"Germany's Biggest Island" Rügen by antistar

Rügen Travel Guide: 148 reviews and 361 photos

Ruegen is a flat, remote island that juts out into the Baltic sea, with as much in common, at least geographically, with nearby Sweden and Denmark, as Germany. The island is very picturesque, with a landscape dotted with dark forests, wild brush, pristine lakes, windswept sandy beaches, and dramatic white cliffs. Its size, position and remoteness reminded me of my holidays as a young boy to Anglesea on the north west tip of Wales. In many ways it is very much like that region of Wales, with the beauty of the countryside juxtaposed with the ugliness of the regional centers, like Bergen. It also had a collection of seaside resorts that could have been Rhyll or Llandundo with a German accent. The place, like North Wales, is popular almost exclusively with the local Germans.

Rasender Roland, Ruegen

I only went on a day trip, so didn't get to see the full extent of the island, only the resorts of Binz and Sellin. The island has much more to offer, including the smaller islands of Vilm, once popular with GDR presidents, and Hiddensee, an even more remote landscape where cars are forbidden. In addition there is the lighthouse on the tip of Ankona, and the historical steam railway of the Rasender Roland (Racing Roland) that runs from its base in Putbus all the way to the eastern tip of the island in the resort of Goehren. Being so remote the transport situation on the island isn't all that great, so if you want to see the most of it you'd be best off bringing a car or renting one locally. You can get to most places by bus or train, but you may find yourself making lots of changes and being forced to wait long times in cold stations.

Intro Updated Oct 23, 2011
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Reviews (6)

Rasender Roland Transportation (3)

Apart from being a tourist attraction in itself, the Rasender Roland also covers a large section of the eastern half of... more travel advice

Changing trains at Lietzow, Ruegen - Rügen

Ruegen Trains Transportation (3)

Binz and Bergen have direct train services to many major German cities, including Frankfurt, Duesseldorf and Berlin.... more travel advice

Rasender Roland Things to Do (3)

The authentic and historic narrow guage railway of the Rasender Roland (Racing Roland) is a must see for any steam... more travel advice

Ostseebad Sellin Things to Do (3)

A few kilometers along the coast from Binz is less accessible resort of Sellin. There are no trains to Sellin, except... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 4, 2005

8 photos

Rasender Roland

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Comments (6)

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craic Jul 19, 2007 at 8:57 PM

Those houses out on the pier - they seem to be houses - are quite stunning. But it does look very cold. (Mostar was an eye opener, in so many ways.)
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SWFC_Fan May 23, 2006 at 4:40 AM

Thanks for visiting my Siauliai page, Tim. This place looks nice.....I'm ashamed to admit that I'd never heard of it before reading your page!
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cnango Jan 20, 2006 at 12:06 AM

Wonderful page here antistar. I hope to some day get to this beautiful part of the world. Thanks for sharing : ) Nancy
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Mariajoy Nov 5, 2005 at 11:05 PM

I' m thinking of visiting here in the not too distant future - interesting page, very helpful - thanks :)
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Nemorino May 25, 2005 at 3:03 AM

Glad you had a look at Rügen. I toured the island by bicycle with my family about a dozen years ago, and it was great. (But that was before the days of digital photography.)
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bugulma Feb 13, 2005 at 2:01 AM

wonderful iseland it seems. Nice travelogue of Rasender Roland