Are you looking for the top sights for Rügen and wondering which highlights you absolutely shouldn’t miss during your trip? Then take a moment and read our following article. We’ll take you to Germany’s largest island and show you everything else you can experience besides a relaxing day at the beach. In addition to endless beaches, the island of Rügen also boasts the Jasmund National Park with its famous chalk cliffs, charming towns with magnificent seaside architecture, long beach promenades, and a wide range of leisure activities.
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- General information about Rügen
- Sights on Rügen
- Other places on the island
- Nice accommodations
- Arrival on the island of Rügen
- Mobility on the island
- Please note: tourist tax
- Best time to visit Rügen
- Travel reading for Rügen
General information about Rügen
The island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is definitely one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany. According to statista.com, around 7.2 million overnight stays were recorded in 2019. 94% of visitors came from Germany, and only 6% from abroad. The situation is similar on the island of Usedom. Therefore, if you’re planning a vacation on the island of Rügen, you should book accommodation well in advance, especially for the summer and holiday seasons. Many hotels and guesthouses are booked out months in advance. It’s best to check Airbnb* or Fewo-direkt.de*.
Rügen Sights
Before we give you some helpful Rügen tips at the end, we’ll first focus on the top highlights of Rügen. Look forward to Baltic Sea resorts with their picturesque piers, charming villages with thatched fishermen’s and captain’s houses, imposing castles and manor houses, lush nature with an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, and numerous recommended dining options. And, of course, you can also enjoy a host of water sports and excursions in the surrounding area on the island of Rügen.
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1. Jasmund National Park
Let’s begin our Rügen trip in the beautiful Jasmund National Park, located on the Jasmund Peninsula in the northwest of the island. Here you’ll find rugged cliffs, meter-high, wooded cliffs, and imposing chalk cliffs that rise almost vertically from the water and reach heights of up to 118 meters. The beech forest is also very beautiful, reaching the edge in many places and ending with a panoramic view of the sea. This beech forest has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and is well signposted for extensive hiking tours.
How about a hike from Sassnitz to Lohmen, past the famous Königstuhl with stunning views of the sea? From Sassnitz, it’s about 12 kilometers along the Hochuferweg to Lohme; you should plan on about 4 hours. Once you reach Lohme, you can easily take the bus back to Sassnitz (click here for travel times). Popular viewpoints include the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Viewpoint, the Victoria Viewpoint, the Piratenschlucht Gorge, and the Wissower Klinken. More about the national park here: Jasmund National Park.
2. Cape Arkona
In the north of the island lies the Wittow peninsula with a 45-meter-high cliff made of chalk and glacial till. This cliff is also called Cape Arkona and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. You can certainly imagine how beautiful the view of the Baltic Sea is from there. Lighthouses, a navigation tower, a military bunker, and the Slavic castle wall await you there. You should also pay a visit to the small fishing village of Vitt. More on that later. Opening hours of the towers and further information can be found here: www.kap-arkona.de.
3. Treetop Walk
One of the top highlights on Rügen is the Treetop Walk of the Nature Heritage Center. Stroll through the mighty treetops of the mixed beech forest, enjoy the wonderful view, and learn more about the flora and fauna along the way. The treetop walk is 1,250 meters long and reaches a height of 17 meters. The walk is barrier-free, with a maximum gradient of only 6% (suitable for strollers and wheelchairs). Guided tours lasting approximately 90 minutes are offered daily on site; registration is not required. There’s also plenty of action: a 52-meter-long tunnel slide leads back down. Treetop walk entrance: €12 for adults, €9 for children.
4. Baltic Sea Resort Binz
Ready for beautiful villas, impressive house facades, and long sandy beaches? Welcome to the Baltic Sea resort of Binz on the island of Rügen. This relatively small town is bursting at the seams, especially in summer, when several thousand visitors flock to the seaside. The seaside resort recorded almost 2.5 million overnight stays in 2019, with a population of just 5,465 (Source: Statistics for Baltic Sea Resort Binz). If you want to vacation here, you should book your accommodation well in advance. Otherwise, you’ll have to find other places on the island.
There’s plenty to discover in Binz, such as the beautiful beach promenade, the resort architecture, the impressive Kurhaus, and the 370-meter-long pier. Incidentally, it’s the second-longest pier on the island after the Sellin pier. Also, browse the Binz Art Mile and explore the beautiful studios and galleries. We also recommend a picnic at Schmachter See, especially at sunset.
