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Rügen combines unspoilt nature with the nostalgic charm of traditional seaside resorts. Germany’s largest island invites you to enjoy long walks on the beach, delightful discoveries and a wide variety of excursions, during which everyday life naturally fades into the background. In this article, you’ll discover Rügen’s most beautiful sights and beaches, special places to enjoy good food and drink, and a variety of places to visit.
02.08.2026
Miryana
Photo: The spectacular chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen.
The famous chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park are among Rügen’s most impressive natural highlights. Gleaming white cliffs rise up above the deep-blue Baltic Sea, whilst ancient beech forests stretch right up to the edge of the steep coastline. Depending on the weather and time of day, the landscape appears at times radiant and expansive, at others almost mysterious. The Skywalk at the Königsstuhl offers a particularly beautiful view, seeming to float above the chalk coast. At the adjacent KÖNIGSSTUHL National Park Centre, visitors can learn more about the formation of the chalk cliffs, the ancient beech forests and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site through an interactive exhibition. You should allow around two to three hours to visit the centre and the Skywalk.
Those wishing to experience nature more intimately can follow one of the marked hiking trails through the national park. Along the way, spectacular views of the Baltic Sea and the rugged coastal landscape open up time and again.
At the northern tip of Rügen, the island reveals its unspoilt and rugged side. High above the Baltic Sea stand the two striking lighthouses of Cape Arkona. From the viewing points, the view stretches far out over the sea – a particularly impressive experience on a clear day. The cape can be reached from the nearby fishing village of Putgarten on foot, by bike or via the little Cape Arkona railway. On the way, it’s well worth making a detour to the idyllic fishing village of Vitt, whose thatched houses nestle picturesquely in a sheltered coastal cove.
You should allow plenty of time for the trip, as, in addition to the lighthouses, the coastal paths, viewing points and small cafés invite you to take a longer exploration tour.
Binz is Rügen’s best-known seaside resort, combining an elegant holiday atmosphere with a wide sandy beach. Magnificent white villas with ornate balconies, verandas and turrets line the beach promenade – a particularly fine example of the island’s typical seaside resort architecture. An intriguing architectural contrast is provided by the civil engineer Ulrich Müther, who was born in Binz. His futuristic-looking lifeguard tower on the beach promenade was originally built as a lifeguard station and is now used as a registry office. The delicate concrete shell is one of the characteristic works of the renowned master of shell construction.
The beach promenade, with its historic Kurhaus, numerous cafés and views of the pier, forms the lively centre of this Baltic Sea resort.
Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere can take a stroll to the Fischerstrand or the nearby Schmachter See. It is here, particularly in the early morning or in the evening, that Binz reveals its more relaxed side.
Photo: Sellin’s famous pier bathed in the warm light of a golden morning.
The Sellin pier is one of Rügen’s best-known landmarks. With its elegant pier house and long platform stretching out over the Baltic Sea, it offers a particularly atmospheric backdrop – especially in the early morning or in the evening. At the end of the pier, the underwater viewing gondola invites visitors to take an unusual trip beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea.
From the town centre, Wilhelmstrasse, with its magnificent seaside villas, leads to the cliffs. Visitors can make their way down to the pier and the main beach via the so-called ‘Himmelsleiter’ (Heaven’s Ladder) or, more comfortably, by lift.
As well as the beach by the pier, Sellin also boasts a longer southern beach stretching towards Baabe. Those wishing to explore the town away from the coast can take a stroll around Lake Sellin or stop for a break at one of the cafés along Wilhelmstrasse.
Video: Rügen – an island paradise: Mönchgut – a natural paradise between the Baltic Sea and the Bodden.
In the south-east of Rügen, Göhren and Baabe combine relaxing beach holidays with the unspoilt charm of the Mönchgut Peninsula. As well as a lively promenade and a pier, Göhren offers two distinct stretches of coastline: the busier northern beach and the quieter, unspoilt southern beach. Baabe feels a little smaller and more intimate. The fine-sandy beach slopes gently into the sea and is particularly well suited to relaxing days at the beach and long walks. Behind the dunes, paths wind through pine forests and along the Baaber Bek, a narrow waterway connecting the Baltic Sea and the Bodden.
Further south, Rügen is particularly idyllic. Around Gager, Gross Zicker, Lobbe and Thiessow, thatched houses, small harbours, rolling hills and vast Bodden landscapes characterise the scenery. The region is ideal for exploring on foot or by bike and offers plenty of peace and quiet away from the larger seaside resorts.
Photo: The imposing Granitz hunting lodge on the island of Rügen.
The imposing Granitz Hunting Lodge rises from the heart of Granitz’s dense beech forest. The pink-coloured lodge is one of the island’s most famous buildings and captivates visitors with its historic rooms, ornate details and a unique location high above the surrounding countryside. The highlight is the central tower with its spiral staircase. Anyone who climbs the numerous steps is rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view over forests, seaside resorts and the Baltic Sea.
The palace is particularly lovely to reach on a walk through the Granitz Forest or by taking the ‘Rasender Roland’ train. This way, even the journey there becomes an atmospheric part of the excursion.
To the north of Binz lies Prora – a place where the idyll of the Baltic Sea and a turbulent history come together in a unique way. The kilometre-long complex of buildings was planned during the Nazi era as a vast holiday resort and continues to shape the coastal landscape to this day. At the Prora Documentation Centre, visitors can learn more about the complex’s origins, use and historical significance. Parts of the complex have since been modernised and now house, amongst other things, flats, hotels and restaurants.
Just a few steps away lies a wide sandy beach, flanked by dunes and pine forest. The nearby Rügen Nature Heritage Centre offers another opportunity to experience nature, with its treetop walkway, which provides sweeping views over the surrounding forests and the Baltic Sea.
Photo: A North German delicacy: Bismarck herring against the picturesque backdrop of Rügen’s dunes.
Rügen’s cuisine is also closely linked to the Baltic Sea and the island’s landscape. Fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, regional baked goods and sea buckthorn characterise the local cuisine. A fish roll enjoyed right by the harbour is a particularly typical treat – simple, North German in style and, with a view of the boats, especially atmospheric.
Top spots include the Räucherschiff Fischland and Kutterfisch in Sassnitz, as well as the traditional restaurant Daheim in Lohme. In Sellin, the Kleine Melodie combines seafood cuisine with a beachfront location. In Binz, Omas Küche serves regional dishes in a nostalgic setting, whilst freustil offers modern, regionally inspired cuisine. Seasonal dishes made with organic produce from the local area await you at Convivo Rügen in Garz.
Sea buckthorn juice, jam and other specialities made from this tart and tangy berry make ideal sweet souvenirs.
Rügen combines stunning natural scenery, traditional seaside resorts and a wide variety of places to visit in a unique way. Whether you’re strolling along the chalk cliffs, on one of the long sandy beaches or through the charming coastal villages – the island offers the ideal setting for a relaxing yet varied holiday on the Baltic Sea.
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