Rügen Travel Guide

Directly on the Koenigsstuhl (Kings Chair), a major landmark of Ruegen, the visitors center offers a 2,000sqm exhibition which, combining natural elements with modern technology, reveals the secrets of the Jasmund National Park . During your trip through time a lot of exciting exhibits awaits you, to touch and try, giving an astonishing insight in the history of this area. Take a walk beside the Baltic Sea, track down mice and badgers underground or enchant yourselves to experience in the mirror wood…Fly around the Jasmund national park in 15 minutes from an eagle’s perspective via the multi-vision-cinema. There is also an adventure course outside.

Hours: Easter - October 31: open daily 9am - 7pm. November 1 - Easter open daily 10am - 5pm.

Admission: Adults 6 €, Children 6-14 years) 3 €, Family Card 12 €, Children under 6 years are free.

The Racing Roland, one of Rügen's main attractions, is a steam-powered narrow gauge railway that runs from Putbus by way of Binz and Baabe to Göhren . It serves several holiday destinations, mainly the bathing resorts in Rügen's Southeast.

Pricing: Depending on length of journey, prices range from 1.60 € - 8 € for Adults, and .80 € - 4 € for Children. Family cards range from 3.20 € - 16 €.

This Neo-Renaissance castle was built in 1893 for Graf Douglas, and is distinguished by its extraordinary exterior. But it is well worth taking a look inside the castle too, as the original decor has largely been preserved. The well-known Art Nouveau painter and architect, Henry van de Velde also contributed to the design.

Restored to its original splendour, the castle re-opened in the spring of 2002 as a fully operational hotel and restaurant. The abundant variety of flora makes the castle grounds one of the island’s horticultural sensations. Standing on the flight of steps, surveying the open-air stage of the famous Störtebeker Festspiele and the great Jasmund bodden landscape, you can’t help feeling like the grand old dukes of yore.

This sturdy fortress looks back on 750 years of history, which makes it the oldest extant secular building on the island of Rügen. Castle Spyker was the home of the legendary General Field Marshal Carl Gustav Graf von Wrangel und zu Salmis, in the service of the Swedish crown, later to become the General Governor of Pommerania. The worthy count lived, worked and died here between the years of 1648 -1676. He made his castle into the little gem it is today, rebuilding it in the lines of another of his castles at Gripsholm. It has certainly played its part in the history books. Even today, the castle's hallmark red facade is reflected in the blue waters of Lake Spyker in the middle of the dreamlike landscape of the Jasmund Bodden. In 1652, C. G. v. Wrangel had the early baroque stucco ceiling built into the bel-étage first floor. This is the only such ceiling on the Baltic coast, and the beauty of the sculptures combining Greek mythology with scenes from rural life never fails to astonish. Today the castle serves as a hotel and conference/concert venue.

Putbus was founded by Count and Lord, later Prince and Lord Wilhelm-Malte zu Putbus as his town of residence. Wilhelm-Malte also introduced sea bathing to Germany at Lauterbach which is about 2 km from Putbus. The former Schloss was destroyed by the East German régime after World War II but its orangery and stables survive in the very beautiful park. The town is also notable for the small theatre and the Crown Prince's residence (now a tourist office and museum). The town is connected to the rest of Rügen by the narrow gauge steam railway known as Rasender Roland and by good roads and cycle tracks.

The former royal residence with its 29 little districts stretches all along the Rügen Bodden. As ordered by Prince Wilhelm Malte in the days of yore, eight local elders and protectors of historical monuments are charged with the task of ensuring the classic look of the city centre is preserved.

The whitewashed houses with their rose bushes are a treat for the eye. The Prince had intended Putbus to become his official summer residence and a spa town of note.

A visit to the theatre in Putbus is an absolute must. Built in 1819 and extensively renovated in 2002, the theatre is once again open for business.

Putbus park is a further attraction, complete with mellow hills covered in fruit trees, rolling lawns and meandering paths, an orangerie, a church, the royal family’s mausoleum, the Rosencafe and much more.

The way from the market square up to the highest point in Bergen , the thickly wooded Rugard, is a beautiful walk. The Ernst Moritz Arndt-tower is 27 metres high and has a glass cupola. The tower was built in honour of one of the most famous sons of Rügen, the poet and historian Ernst Moritz Arndt. The tower was finished in 1877, with donations from the local population. A winding staircase twists up 80 stairs to the three panorama platforms and the glass cupola. The view from this height of 118m sweeps across vast stretches of the island, and right out to sea.

Between 700 and the middle of the 12 century, there was a Slavic fort on the Rugard. The foundations of this fortress have been preserved to this day. The Rugard is a very popular tourist attraction with a busy café at the foot of the tower.

Rügen's neighboring island of Hiddensee has preserved some of the charm that attracted so many artists, writers, actors, thinkers and scientists in the first half of the 20th century. Breathtaking landscape, a beach that stretches as far as the eye can see, and NO CARS! A ferry crosses to and fro between the island and Schaprode on Rügen, several times a day, all year round. The island can be explored by foot, bicycle, or horse and carriage hires. Restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions can be found by visiting Hiddensee's website.