The 8 Most Beautiful Baltic Sea Islands: Which One Is Right for You?

Where Are the Baltic Sea Islands in Germany?

Let’s start with a quick geographic overview. The Baltic Sea islands are located along the northeastern coast of Germany, in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Some are also very close to Poland and Denmark.

To help you get your bearings, we’ve put together a map with all the islands from this article marked on it.

Which Baltic Sea Island Is Right for Your Vacation Style?

The Baltic Sea islands are seriously among the most popular travel destinations in Germany and are perfect for a short getaway. Whether you’re after pure relaxation or plenty of water sports, traveling with kids or as a couple — there’s a great fit for you here.

Before we introduce you to eight Baltic Sea islands in detail, here’s a quick overview of which island best suits your vacation style.

For nature lovers: You’ll find beautiful landscapes on all the Baltic Sea islands. But on Vilm and Poel, tourism isn’t as developed, and you’ll find truly untouched nature here.

For a family vacation: The entire Baltic Sea coast is a dream for a trip with kids. For family holidays specifically, we especially love Usedom and Fehmarn.

For water sports enthusiasts: It depends a bit on which sport you’re into, but Fehmarn and Ummanz are both excellent choices either way.

For culture lovers & city types: Can’t go without a bit of buzz and cultural activities? Then head to Rügen or Fischland-Darß-Zingst.

For beach vacationers: Beautiful beaches can be found on all the islands in the Baltic Sea, but Usedom has a total of 40 kilometers of beach. You’ll always be able to find a great spot!

For relaxation & peace and quiet: Some Baltic Sea islands are more touristy than others. If you prefer things quieter, we’d point you toward Ummanz, Hiddensee, or Vilm.

Rügen: The All-Rounder

Let’s kick things off with what is probably the most well-known of Germany’s Baltic Sea islands — and also the largest by area: Rügen. More than 6 million visitors come here every year.

No wonder — the Jasmund National Park on Rügen is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and a genuine paradise for outdoor lovers.

Where is Rügen? And how do you get there?

Rügen is located quite far to the east; the nearest larger city on the mainland is Stralsund, from where you can reach Rügen by car via the Rügen Bridge. There’s also a ferry from Strahlbrode as well as numerous train and bus connections.

Who is Rügen perfect for?

Rügen is incredibly diverse, which is why it’s our top pick if you want a little bit of everything. You’ve probably already heard of Rügen’s famous chalk cliffs. The surrounding area is laced with hiking trails that make the island a paradise for nature lovers.

But there are also lovely sandy beaches, ideal for families and anyone who just wants to soak up the sun. And the conditions for water sports are seriously good here too.

Since Rügen is fairly large, there are more towns here than on the smaller islands. So if you enjoy a leisurely stroll through town and some cultural activities, there’s plenty on offer for you as well.

Whether you’re coming with the whole family, as a couple, as an athlete, or as a dedicated beach lover — Rügen really does have it all.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Rügen

Usedom: The Family Island

Usedom is often called the Sunshine Island, as it’s one of the sunniest regions in Germany. That already sounds pretty great, right?

The island also has another nickname: Berlin’s bathtub. No wonder — from Berlin, it takes less than three hours by car. So if you’re heading to Usedom, expect to share it with a fair number of fellow travelers.

Where is Usedom? And how do you get there?

Usedom sits a bit further east than Rügen, essentially right on the Polish border. The nearest somewhat larger city on the mainland is Greifswald.

You can reach Usedom by car via two drawbridges — it’s worth checking online in advance for bridge opening times, since cars obviously can’t pass while the bridges are open for boat traffic. You can also get there by train or bus.

Who is Usedom perfect for?

Usedom is a fantastic choice for a family vacation. It offers a total of 40 kilometers of stone-free beach with shallow water — perfect for even the littlest ones to splash around in.

You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly activities on Usedom. There are several mini-golf courses, a pirate play paradise in Trassenheide, and a spa complex with a huge water park. Also worth a visit is Karls Erlebnis-Dorf in Warnsdorf, which features a large farm market and a big play world for kids.

Many of the hotels on Usedom are specifically geared toward families, and if you prefer something more rustic, there are great campgrounds here too.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Usedom

Our tip: If you’re in the mood for a few days of luxury right by the sea, we recommend the Seetelhotel Ahlbecker Hof. Check out our full hotel portrait for all the details.

Hiddensee: The Romantic One

Hiddensee is a small island west of Rügen — 17 kilometers long and only a few hundred meters wide. At first glance, you might almost think it was still part of Rügen.

But Hiddensee has one very special feature that sets it apart: no cars are allowed here!

Where is Hiddensee? And how do you get there?

The more interesting question is how you get there. You can only reach Hiddensee by ferry or water taxi. There are several operators — check here for schedules and options.

Who is Hiddensee perfect for?

Hiddensee is a great pick for couples. Because the island isn’t the easiest to reach and is fairly small, you’ll usually enjoy real seclusion and tranquility here — the typical tourist crowds are much less of an issue.

In the fall, you can witness a truly romantic spectacle: several thousand cranes stop to rest on the island. You can even book a guided tour to visit the resting spots and learn all about the birds.

Hiddensee also has beautiful wildly romantic heathland landscapes. Since there are no cars, you can enjoy a leisurely carriage ride or a bike tour through the greenery — seriously peaceful.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Hiddensee

Fehmarn: The Sporty One

Fehmarn rivals Usedom for the title of sunniest Baltic Sea island, so you can definitely count on plenty of sunshine here.

