Name: Crane Week Zingst 2026
Start: 2026-09-21T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-28T00:00:00+00:00
Location: NABU-Erlebniszentrum Kranichwelten / Hafen Zingst

Crane Week

About Crane Week

The 'Crane Week' is an annual nature experience event centred around the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten and the Baltic Sea spa town of Zingst. In September, up to 70,000 cranes stop over in the shallow lagoons of the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park – one of the largest crane resting areas in Europe. The programme includes lectures, exhibitions, guided excursions to the roosting sites, crane observation tours, and carriage rides into the nature reserve. The highlight is the evening observation of the cranes flying in to roost. An impressive natural spectacle on the Vorpommern Bodden coast.

Dates 21 Sep — 28 Sep 2026

Venue Zingst (13073)

Prices —

Status —

Edition 2026

Crane Week — edition 2026

The Crane Week Zingst is expected to take place at the end of September 2026. Centred around the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten, the event offers lectures, excursions, observation tours, and carriage rides to the resting places of up to 70,000 cranes.

At the end of September 2026, the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten will once again invite visitors to Crane Week in Zingst.

During the autumn migration, up to 70,000 cranes stop over in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. The programme includes lectures, exhibitions, guided excursions to the roosting sites, observation tours, and carriage rides into the nature reserve. The highlight is the evening observation of the cranes flying in to roost. The exact dates will be announced by the NABU Experience Centre.

Highlights Crane Week 2026

Up to 70,000 cranes resting in the Bodden lagoons
Guided excursions to the roosting sites
Lectures and exhibitions by NABU
Evening observation of cranes flying in to roost
Carriage rides and crane boat trips from Zingst harbour

Prices Crane Week 2026

Lectures, excursions, observation tours, and crane boat trips are partly subject to a charge; advance booking is recommended. Information available from the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten.

Practical information

Practical information — Crane Week

Getting There

By car via the B105 and Halbinselstraße to Zingst. By train to Ribnitz-Damgarten or Velgast, then by bus. Crane boat trips depart from Zingst harbour.

Date and Admission

End of September, approximately one week. Lectures, excursions, observation tours, and crane boat trips are partly subject to a charge; advance booking is recommended. Information available from the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten.

Tip

The evening roosting observation is the highlight – bring binoculars and warm clothing.

A Natural Spectacle on the Bodden Coast

The 'Crane Week' is an annual nature experience event organised by the NABU Experience Centre Kranichwelten, with the Baltic Sea spa town of Zingst as its venue. In September, during the autumn migration, up to 70,000 cranes stop over in the shallow Bodden lagoons – one of Europe's largest crane resting areas.

The 'Birds of Happiness'

The crane has always been considered the 'Bird of Happiness'. On their way to their wintering grounds, these large migratory birds rest in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. The shallow, undisturbed Bodden waters offer them safe roosting sites, and the surrounding fields provide ample food – ideal conditions for a resting period lasting several weeks.

Lectures, Excursions, and Observation Tours

The Crane Week programme includes lectures, exhibitions, and guided excursions to the roosting sites. Crane observation tours and carriage rides into the nature reserve bring visitors close to this natural spectacle. The highlight is the evening observation of the cranes flying in to roost, as thousands of birds head for their sleeping grounds in the last light of day. From September onwards, the shipping company Reederei Kranich also offers crane boat trips from Zingst harbour on the Zingster Strom.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Vorpommern-Rügen

Zingst is located on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, right in the middle of the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. Crane Week combines nature conservation, environmental education, and an impressive experience for bird lovers from all over Germany.