The bathing resort of Ahlbeck is one of three "imperial spas" on the island of Usedom, and it's where German Emperor Wilhelm II was known to relax in a beach chair. Passing the historic Seebrücke Pier is Europe's longest sea promenade, which leads 12 kilometers (7.8 miles) to the areas of Heringsdorf, Bansin and even across the border to the sea resort of Swinoujscie (Swinemünde) in Poland.

On the island of Usedom, the village of Peenemünde rose to prominence during World War II as the place where Nazi Germany tested missiles and rockets. Thousands of slave laborers were killed working on the weapons program, which saw the world's first ever rocket launched in October 1942. These days, the history is displayed at the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum.

Like Usedom, the seafronts of Rügen's spa towns are lined with hotels and villas for tourists. That's because Germany's biggest island was already a popular holiday destination for nobility back in the 19th century. The seaside resort of Binz still has many houses with facades featuring extravagant stucco and delicately carved wooden terraces.

Hanseatic towns like Stralsund represent a long maritime tradition of seafaring and trading in the region. The old town with its red brick churches has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Standing out in all that red is the white building of the Ozeaneum, the German Baltic Sea museum. Those who enjoy sailing set off from here to get to the Baltic Sea islands of Rügen and Hiddensee.

The Fischland-Darss Peninsula is a small strip of land in the Baltic Sea. Some 100 years ago artists founded a colony in the fishing village of Ahrenshoop, located here. Painting outdoors surrounded by an impressive landscape was en vogue in Europe's modern art scene, which was young at the time. Artists captured nature, the changing light and their emotional responses to it all in poignant works.

The Mecklenburg Lake District is located only an hour's drive south of the Baltic Sea coast. The region is home to Lake Müritz, the biggest lake entirely within Germany's borders, making it a paradise for water sports fans as well as nature lovers. From the town of Waren you can catch a boat or bus tour of the Müritz National Park. Canoeists can even paddle all the way to Berlin or Hamburg.

Müritz National Park is home to more than 700 species of fern and flowering plants, as well as some 800 types of butterflies and 43 dragonfly species. This nature reserve is famous for its white-tailed sea eagles and ospreys. Thousands of cranes also roost here in the spring and fall. The best way for visitors to discover this unspoiled nature is by canoe.

For generations, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has served as Germany's granary — agriculture dominates this sparsely populated landscape. As a result there are hundreds of old manor farm houses, often resembling castles. In the past they belonged to Mecklenburg nobility, but these days they often serve as very comfortable holiday homes.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's horse breeding traditions date back to the 12th century. In Bad Doberan, one of mainland Europe's first race courses opened in 1823. Here, horse riding fans have a large selection of ranches where they can spend their holidays with their own horse — or one they rent. From October until Easter they are even allowed ride on the Baltic Sea beaches.

In the 19th century, the grand duke of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had an impressive palatial home built in today's state capital, Schwerin. Since late 1990, the feudal building is once again a place of government, serving as the seat of the regional state assembly. Its picturesque location on an island makes the palace an unmistakable landmark in the city.

Some 1,400 athletes from 51 nations will take part in this year's Kiel regatta, running from June 17 to 25. The weeklong event, which also features concerts, firework displays and boat parades, is expected to attract millions of onlookers. The Kiel regatta is the largest sailing event in Europe and dates back to the 19th century.

Most visitors to the Baltic coast, however, head there for the peace and quiet, preferring to lie on the beach and swim in the sea. While the weather certainly can't compare with the Mediterranean, the island of Usedom is one of the sunniest holiday regions in Germany. The area gets up to 2,000 hours of sunshine every year.

Baltic Sea vacationers love the beach chairs, which protect from sun, wind and rain. The chair was invented in 1882 in Rostock by the imperial court basket maker Wilhelm Bartelmann. Aristocrat Elfriede von Maltzahn, who suffered from rheumatism, commissioned him to make a "seat for the beach" — and the idea of the beach chair was born. Today it's impossible to imagine the Baltic Sea without them.

Piers are just as much a part of the Baltic Sea as beach chairs. Ferries dock at some of them, while others are built up with restaurants and shops, or populated by anglers. But they all have one thing in common: From every pier you have a great view of the sea and the coast. The longest one is in Heringsdorf on the island Usedom (pictured). It leads over 500 meters (1,640 ft) into the sea.

Take off your bathing shorts, get rid of your bikini and get an all-over tan! That's no problem at the Baltic Sea, which features more nudist beaches than anywhere else in Germany. For many holidaymakers this means freedom and unspoiled nature. The nudist phenomenon dates back to former East Germany, when it was a common practice to lie naked on the beach and swim in the sea.

Here, the coast does not run gently into the sea. On Rügen, the largest island in the Baltic Sea, chalk cliffs up to 120 meters (393 feet) high rise out of the water. About 70 million years ago a shallow sea was located here, serving as a habitat for many small animals. Their calcareous shells and skeletons fossilized to form a 500-meter thick chalk layer — the origin of Rügen's chalk cliffs.

The Baltic coast features many cultural sites, a fact that has been acknowledged by UNESCO. The UN body has added the port cities of Lübeck (pictured), Wismar and Stralsund to its list of World Heritage Sites. The historic city center has been preserved in all three, making it possible to see how the cities became rich through trade over the past eight centuries.

Lübeck, Wismar (pictured) and Stralsund are not only World Heritage Sites, but were also part of the Hanseatic League. This was a powerful merchants' and cities' association that secured the trade routes at sea and on land. Magnificent religious buildings, imposing brick Gothic architecture and medieval town houses still bear witness to the league's heyday.

Visitors to the Baltic Sea coast can enjoy a meal of fresh fish every day. In most restaurants, fish is delivered directly from the fishing boat to the restaurant kitchen or the market — or straight on to a fish roll for a small snack in between meals. Fishers in the Baltic Sea catch mainly herring, cod, flounder, eel and salmon, while perch, carp, pike and zander can be found in coastal lagoons.

With a little luck, you may come across amber during a walk on the beach. As early as 10,000 years ago, people made jewelry from the fossilized resin. Even today, necklaces, bracelets and works of art like this ship are made from amber. Collectors have good chances to find amber on the beaches of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially on the islands of Hiddensee, Rügen and Usedom.