Rügen – 10 attractions of Germany's largest island

Rügen is Germany's largest island full of attractions - wonderful views, nature and peace. It lies in the Baltic Sea, which the Germans refer to as the Ostsee (East Sea). It captivates with its chalky cliffs, wide beaches, elegant resorts and secluded atmosphere. It is an ideal place for both active recreation and relaxation by the sea. Here are the 10 most interesting attractions of Rügen.

1. Jasmund Cretaceous Cliffs

The white, chalk cliffs of Jasmund are an absolute symbol of Rügen and a tourist hit. Be sure to plan them while on the island, because it is one of the most beautiful places on the Baltic Sea. The vertical cliffs in Jasmund National Park contrast with the blue water and the green, magical UNESCO-listed beech forest. The most captivating and popular is the Königsstuhl cliff – a majestic rock with a height of 118 meters. It is worth noting that this is Germany's smallest national park, and the local beech forest, called a temple of nature, is the largest on the Baltic Sea. Importantly, the cliffs are soft and recede by an average of 20-50 cm each year. Every few years there is a stronger collapse, when the great cliff fragments break away from the whole. The coastline is constantly changing, and the trees are falling into the abyss, also walking there, be careful and do not approach the edge! You can admire the cliffs while walking from Sassnitz, or take the bus directly to the top to the Königsstuhl Center.

2. Königsstuhl National Park Centre - Jasmund Park Centre

The Königsstuhl Center is a modern visitor complex. It is located at the top of the highest cliff called Königsstuhl. You can get here by bus from the centre of Sassnitz. In the Center, you can use the Sky Walk viewing platform suspended above a cliff for a fee. The views here are phenomenal. As part of the same ticket, there are nature trails, an educational playground and wonderful nature exhibitions - interactive and with an audio guide in Polish. We highly recommend this place because it's fantastic. You can spend hours here admiring nature, watching movies and listening to stories. It is a great place to get to know the history and geology of the region better and see the cliffs from a safe perspective. And why is this place called Königsstuhl? It means “royal throne.” In the 18th century, the area was under Swedish rule and King Charles XII commanded from here during the naval battle with the Danes. It is said that he was sitting in a chair at the time.

3. Path from Sassnitz to the cliffs through the Stubnitz forest

The picturesque hiking route leading from the port of Sassnitz to Königsstuhl is a very pleasant and even obligatory point for lovers of walking visiting Rügen. It is about 9 km in one direction and is recognized by the media as the top 10 routes in Germany. The plus point is that you can take the bus back to the starting point. The trail offers spectacular views of the cliffs and the coast. We got up at 4.00 am to admire these panoramas in the rays of the rising sun. He wanders through the age-old Stubnitz forest full of secrets. There was little light, but in the flashing rays among the silver trunks reaching the sky, the walk was almost magical. We saw foxes and roe deer. This forest is so valuable that it is called a temple of nature, all the more so because through the dense crowns of leaves rays pierce like through church stained glass windows. Jasmund's beeches are even old. On the way, it is worth going down to the beach, where the cliffs rise above our eyes as a powerful white wall. From the beach, go back to the stairs and follow the path to the top. On the way, you can use the free viewing platforms.

4. Submarine and breakwater in Sassnitz

There is a unique attraction in the port of Sassnitz. This is a real British submarine HMS Otus. In the 1960s, it was launched and operated in the British Navy as a Royal Navy submarine. It was later purchased by a private owner. Finally, she found herself in Sassnitz, because she was developing tourist infrastructure and needed just such a facility that is associated with the sea. Today it is a museum - Erlebniswelt UBoot Sassnitz. This is an extraordinary opportunity to see the interior of the ship and get to know the life of the crew. The attraction is particularly interesting for families and fans of military history. The boat moored in a fairly busy port, which is protected from the sea by a long breakwater ideal for walks. Apparently, it is the longest in Europe.

5. Stone beach in Sassnitz with flints

The beach in Sassnitz is different from the typical sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea. Here you will find a geological curiosity - characteristic black flints with white discoloration, which are associated with the Cretaceous coast. They attract collectors, but remember, you can take them as a souvenir, but only in places that are not protected in the form of a reserve or a national park. It is a small but very recognizable element of the local landscape of Rügen, in places you can look for even more spectacular flints with rinsed holes in the middle.

6. Binz Pier and Beach

Binzis Rügen's most popular resort. This place reminded us of our Sopot because of the pier, the beautiful sandy beach with many descents and the Spa House like our Grand Hotel. The pier is smaller here, but free of charge. It is still a fantastic attraction of Rügen, because it is the second longest pier of this island, after the Sellin pier. It offers interesting walks combined with rest and admiring the views, because benches have been prepared here. The pier is 370 meters long and, interestingly, it is another structure in this place. The first pier in Binz was built in 1902 as a footbridge with a length of as much as 560 meters. In 1905 it was destroyed by a storm, and after reconstruction the pier was named Prince Heinrich Bridge. On 28 July 1912, the balcony collapsed under the weight of tourists while docking the steamer. As many as 50 people were in the water, and 17 died. In the winter of 1942, the weathered pier was destroyed by ice, wind and waves. In 1994, a new pier was put into use, which is still enjoyed by tourists today. At the end of the pier there is a small marina from where you can take a cruise along the Cretaceous coast. The pier and wide beaches stretching for kilometers create ideal conditions for relaxation.