Fehmarn is actually the third-largest island in Germany, yet fewer than 13,000 people live here — half of them in the town of Burg. Alongside many beautiful lighthouses and windmills, you’ll also find the Meereszentrum Fehmarn aquarium here.

Where is Fehmarn? And how do you get there?

Fehmarn is the westernmost of all the islands in the Baltic Sea on our list. The nearest larger cities on the mainland are Kiel and Lübeck.

You can travel to Fehmarn easily by car or train via the Fehmarnsund Bridge — nicknamed “the world’s largest coat hanger” thanks to its distinctive shape.

Who is Fehmarn perfect for?

Fehmarn is a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts — and we mean pretty much every water sport you can think of: windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, foiling, diving — there’s something here for every taste.

The island has a total of 17 surf spots, many of which are quite shallow and therefore perfect for beginners. Wind conditions are solid year-round, and with 20 water sports schools on the island, it’s easy to try something new.

That said, Fehmarn also has four nature reserves. So if you’re not a water sports person, you can go hiking, experience stunning scenery, and spot all kinds of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Fehmarn

Fischland-Darß-Zingst: The Artistic One

Fischland-Darß-Zingst is something special — it’s actually not one island but three. The three sections together form a large peninsula connected by land bridges.

Where is Fischland-Darß-Zingst? And how do you get there?

The peninsula stretches east to west, lying roughly between Rostock and Stralsund.

You can reach Fischland-Darß-Zingst easily by car via one of the land bridges. You can also travel by train, though only as far as Barth — after that, you continue by bus. There’s no large ferry connection to the peninsula.

Who is Fischland-Darß-Zingst perfect for?

Fischland-Darß-Zingst is best known for its thriving arts and culture scene. Many artists retreated here early on, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another spot on the Baltic Sea with so many galleries and exhibitions.

The standout attraction on Fischland is the Kunstmuseum Ahrenshoop, home to around 800 works — most of which were actually created on the island itself.

The peninsula also calls itself the Mecca of Photography. The stunning landscape draws amateur and professional photographers every year, and the annual photo festival horizonte zingst is a great source of inspiration and practical tips for your own photography.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Fischland-Darß-Zingst

Poel: The Natural One

Poel is only 36 square kilometers in size, making it one of the smaller Baltic Sea islands. It’s also still relatively unknown compared to the big names like Rügen, which means you can dodge the usual tourist crowds here.

Where is Poel? And how do you get there?

Poel sits in Wismar Bay — in fact, Wismar, one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany, is only a 20-minute drive away. Lübeck and Rostock are also easy to reach, and even a day trip to Hamburg is doable from Poel.

If you’re arriving by train, your best bet is to switch to the boat in Wismar, which is cheaper than a taxi. Poel is also connected to the mainland by a causeway, so driving is perfectly easy too.

Who is Poel perfect for?

Poel is a genuine local favorite for nature lovers. There are several nature reserves here, including the one in Rustwerder, and the island offers a picture-perfect mix of forests, sandy beaches, and rugged cliffs.

Beyond the scenery, Poel has a fascinating wildlife scene. On the tiny island of Langenwerder, just off the coast, protected bird species make their home. You can’t visit independently, but outside of breeding season you can join a guided tour.

If you feel like a bit of culture, just head to the village of Timmendorf. A relaxed stroll through the lanes and along the harbor is absolutely worth your time.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Poel

Ummanz: The Peaceful One

Ummanz is often called Rügen’s little sister. But honestly, we think Ummanz holds its own. Especially if you want to skip the typical vacation hotspots, this could be exactly the right place for you.

Where is Ummanz? And how do you get there?

Not surprisingly, Ummanz sits right next to Rügen. The two islands have been connected by a 250-meter-long bridge for a long time, so you can easily reach Ummanz by traveling via Rügen.

Who is Ummanz perfect for?

We’d recommend Ummanz if you’re after real peace and relaxation. The island is only 20 kilometers long and, with around 240 residents, one of the least densely populated areas in Germany. You can truly switch off here.

You’ll find hardly any hotels on Ummanz — certainly no large hotel chains — but there are plenty of campgrounds, vacation rentals, and manor farms. At the same time, you’re right in the middle of nature, as Ummanz is largely part of the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park.

One more thing: Ummanz is also a great lesser-known spot for water sports fans. Conditions are ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but unlike at the busier Baltic Sea destinations, you won’t have to fight for your spot on the water.

Our Accommodation Tips for Ummanz

As we mentioned, hotels on Ummanz are few and far between. That’s why we recommend renting a vacation apartment or vacation home — you’ll have more freedom and can really settle in and feel at home.

View accommodations on Booking

Vilm: The Exclusive One

Vilm holds a somewhat special status on our list — you can only visit as a day trip, with no overnight stays allowed. Here’s why.

Where is Vilm? And how do you get there?

Like Ummanz, Vilm is geographically almost part of Rügen. To get there, head to the port of Lauterbach, from where you can reach the island by boat in about ten to 15 minutes.

Who is Vilm perfect for?

Vilm has a strict visitor limit — only 60 people are allowed on the island each day, and only as part of an official guided tour.

For a long time, the island suffered from the trash left behind by tourists, until Vilm was completely closed to the public in 1959. During the East German era, the island also served as a private retreat for politicians including Erich Honecker.

Today, Vilm is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. Some of the ancient, enormous trees almost call to mind the giant redwoods in the US. What you won’t find are any hotels — overnight stays on Vilm are not permitted.