Elegant seaside resorts and fishing villages that have retained their humble charm, steep cliffs of snow-white chalk and beaches of fine sand, dead-straight tree-lined avenues and wild sea-buckthorn hedges — Today, Rügen ranks among Germany’s most popular vacation destinations, largely due to its diversity and uniqueness. Hikers and families, wellness travelers, and water sports enthusiasts alike feel right at home here.
Past ancient stone burial mounds and century-old lighthouses, through eerie beech forestsand along sparkling lakes. Here, nature lovers can explore the largely unspoiled 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 curved buildings, and venerable piers. They are a reminder of the time when Germany’s largest island became a moonlit seaside paradise.
The Most Beautiful Vacation Spots on Rügen
Sellin – A Summer Retreat for the Eyes
As guests stroll down Sellin’s Wilhelmstraße, they are swept up in thefeeling of a summer retreat, evoked by the healthy Baltic Sea air and the sight of the charming houses with their bay windows, turrets, and ornate porches. The historic seaside resort architecture gives the town its glamorous appearance—most notably the imposing Sellin pier. Albert Einstein also enjoyed the local summer breeze while staying at the “Johanneshorst” house in July 1915. It is said that he did not succeed in proving his theory of relativity until after his stay in Sellin.
Binz — Where the Future Meets the Past
In the island’s largest seaside resort, magnificent villas coexist peacefully alongside the sculptural shell-concrete structures designed by the visionary Binz-based architect Ulrich Müther. In addition to beachgoers, architecture enthusiasts are drawn to this seaside resort, which is shaped by both history and modernity. Here, visitors can admire, among other things, Müther’s iconic lifeguard tower—reminiscent of a UFO—and the historic “Undine” villa.
Sassnitz – A World-Class Seaside Resort
As Theodor Fontane once emphasized: “To travel to Rügen means to travel to Sassnitz”! Alongside him, other prominent figures also spent their summers in Sassnitz—including Johannes Brahms and Empress Auguste Viktoria. Even today, visitors come to this state-recognized resort town to swim and hike. Sassnitz is known for its wide sandy beaches as well as the centuries-old beech forests and chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park.
Baabe—small but charming
In addition to the 1.5-kilometer-long Baltic Sea beach, you’ll still find quite a few thatched-roof houses here: a reminder of its origins as a fishing village with its small-scale development. One building, however, stands out: the former restaurant and disco “Inselparadies”—another creation by Ulrich Müther. In 2008, the Baltic Sea resort of Baabe became the first town on the Baltic Sea and in all of Germany to be designated an “allergy-friendly community,” offering over 200 allergy-friendly certified beds and accommodations.
Putbus — Circus and Theater
In Putbus, culture and recreation come together: While Prince Wilhelm Malte created a unique blend of architecture, art, and landscape in Putbus, Rügen’s oldest seaside resort was opened in the Lauterbach district. Known as the “City of Roses” since the reign of Prince Wilhelm Malte, botany enthusiasts and nature lovers have enjoyed the sweetly scented rose bushes in front of the houses in the royal seat.
Local contact:
- Rügen Tourism Association e. V.
www.ruegen.de
Phone: +49 3838 807780
