Eye-catching, glamorous and serene for a city of its size, Wismar is and has been one of Germany's most important coastal cities with a rich heritage and culture that dates back almost 800 years. Located on the Baltic Sea coast, around 130 kilometers east of Hamburg, the port city is a fine example of a Hanseatic City that possesses historic architecture, picturesque cobblestone streets, lively seafront and an old town center (Altstadt) that is one of the largest in northern Germany. The Altstadt is abode to stunning works of architecture ranging from brick Gothic and Renaissance to Romanesque and Art Nouveau, one of the primary reasons Wismar is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.