Hafen, OT Althagen, 18347 Ahrenshoop, +49 38220 6946. Regular sailing trips daily at 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM; (6PM only by prior appointment); all trips may be cancelled at short notice due to bad weather. 90-minutes trip € 14 per person (€ 7 for children under 13, free for children under 3).

Gut Darß, Am Wald 26, 18375 Born, +49 38234 5060. Organic farm with a climbing forest and miniature golf course. The farm's café, restaurant and shop offer food from local production and a boar barbecue buffet twice a week from May to October.

Kiteschule Darss, Strandübergang 34, 18375 Prerow (beach section no. 34, +49 170 2712527. Kitesurfing courses for beginners and advanced; stand-up paddleboarding tours; children's holiday-camp. Two-day beginners' course € 195.

Wassersportzentrum Zingst, Strandübergang 6, 18374 Zingst (beach section no. 6. daily 8AM-8PM (May–September). Kitesurfing and windsurfing courses of different levels (from one-day trial course to advanced courses); catamaran sailing, stand-up paddleboarding. Two-day beginners' course € 169–269 (depending on dates).

Zeesboote sailing boats "Sannert" and "Blondine" at Althagen harbour, Contact "Räucherhaus", Am Hafen, OT Althagen, 18347 Ahrenshoop, +49 38220 6946. Regular sailing trips daily at 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM; (6PM only by prior appointment); all trips may be cancelled at short notice due to bad weather. 90-minutes trip € 14 per person (€ 7 for children under 13, free for children under 3).

Each of the boroughs has dozens of small shops that sell clothing, accessories, art, souvenirs and other "odds and ends" to tourists. Each of the townships has at least a small supermarket, but many visitors prefer to do their groceries for a whole week at Dierhagen, the mainland's "gateway" to Fischland where there is a big Edeka supermarket with more variety of goods and an Aldi discounter.

• Bunte Stube, Dorfstraße 24, Ahrenshoop, +49 38220 238. Popular and well-stocked bookshop, especially on arts and culture topics; traditional meeting point of local and visiting artists and arty public. Sometimes there are exhibitions and performances in the salesroom.

Bunte Stube, Dorfstraße 24, Ahrenshoop, +49 38220 238. Popular and well-stocked bookshop, especially on arts and culture topics; traditional meeting point of local and visiting artists and arty public. Sometimes there are exhibitions and performances in the salesroom.

• Binnen un Buten, Hauptübergang 2a, 18375 Prerow (near the pier, +49 38233 60188. Popular fish restaurant and beer garden.
• Café Buhne 12, Grenzweg 12, +49 38220 232. March–October: Tue-Sun 12PM-10PM, closed on Mondays; November–February: Sat 12PM-10PM, Sun 12PM-6PM, closed Mon-Fri. Despite its name not just a café, but also a restaurant, mainly offering fish (but not only), directly on the steep coast, terrace with sea view. Best to come here in the evening to watch the sunset. Mains around € 16.
• Zum Deichgraf, Am Bahndamm 1, 18374 Zingst, +49 38232 80186. daily except Wednesdays from 5.30 PM. Located on a campsite, but surprisingly different from your ordinary camping diner; offers a variety from (outstanding) Angus beef cheeseburgers to high-quality steaks and refined fish and vegetarian dishes.
• Eichenstübchen, Postreihe 1, 18375 Wieck a.d. Darß, +49 38233 60370. Rustic tavern, serving down-to-earth (but excellent) German and Ukrainian cuisine.
• Schifferwiege, Karl-Marx-Straße 30, 18347 Ostseebad Wustrow, +49 38220 80336. Traditional fish restaurant (also serves steaks and a few vegetarian dishes).
• Restaurant Sprizz Zingst, Hafenstraße 14, 18374 Zingst, +49 38232 299829. Upmarket modern restaurant, serving Mediterranean-style cuisine using regional products.

Binnen un Buten, Hauptübergang 2a, 18375 Prerow (near the pier, +49 38233 60188. Popular fish restaurant and beer garden.

Café Buhne 12, Grenzweg 12, +49 38220 232. March–October: Tue-Sun 12PM-10PM, closed on Mondays; November–February: Sat 12PM-10PM, Sun 12PM-6PM, closed Mon-Fri. Despite its name not just a café, but also a restaurant, mainly offering fish (but not only), directly on the steep coast, terrace with sea view. Best to come here in the evening to watch the sunset. Mains around € 16.

Zum Deichgraf, Am Bahndamm 1, 18374 Zingst, +49 38232 80186. daily except Wednesdays from 5.30 PM. Located on a campsite, but surprisingly different from your ordinary camping diner; offers a variety from (outstanding) Angus beef cheeseburgers to high-quality steaks and refined fish and vegetarian dishes.

Eichenstübchen, Postreihe 1, 18375 Wieck a.d. Darß, +49 38233 60370. Rustic tavern, serving down-to-earth (but excellent) German and Ukrainian cuisine.

Schifferwiege, Karl-Marx-Straße 30, 18347 Ostseebad Wustrow, +49 38220 80336. Traditional fish restaurant (also serves steaks and a few vegetarian dishes).

Restaurant Sprizz Zingst, Hafenstraße 14, 18374 Zingst, +49 38232 299829. Upmarket modern restaurant, serving Mediterranean-style cuisine using regional products.

• Stralsund, historical trade city, the medieval old town belongs to the World Heritage.
• Rostock, biggest city in the state, international port and university city.
• Hiddensee, car-free island near Rügen, possible as a day-trip by ferry from Zingst.
• Rügen, Germany's biggest island, its coast is shaped by several peninsulas and lagoons, but the hinterland is scenic, too.