Chalk cliffs, white beaches and elegant resorts: discover the Baltic Sea coast from your holiday home on Rügen

Rügen is a fascinating island along the German Baltic Sea coast with towering chalk cliffs, elegant seaside towns and a hilly landscape. Due to the island's considerable size, there is always something to experience on Rügen, from beautiful inland lakes to castles and lookout towers. Lay down your towel on one of the cream-white beaches or enjoy a romantic steam train ride! Want to discover an island once frequented by wealthy Germans and even the emperor? Book a holiday home on Rügen and be surprised by the sophisticated atmosphere!

Visit Hanseatic city Stralsund from your holiday home on Rügen

Strictly speaking, Stralsund is located on the mainland opposite the Rügen archipelago. Still, it would be a shame to skip this place or not return to it from your holiday home on Rügen. The architecture of Stralsund is magnificent. Stunning churches dominate the skyline and on a city walk you’ll pass buildings that greatly differ from one another. In short: Stralsund is a beautiful patchwork of monumental buildings, just as you would expect from a German Hanseatic city. Tip: preferably take the ferry from Altefähr instead of the bridge and enjoy the picturesque cityscape!

Hike to the chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park

By German standards, Rügen is a unique island. Along the eastern coast you'll find the famous chalk cliffs, sometimes reaching an impressive height of 100 meters. You can reach the cliffs in several ways. From the Hagen parking lot, you can walk or take the shuttle bus to the Königsstuhl Visitor Center, which is just a stone’s throw from the cliffs. The route from Sassnitz is a bit longer at 9 kilometers. Along this trail you walk largely along the coast, passing numerous viewpoints. The round trip is a demanding hike, but fortunately you can also return to Sassnitz by shuttle bus for a small fee. 

Plan a cycling holiday from your holiday home on Rügen

Plan a bike ride from your holiday home on Rügen to the chalk cliffs or cycle the Rügen Round, a route around the island. But it’s not just the cliffs and beaches of Rügen that are attractions. In the center of the island are also several large lakes, where you can enjoy beautiful walks or bike rides along the shores. Staying in a holiday home with children? Then visit the Inselrodelbahn on the edge of Bergen auf Rügen or go go-karting at the Go-Kart- und Quadbahn Bergen. Just a stone’s throw from the toboggan run is the dome-shaped observation tower Ernst Moritz Arndt Tower, which you can climb for a wonderful view over the wooded surroundings and the inland lakes.

North of the island are two fun attractions that make for a great family outing. Near the coast of Glowe is the red-brick Spiekers Castle, with a surprising nearby attraction for children: Dinosaurierland Rügen. Right in the middle of nature, you’ll walk past large replicas of various dinosaurs and other extinct animals.

Visit the upscale resorts of Sellin and Binz

In the past, Rügen was a favorite area for the wealthy. One place that still exudes a touch of its posh past is Sellin. Take your time exploring this seaside town and marvel at the stunning white villas. It's especially lovely to sit at the aesthetic pavilion at the start of the pier, where you can enjoy the full view of the lush coastline and beach. Visit here also at night, when the white building with its many windows becomes a lit-up pearl in the sea! On a sunny day, you'll surely want to relax in the covered beach chairs.

Take the steam train from Sellin to Binz

Sellin is also the place to be for one of the most charming activities on the island of Rügen! This seaside resort is a boarding location for a ride on the nostalgic steam train Rasender Roland. Renting a holiday home on Rügen in spring? Then you’ll enjoy slow-paced rides through beautiful rapeseed fields. In the town of Binz, also on the train route, you'll again find beautiful villas, and the lively promenade won’t leave visitors untouched. Tip: take a walk through the woods of Binz to the hunting lodge Granitz, which with its crenellated towers looks like a real castle. In autumn, visiting the cream-white Granitz hunting lodge amid colorful forest surroundings is a special experience.

The observation tower of Prora and Cape Arkona

Near Prora stands a spiral-shaped 40-meter-high observation tower. Climbing this tower is a popular activity, primarily due to the panoramic view over vast forests and the coast, but also thanks to the slide that takes you back down! Looking for another walking area on Rügen with panoramic views? Head to the car-free village of Putgarten and walk from the parking lot to Cape Arkona. This cape lies nearly 50 meters above sea level and charms visitors with a varied landscape of forest and countryside, historic lighthouses and the fishing hamlet of Vitt. Characteristic of this compact village are the old cottages with thatched roofs. One of these houses even contains a fish restaurant where you can spend a pleasant time on a beautiful day. Want to sit even closer to the sea? Then go to Café am Meer. Old fishing boats surround you here, creating a rustic atmosphere where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and the magnificent view in good company!

Looking for an alternative way to explore the area or do you have limited mobility? Hop on the Arkona Railway tourist train or join a horse-drawn carriage ride!

Rent a holiday home on Rügen

Would you like to take your time for a unique holiday along the Baltic Sea coast? Visit the Hanseatic city of Stralsund and leave behind a historic skyline as you ferry across to the island of Rügen. From your holiday home on Rügen, it’s generally easy to cycle to the iconic chalk cliffs or inland lakes, or to retreat to the remarkably white beaches. A visit to the charming pier of Sellin is a must—and so is a ride on the steam train! Whether you want to explore the island every day or simply enjoy a laid-back holiday, Rügen will bring you into an extraordinary holiday mood either way!