Germany is a country filled with big cities as well as plenty of culture and historical significance. However, many travellers seek a quiet get away to escape big city life. Why not plan a trip to one of Germany’s Baltic Sea islands.
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Rügen
Rügen is located in the Baltic Sea and is the biggest German island.
Rügen covers an area of 926 km2 and is connected to the mainland by a causeway and a bridge. The island is popular among tourists because of its bays, pristine beaches, and holiday resorts which offer everything that a tourist needs to enjoy their holiday. The Jasmund National Park is another popular attraction on the island.
Area: 926 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 77 000
How to get there: The best way to get to Rügen is to travel from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 2h44min journey by car.
Tourist attractions: Karls, the Kreidefelsen, Naturerbe Zentrum Ruegen, the Granitz Hunting Lodge, and the Nationalpark Jasmund Königsstuhl.
Places to stay: the Pension Manthei, the Märchenhotel, and Apartments Boddenhof Stedar.
Things to do: There are plenty of national parks and historical monuments that can be visited on the island.
Annual visitors: 1,5 million visitors.
Make sure you know how to respond to an emergency when travelling abroad.
Further reading: travel emergency tips.
Usedom
Germany’s second largest island, Usedom, is also located in the Baltic Sea.
Sovereignty of the island is split between Poland and Germany with Germany controlling about 80% of the island. This has been the case since the end of World War II. Receiving the most sun of all the German islands, Usedom is often referred to as the Sun Island. Like Rügen, there are plenty of seaside resorts on Usedom which makes it a popular tourist destination.
Area: 445 km2 (373 km2 belongs to Germany)
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 76 500
How to get there: The best way to get to Usedom is to travel from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 3h14min journey by car.
Tourist attractions: the Hubbrücke Karnin, the Waldkabinett Forstamt Neu Pudagla, the Armee Der Tonkrieger, the Strandpromenade, and the Trassenheider Strand.
Places to stay: the Strandhotel Möwe, the Hotel am Kurpark, and Herman’s Hof.
Things to do: There are plenty of historical museums and beaches that can be visited on the island.
Annual visitors: 407.26 million visitors/year.
Because of its tourism friendly economy, Usedom is consistently rated as one of the most popular of Germany’s Baltic Sea islands.
Want to make the best of your trip abroad? Make sure you are using a top travel app.
Further reading: Top 110 Best travel apps.
Fehmarn
Germany’s third largest island, Fehmarn is also located in the Baltic Sea. The island has an area of 185.45 km2.
Fehmarn is a popular tourist destination as the island is connected to both Germany and Denmark. Nature lovers flock to the island because of the fact that thousands of migratory birds call the island home. Be sure to visit the Fehmarn lighthouse when staying on the island.
Area: 185.45 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 12 552
How to get there: The best way to get to Fehmarn from Hamburg is by train which is a 2h1min trip.
Tourist attractions: the Fehmarnsundbrücke, the Meereszentrum Fehmarn, the Leuchtturm Flugge, the Galileo Museum, and the NABU-Wasservogelreservat Wallnau.
Places to stay: the Strandhotel Bene, the Ferienpark Wulfenerhals, and Bauernhof Köhlbrandt.
Things to do: Things to do in Fehmarn include visiting a number of speciality museums, birdwatching, and the islands aquarium.
Annual visitors: 2.5 million visitors/year.
Planning a trip during winter?
Further reading: Top 10 Best places to visit in Winter.
Poel
Another nature enthusiasts dream vacation, Poel is the seventh biggest island in Germany.
This island is located on the Baltic Sea where it acts as the Bay of Wismar’s eastern and northern boundaries. Nature walks and experiencing farm life are some of the major attractions that Poel has to offer as farming is the major activity on the island.
Area: 36 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 2 456
How to get there: The best way to get to Poel from Hamburg is by car which is a 1h31min trip.
Tourist attractions: the Heimatmuseum Insel Poel, the Leuchtturm Timmendorfer, the Cap-Arcona-Gedenkstaette, the Spielplatz, and the Wassersportcenter Poel.
Places to stay: the Inselhotel Poel, the Hotel Zur Seemöwe, and Appartmentanlage Zur Düne.
Things to do: Things to do in Poel include enjoying nature activities.
Annual visitors: over 500 000 visitors/year.
Being one of the smaller islands, Poel is a welcome getaway form Big City life.
Planning a trip during fall?
Further reading: Top 10 Best places to visit in fall.
Hiddensee
Another popular island among nature lovers is Hiddensee. This car free island truly means that you can connect with nature. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, then Hiddensee is the perfect place for you.
You better work on your summer body at the gym because navigating the island can only done by foot or bicycle. However, this allows you to enjoy the islands idyllic surroundings. There are regular ferries which connect you to the island.
Area: 19.02 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 992
How to get there: The best way to get to Hiddensee from Hamburg is by train and ferry which is a 5h28min trip.
Tourist attractions: Insel Hiddensee, the Dornbusch Lighthouse, the Seebuhne Hiddensee, the Leuchtfeuer Gellen, and the Gerhart Hauptmann Haus.
Places to stay: the Gästehaus & Restaurant Seemannshus, the Hotel Heiderose auf Hiddensee, and Hotel Hiddensee Hitthim.
Things to do: Things to do in Hiddensee include visiting the beach and enjoying various nature hikes.
Annual visitors: over 500 000 visitors/year.
Are you planning a trip abroad for spiritual reasons?
