Perched on Rügen’s craggy east coast, this resort town is the perfect base for exploring the island’s remarkable coastline, ancient beech forests and naval heritage.
Experience Rügen’s distinctive beauty and intriguing history from Sassnitz, a pretty harbor town overlooking the Baltic Sea. Explore Sassnitz’s charming old quarter, which is set on the cliffs that shelter its historic harbor. Take a daytrip to the town’s nearby natural treasures, including soaring sea cliffs and UNESCO World Heritage-listed forests.
Get acquainted with Sassnitz’s Old Town, where you’ll find cobblestone streets that lead past restored townhouses with ornate balconies typical to the region. Located on the cliffs above the harbor’s northeastern end, the Old Town is easily accessible on foot via a series of stairways. While in town, don’t miss the Alaris Butterfly Park, where you’ll see a colorful collection of free-flying butterflies.
Make your way down to the harbor, which was formerly Germany’s main ferry connection to Sweden. Check out the Erlebniswelt U-Boot, which is a naval museum located inside the HMS Otus submarine. Find out about the town’s long history with the navy and explore the 1960s-era submarine. While in the harbor area, stop by the Sassnitz Fisheries and Harbor Museum and have lunch at a seafood restaurant.
If you feel like getting active in the outdoors, head to Jasmund National Park on Rügen’s northeastern corner. This national park is the smallest in Germany. Take a stroll along the park’s trails and check out the towering Kreidefelsen (chalk cliffs) that edge the island’s Baltic coastline. The highlight of the park is the awe-inspiring Königsstuhl (King’s Chair), which is entwined with local Germanic mythology. You’ll also find primeval beech forests that date back to the 13th century.
You can also experience the region’s dramatic scenery from boat tours, which depart from Sassnitz’s harbor and charter the rugged coastline.
Sassnitz is located on Rügen’s Jasmund Peninsula and is easily accessible by bus, train and ferry. Reach the town by rail from Bergen auf Rügen, Binz and Stralsund. The nearby ferry port at Dubnitz connects Germany to Bornholm in Denmark and can be reached by shuttle bus.
Visit Sassnitz for dramatic views of the Baltic Sea, interesting naval history and the pristine beauty of the Jasmund Peninsula.