5. Sellin Baltic Sea Resort
The Sellin Baltic Sea resort is only about 12 km from Binz and also awaits you with pretty buildings (especially on Wilhelmstraße and Warmbadstraße), a relaxing promenade for strolling, restaurants, cafés, and several shops. The highlight in Sellin, however, is the beautiful pier, which is an impressive 394 meters long. It houses the pier restaurant and a diving gondola. Take a trip to the harbor in Sellin, explore the green Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, ride the Rasender Roland (a rustic locomotive), or view the beautiful amber pieces in the Amber Museum.
6. Prora and the Nazi Ruins
Prora is a district of the municipality of Binz with just 800 inhabitants. Prora became famous in the 1930s, when the National Socialists wanted to build a huge holiday resort here under the motto “Strength through Joy” (KdF for short), with space for up to 20,000 people. They wanted to continue monitoring people’s leisure time. Construction began in 1939, but it was never completed as a holiday resort.
After the Second World War, the now 2.5-kilometer long complex served as a military barracks. Today, the blocks sold to investors house museums, galleries, and what is probably the longest youth hostel in the state. Interesting information about the complex can also be found here: Prora – The “Colossus” of Rügen. In addition to the ruins, you can also visit the beautiful, fine sandy beach and spend relaxing hours by the sea.
7. Rasender Roland
Another attraction on Rügen is the popular “Rasende Roland”. This is a nostalgic locomotive that travels daily between Putbus, Binz, Sellin, Baabe, and Göhren. This narrow-gauge railway has been traveling across the island at just 30 km/h since 1895. How about a relaxing ride from seaside resort to seaside resort? A trip costs between €2.40 and €12, depending on the route (click here for fares).
8. Sassnitz Resort
The small resort town of Sassnitz is located at the gates of Jasmund National Park. This port town offers a beautiful mix of beach, city, and nature. On our last visit, we especially liked the picturesque old town atmosphere with its many charming little houses, cafés, and restaurants. Also worth a visit are the town hall, St. John’s Church, the butterfly garden, and the harbor with its lighthouse. As already mentioned, Sassnitz is the ideal starting point for excursions into the national park. There is also an extensive network of horseback riding, hiking, and cycling trails around the town.
9. Granitz Hunting Lodge
On the island of Rügen, you will find numerous castles and manor houses. One of the most famous is the Granitz Hunting Lodge. This impressive building is located in the southeast of the island, amidst a beech forest. From the 38-meter-high central tower, you have a magnificent view of the entire island. Inside, you can stroll leisurely through the beautiful rooms and learn more about the castle and its history. From Binz, you can reach it comfortably on foot or by bike with the “Jagdschlossexpress.” Adults pay €6 admission; children up to 18 years are free (opening hours here).
10. Hiddensee Island
One of our top highlights on Rügen is the nearby Hiddensee Island. From Schaprode, you can take the ferry and explore the island in a day. Of course, you can also book accommodation and stay longer. The island is car-free, so people tend to use bicycles or walk there. The many thatched-roof houses, the wonderful sandy beaches, and the relaxed atmosphere are particularly beautiful. On Hiddensee Island, you can really unwind quickly because a completely different wind blows there. You can find out all about our short vacation here: Hiddensee Island – Our Highlights & Travel tips.
11. Island of Ummanz
The small island of Ummanz is also one of Rügen’s top highlights. This western island is just 20 km² in size and awaits you with wide fields, plenty of water, rustic farms, long avenues, and lush forests. It is also part of the beautiful Vorpommern Boddenlandschaft National Park. You can reach the island of Ummanz via the bridge in Mursewiek and spend a relaxing day here. The area is also popular with kitesurfers, SUPers, horseback riders, hikers, and cyclists, thanks to its perfect conditions. So if you like peace, seclusion, and nature, you’ve come to the right place!
Other places on the island
The island of Rügen naturally has many other sights and highlights to offer. These include the Mönchgut peninsula, the Granitz nature reserve, Karl’s Strawberry Farm, the Vintage Car Museum, the castle park in Putbus, the island toboggan run in Bergen, the Wieker Bodden, the small Jasmunder Bodden, and Cape Nordperd on the island. It’s best to take 5 to 7 days for the island and explore the various corners at your leisure and without pressure.
Beautiful Accommodations
On the island of Rügen, you’ll find a large number of hotels, guesthouses, and vacation homes. We’ve picked out a few really cool ones for you, some of which we would also book ourselves. We placed particular value on the reviews of previous guests. Enjoy browsing!
