What to See in Rügen? Exploring Germany's Largest Island

The largest, the highest, the most populated... Like any great island, it has many attractions and its own history. Here are our tips on what to see in Rügen.

Jasmund National Park is stunning; it's actually what inspired us to explore this island. If you are a lover of airy woods and/or breathtaking views from the cliffs over the sea, you will love it!

For just a few euros, you can also visit the famous overlook (literally >), and discover the cultural center explaining the history and geology of the area. You will learn in its multi-screen cinema about the significance of beech trees in Europe until not too long ago!

A word of advice: the Koenigsstuhl offers a fantastic viewpoint, but you don't really see the place itself since you are above it. Walk a little further for a magnificent view of this cliff area (and best of all, it's free!).

The Baumwipfelpad (literally >) is an experience suitable for children of all ages and largely accessible for people with reduced mobility. We discovered this type of tourist attraction through Corinne (from Vie Nomade) and Audrey (from Roulettes et sac à dos) who took a trip to the Black Forest, and we were eager to climb it ourselves.

It's a path that takes you higher and higher through the forest, offering a breathtaking 360° view of the island. There are even observation activities and mini adventure courses available for kids of all ages... just like us!

The canteen-style restaurant at the end of the path serves 1 to 2 vegan dishes daily.

Not far from this attraction, in Prora, are the ruins of a Nazi seaside resort that you can visit. We avoid these kinds of places for personal reasons, but it might interest some of you.

Sellin, beyond its beaches, is known for the architecture of its historic houses along the main axis, as well as its iconic pier, the Seebruecke (literally >) at the end of that axis.

Binz is better known for its restored houses along the sea, and for an oddly designed building called the Muether-Turm which you can only see from the sidewalk, around 20m away.

For vegan dining, the burger fast-food chain Peter Pane (a small chain from Lübeck) also offers several options here.

Do you dream of sleeping in a bungalow over the water? Then treat yourself to a night at Im-Jaich Wasserferienwelt! You may not have the lagoon blue color of Moorea, but you will spend a cozy night in a marine setting.

And if you're as lucky as we were, an unforgettable sunset over the harbor bay will enhance the experience. Plus... it's likely much closer to home and significantly cheaper than bungalows in Polynesia!

Book at the hotel on Booking and on Agoda.

If you spend several days on the island of Rügen, feel like you've seen it all and want to escape the sometimes crowded atmosphere of its touristy seaside resorts during peak season, why not spend a day on the island of Hiddensee? A boat will take you there from Schaprode.

Once there, it's advisable to rent bikes if you want to make the most of the day and see a good part of Hiddensee comfortably. If, on the other hand, you prefer to take your time, walking is also perfectly feasible. In both cases, I recommend taking a boat to Kloster rather than a destination further south on the island. The iconic lighthouse is located north of Kloster.

We took the ferry to Vitte, which doesn't have much interest, and the route between Vitte and Kloster isn't great either, except perhaps for one beach (there are others, including one near the lighthouse in the north of the island).

I don't know if this is the case in winter, but when we were there, there were tons of horse-drawn carriages; unfortunately, you will inevitably encounter some, and we obviously advise against taking them to avoid supporting an activity that exploits animals.

For vegan food options, Kloster has a health food store that offers quite a few alternative options for takeaway; however, no restaurant is advertised with a vegan position.

Rügen is a fantastic destination with a variety of activities for everyone, whether in family, couples, with friends, or solo. Of course, in 3 days, we couldn't cover everything there is to see and do... If you have more experiences to share about this region, feel free to add them in the comments.

I hope this overview has sparked your curiosity!

In partnership with the German National Tourist Board and Rügen.

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