7. Promenade with villas and the Müther-Turm tower in Binz

Binz really captivated us! The town is small, but beautiful and elegant. Very atmospheric, with white intricately decorated buildings. You will appreciate it while walking along the promenade. Here you can admire impressive spa-style villas from the 19th century. In the center by the pier there is Kurhaus - a magnificent Spa House, which together with Kurplatz and the stage creates a representative architectural ensemble. This is where concerts, festivals and summer events take place. A characteristic point east of the pier is the Müther-Turm observation tower. The Müther Tower is an iconic beach structure, a former rescue tower that was built in 1981 according to the design of the famous construction engineer Ulrich Müther. It is distinguished by a futuristic lump resembling a landing UFO. It is an interesting style of modernist architecture of the GDR. Müther-Turm is located at the entrance to beach no. 6, at the intersection of the promenade and Putbuser Straße. Today, it is an interesting place to rest and even a place for weddings. Although it is small, it is one of the most recognizable photographic objects on the coast. Further towards the cliff, a wild beach begins and naturists can be found here.

8. Circus Putbus

Putbus is a "white city of roses" hidden in the south of the island. A place full of history, although it is the youngest city in Rügen. A bit like a fairy tale, because it was invented by a prince. It is definitely one of the most unique places in Rügen, planned from scratch by Prince Wilhelm Malte I von Putbus. In 1810, the ruler decided to create a modern city-residency in the classicist style on the plan of a powerful district. Around the central square - Circus, which was the heart of Putbus, elegant, classicist buildings were set up. The prince ordered all buildings to be painted white and roses to be planted next to them. Maybe whimsical, but phenomenal and cultivated. Nurtured, like the wonderful roses in Putbus. The prince's palace did not survive the turbulent history of the 20th century and today there is only a monument here. The whole thing looks particularly captivating from above, as our drone showed us. It is reminiscent of the Opole Peace.

9. Orangery and English park in Putbus

Today, works of art are exhibited in the former Orangery. It is a historic, impressive building. You will also have a cup of coffee and dessert here. The building is shrouded in colorful roses, which looks delightful. It is worth coming here in the summer, when these flowers are in full bloom. There is also an extensive and picturesque English-style landscape park. Venerable oaks and other age-old trees brought by the prince from all over the world grow here, including Japanese ginkgo, plane trees, sequoias and magnolias. Alleys wind among them and spill over the ponds. It's a great walking spot, with a fountain and carved trees.

10. Marina im-Jaich in Lauterbach - cottages on the water

Just 2 km from Putbus is Lauterbach – today its district. In 1816, Prince Wilhelm founded the first sea bathing place in Rügen. Today, Lauterbach is primarily a yacht port and a great im-Jaich marina. Interestingly, fish processing used to operate here, but the area was severely neglected after the fall of the GDR. Only a private investor transformed it into a modern marina, which today is considered one of the most interesting on the island. The biggest attraction of the marina are the floating cottages where we slept. It was here, at the beginning of the 2000s, that one of the first concepts of this type in Europe was created. The cottages float gently on the waves, and staying in them is a completely different experience than a classic hotel. You can hear the sound of ropes and wind, seagulls and swallows circling around. The atmosphere of the place does its job, a firecracker for me. We complemented our stay in the marina with a yacht cruise. You can choose a leisurely hike or a more active one with elements of sailing learning. The real fun begins when the engine goes silent and only the wind remains. Sailing the waters around Rügen gives you an incredible sense of freedom. There is also a Kormoran restaurant in the marina. The menu is dominated by fish, but the chef is Polish, which is why you will also find accents of Polish cuisine, such as dumplings.

Additional attractions of Rügen that we did not reach, but are worth visiting

• Cape Arkona and the fishing village Vitt, the so-called North Cape of Germany – a postcard paradise with lighthouses and spectacular cliffs
• The famous pier in Sellin – one of the most beautiful in Germany and on the entire Baltic Sea, with extremely impressive buildings
• Rasender Roland, the so-called Rushing Roland - a historic narrow-gauge railway connecting resorts in Rügen, starts in Putbus and runs towards Binz, Sellin Baabe and Göhren.
• The Südost-Rügen Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO biosphere reserve located in the south-eastern part of Rügen. It includes the Mönchgut and Zudar peninsulas and the historic Granitz forest complex and is famous for its idyllic landscape, where man has lived in harmony with nature for centuries, amid a mosaic of cliffs, wild lagoons, sandy beaches, moors and cycling routes

Location and access to Rügen

Rügen is located in northeastern Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The easiest way to get from Poland is by car through Szczecin and Stralsund, from where the bridge leads to the island. It is also possible to get there by train (e.g. through Berlin or Szczecin) and by bus.

Why is it worth going to Rügen? When is the best time?

Rügen is a beautiful place to relax, combining nature, history and the seaside climate. It is less crowded than Polish resorts, and at the same time very well-kept and well-organized. Nature is exceptionally heavily protected here, which is endearing. The best time to visit is May-September, when the weather is good for walking and sunbathing. Autumn also has its charm – especially for lovers of silence and photography.

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

• Cliffs of Jasmund in Rügen, distance: 0.1  km
• Binz in Germany, distance: 19.3  km
• Wolin National Park, distance: 87.2  km
• Miedzyzdroje, distance: 87.7  km
• Ueckermund in Germany, distance: 96.2  km