Island of Rügen

The Baltic Sea Paradise with the Famous Chalk Cliffs

Rügen, the largest island in Germany, impresses with its fine sandy beaches, sophisticated seaside resorts and imposing chalk cliffs.

A couple walks along the foot of the famous chalk cliffs on the island of Rügen, while the sunset lights up the sky in soft colors.

Noble spas and still modest fishing villages, cliffs of snow-white chalk and beaches of fine sand, dead-straight avenues and wild sea buckthorn hedges - today, Rügen is probably one of the most popular vacation destinations in Germany, mainly because of its diversity and uniqueness. Hikers and families, wellness vacationers and water sports enthusiasts all feel equally at home here.

The well-developed network of hiking and biking trails on Rügen leads past stone-aged megalithic tombs and hundred-year-old lighthouses, through ghostly beech forests and along sparkling lakes. Here, nature lovers can explore the largely untouched and pristine landscape, while water sports enthusiasts will find excellent conditions for sailing , surfing or diving. Rügen is famous for its stately beach villas, sweeping shell buildings and venerable piers . They are reminiscent of the time when Germany's largest island became a sophisticated seaside paradise.

The Most Beautiful Resorts on the Island of Rügen

Sellin - Summer Resort for the Eyes

When strolling through Sellin's Wilhelmstraße, the feeling of summer freshness flows through the guests, triggered by the healthy Baltic Sea air and the sight of the neat houses with their oriels, turrets and decorated verandas. The listed spa architecture gives the town its glamorous appearance - most famous of all is the imposing Sellin pier. Albert Einstein also enjoyed the local summer breeze while staying in the house "Johanneshorst" in July 1915. It is said that he succeeded in proving his theory of relativity only after his stay in Sellin.

Binz - Future Meets Past

In the island's largest seaside resort, magnificent villas peacefully coexist with the sculptural shell concrete buildings of the visionary Binz country architect Ulrich Müther. In addition to seaside vacationers, those interested in architecture are drawn to the seaside resort, which is characterized by history and modernity. Among other things, Müther's iconic rescue tower, reminiscent of a UFO, and the listed villa "Undine" can be admired here.

Sassnitz - Seaside Resort of the World

As Theodor Fontane once emphasized: "To travel to Rügen is to travel to Sassnitz"! Besides him, other prominent personalities also spent their summers in Sassnitz - among them Johannes Brahms and the Empress Auguste Viktoria. Even today, guests come to the state-recognized resort for swimming and hiking. Sassnitz is known for its wide sandy beaches as well as the centuries-old beech forests and chalk cliffs in the Jasmund National Park.

Baabe - Small and Fine

In addition to the 1.5-kilometer-long Baltic Sea beach, you can still find several thatched-roof houses here: a reminiscence of the origins as a fishing village with its small-scale development. Nevertheless, one building stands out: the former restaurant and disco "Inselparadies" - another creation of Ulrich Müther. As the first place at the Baltic Sea and in whole Germany the Baltic resort Baabe was distinguished in 2008 as "allergy-friendly municipality" and offers over 200 beds and/or accommodations certified as allergy-friendly.

Putbus - Circus and Theater

Culture and recreation meet in Putbus: While Prince Wilhelm Malte created a unique ensemble of architecture, art and landscape in Putbus, the oldest seaside resort of Rügen was opened in the district of Lauterbach. As the "City of Roses", botany enthusiasts and nature lovers have enjoyed the pleasantly fragrant rose bushes in front of the houses of the residential town since the reign of Prince Wilhelm Malte.

Contact Person on Site:

  • Tourismusverband Rügen e. V.
    www.ruegen.de
    Phone: +49 3838 807780

Discover Rügen & Hiddensee in Moving Pictures

The Best Activities on the Island of Rügen

Beach Vacation

If you are looking for a beach vacation , Rügen is the perfect choice. About 60 kilometers of finest sandy beach invite you to stroll, swim or just relax. Among them are also some insider tips of almost deserted stretches of coastline, where you can enjoy the view of the Baltic Sea in peace and quiet.

Hiking & Cycling

With the peninsulas Jasmund, Mönchgut and Wittow, Rügen offers numerous hiking and biking opportunities in the midst of nature. Often passing imposing chalk rock formations or through dense beech forests, cyclists and hikers can explore Rügen's unspoiled nature.

Boat Trips

Nowhere can Rügen be viewed better than from the deck of a boat. A boat tour takes you leisurely along Rügen's 600-kilometer coastline, or a day trip across the Baltic Sea takes you directly to the famous chalk cliffs. Rügen's eight shipping companies connect the island's Baltic Sea resorts with each other via scheduled services - so if you want to see as much of Rügen as possible, you shouldn't miss out on a boat trip.