Further reading: 6 Spiritual benefits of travelling to foreign countries.
Ummanz
Connected to Rügen by a bridge, Ummanz island is equally interesting for recreation seekers and active vacationers.
Extensive walks across wide fields, past farms and country inns, through dense forests and avenues are popular activities on the island. Other popular activities include windsurfing, kiteboarding and SUPing (an activity where people stand on a floating board and paddle themselves through the water) in Germany’s largest standing area in Suhrendorf. In autumn, Ummanz is a bird lover paradise as it is a resting place for cranes who are making their way south. This is a sight to behold, not only for ornithologists.
Area: 20 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 274
How to get there: The best way to get to Ummanz from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 2h44min journey by car.
Tourist attractions: the Ruegenpark Gingst, the Evangelische Pfarrkirche St. Jacobi Gingst, the St. Johannes Kirche, the Leuchtfeuer Gellen, and the Waldseilpark Ruegen.
Places to stay: the Haus Sturmschwalbe, the Fischerhus Ummanz FW2, and Apartment Am Strom-4.
Things to do: Things to do in Ummanz include various sporting activities.
Annual visitors: over 500 000 visitors/year.
Dänholm
At only 0,95 km2, Dänholm is one of the smaller German islands and has a population of 100 people. However, the island does have historical significance and is considered the birthplace of the Prussian Navy. Because of this, the island has an extremely worthwhile naval museum that tourists can visit.
Numerous boats and fishing gear are easily accessible on the island. Further, historical artifacts can be found in the museum along with important navigation signs. An underwater laboratory can be seen in the Nautineum, a branch of the marine museum in Stralsund. The harbor is also popular among tourists.
Area: 0,95 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: 100
How to get there: The best way to get to Dänholm is from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 2h26min journey by car.
Tourist attractions: the Naval Museum, the underwater laboratory in the Nautineum, and the Dänholm harbour.
Places to stay: the Nr9Marinehafen, the Admiral App1-Sternschanze, and the Hotel Dänholm.
Things to do: Visit the Prussian navy museum.
Annual visitors: over 500 000 visitors/year.
Because of its historical significance, Dänholm is a popular choice among Germany’s Baltic Sea islands.
Ruden
Ruden is a small island in the Baltic Sea, between Rügen and Usedom. Before the storm tide of All Saints Day in 1304, Ruden was probably part of a land bridge between Usedom and Rügen.
Today, the Ruden is a nature reserve and is popular among nature enthusiasts. On the island there is a private mating station where colonies of Buckfast bees are kept and used for breeding.
Area: about 2,2 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: uninhabited (nature reserve)
How to get there: The best way to get to Ruden is from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 4h39min journey by car.
Tourist attractions: Buckfast bee colony.
Places to stay: the island only allows day visitors.
Things to do: Visit the Buckfast bee colony.
Annual visitors: over 50 000 visitors/year
Vilm
The Baltic Sea island of Vilm lies in the bay south of the much larger island of Rügen, and is one of Germany’s most remote and tranquil spots.
The island is popular among landscape painters and boasts forests that are among some of the largest and oldest in Germany.
Area: about 0.92 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: about 250
How to get there: The best way to get to Vilm is from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 4h52min journey by train.
Tourist attractions: the Vilm Forest.
Places to stay: Hotel Residenz Lauterbach, Vogelhaus Gobbin, and the Parkhotel Putbus Superior.
Things to do: Visit the Vilm Forest.
Annual visitors: over 10 000 visitors/year.
Öhe
Öhe is an island in the Baltic Sea off the ferry port of Schaprode on Rügen.
The island of Öhe lies opposite Schaprode on Rügen between the lagoon of Schaproder Bodden and one of its bays, the Udarser Wiek. Most visitors travel to Öhe to visit the Rugen.
Area: about 0.72 km2
Location: The Baltic Sea
Population: about 50
How to get there: The best way to get to Öhe is to travel from Hamburg. From Hamburg, it is a 2h44min journey by car.
Tourist attractions near Öhe: Karls, the Kreidefelsen, Naturerbe Zentrum Ruegen, the Granitz Hunting Lodge, and the Nationalpark Jasmund Königsstuhl.
Places to stay near Öhe: the Pension Manthei, the Märchenhotel, and Apartments Boddenhof Stedar.
Things to do: There are plenty of national parks and historical monuments that can be visited on Rügen.
Visiting Germany’s Baltic Sea islands is a rustic retreat away from the confines of the big city. The islands boast some impressive scenery and an opportunity to truly relax.
Germany’s top 10 Baltic Sea islands FAQ
- Will I have to speak German when visiting one of Germany’s top 10 biggest islands?
While English is widely spoken in Germany, it is limited to the main cities such as Berlin, and Munich. A basic knowledge of German as well as a translation app is recommended.
- What currency do they use on Germany’s top 10 biggest islands?
The official currency of Germany is the Euro (€). It is recommended that tourists do carry some cash with them.
- Will connectivity be a problem on Germany’s top 10 biggest islands?
The infrastructure on Germany’s top 10 biggest islands is well developed. However, some of the smaller islands may have connectivity problems.
- How do I get to one of Germany’s Baltic Sea islands?
Many of Germany’s Baltic Sea islands are connected to the mainland. Ferries to the islands are also easy to come by.
- Can I explore other countries in the region while visiting Germany’s Baltic Sea islands?
Many other countries are accessible from Germany’s Baltic Sea islands provided that you have a valid passport.
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