The beaches on Rügen are endless and characterized by many roofed wicker beach chairs named “Strandkorb”. Those chairs are common seating furniture typical for German beaches. They protect you against the sun, wind, and rain. You can rent them at the beach entrances, e.g. on Jasmund, Granitz and Mönchgut Peninsula.
Rügen’s seaside resorts feature very scenic beaches with beautiful piers and promenades and are backed by picturesque resort architecture. They also have a great infrastructure but get crowded during high season. In contrary, you have deserted areas that lack all amenities but come with white long and empty sand stretches.
Since nude bathing is quite common in Germany, in particular in former East Germany, you have several beaches on Rügen that are marked as nude beaches, but it also happens that nudist are in the midst of all beaches.
In the following I will list the hidden gems amongst the 37 miles (60 km) of beaches, and the touristy Rügen beaches at the seaside resorts.
Ruegen Beaches - Wittow Peninsula
Nordstrand Nordstrand is barely known with tourists since the way to the beach is quite hidden and uneven. Moreover you have to walk down a steep stairwell to access the beach from the cliffs. However, this pays off with a deserted area, natural white sand and beautiful views over the shore.
When enjoying a beach day along any beach on Wittow Peninsula look out for amber that might be washed ashore.
Hiddensee Another remote beach is located on the car-free island of Hiddensee. Actually the beach is a combination of three beaches that merge into each other. While the beaches in Vitte and Neuendorf are very fine and smooth and backed by sand dunes, the beach of Kloster is rockier.
Ruegen Beaches - Jasmund Peninsula
Schaabe Along a 6-mile long (10 km) land bridge runs the natural beach called Schaabe. This beach is quite empty compared to the beaches on Granitz and Mönchgut Peninsula but the sand might not be as fine as elsewhere. Coming here you might run into nudists, in particular around the village of Juliusruh. Dogs allowed.
Ruegen Beaches - Granitz/Moenchgut Peninsula
Baabe Baabe is known for great water quality and since the water is calm and shallow this beach on Rügen is fun for kids as well. The beach is about 1.2 miles (2 km) long and characterized by dunes. Besides, a nice shopping street backs the beach with boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafés that are located in lovely white houses.
If you like to stretch your legs you can walk the beach promenade up to Göhren, another seaside resort on the peninsula with a 1.2 miles (2 km) long white sandy beach and a 1.9 miles (3 km) long natural beach. This beach is close to the Rügen island train’s final station in case you are too tired to hike back to Baabe.
Both beaches might be packed during high season, are known for nudists and allow dogs.
Sellin This beach is scenic due to its pier with the beautiful bridge house. To reach the fine sand beach, park your car in the village and use the elevator or stairwell at Wilhelmstraße. Due to the village popularity the 0.6-mile long (1 km) beach will be crowded. Dogs are allowed.
Over the beach path on the cliff you can walk to the seaside resort of Binz.
Binz Binz is the most prestigious seaside resort on Rügen and comes with a long beach promenade, pier, and shopping area. Buildings in resort architecture, hotels and the famous bathhouse back the shore. The beach to the pier’s left is finer while the one to the right is more natural with some stones. During high season guests are entertained with different beach sports and an artist fair along the promenade. This beach is overcrowded during high season and popular with nudists. Dogs are allowed.
Prora Prora belongs to the most beautiful beaches on Rügen and is backed by a pine forest. The 3.7-mile long (6 km) beach is located at the large bay of Prora Wiek and popular with nudists. A pain in the eye is the former Nazi beach resort that is located behind the pine forest.