We never would have thought that there were such beautiful German Baltic Sea islands. Even as a child, I (Bolle) often visited the island of Usedom and the island of Rügen, especially in the summer. But here in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, there are other wonderful islands that are worth a short or longer vacation. Just last year, we visited the wonderfully idyllic island of Hiddensee and immediately fell in love. There are many great beaches on the Baltic Sea, but the beaches on Hiddensee take things to the next level. In the following article, we’ll introduce you to some of the islands in more detail and hope we can inspire you a little. Have fun browsing!

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  • These reports might also interest you:
  • Baltic Sea Islands in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
  • 1. Baltic Sea Island of Hiddensee
  • 2. Baltic Sea Island of Usedom
  • 3. Baltic Sea Island of Rügen & Ummanz
  • 4. Baltic Sea Island of Poel
  • 5. Fischland-Darß-Zingst Peninsula

Baltic Sea Islands in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Our federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has a few beautiful Baltic Sea islands to offer, which we would like to introduce to you in more detail in the following article. Approximately 40% of the coastline in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is mainland, and almost 60% is made up of many, sometimes very small, islands. The Baltic Sea island of Rügen is the longest island with a total length of 597 km, followed by the island of Usedom (268 km), the island of Hiddensee (63 km), and the island of Poel (47 km). The tiny island of Vilm is uninhabited, as it is one of Germany’s oldest nature reserves and can only be visited during a guided expedition (all information here).

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1. Baltic Sea Island of Hiddensee

For us, the most beautiful German Baltic Sea island is by far the island of Hiddensee, which is why we put it first. I’m a little annoyed that we traveled to the island so late and didn’t think of vacationing here much earlier. We haven’t seen such beautiful beaches with such a mesmerizing blue sea anywhere else in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. There are no cars on the island, so you can comfortably cycle from village to village. Since the island of Hiddensee isn’t particularly large (17 km long), you can easily explore the island in a day or two.

Ostseeinsel Hiddensee Strand Meer

Everything takes place in the four districts of Vitte, Kloster, Neuendorf, and Grieben. The number of sights and highlights is limited, so you won’t be overwhelmed by too much choice. On Hiddensee, you can simply unwind, leaving stress, hecticness, and everyday worries on the mainland. The ferry takes you to the island from Schaprode in 45 minutes. It’s best to book your ticket in advance and then just show it on your smartphone. During peak season, the ticket counter can get quite crowded. You can read a detailed report about the island here: Our travel tips & highlights for the island of Hiddensee.

  • Excursion to the Dornbusch lighthouse
  • Cycling tour to the Gellen lighthouse & beach
  • The harbor of Neuendorf
  • Strolling through Vitte
  • Shopping in the Kloster district (fish sheds)
  • Island viewpoint
  • Sunset by the sea

2. Baltic Sea Island of Usedom

The beautiful Baltic Sea island of Usedom is the second-largest German island and awaits you with around 1,906 hours of sunshine per year, at least according to the German Meteorological Service. But that’s not all – the island also boasts a 42-kilometer-long coastline. This makes it the longest coastline in all of Europe. Did you know that? We personally love not only the many beautiful sandy beaches on the island, but also the unmistakable Kaiser and Bernstein baths with their unique architecture. One villa here is more beautiful than the next, and each seaside resort exudes its own unique flair.

German Baltic Sea Islands Usedom Zinnowitz Pier Diving Gondola

By the way, the Baltic Sea island of Usedom also has the most piers, so there’s plenty to discover. The oldest pier is in Kaiderbad Ahlbeck, and the longest pier in continental Europe is right next door in Heringsdorf. Explore the pretty Baltic Sea resorts, be impressed by the magnificent buildings, enjoy the many hours of sunshine by the sea, explore the surrounding area by bike, or take a hike through the Usedom hinterland. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, an active vacation, or a romantic getaway – the Baltic Sea island of Usedom is truly suitable for every type of vacation. More about the island here: Usedom Sights & Highlights.

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  • Imperial Spas & Amber Baths
  • The long piers
  • Peenemünde & the history
  • Mellentin Castle & Botanical Garden
  • Water sports between Trassenheide and Zempin
  • Cycling tours between the Baltic Sea resorts
  • The Usedom hinterland

3. Baltic Sea island of Rügen & Ummanz

Germany’s largest island is also located in our beautiful federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and just the approach over the long road bridge in Stralsund evokes a holiday feeling in us every time. On the island of Rügen, you’ll find not only picturesque seaside resorts and long sandy beaches, but also plenty of nature with a national park, forests, meadows, and cliffs. We definitely recommend a visit to the Jasmund National Park. Enjoy your time in the unique beech forest and marvel at the meter-high and sometimes very steep cliffs and chalk cliffs.

