Hiddensee Island

Hiddensee is a car-free island in the Baltic Sea off the west coast of Rügen and one of the most charming day-trip destinations in northern Germany. About 17 kilometers long, it offers wide sandy beaches, heathland, a hilltop lighthouse and four small villages where horse carts and bicycles replace cars. The island lies within the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, and it works equally well as a day trip or as a quiet longer stay far from the crowds.

Where it is and how to get there

Hiddensee lies off the west coast of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. You can reach it only by boat. The year-round route runs from Schaprode on Rügen, and seasonal boats leave from Stralsund, Breege and Zingst. By train, travel with Deutsche Bahn to Stralsund or Bergen auf Rügen, then take a bus to Schaprode if you do not board in Stralsund. Drivers park in Schaprode, since private cars are banned on the island: EUR 6 per day at the large car park on the edge of town or EUR 7.50 per day at the harbor, with a shuttle from the large lot except on Sundays. The Deutschlandticket is valid on the Schaprode to Hiddensee ferry.

Why it is special

The island is 16.8 km long, 3.7 km at its widest and only about 250 m at its narrowest, with around 900 residents. Its main villages are Vitte (the main town), Kloster and Neuendorf. The island sees about 250,000 day visitors and 50,000 overnight guests a year. The ban on private cars dates back to a 1927 ordinance, and horse carts handle passenger transport.

What to see

• Dornbusch Lighthouse, the island's landmark, 27.5 meters high, about a 25 minute walk from Kloster harbor
• Kloster, with the Gerhart Hauptmann house and the local history museum; the writer is buried in the cemetery here
• Vitte, the cozy main harbor with cafes and the Eggert Gustavs museum
• Neuendorf, a quiet fishing village with a small harbor and a fishing museum
• The heath and the west-coast beaches
• Gellen, the flat southern tip, is a strictly protected zone you may not enter

Tickets, costs and opening hours (as of October 2026)

A day return from Schaprode costs EUR 24.60 for adults (valid from March 27, 2026), a single trip EUR 17.10, children aged 4 to 14 EUR 13.30 and a bicycle EUR 13.70. The autumn timetable runs from September 14 to October 22, 2026, and the off-season timetable from November 2, 2026 to April 29, 2027. The island charges a visitor tax of EUR 2.50 per person per day (free for under-18s); if you travel with the shipping company, the tax for your arrival day is added automatically. The Dornbusch Lighthouse is open April to October in good weather, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tickets at EUR 3.50 for adults (EUR 2 for ages 6 to 17).

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy nature, cycling and slow travel. Plan at least five to six hours for a day trip, and check the ferry timetable before you go. Autumn is crane season, and the shipping company runs dedicated crane-watching trips.

Practical tips

Bring comfortable shoes for the walk to the lighthouse, and rent a bike on the island if you do not bring one. Dogs are allowed, with fees for the ferry and the visitor tax (EUR 0.50 per day). Information on accessibility is not confirmed. Currency is the euro.