Rügen is not only Germany's largest island, but also one of the most beautiful of the country. Within an area of 926 square kilometers a unique scenery as well as picturesque seaside resorts expect visitors. In particular, the fascination of the imposing chalk cliffs attracts more and more tourists. But apart from the famous chalk cliffs, Rügen also has fabulous beaches and a very diverse flora.
The most famous baths on the Baltic Sea island are Binz, Sellin and Sassnitz. The former fishing village Binz is the largest seaside resort on Rügen and is located on one of the most picturesque bays on the island. The 3.2 kilometers long beach promenade, which focuses the spa, the Concert Square as well as the pier which was built in 1994, is lined with houses in the style of romantic resort architecture. Just as in Binz, numerous buildings in the style of resort architecture can also be admired in Sellin, including the nearly 400 meter long pier which was newly built along the lines of the historic pier in 1998. With its impressive bridge house it soon became the symbol of the seaside resort. Right next to the chalk coast is the former fishing village Sassnitz, whose port is still a central and main attraction of the resort. In 2007 a 274 meter long swing bridge was built, in order to connect the city center to the port. No Baltic seaside resort, but a former princely residence with a classical city center is Putbus, due to its multitude of gleaming white buildings called "the white city of the island”. In the very north of the island, the oldest lighthouse on the Baltic Sea coast can be found on Cape Arkona. It was built by the famous Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1826 and now serves as a museum with a viewing platform. Schinkel, the builder of the lighthouse, was mainly in Berlin. Among others, he built the Old Museum on Museum´s Island as well as the Concert Hall at Gendarmenmarkt.
Belonging to the county of Rügen is the island Hiddensee, whose popularity is not least based on the fact that it is completely car-free. For this reason but also because of the unspoiled nature, especially those vacationers come to Hiddensee that are seeking for absolute peace and relaxation.
Rügen and Hiddensee are among the sunniest regions of Germany, whereas Hiddensee compared to Rügen is even sunnier. On both islands the climate is influenced by maritime and continental components. However, since the maritime component outweighs, the summers are never unbearably hot and the winters not bitter cold.
The sunniest month of the year is June.