"Germany's Biggest Island" a Rügen Travel Page by antistar

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. It's 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.

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.