Introduction
🤝 Hello travelers! Today, I’d like to share our adventure on Rügen, a German island in the Baltic Sea. We chose this destination because it’s relatively close to Poznań and we avoided the crowds often found in Poland during the May long weekend. Every day, we explored new corners of the island, averaging around 20,000 steps!
Trip Preparations
🗺️ Our journey to Rügen began with planning our route by car. We decided to drive to freely explore the island and surrounding areas. Having a car made it incredibly easy to reach every corner of the island. Our adventure started in Stralsund, a city rich in history and charming architecture.
Stralsund – A Place Full of History
🚗 Our first stop was Stralsund, where we couldn’t resist trying a local delicacy – fishbrötchen. This popular German dish consists of a bun filled with fried or pickled fish (usually herring, cod, or flounder), fresh vegetables like lettuce, onion, and cucumber, and a sauce, which can be mayonnaise or mustard-based. This tasty snack cost 5 euros. Strolling through the city, we admired the Old Market with its impressive Town Hall and the Oceanarium, showcasing the rich marine life of the Baltic Sea. A walk along the marina, with the wind in our hair, completed our day.
Neu Reddevitz – A Charming Oasis of Peace
🏡 Next, we headed to Neu Reddevitz, where we had booked our accommodation. It’s a small village with a single street leading directly to the sea. We stayed with our host, a German woman, who rents charming cottages on her beautifully maintained property. Although our host didn’t speak English and we spoke only a little German, we managed to communicate using gestures. We highly recommend this place, though it’s worth noting that there was no internet or phone signal, which is something to consider when planning your stay. However, this didn’t bother us at all – it was the perfect spot for a complete break from everyday life.
Klein Zicker – Mönchgut – Nature and Surprises
🐍 One of the first places we visited on Rügen was Klein Zicker – Mönchgut. This area enchanted us with its wild nature and tranquility. Walking along a concrete path by the forest, we had a close encounter with a snake – luckily, it just startled us! The area offers beautiful views of the bay and sandy beaches. Interestingly, we unexpectedly met some Polish people selling fishbrötchen. We tried a roll with matjes in herbs, which turned out to be the tastiest we had so far, costing only 2.5 euros. The Poles kindly explained the ingredients of each roll, so from then on, we knew exactly what to order.
Sellin – An Elegant Resort
🌊 We then visited Sellin, one of the most famous resorts on the island. The iconic pier with its Art Nouveau architecture is a true gem of this place. Walking along the beach and pier, we enjoyed the elegance and calm seaside atmosphere of this resort.
Jasmund National Park – Majestic Cliffs
🗻 The biggest challenge and the most spectacular place was Jasmund National Park. The chalk cliffs were breathtaking, and the hike through the park, full of hills and descents, was quite an adventure. It’s important to note that there is an environmental tax in Rügen’s national parks, which should be paid at hotels, tourist information centers (known as Kurkarte), or at vending machines similar to parking meters. A friendly and helpful Swiss gentleman helped us with this, offering assistance when he saw we were unsure how to proceed. The view of the Baltic Sea from these majestic cliffs is something we’ll remember for a long time.
Sassnitz – A Sweet End to the Day
🍰 After a long day in Jasmund, we relaxed in Sassnitz. We stopped at an Italian cafe by the marina, enjoying delicious cakes – I had tiramisu, and Błażej had a cake. It was the perfect way to end a day full of experiences. At a nearby market, I also bought a beautiful espresso cup as a souvenir.
Hiddensee – An Island of Peace and Beauty
🚲 The last day of our trip was spent on the island of Hiddensee, which we reached by ferry from Schaprode. The ferry ticket cost around 20 euros. Despite the initial fog and humidity, the weather cleared, and we were able to explore the island by bike. Hiddensee on the map resembles a seahorse, which is also featured on the island’s flag. The beaches on Hiddensee, like elsewhere on Rügen, are very clean and uncrowded. You can easily find a stretch of beach all to yourself. The island is also known for its sea buckthorn products, which are worth trying during your visit. We enjoyed more fishbrötchen and a delicious fish soup, which Błażej jokingly compared to krupnik.
Bergen auf Rügen – A Disappointment
🏢 During our trip, we also visited Bergen auf Rügen. Unfortunately, the city was a disappointment. Besides the Town Hall, which indeed has interesting architecture, we found nothing else particularly engaging. The city lacked attractions that capture our interest.
Language Barriers and Local Help
🗣️ It’s worth mentioning that communicating in English in Rügen can be challenging. When Błażej went to exchange money for parking fees, he also had to rely more on gestures than words with the shopkeeper. Nevertheless, the locals were friendly and eager to help, which added charm to our trip.
Conclusion – Was It Worth It?
🌍✨ Our May getaway to Rügen was full of amazing sights, flavors, and adventures. Rügen is definitely a place worth visiting to experience the magical atmosphere of the Baltic Sea, serene landscapes, and German hospitality. We returned with a wealth of memories that will stay with us for a long time.
PS. The next adventure? Well, get ready for something special from Spain… but more details will be revealed soon! See you next time, travelers, and stay warm! 🚗🇩🇪🌊
PS. All photos in this post were taken by me. As always, I tried to capture the nature of the places we visited in the best light.
#Rügen #MayHoliday #Travel #BalticSea #Germany #Journey #Adventure #Photography #Fishbrötchen #Landscapes #Hiddensee #HiddenNature #JasmundCliffs #Sellin #KleinZicker
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Daria Świerblewska 