Once the hottest resort destination in the German Democratic Republic, Rügen island is now the ultimate launching pad for exploring the entire Baltic coastline. Salty air, sandy beaches, picturesque national park basking in natural splendor, and historic seaside towns – Rügen has everything you need for the best weekend of your life! What’s it like to spend a weekend here? Read on and find out in my guide on how to spend a perfect weekend on Rügen island.

Nestled in northeast Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rügen island still belongs to that list of off the beaten track destinations in Germany. While I only had 48 hours on the island, I was able to tackle all the highlights. In this post, I’m going to show you the beauty of the natural surroundings that are just perfect for backpacking, hiking, and cycling.

You can expect some spots such as Cape Arkona to be car-free for conservation reasons. There is a bunch of sleepy coastal towns that I recommend you to visit. From Bergen and Sassnitz to Putbus and Garz, Rügen has a relaxed, chill, and cool vibe offering everything a cultural traveler could look for.

How To Spend A Perfect Weekend on Rügen Island

History of Rügen

It is assumed that people have occupied Rügen island for over 5,000 years and before falling under the influence of Germany, the island was home to Slavic tribes, Danish, Swedish, and Prussian colonists. For many centuries Rügen island has been separated from the rest of Germany. However, this fact didn’t prevent the island from becoming the most famous and beloved holiday destination in Germany during the last few pre-war years.

It is noteworthy that Rügen island became more prosperous and saw unprecedented growth of tourism during the Nazi period. The Colossus of Prora was built between 1936 and 1939 and envisioned by Hitler as the most important and massive holiday resort. That being said, the huge resort complex supposed to become the pearl of the Baltic sea was never completed or used as a vacation spot. In addition, the post-Nazi period had a more sinister side.

After the end of WWII, tourism to Rügen island from other parts of Germany has steadily dropped. In 1945 the island was taken over by Soviet troops and being zoned into East Germany. The Soviets were using the Prora resort complex primarily as a military base while the area around became restricted. The top resort destination of the late 1930s had fallen into oblivion by the end of 1950s.

The newly formed German government tried to change the situation after reunification. These attempts, however, were mostly unsuccessful. As they tried to sell the entire site as a whole, no one wanted to buy it. It was until the early 2000s when the government decided to separate the second-longest building in Europe in blocks and sell them off one-by-one. Every time I visit Prora I see the ongoing renovation work with many blocks being transformed into hotels, hostels, and Airbnb apartments.

When to Visit Rügen island

There’s no bad time to travel to Rügen island. So be guided by what you want to see. Winter months can be quite colder but are best for collecting amber and avoiding the tourist crowds. Into amber hunting in the Baltic Sea? Make sure you visit after a storm to increase your odds of finding amber. Additionally, Ralswiek open-air theatre hosts the annual Störtebeker Festival in summer (just be sure to bring a camera for photographing fireworks). Now just choose your vantage point.

How to Get to Rügen Island

For me, it was really easy to reach Rügen, because there are direct bus routes from Dresden to Binz. Depending on the route, the company and whether you need to change buses, it often takes up to 7 hours to get to Rügen from Dresden. It costs around 25-45€ one way. If you travel from Berlin the price would be around 20€ one way.

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Rügen is very well connected and offers plenty of options for getting to and around the island. Since I was traveling to Binz I went with Flixbus that offers good value for money. You can reach both Sellin and Binz with Flixbus. However, if you need to get to Sassnitz you have to get off in Bergen and take public transport. From Bergen to Sassnitz you have two travel options: train or bus. Going by bus is cheaper but it may take a bit longer to get there. You can also reach Rügen by train from Prague, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Rostock, Köln, and Mainz.

There is also a small airport between Güttin and Burkvitz but it only caters to charter flights from Hamburg, Berlin, and Bornholm (Denmark). If you plan on coming from abroad, there is Rostock-Laage airport that handles both domestic and international flight services.

Top Things to Do in Rügen Island

1. Explore Jasmund National Park and Königsstuhl

Indeed you probably won’t find national park in Germany smaller than Jasmund. Covering a mere 30 sq km, it boasts dense beech groves, rare animals and plants. But the famous Königsstuhl (King’s Chair) and the epic white-chalk cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea are the main highlights of the park. If you’re into hiking, there are several hiking trails that you can use free of charge. Not only Königsstuhl become some of the best-known chalk cliffs on the Stubbenkammer, but it also served as an inspiration to Caspar David Friedrich.

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The number of reasons for me to visit Rügen last year comes down to two: Jasmund National Park, and the Rügensche Kleinbahn (RüKB) narrow-gauge railway. While planning my hiking trip in Jasmund, I knew there’d be a lot to see aside from it. Many people thought I was crazy about taking an overnight bus, just to see chalk cliffs and stroll on the beach. But hey, these cliffs are almost identical to the White Cliffs of Dover! Now I can truly say that, no matter how much time you are spending there, it will never be long enough. I really hope to be back one day as I met quite some locals who advised me about hiking up to the Viktoriasicht. Needless to say, I really want to check it out one day!

