Warnemünde's beach is consistently rated among the best on the German Baltic coast. It stretches for several kilometres in either direction from the lighthouse — a wide, gently shelving strip of fine white sand backed by low dunes and beach grass. The water is clean and relatively calm, and the Baltic here is shallow enough to be safe for children well out from the shoreline.
The most distinctive feature of the beach is the Strandkörbe — the traditional wicker beach baskets that are rented by the hour or by the day. These hooded two-person chairs provide shelter from the Baltic wind and a degree of privacy in even a crowded beach. They are available for rent from around May through September; coming to a Baltic beach without hiring one is, locals will tell you, missing the point.
The promenade (Strandpromenade) runs behind the dune line and is lined with ice cream kiosks, snack stalls, and cafes. On a warm summer weekend the beach fills up quickly, particularly when a cruise ship is in port, so arriving early in the morning is advisable if you want a good spot.