Those who choose the north-eastern coast of Germany for their holidays are more concerned about the weather than the prices. I happened to swim in the area in 40 degrees Celsius in 1992, in the so-called “summer of the century” as the locals remember it, with the crowds on the beaches reminiscent of Varkiza. But I also remember other summer weekends with clouds, rain and humidity, with tourism professionals “pulling their hair out”. Only the Mediterranean destinations offer a guarantee of sunshine, no matter how we do it…

But let’s say we don’t care about the vagaries of the weather. What will our expenses be for a few carefree days on the German beaches? As a basis of calculation we do not take the secular island of Sylt, considered the “Mykonos of Germany”, nor the concrete bastions of mass tourism, such as Kielungsborn in the former East Germany. So let’s do the “test” on the Timmendorf beach, easily accessible by car from Hamburg, where presumably the middle class vacations. Maybe even those who ask for something more, but within reasonable limits.

“Entrance” to the beach

As usual on German beaches, entry is not free, but costs 3 euros per person (2 euros after 3pm). Bathers buy their ticket at an automatic issuing machine. Of course, we are talking about simply coming to the beach, not renting a sunbed. Besides, there are no sunbeds. And if there were, they would be blown away. Bathers can, however, rent the characteristic heavy beach chair, which looks like a huge basket turned upside down on the sand, a trademark of the area. It has been immortalized in literature by Thomas Mann. It is said that the “all-weather” armchair was invented by a basket maker in the late 19th century, wanting to help a lady suffering from rheumatic diseases and seeking healing in the healthy Baltic air.

The armchair comfortably accommodates two people and protects from the wind or prying eyes. It has a folding table for anyone who wants to enjoy their drink while gazing at the sunset. All this from 17 euros per day. If we include the entrance fee, a couple pays 23 euros a day to enjoy their sunbathing in relative comfort. Of course, most people close the armchair for a longer period of time. For one week the offer price is “only” 98 euros.

You save tolls, you pay for parking

In theory, traveling to Timmendorff by car is a particularly economical option. In Germany there are no tolls, while the price of simple unleaded is around 1.8 euros. Whatever you save in tolls, you pay later in parking. There are few parking spaces (non-existent on the beach, for aesthetic reasons) and they cost about one euro per hour. Anyone who wants to spend the whole day at the sea should expect at least 8-10 euros for parking.

An additional practical problem is that there is often a time limit on parking. This means that the bather has to return to his car every two or three hours to renew the parking pass.

Accommodation requires “searching”.

Staying on the Baltic Sea is a difficult equation, especially for those who are unable to plan ahead. Let’s say that through booking.com we want to book a room for two people on the second weekend of August. One solution is a four-star hotel of a well-known German chain that “has its years”, but has spacious rooms and is so close to the beach that many come and go in their bathrobes. For this particular period it requires a minimum stay of three days. Prices without breakfast start at 120 euros per night, but for a room with a sea view they rise to 150 euros.

For those looking for more luxury in a newly built building with a Golf & Spa Resort, prices start at 215 euros per night, without breakfast. Another interesting option is a less comfortable hotel that does not face the sea, but is in a privileged position with natural coolness in the park of Timmendorf and is an ideal starting point for a refreshing morning run. Here the prices start from 165 euros, without breakfast.

Theoretically, there are smaller hotels or rentals that offer rooms from 60-70 euros, but these are becoming unaffordable. As booking.com informs us, 97% of the accommodation in this destination is no longer available for the second weekend of August.

The “riddle” of food

An obvious difference with Greek tourist destinations is that in Timmendorf (as in other German resorts) there are very few seaside restaurants. Do people not eat out?Do they want to eat but don’t have options?Or just prefer to save money on their accommodation or other activities?

The latter answer seems more likely. Aside from the junk food in hand, restaurants are expensive in Germany, especially when they are in a prime location. In a tourist area like Timmendorf the prices for a main course near the sea with full service start from 35-40 euros. Fresh, “pelagic” fish is considered unattainable. Affordable solutions like the Greek taverna or the Italian “trattoria” are rare. With these conditions, it is difficult to come up with a budget for a family.

What are the alternatives? Large self-service chain store with fish snacks has dishes from 20 euros and that’s probably why it’s full, lunchtime-evening. Traditional German restaurant, without tables outside, offers schnitzels and veal steaks from 20 euros. A new bistro near the sea has a special ‘lunch menu’, copying the recipe of restaurants in big city centers that offer reduced prices for the lunch break. The ‘green salad with prawns and forest fruit sauce’ for €16 was hearty and more than enough for lunch, accompanied by a large glass of white wine for €9. Fair proposal.

Also, in neighboring Niendorf, the German adaptation of fish & chips is popular and recommended by all tourist guides. It is fried fish, usually sole, with potato salad and remoulade sauce for 15 euros in self-service restaurants overlooking the harbor and the now very few fishing trawlers.

To go or not to go?

After all, are the bathrooms on the German beaches profitable? But actually the comparison makes no sense, it would be like comparing completely dissimilar things.

The enjoyment of the Greek summer cannot be compared. But that’s no reason not to try the summer vacation experience abroad. Not (necessarily) for economy, but for new shows and experiences. He will surely have interesting, if not hilarious, stories to tell when he returns…