Golf Vacation

Among golfers , Rügen is a real insider tip. If you want to combine your favorite sport with your vacation, the numerous golf courses on Rügen offer enough playing space and varied courses. The golf course in the Baltic resort of Binz, for example, measures 700,000 square meters - a paradise for golf vacationers!

On a Nostalgic Trip with the "Rasender Roland

You can travel comfortably from Goehren via Baabe and Sellin to Binz on the "Rasender Roland", the steam locomotive-powered Rügen baths railroad. Since the 19th century, the historic narrow-gauge railroad has connected the Baltic seaside resorts and takes travelers on a nostalgic ride - a very special event for young and old.

The Most Popular Destinations on Rügen

 

Jasmund National Park with Königsstuhl

The play of colors of the rugged cliffs with the snow-white chalk cliffs, the green beech forests and the blue Baltic Sea is impressive. The scenery in the Jasmund National Park, some of which is more than 60 million years old, is particularly captivating for nature lovers. Along the hiking trails you can explore a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Granitz Hunting Lodge

For those interested in culture and history, the Granitz hunting odge is an excursion destination not to be missed. Located in the municipality of Binz in the middle of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, you can still feel the imposing nature of the former hunting lodge of Prince Wilhelm Malte I. The eye-catcher is the floating spiral staircase in the central tower of the castle.

Cape Arkona & Fishing Village Vitt

As one of the northernmost places on Rügen, Cape Arkona is known for its three towers - the Schinkel Tower, the Beacon and the Sounding Tower. With its 45-meter-high cliff, the cape rises imposingly from the Baltic Sea. During a hiking tour to Cape Arkona, it is also worthwhile to pay a visit to the listed fishing village of Vitt.

Putbus Castle Park

Although the former Putbus Castle no longer stands, a visit to the castle park is still worthwhile for nature lovers and families. Count Moritz Ulrich von Putbus had numerous non-native plants planted here around 300 years ago - including a giant sequoia and a rare tree that bears two different types of leaves. Also of interest to children is the doll exhibition in the old monkey house, where over 200 dolls from 200 years of doll history can be marveled at.

Accommodation

on the island of Rügen

  1. Exterior view Hotel Villa Schwanebeck, © Franke

    Hotel Villa Schwanebeck

    Read more: "Hotel Villa Schwanebeck"
  2. House Seeadler - exterior view, © Familienferienwerk LGV e. V.

    Evang. Familienferienwerk House Sea Eagle

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  3. © Erlebnis-Bauernhof Kliewe/Susanne Kliewe

    Experience farm Kliewe

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  4. © DJH MV / Danny Gohlke

    DJH Youth Hostel Sellin

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  5. © Maike Budwig

    Vacation apartment MeerOstseeZeit

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  6. © Aquamaris/K. Grabowski

    Aquamaris beach residence Rügen

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  7. Exterior view of the Arkona Strandhotel, © Arkona Strandhotel

    Arkona Strandhotel

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  8. © Ponyhof Rügen

    Pony farm Rügen

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  9. © Gut Zicker

    Manor house Zicker

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  10. © Schloss Ranzow / FotoArt Mirko Boy

    Hotel & Apartments Ranzow Castle

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  11. The AKZENT Waldhotel Göhren on the Island of Rügen directly on the beach, © AKZENT Waldhotel Göhren GmbH

    Akzent Waldhotel Göhren

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  12. © TMV

    Rügen vacation homes on the high shore

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  13. Wonderful view of the Schaabe from the vacation apartment, © Cordula Schubert

    Vacation apartment Swallow's Nest

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  14. Landhotel Herrenhaus BohlendorfExterior view - entrance area, © Lieblingsplatz Hotels mbH

    Country Hotel Bohlendorf Manor

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  15. Our hotel Atrium am Meer is an ideal starting point for hiking tours on the Island of Rügen, © Albrechtshof Hotels

    Hotel Atrium by the sea

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  16. Restaurant view, © Friederike Hegner

    Family and Health Hotel Villa Sano

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  17. "Prince Jaromar" Hotel Resort & Spa, © Burwitz & Pocha GbR

    "Prince Jaromar" Hotel Resort & Spa

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  18. Directly on the kilometer-long sandy beach of Binz. Enjoy the sound of the sea and spend a vacation in the best location., © Rugard Strandhotel

    Rugard Strandhotel

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  19. © Gut Üselitz / Ulrike Meutzner

    Üselitz Estate

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  20. © Jugenddorf Wittow GmbH

    Youth Village Wittow

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  21. Vacation for the whole family on the farm, © Ostsee-Bauernhof-Hocke