German Baltic Sea Islands Jasmund National Park on the Island of Rügen

In the Baltic Sea resorts of Binz and Sellin, you should take a look at the beautiful piers and stroll along the promenades. If you’re a bit interested in history, you should head to Prora and see the 2.5 km long colossus, which was built in the 1930s as a holiday resort for around 20,000 people. A ride on the nostalgic Rasender Roland (Raging Roland) is also recommended. This quaint locomotive runs daily between the various Baltic Sea resorts on the island. You can find a detailed report about the island here: Travel tips and highlights for the island of Rügen.

Detour to the Baltic Sea island of Ummanz

And while you’re in the area, you should also take a detour to the island of Ummanz, which is just 20 sq km in size. Those who come here are looking for peace, nature, and idyllic surroundings. If you’re looking for a bustling hustle and bustle, this small island is probably not the right place for you. The island awaits you with wide fields, plenty of water, rustic farms, long avenues, and lush forests. The area is also popular with kitesurfers, SUPers, horseback riders, hikers, and cyclists, as the conditions here are perfect. So if you like peace, seclusion, and nature, you’ve come to the right place!

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  • Jasmund National Park
  • Baltic Sea resort of Binz
  • Pier in Sellin
  • Excursion to Cape Arkona
  • Treetop walk on Rügen
  • Prora and the Colossus
  • Sassnitz hunting lodge
  • Ummanz Island & Hiddensee

4. Baltic Sea Island of Poel

Visit the beautiful historic city of Wismar and then take a detour to the Baltic Sea island of Poel, about 10 km away. It is just 37 km² in size and yet has a lot to offer. Although the island of Poel has only been a state-recognized seaside and spa resort since 2005, people have long recognized the health-promoting properties of Poel’s air. A good starting point for your exploration tour is the community of Kirchdorf, with its idyllic harbor, the brick island church, and the island museum. Rent a bike (if you don’t have one with you) and explore the small island on two wheels (Wismarsche Straße 7 and 13).

Hafen-Timmendorf-Insel-Poel-Highlights-Tipps

The Baltic Sea island of Poel is especially popular with surfers, kite surfers, and sailors. Of course, you can also enjoy long hikes here, for example, along the cliffs to Am Schwarzen Busch (hikes here). Many vacationers like to rent a boat here and set off through the Bay of Wismar out onto the Baltic Sea. A license is not required for smaller motorboats. Don’t miss the town of Timmendorf with its pretty lighthouse, well-maintained beach, harbor, and cozy harbor mile. You can find a detailed report from us here: Poel Island – Our Most Beautiful Highlights & Travel Tips.

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  • Timmendorf & Gollwitz Lighthouse
  • Village Church & Local History Museum in Kirchdorf
  • Beaches in Timmendorf, Gollwitz & Schwarzen Busch
  • Natural Beaches: Neuhof, Seedorf & Wangern
  • View from Kikelberg
  • Fauler See Nature Reserve – Rustwerder/Poel
  • The cliff on the west shore
  • Stove Windmill in front of the island

5. Fischland-Darß-Zingst Peninsula

Admittedly, it’s not a “real island,” but it’s still a peninsula. For us, Fischland-Darß-Zingst is one of the most beautiful corners of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. And that’s precisely why we don’t want to withhold it from you. The peninsula awaits you with charming coastal villages (such as Ahrenshoop), many beautiful thatched-roof houses, cozy guesthouses, small maritime harbors, diverse natural scenery, and an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails. If you’re on your way to the island of Rügen, you should definitely spend a day or two on the peninsula.

Ostseebad-Ahrenshoop-Duenen-Meer-Strand-Aussicht

Take your time and explore the beautiful Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park. From the beach parking lot in Prerow, the path first leads through the forest before reaching the moors, meadows, and sand dunes. It’s simply breathtakingly beautiful there, and you hike through a variety of natural scenery. At the end, you’ll reach the sea with its western beach, where you can visit the pretty Darß lighthouse. When you return to Prerow, don’t miss the wide, fine sandy beach. It’s by far one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire state. You can find a detailed article about this here: Fischland-Darß-Zingst: Our top highlights and travel tips.

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  • Baltic Sea resort of Dierhagen, Wustrow and Ahrenshoop
  • Harbor of Born am Darß
  • The maritime town of Barth
  • Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park
  • Prerow and beach
  • Zingst pier
  • Cranes in Pramort

We hope you enjoyed this article and were able to find some helpful information for your own trip. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has much more to offer, such as a trip to Müritz National Park, a boat tour on the Mecklenburg Lake District, or a city trip through Schwerin, Rostock, Greifswald, or Stralsund. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to love Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.