2. Visit Cape Arkona Lighthouse

Cape Arkona is the northernmost point of Rügen island. The cape is actually home to two lighthouses and a radio navigation tower (Peilturm) that are today open to the public. The picturesque area around these towers, as well as the fishing village some 1,5 km away, can keep you busy for several hours. I had a great time and really enjoyed the view from the viewing platform built atop of the lighthouse.

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On a clear day, Cape Arkona lighthouse offers spectacular and unobstructed views along the impressive rugged coastline and distant views of the Danish island of Møn. I didn’t have enough time to climb each of the towers, as well as I skipped rural Putgarten area and the ramparts of Jaromarsburg. Big mistake! Putgarten is pretty small but it’s absolutely worth visiting.

3. Granitz Hunting Lodge (Jagdschloss Granitz)

Located in a beautiful woodland setting only 9 kilometers from Binz, Granitz hunting lodge dates back to the mid-19th century. The lodge is a museum that boasts unusual architecture, a 38m high tower with cast-iron spiral staircase and a large collection of hunting trophies. While I’m not a big fan of hunting, this ostentatious castle turned out to be more interesting than I first thought. I spent an hour exploring the architecture, decorations, and furniture. And almost 40 minutes admiring the views of the surrounding area.

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The climb to the top of the tower staircase may be a challenge. However, the rewarding view at the top is worth it. If you suffer from vertigo, the climb up and/or down the stairs is a pure nightmare. At a minimum, don’t look down. You can get to the hunting lodge by taking old-fashioned Rasender Roland train from Binz, although it is quite possible to make your way here on foot. I wouldn’t recommend going there by car since there is only one paid parking lot with no other option but to park there.

4. Admire the Seaside Resort Towns

Binz and Sellin are the two most popular seaside resorts with easily accessible beaches and great infrastructure. There are sections for dogs, nudists and water sports as well. On my recent hiking trip through Rügen, I actually chose Binz as my base. It is very conveniently situated which made getting to Sassnitz, Sellin, Prora, and Bergen quite easy. At the same time, Binz may seem remote, quaint, and distant.

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I was lucky enough to visit Rügen in August when warmer than average temperatures prevailed over most of Germany. Rügen island weather in August is a great time to fully explore the endless sandy beaches, gorgeous resort architecture and take a stroll along the Strandpromenade in Binz. Lined with elegant summer houses, hotels, and various shops, this makes for a scenic but gentle stroll to work up an appetite for one of the many restaurants in this fantastic holiday destination.

Hotels, airfare, tours, and car rentals in Rügen are cheapest during the winter months (November, December, January, February) — aside from the holidays. Everything is more expensive in the summer (July & August). For the best combination low prices and fine weather, go during the shoulder seasons: May – June or September – October.

5. What to Eat and Drink on Rügen Island

The northeastern corner of Germany, especially Rügen, is known for its fish dishes. So there are many other flavors, recipes, and foods worth discovering. Dive right in and explore traditional food in northern Germany, one flavorful meal at a time.

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I was quite impressed by the sheer number of restaurants, outstanding service and the superb environment in Rügen. As I already knew fish play a large part in the local cuisine. Smoked Pomeranian fish in Rügen is an exceptionally well-loved part of their heritage, from the luxurious, thinly cut, herring to more unassuming treats such as newly hot-smoked eel, prepared and served with a definite Swedish or Norwegian twist. However, aside from fish, there is also a wide variety of vegetable and wild game dishes to choose from.

Fischraucherei Kuse. Strandpromenade 3, 18609 Binz

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, Fischraucherei Kuse is a good option. Catering to foodies and beach lovers, the restaurant serves lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner in a venue decorated with beach resort memorabilia, with every detail and the view taking you to the sea. Have a seat at one of the seats or by the bar and enjoy freshly-caught fish and the views of the Bay of Binz.

Dolden Madel. Schillerstraße 6, 18609 Binz

If you like more rustic design and have a strong love for craft beer, then you shouldn’t miss out on visiting Dolden Madel Braugasthouse. At Dolden Madel Braugasthouse, you can count on decent craft beers and delicious food from locally grown foods. If you’re visiting Dolden Madel on a weekend or major holidays, make sure you have a seat reservation ahead of time.

Bootshaus. Strandpromenade 49, 18609 Binz

Situated on the waterfront, Bootshaus is the restaurant where you can perfectly watch the hustle bustle on the beach. They serve all kinds of typical German fish dishes often in a chaotic atmosphere. On the day I visited I ordered flounder with Mediterranean vegetables and chips. The portion was very large and everything was delicious and beautifully presented. However, oftentimes the restaurant gets packed and finding a seat might be difficult. Make sure to book a seat in advance.

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