THE oldest seaside resort in Europe is in Germany – and it was once compared to glamorous holiday hotspots in France.
Located in Bad Doberan (a town in northern Germany), off the coast of the Baltic Sea, Heiligendamm was once compared to Cannes or St Tropez by holidaymakers in the 19th century.
Heiligendamm is thought to be the oldest seaside resort in Europe[/caption]
The Grand Hotel Heiligendamm is a favourite among health-conscious holidaymakers[/caption]
This is because the seaside resort once attracted a wave of health-conscious holidaymakers who were all in need of some rest and relaxation.
Despite losing its comparison to the French hotspots, the seaside resort is still a firm favourite among holidaymakers who want a little peace.
The resort is home to the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm, a huge privately-owned beachfront hotel.
Several white mansions, which were restored in the early noughties, combine to form the huge hotel.
The interior of the hotel is a mixture of contemporary luxury and the spirit of the 1790s, with oversized rooms and views overlooking gardens and the Baltic Sea.
Rooms have underfloor heating in their stone bathrooms, while the bedrooms are kitted out with the latest gadgets.
A huge “American” breakfast is served at the hotel each morning, with other dining options including the Michelin-starred Friedrich Franz restaurant, the Baltic Sushi Bar and the Kurhaus Restaurant.
The huge wellness complex also has an indoor pool, a fitness centre, a Finnish sauna and an ice room, with massage and beauty treatments also available to book.
For younger guests, there’s a colourful kids’ club complete with a play area.
Sports enthusiasts will be able to make the most of activities in the surrounding area like golf and water sports.
Its best feature is arguably its location, with the beachfront hotel directly backing on a stretch of white sand.
Not only does Heiligendamm Beach have stretches of sand, but it also has a long pier where visitors can take in views of the hotel.
The Grand Hotel Heiligendamm has a 4/5 star rating on TripAdvisor from more than 900 reviews.
One person wrote: “This is the best hotel I have ever stayed in, from arrival to departure, everything was just perfect”.
Another added: ” An absolutely stunning hotel, the rooms are fit for royalty”.
A third person wrote: “Fabulous location, remote and directly on the shore”.
The huge hotel backs right onto the beach[/caption]
One of the other main attractions is the narrow-gauge railway that connects seaside towns along the Baltic Coast.
The Mecklenburg Resort Railway Molli is a 900mm gauge railway, which is thought to be among the oldest in the world.
Running between Kühlungsborn to Bad Doberan, the red steam locomotive operates several times a day, with journeys taking 40 minutes to complete.
Stays at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm start from £285 per night, based on two people sharing a room.
Brits will need to fly to Hamburg Airport and then drive two hours to reach the seaside resort.
Direct flights operate from UK cities like London, Manchester and Edinburgh, with return fares from £40.
Other little-known seaside spots to visit in Europe
While most Brits flock to the French or Italian Riviera, a town in Eastern Europe offers a much more affordable alternative.
The seaside town of Sopot has been nicknamed the “Polish Riviera” thanks to its white sandy beach and blue coastline.
Set on the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, Sopot is home to a white sandy beach, blue waters, and the longest wooden pier in Europe.
Running along the Baltic Sea, Sopot has over 500m of coastline including Sopot Beach.
The white sandy beach is a haven for holidaymakers and has plenty of amenities including beachfront restaurants like Bulaj and Koliba.
Visitors to the beach can rent sunloungers and parasols – although most beachgoers simply bring their towels.
While holidaymakers can swim in the sea, it’ll be a bracing dip in the Baltic waters.
The beach is also home to other activities too including boat tours and water sports like flyboarding.
Another popular tourist attraction is Sopot Pier.
Or if you’re still after seaside towns, one in Spain has been named Europe’s best kept secret.
And we’ve rounded up our favourite seaside towns in the UK.
From the pier, holidaymakers can get another perspective[/caption]
