3 Baltic Sea Islands: Which One Should You Visit?

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After a few varied days in and around Schwerin, the second part of my Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania trip took me to the Baltic Sea coast. In early October, the weather here in northeastern Germany showed its slightly moody side, but it was exactly this mix of wind, waves, and shifting atmospheres that made the shoulder season so appealing. And besides: the Baltic coast has far more to offer than endless beaches for hot summer days.

My route first took me across the long, narrow peninsula of Fischland–Darß–Zingst, then on to Rügen, and finally all the way to the German-Polish border on the island of Usedom. Each of these three destinations has enough highlights for at least a week. But this time, my main focus was on one thing: getting to know the different personalities of these three islands and finding out which one best fits which travel style.

One thing is guaranteed for all three destinations in the shoulder season: the wide sandy beaches and quiet coastal towns invite you to slow down. If you like long walks, want to clear your head in the wind, and are looking for relaxed hours in nature, you might find exactly the right tips for your vacation planning in this post.

For Nature Lovers: The Island of Rügen

Even in moody fall weather, the islands of Rügen and Usedom lived up to their reputation as Germany’s sunniest regions. During my stop in the seaside resort of Binz on Rügen, I actually got to enjoy walking along the waterfront promenade to the iconic Müther Tower in glorious sunshine. On a clear day, you get a wonderful view across the Bay of Binz toward Rügen’s best-known landmark: the impressive chalk cliffs in Jasmund National Park.

Nature lovers will also find an exceptional natural paradise right around Binz: the UNESCO Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve. In a very small area, you can discover all the different landscape and coastal forms of the Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania shoreline on well-marked hiking and cycling paths.

One especially memorable experience for me was the guided moonlight hike through the beech forest to Granitz Hunting Lodge, including a tour of the castle and a climb up the tower. The fog rolling in created a mystical atmosphere that felt perfectly suited to this history-soaked place.

Also worth a detour are the «Feuersteinfelder» (Flint Fields) near Prora, just a few kilometers north of Binz. It’s believed that the stones deposited here originate from Jasmund’s chalk cliffs and were transported to this spot around 3,500 years ago by a series of storm surges or strong currents.

Where to stay in Binz: I stayed at Hotel am Meer & Spa, located right on the beachfront promenade. You can find more tips and information about the Bay of Binz on the very well-designed destination website.

One thing’s for sure: this short detour to the island of Rügen definitely sparked my appetite for more nature experiences—and a return visit is guaranteed!

For Beach and Wellness Fans: The Island of Usedom

The second island on my itinerary brought me back to a place I’d already visited and grown to love on earlier trips. A few years ago, we spent a few wonderfully relaxing vacation days on Usedom—and this time, everything was once again about rest and recovery. The imperial seaside resorts of Heringsdorf, Bansin, and Ahlbeck offer the perfect setting and infrastructure for that.

I checked into the elegant Steigenberger Grandhotel & Spa Heringsdorf, located right on the 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) beachfront promenade that stretches all the way to the Polish border—and even beyond. The best move is to grab one of the bikes the hotel provides for guests and ride the entire promenade early in the morning. Afterward, back at the Steigenberger, not only is there an excellent breakfast buffet waiting, but also an extensive wellness offering at the 2,000 m² (about 21,500 sq ft) Baltic Sea Grand Spa, with a heated outdoor pool, a spacious sauna area, and a wide range of treatments.

If you want to learn more about the history of the imperial seaside resorts and their magnificent buildings in a wide range of architectural styles, the free Kaiserbäder Experience Trail app is a great resource. The app leads you to 31 stations in Bansin, Heringsdorf, and Ahlbeck, making it an ideal companion for a stroll or bike ride along the waterfront promenade.

It’s also worth visiting the treetop walk, located only about a 15-minute walk from the Steigenberger. It winds for more than a kilometer through the canopy high above Heringsdorf.

Restaurant tips: Two of my favorite spots in Heringsdorf are located in the former beach casino. Marc O’Polo O’ne offers a laid-back atmosphere right inside the concept store, along with high-quality regional cuisine. Right next door—slightly more tucked away—is its fine-dining counterpart, The O’Room. Also recommended: the Bistro & Bar Waterfront (part of the Steigenberger) and the (seasonally open) Alex Strandbar.

And you’ll find even more info and tips for the island of Usedom here: usedom.de

For Culture Buffs: The Fischland–Darß–Zingst Peninsula

During my two days on the Fischland–Darß–Zingst peninsula, I didn’t get any sunshine—but that made it the perfect opportunity for cozy hours in cafés and fascinating museum visits. The 45-kilometer (28-mile) strip of land between Rostock and Stralsund is made up of the once-separate islands of Fischland, Darß, and Zingst, and it separates the Darß–Zingst bodden lagoon chain from the Baltic Sea. Natural sediment deposits and later causeway construction eventually caused the three islands to grow together into a single peninsula.

While on Rügen and Usedom, magnificent 19th- and 20th-century buildings shape the look of the seaside resorts, here—between the lagoons and the Baltic—you’ll find charming artists’ villages with traditional thatched-roof houses and brightly painted front doors.

A fascinating glimpse into regional history is offered by the «lobby» of the apartment complex «Zwei Wasser – Alte Seefahrtschule» in Wustrow. In recent years, the listed building has been transformed into a modern vacation apartment complex by the regional company K&K Ferienwohnungen. The generously equipped apartments are ideal for family vacations or trips with a dog—especially popular around New Year’s, since it’s very quiet here. The property also includes a fitness and wellness area available exclusively to guests.

From the Alte Seefahrtschule, both the Baltic Sea coast and the lagoon coast are easy to reach on foot. If you want a first overview, climb the church tower, which stands at the narrowest point of the peninsula. Depending on the season, it’s also worth detouring to the nearby Kunstscheune Barnstorf, where works by North German artists are on display.

About four kilometers north of Wustrow, you’ll reach the Baltic seaside resort of Ahrenshoop. Here you’ll find not only the border between Fischland and Darß, but also the historic boundary between Mecklenburg and Pomerania. This line is visible along the so-called Grenzweg (Border Path).

Ahrenshoop looks back on a vibrant past as an artists’ colony, and to this day, art and culture shape the village’s identity. You’ll see this at the art museum, the Kunstkaten, in numerous galleries, along the art trail, and even at the beach access points designed by Moritz Götze. Events like the literary festival and film nights also underscore the town’s cultural importance far beyond the region.

Where to stop for a bite: If you follow the art trail through Ahrenshoop, you should plan a stop at Café Ahrenshooper Mühle. A particularly charming little spot.

Find more information about the region here: fischland-darss-zingst.de