    Baltic Sea-Farm-Hocke: 4*- vacation apartments & rustic party barn

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  22. © Celina Häfker

    Park Hotel Sellin

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  23. im-jaich Wasserferienwelt - vacation resort on the water, © Florian Melzer/im-jaich

    im-jaich Wasserferienwelt - vacation resort on the water

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  24. Suite Hotel Binz exterior view, © Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Binz GmbH

    Suite Hotel Binz

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  25. Exterior view, © nymphe strandhotel & apartments GmbH & Co. KG

    nymph beach hotel & apartments

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  26. im-jaich natural oasis Gustow, © Florian Melzer/im-jaich

    im-jaich natural oasis Gustow

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  27. Aerial view of Precise Resort Rügen, © Precise Resort Rügen GmbH

    Precise Resort Rügen

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  28. Parkhotel Rügen, © Parkhotel Rügen

    Parkhotel Rügen

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  29. At the Tegelhof riding facility you can enjoy balmy summer evenings, © Reitanlage Tegelhof/ Werner Wahlich

    Riding facility Tegelhof

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  30. © TMV/A. Wilken

    Restaurant and guesthouse "Zur Schaabe"

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  31. Villa Rudenblick, © Nils Thorsten Volk

    Villa Rudenblick

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  32. © Strandhotel Baabe

    Beach Hotel Baabe

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  33. Three bedrooms with TV, here no. 2, © Kathrin Koschwitz

    Vacation apartment Albert-INN-Glowe

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  34. 2-person apartment "Die Verträumte "Gallery apartment | 40 m² | living room with kitchen | 1 bedroom | shower | terrace, © Haus Düne31

    House Dune31

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  35. Rügen-Ferienhof: Breakfast on the terrace, © Rügen-Ferienhof

    Rügen vacation farm

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  36. © DJH MV / Danny Gohlke

    Jugendherberge Prora mit Zeltplatz

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  37. Welcome to the Strobel Manor - Experience a country vacation and enjoy wellness, © Gutshaus Strobel

    Strobel Manor

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  38. Ansischt Pension & Apartments Kastanienhof, © Kastanienhof

    The Chestnut Farm Pension & Apartments

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  39. © Reit- und Fahrverein Poseritz e.V./ Thomas Krimmling

    Riding farm Groß-Stubben

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  40. © Schillings Gasthof

    Schillings Inn

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  41. Exterior view, © Schlosshotel

    Ralswiek Castle Hotel

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  42. Aerial view Cliff Hotel Rügen, © Cliff Hotel Rügen

    Cliff Hotel Rügen - Resort & SPA

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  43. Near the beach, the houses are scattered on the spacious area., © TMV

    Rugana Holiday Village

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  44. © Frau Bäder Weiderer

    Pension Haide-Hof

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  45. View guest house Astrids Strandmuschel, © Bernhard Franke

    Guest House Astrids Beach Shell

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  46. © Schittko

    Hay Holiday Farm Altkamp

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  47. Bio Pool with outside view, © Hiddenseezimmer

    Dune House Hiddensee

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  48. Hotel view with sea view, © Jochen Tack, Hotel Bernstein

    Hotel Amber

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  49. Exterior view, © Waldhotel Göhren GmbH

    Spa and Wellness Hotel Mönchgut

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  50. Baking yourself gives such pleasure, © TMV/Raff

    Farmer Long

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  51. Vacation home Binz, © www.binz-ferienhaus.de

    Vacation home Binz

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  52. Exterior view Travel Charme Nordperd & Villas, © Arne Nagel

    Travel Charme Hotel Nordperd & Villas

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  53. The Vju Hotel Rügen warmly welcomes you, © Vju Hotel Rügen

    Hotel Hanseatic Rügen & Villen

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  54. © Campingplatz & Ferienhausanlage Banzelvitz

    Banzelvitzer Berge campsite and vacation home complex

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  55. © Grabowski/luftbildruegen.de

    DJH Youth Hostel Binz

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  56. © Maximilian Kajahn

    Hotel Kajahn Manor

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  57. © Hotel Baltic/Henrike Schunck

    arcona HOTEL BALTIC

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  58. © Rittergut Streu

    Kate Manor Streu

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  59. © TMV/Tiemann

    Hotel Four Seasons Binz

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  60. Front view Hotel Badehaus GoorDrive, © Mirko Boy/ hadiko

    Hotel bathhouse Goor

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  61. Krimvitz manor house on the island of Rügen, © Gutshaus Krimvitz / Mirko Boy

    Krimvitz manor house

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Top Excursion Destinations and Events

408 Ergebnisse
  • © www.pixabay.com

    Writing workshop - Writing vividly

    • Date: 1/10/25
    • Störtebekerstraße, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

    Writing workshop with journalist Gaia Born

    Read more: "Writing workshop - Writing vividly"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Experience the forest with all your senses

    • Nächster Termin: 1/11/25
    • Alle Termine: 1/11/25 to 3/22/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Forest bathing - A healing stay in the forest strengthens our immune system and brings soothing serenity.