Book a house here*
These great vacation apartments are located at the harbor in Lauterbach and feature a kitchen, living area, sleeping area, terrace, and bathroom with shower. Some houses are right on the water, others on the mainland. We think these floating houses are brilliant and have saved them right away.
4.5 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Book a house here*
This beautiful apartment is located in Binz and is only 7 km from the pier. Here you’ll find 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, 3 bathrooms, a sauna, a pool, and super modern and stylish furnishings.
9.0 out of 10 on Booking.com
Book the house here*
Just look at the pictures, it’s an absolute dream. This oasis is located right on the water in Gustow and impresses above all with its idyllic location. The holiday home has a terrace, a kitchen, a bathroom with shower, and a living and sleeping area. The furnishings are very modern and high-quality.
9.4 out of 10 on Booking.com
Book the house here*
We also particularly like the look of this holiday apartment. It is located in Juliusruh and features a large living area, a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace with sea views, a bathroom with shower, and a bedroom. Previous guests particularly praise the sea view and the high-quality furnishings.
9.4 out of 10 points on Booking.com
Book the house here*
In the mood for a little luxury? This 5-star hotel in Sellin awaits you in a quiet and idyllic location with restaurants, a bar, a wellness area, an outdoor pool with a roof, rooms with balconies or terraces, individually decorated rooms, and a warm ambience. So why not enjoy a relaxing romantic getaway with your better half?
4.5 out of 5 points on Tripadvisor
Arriving on the Island of Rügen
The island of Rügen is located in northeastern Germany and can be reached in various ways, whether by car, train, or long-distance bus. Of course, it is also possible to travel by plane, but this should not be your preferred route within Germany!
By car: If you are coming from Hamburg, it is best to drive via the Lübeck junction and continue on the A20. Then take the Stralsund/Rügen exit and drive over the bridge to the island. If you are coming from the south of Germany, it is best to take the A11 to the Uckermark junction and continue on the A20 to Stralsund. From Berlin and Hamburg, it takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes to get to Binz.
By train: You can travel to the island in a relaxed manner with Deutsche Bahn trains. Long-distance connections are available from Munich, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, and also from the Ruhr area. From Berlin, it is only 3 hours to the main station in Stralsund, where you will have to change trains. From Hamburg, it’s about four hours by IC train via Rostock to Bergen.
By bus: Prefer to travel by long-distance bus? Flixbus buses travel safely and comfortably to the island from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or Dresden, for example. From Rostock, these buses even depart five times a week to Bergen, Binz, Sellin, Baabe, and Göhren (from just €4.99). It’s best to check out the website Busliniensuche.de.
Mobility on the Island
On the island, you can easily get from A to B by buses and trains. There are around 30 bus lines that take you to almost all parts of the island. The island’s highlights are usually served every hour. Many buses also allow bicycles (click here for the timetable). You can of course also explore the surrounding area on foot, by car, taxi, or bicycle.
And don’t forget the “Rasende Roland” (Racing Roland). This quaint locomotive connects the individual seaside resorts on the island of Rügen. Although this narrow-gauge railway only travels at 30 km/h, it’s still an experience nonetheless. We prefer to travel by bike. You can find bike rentals in almost all larger and more touristy towns (see here).
Attention: Tourist tax
As on the island of Usedom, you must pay the so-called tourist tax in certain regions on Rügen. This fee is used to improve and renew public facilities (restrooms, recreational activities, waste disposal, beach cleaning, etc.). You pay your tourist tax either directly at the hotel, to your landlord, or at the local spa administration office. It’s also important that you always carry your tourist card with you and be able to show it if inspected. On the following page, you can see which places charge a tourist tax and which don’t —> Tourist Tax Rügen. Prices vary depending on the location, ranging from €1 to €2.80 per day.
Best time to travel to Rügen
When is the best time to travel to Rügen? There’s no easy answer, as it depends on your needs and preferences. The sunny island is, of course, one of Germany’s most popular travel destinations, especially in summer. The summer months of July and August are best for a beach holiday. In August, however, daily highs of up to 35°C can be reached. If you prefer to travel outside of school holidays, you should choose the months of May, June, September, or October. Then you can still expect a mild climate with plenty of sunshine and little rain.
Travel Reading for Rügen
Are you still looking for the right travel reading for your vacation on the island of Rügen? There’s a great travel guide from DuMont Verlag* titled “52 Small & Large Escapades on and around Rügen: Get Outside!” With this book, you’ll be well prepared and will definitely not miss any of Rügen’s highlights. The adventure guide for children and parents* is also very helpful, with lots of tips for leisure activities.