Dornbusch Lighthouse

The Dornbusch Lighthouse is the landmark of Hiddensee, a car-free Baltic Sea island just west of Rügen in northeastern Germany. White with a red lantern, it crowns the hilly north of the island above the village of Kloster. Climb its 102 steps and the viewing gallery opens up a panorama of heath, lagoons and open sea, on clear days reaching as far as the Danish island of Møn. For most day-trippers, the walk up to the lighthouse is the highlight of a visit to Hiddensee.

A short history

The tower was built of brick in 1887 and 1888. Between 1927 and 1929 it was rebuilt and reinforced with a concrete shell for extra support. Although the tower itself is only 27.5 meters tall, it stands on a hill about 72 meters high, so its beam shines from almost 100 meters above sea level and can be seen about 45 kilometers away. Germany's last lighthouse keeper worked here until 1998, and visitors have been allowed up since 1994. The light is still active.

Things to see

• The gallery at about 20 meters, with 360-degree views over Rügen, the lagoons and the Baltic.
• A small exhibition on the technology and history of the lighthouse.
• The Inselblick viewpoint on the path up from Kloster.
• The Hochland, a landscape of heath, gorse and cliffs that is one of the loveliest hiking areas on the Baltic coast.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• April to October: daily 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
• Weather rules: open only up to wind force 6, in dry weather and with good visibility; closed in winter.
• Admission: adults €3.50, children 6 to 17 €2, families €9.
• Age limit: children under 6 are not allowed up for safety reasons.

How to get there

Hiddensee is reachable only by boat. Ferries run from Schaprode on Rügen and, in season, directly from Stralsund, which has regional and long-distance train connections. Stralsund is roughly three hours by train from Berlin or Hamburg, so overnighting in the area makes sense. Private cars are banned on the island, so drivers park in Schaprode. From the port of Kloster, it is about a 25-minute walk uphill to the lighthouse on a well-marked path.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely, if you are exploring the Baltic coast or Rügen. Combine the climb with a hike across the Hochland, a bike ride to the island's villages and a fish sandwich by the harbor. Allow two to three hours for the lighthouse walk, plus ferry time. Wear sturdy shoes, as the path and stairs are steep, and note that the tower is not accessible for wheelchairs.