Rugen

Rugen is a destination in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It offers visitors a range of attractions and experiences in a distinctive setting.

By plane

Rostock -Laage Airport .

With connections from Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Cologne. The airport is about 90 km from Rügen.   ( updated Aug 2022 )

By car

From the A20 then B96, you can get in by car along Germany's longest bridge from Stralsund on the German mainland, or you can take the ferry from Trelleborg in southern Sweden.

By train

There is also a regional train connection from Stralsund to Sassnitz and Ostseebad Binz, some long distance trains from major German cities travel to Ostseebad Binz.

By boat

Three are one ferry to and from Sassnitz:

Bornholmslinjen

, to Rønne on the island of Bornholm . Phone: +45 70 900 100

There is also a cable ferry from Stahlbrode near Greifswald to Glewitz on Rügen.

The town centre of Rugen is compact and walkable. Local buses connect the main districts and nearby attractions. Taxis are available from the train station.

As well as the coast line with excellent beaches and spectacular cliffs there are some beautiful woodlands and wetlands. This is a great location for wetland bird watching , notably the large flocks of cranes.

Narrow-gauge railway

( Rasender Roland ),

Bahnhofstraße, Putbus

( B96 from Mukran or from Sassnitz. In Bergen, take the L301 to Putbus. In Putbus, follow Bahnhofstraße from Circus. The railway station is at the end of the road. ),

☏

+49 3838 81 35 94 .

First train from Putbus around 08:00, last train around 19:30 .

During the GDR era, the narrow-gauge railway "Rasender Roland" was an important link between Putbus and Göhren, where the steam-hauled trains provided both passenger and freight services. The railway is still a part of the local traffic system and a journey is an excellent way of transportation. There are several nice places to see along the railway, for example the hunting "lodge" (read: "castle") Granitz. You can board the train from any station along the line. Group tickets on offer.

€2.40-12.00/single ticket, depending on distance .   ( updated Aug 2022 )

Horseback riding

( Wanderreiten auf Rügen ),

Feldweg 2, Zirmoisel

( take the B96; at Bergen auf Rügen, take the L301 to Ramitz; drive N for Bubkewitz, where you take off W to Zirmoisel ),

☏

+49 160-903 112 54 .

Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, this establishment has

Rügen is an island, which you can tell when you walk into a restaurant. Seafood is omnipresent and usually very fresh. Try a Fischbrötchen , a sliced bread roll filled with smoked ( Räucherfisch ) or pickled herring and vegetables. The Germans are crazy about asparagus, so during season, do not miss out. In this region, you will also find products made from sea-buckthorn ( Sanddorn ) such as fruit juice (served hot or cold), jam and flavoured ice cream.

The local sea-buckthorn (sanddorn) fruit juice is best hot.

Although brewed just off the island in Stralsund , Störtebeker beer is readily available and well worth a few glasses.

Due to the island's popularity over the years, it is easy to find accommodation at all price and comfort levels. The most common accommodation is various forms of holiday apartments, a practical and cheap way to stay. If you prefer to stay in hotels or hostels, there is plenty to choose from. A double in a hotel is around €80-120/night, breakfast included. A holiday flat, a ferienwohnung , starts at around €20 p.p. and night.

Stay safe

When walking near the cliffs, be careful near the edges as they tend to overhang the actual cliff face and are subject to collapse.

Although rare, there is a risk of coming across wild boar. Best advice is to keep your distance and treat them with respect.

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

• Berlin — Germany's capital city, reachable by regional train
• Nearby towns in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern — explore the surrounding region