    Read more: "Experience the forest with all your senses"
  • © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

    Theater Putbus

    • Markt, 18581 Putbus

    The classicist theater from the beginning of the 19th century still delights its visitors.

    Read more: "Theater Putbus"
  • © Strandhotel Baabe

    Beach Hotel Baabe

    • Strandstraße, 18586 Baabe

    Baabe is the perfect place if you want to enjoy your holiday in every aspect.

    Read more: "Beach Hotel Baabe"
  • © Vogeltouren MV

    JOURNEY TO THE TERRITORY OF THE SEA EAGLE

    • Nächster Termin: 1/5/25
    • Alle Termine: 10/12/24 to 1/5/25
    • Am Kliff, 18551 Glowe

    Bird tour with an ornithologist through picturesque landscapes.

    Read more: "JOURNEY TO THE TERRITORY OF THE SEA EAGLE"
  • © TMV/A. Wilken

    Café 80

    • Boddenmarkt, 18551 Glowe

    Small, cozy café with delicious homemade cakes based on original GDR recipes and Italian coffee specialties in Glowe on the island of Rügen.

    Read more: "Café 80"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Hiking Spring 2025: Where the ice created the borders - from Göhren to the Seedorf Hills

    • Nächster Termin: 4/23/25
    • Alle Termine: 4/23/25 to 4/30/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    With our guide, you will experience the landscape between the Baltic Sea and Greifswald Bodden from an incredible perspective.

    Read more: "Hiking Spring 2025: Where the ice created the borders - from Göhren to the Seedorf Hills"
  • © Nico Offermann

    The great bird life on Rügen

    • Nächster Termin: 4/30/25
    • Alle Termine: 4/30/25 to 9/17/25
    • Hauptstraße, 18586 Thiessow

    Beamer lecture with nature guide René Geyer

    Read more: "The great bird life on Rügen"
  • © Wehweck

    Hiking spring 2025 - Forest bathing

    • Date: 4/23/25
    • Parkplatz Nationalpark, 18546 Sassnitz

    Forest air is medicine to breathe in. We immerse ourselves with all our senses in the magical landscape of the Jasmund National Park.

    Read more: "Hiking spring 2025 - Forest bathing"
  • © Erlebnis Akademie AG/ Naturerbe Zentrum Rügen

    Wanderfrühling 2025 - In the footsteps of the former district forester Konstantin Hahnel

    • Nächster Termin: 4/7/25
    • Alle Termine: 4/7/25 to 4/14/25
    • Forsthaus Prora, 18609 Ostseebad Binz OT Prora

    Walk with us in the footsteps of the former princely district forester Konstantin Hahnel and discover the "holy halls", as he called the forest area in the middle of Prora.

    Read more: "Wanderfrühling 2025 - In the footsteps of the former district forester Konstantin Hahnel"
  • © CHBurwitz

    Hike to the Granitz

    • Nächster Termin: 10/7/25
    • Alle Termine: 10/7/25 to 10/28/25
    • Warmbadstraße, 18586 Sellin

    Nature tour through the Granitz, to the legendary Black Lake and the burial mounds with nature guide René Geyer.

    Read more: "Hike to the Granitz"
  • © Tourismuszentrale Rügen

    Circus Putbus

    • Circus, 18581 Putbus

    The name Putbus is probably of Slavic origin and translates as "behind the lilac bush". In 1810 this place was developed by Prince Malte to a residence town in classicistic style with theater, pedagogy and white houses around the circus. A city from the drawing board with park and animal enclosure and rosebushes in front of every house.

    Read more: "Circus Putbus"
  • © NZK-Christian Thiele

    Family Forest Festival at the UNESCO World Heritage Forum

    • Date: 9/28/25
    • Waldhalle, 18546 Sassnitz

    We invite you to a colorful family program in the middle of the Old Beech Woods! Look forward to an exciting program for young and old in the middle of the beautiful glade!

    Read more: "Family Forest Festival at the UNESCO World Heritage Forum"
  • © TMV/Gohlke

    Black lake (Granitz)

    • 18586 Sellin

    The Black Lake on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen belongs to the Sellin district and is located in the Granitz forest and nature reserve.

    Read more: "Black lake (Granitz)"
  • © TMV/ Fischer

    Adventure dune golf Göhren

    • Nordstrand, 18586 Göhren

    Overlooking the Baltic Sea, the imaginatively and lovingly designed Adventure Golf course on the Island of Rügen offers many exciting challenges.

    Read more: "Adventure dune golf Göhren"

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Discover Hiddensee & Rügen

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