Things to do on Rügen – 10 tips for Germany's largest island

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to see and do on Rügen in Germany? Long sandy beaches, classic seaside resorts, white chalk cliffs, beech forests and grand seaside resort architecture await you here. You can also ride a steam train, walk among the treetops and discover the special history of Prora. We visited Rügen by camper van and used Göhren as a base for our excursions on the island.

Rügen – Germany's largest island

Rügen is located in the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is Germany's largest island. Holidaymakers come here primarily for the nature and the long beaches, but the island also offers elegant seaside resorts, historical sights and a lot of different experiences.

From the mainland, it is easy to get to Rügen via Stralsund. The large Rügen Bridge, Rügenbrücke, leads across the Strelasund and allows you to drive directly onto the island.

Rügen is quite large and it is easy to underestimate the distances. If you want to see different parts of the island, it is therefore a good idea to set aside at least a few days.

1. Discover the seaside resort of Göhren

During our trip we stayed in Göhren on the southeast of Rügen. The town is one of the island's classic seaside resorts, with a long sandy beach, a promenade, restaurants and the typical white villas in the architectural style usually called Bathroom architecture.

A long pier also leads out from the beach, Göhren Pier. It is nice to walk here and look back towards the beach and the seaside resort. Göhren is not very large and is therefore well suited for a quiet holiday day. Walk along the sea, eat an ice cream or waffle and sit down in one of the classic German beach chairs.

2. Enjoy the beaches on Rügen

Rügen is above all a great holiday destination and there are miles and miles of sandy beaches around the island. We had the beach right next to the campsite in Göhren and could walk straight down to the Baltic Sea. When the weather is warm the beaches are of course great for swimming, but they are just as nice for long walks when the temperature is lower.

In many places you can also see the characteristic German beach baskets, Beach basket, which has been part of the seaside resort culture along the German Baltic coast since the 19th century.

3. See the white chalk cliffs of Jasmund

One of Rügen's most famous sights are the white chalk cliffs on the island's northeast side. They are located in the Jasmund National Park, where ancient beech forests meet the Baltic Sea. The most famous is the cliff King's Chair, which rises 118 meters above sea level.

We didn't have time to visit the national park ourselves during this particular trip, but if you're going to Rügen for the first time, the area is definitely one of the major tourist destinations on the island.

Today there is also Skywalk Königsstuhl, a viewing platform that hovers above the area at the famous cliff.

4. Ride the Rasender Roland steam train

A significantly slower way to get around is the historic narrow-gauge steam train, which is usually called Furious Roland.

The trains run to Göhren, Baabe, Sellin, Binz and Putbus, among other places, and have become a tourist attraction in themselves. The steam locomotives roar through the landscape and it's hard to miss the sound when one of them approaches.

For those who live in one of the seaside resorts, the train is also a fun way to take an excursion without a car or camper.

5. Walk among the treetops

One of our absolute favorites on Rügen was Nature Heritage Center Rügen, just outside Prora. Here there is a long treetop path that winds through the beech forest at high altitude. The walk goes over wide wooden bridges and along the way there is information about the forest and the wildlife.

The highlight – in a double sense – is the large observation tower built around a beech tree. The tower is about 40 meters high and from the top you get a view of large parts of Rügen.

I (Helena) am afraid of heights and only made it about halfway up. It was actually just enough – you get plenty of treetop feeling even without standing at the very top!

6. Discover Prora's special history

Very nearby is an attraction of a completely different kind: Prora. The enormous building complex was built during the Nazi era as a holiday resort within the organization Strength through joy. The idea was that thousands of people could vacation here at the same time, with rooms in a row along the Baltic Sea.

Construction began in 1936, but the facility was never completed for its original purpose before the outbreak of World War II. What makes the biggest impression is the scale. The long buildings stretch for kilometers along the coast.

After the war, parts of the area were used for military purposes and in recent years several of the buildings have been converted into housing, hotels and holiday apartments. The documentation centre is also located here. Documentation Center Prora, for those who want to understand more of the history of the place.

7. Visit Binz and Sellin

Would you like to see more of Rügen's classic seaside resort culture? Binz and Sellin two of the most famous resorts. Binz is the island's largest seaside resort and is known for its long beach promenade and all its elegant white villas. Sellin is especially known for its magnificent pier, Seebrücke Sellin. The white building at the far end of the sea has become one of Rügen's most photographed motifs.

We focused more on Göhren during this trip, but all three resorts are located on the same part of the island and can therefore be combined.

8. Try beer at the Insel-Brauerei

Shortly after crossing from the mainland to Rügen, Rügen Island Brewery in Rambin. The small brewery makes specialty beers and is known for its characteristic paper-wrapped bottles.

We stopped for a beer tasting and tried several different types. The brewery makes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers and we were a little surprised by our own favorites. A dark beer with notes of chocolate went down particularly well, and the non-alcoholic options were also really nice. A fun stop for the beer enthusiast – and conveniently located if you are coming to Rügen via Stralsund.

9. Discover Sassnitz

On the eastern coast of Rügen lies the port town of Sassnitz, which is also a good starting point for the Jasmund National Park. Here you can stroll in the harbor and along the long pier, and from Sassnitz there are also boat trips along the coast. From the water you get a completely different perspective of Rügen's famous white chalk cliffs.

10. Experience nature on Rügen

Despite the seaside resorts and many sights, nature is perhaps Rügen's greatest asset. There are beaches, beech forests, wetlands, cliffs and coastal landscapes, and large parts of the island are ideal for exploring on foot or by bike.

Rügen is simply an island where you don't have to hunt for sights all the time. A walk along the beach or through the forest can be just as worthwhile.

Camping on Rügen – Regenbogen Göhren

We lived in a camper van. Rainbow Göhren, a large holiday resort right next to the beach. There are campsites and various types of holiday accommodation as well as a restaurant and various activities. The location was above all very practical for us: we had the beach right next door and could walk into Göhren.

The campsite therefore works well as a base if you want to combine lazy days by the sea with excursions around southern and eastern Rügen.

Combine Rügen with Stralsund

Rügen and Stralsund are almost obvious to combine. Stralsund's old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and offers brick Gothic architecture, port life and, not least, a lot of Swedish history.

READ MORE: Things to do in Stralsund – attractions and Swedish history

More places to visit in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Stralsund is a good place to visit as part of a longer trip through Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Some other places we have visited ourselves are:

• Greifswald
• Waren an der Müritz
• Camping Havelberge
• Usedom