# Stralsund and Rügen A two- or three-night getaway from Berlin: the Hanseatic old town of Stralsund, the Ozeaneum and, on Rügen, the Königsstuhl chalk cliffs. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/mecklenburg-western-pomerania/stralsund-and-rugen · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Stralsund and Rügen are the seaside getaway from Berlin: three hours by train to the north and you are on the Baltic. Stralsund was one of the great cities of the Hanseatic League and its old town, on an island between lagoons, is a World Heritage Site: churches and merchants' houses of Gothic brick, a harbour and the Ozeaneum, the great sea museum. Across the strait, linked by a bridge, Rügen is Germany's largest island, with seaside resorts of white villas and, in the north-east, the chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park. It is not a day trip: the journey is long. With two nights you can do one day in Stralsund and another on Rügen; with three, you add the resorts and the steam train. ## What to see in Stralsund The old town. The Alter Markt, with the openwork facade of the town hall and St Nicholas behind it, St Mary's at the other end and the streets of merchants' houses that run down to the harbour. The Ozeaneum. Aquariums of the Baltic and the North Atlantic, life-size whales and penguins on the roof terrace. Three hours and €20. The Gorch Fock I. The original sail training ship from 1933, moored opposite; from April to October, Tuesday to Saturday, deck only. ## What to see on Rügen The Königsstuhl and the Skywalk. The most famous chalk cliff, seen from a walkway over the edge, with the national park exhibition. Arrive by the trail from Sassnitz, 8 km through the beech forest, or by bus. The boat to the cliffs. From Sassnitz or from the piers at Binz and Sellin, to see the white wall from the sea. The Rasender Roland. The narrow-gauge steam train that has linked Putbus with the resorts of Binz, Sellin and Göhren since 1895. ## How do you get there from Berlin? By train, there are direct trains from Berlin to Stralsund in about three hours. From Stralsund Hauptbahnhof, regional trains go to Binz and Sassnitz; from Sassnitz, bus 23 goes up to the Königsstuhl. By car, about 260 km along the A11 and the A20, around three hours from central Berlin. On Rügen a car helps, but you cannot drive to the Königsstuhl: you park at Hagen and take a shuttle up. ## Where to eat and sleep Sleep in Stralsund, in the old town or at the harbour: the Scheelehof occupies Hanseatic houses with brick vaults and a spa, and accepts dogs; the Hafenresidenz, next to the Ozeaneum, has a 24-hour reception. For dinner, Zum Scheele, with Pomeranian cooking Tuesday to Saturday; and every day, the Störtebeker brewery's Braugasthaus, on the outskirts. ## When to go From May to September: boats to the cliffs, the Gorch Fock open and very long days. In July and August Rügen fills with German holidaymakers; June and September are better. In winter the Ozeaneum and the Königsstuhl open every day and the coast is empty, cold and windy. ## Qué hacer - **Ozeaneum, the Baltic and North Sea museum** (3 h · All ages; under-4s free · Desde 20 € per person; children aged 4 to 16 €12): What it is The Ozeaneum is northern Germany's great sea museum, a white building with curved lines in Stralsund harbour. It takes you through the seas of northern Europe in large aquariums: the Baltic, with its shoals of herring, and the North Atlantic, in a huge tank. Upstairs, a hall with life-size whales hanging from the ceiling and, on the roof, penguins. Opening times and tickets Open every day from 9:30 to 17:00, and in July and August until 19:00; the ticket office closes an hour earlier. Closed on 24 December. Entry costs €20 (€16 concession, €12 for ages 4 to 16); under-4s go free and, with an adult from the family, each child gets a discount. Buy online with a time slot. Getting there It is in the harbour, on Harald-Lastovka-Platz (formerly Hafenstraße 11), a ten-minute walk from the Alter Markt and about 20 from the station. The visitors' entrance faces the harbour side. - **Stralsund old town, Hanseatic brick Gothic** (2 h · All ages; flat · Free): What it is Stralsund was one of the rich cities of the Hanseatic League and its old town, on an island between lagoons and the Strelasund strait, is a World Heritage Site together with Wismar's. It is Baltic brick Gothic in its purest form: the town hall on the Alter Markt, with its openwork gabled façade that lets the sky show through, St Nicholas's Church next door and, at the other end, the enormous St Mary's. In between, merchants' houses with stepped gables run down to the harbour. How it works On your own: start at the Alter Markt, where the tourist office is, continue to the Neuer Markt and St Mary's and go down to the harbour, the Ozeaneum and the Gorch Fock. Flat and short: two hours without going into anywhere. - **The Königsstuhl and its walkway over the chalk cliffs** (2 h 30 · All ages; accessible · Desde 14 € per person; children aged 6 to 14 €8; family €30): What it is In north-east Rügen, Jasmund National Park drops into the Baltic in white chalk cliffs beneath a beech forest, a World Heritage Site. The Königsstuhl, the "King's Chair", is the most famous: 118 metres above the sea. The national park centre has a three-floor exhibition, a cinema and the Skywalk, a walkway that juts out over the edge and from which you see the cliff face on. Opening times and tickets Open all year, every day; currently from 10:00 to 17:00. It closes only on 24 December. Entry costs €14 (€8 for ages 6 to 14, €30 family). Allow two to three hours. Getting there You cannot arrive by car: you park in the large car park at Hagen and take shuttle bus 19 up, or take bus 23 from Sassnitz station and harbour. There are combined tickets with parking and shuttle, from €17.50. On foot, it is 3 km from Hagen and 8 km from Sassnitz along the cliff path. - **Gorch Fock I training ship** (45 min · All ages · Desde 4 € per person; families €10): What it is The Gorch Fock I is the three-masted sail training ship built in 1933 by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, the original from which the others were copied. After decades abroad, she returned to Germany and is moored in Stralsund harbour, opposite the Ozeaneum. Opening times and tickets From 1 April to 31 October, Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 16:00. From November to March, closed. Because of works, since 2024 only the deck can be visited; the interior is closed and will reopen, according to the association, around 2028. That is why the entry is cheap: €4 for adults, €2.50 for children from age 6 and students, €10 for a family ticket. - **Cliff path from Sassnitz to the Königsstuhl** (3 h · 8 km · Walkers with some experience; there are stretches of steps): What it is The best way to reach the Königsstuhl is on foot along the high path that leaves Sassnitz and follows the cliff edge through the national park's beech forest, with viewpoints over the chalk and the sea. It is about 8 km to the national park centre. How it works Arrive by train at Sassnitz, cross the town heading north and follow the national park signs. Allow about three hours at an easy pace. To return, bus 23 runs down from the Königsstuhl to Sassnitz station. Wear hiking footwear: there are roots, mud and steps. Do not go near the edge: the cliff crumbles. - **Boat trip to the chalk cliffs from Sassnitz or Binz** (2 h · All ages): What it is From the sea you grasp the size of the cliffs: a white wall beneath the beech forest, kilometre after kilometre, with the Königsstuhl in the middle. The Adler-Schiffe shipping company runs the trip from the port of Sassnitz and from the piers of the resorts of Binz, Sellin and Göhren. How it works From Sassnitz the boat leaves from the town's harbour, at Hafenstraße 12, behind the submarine museum. Depending on the departure point, it lasts between an hour and a half and three and a half hours. Tickets are bought online or at the quay. The national park centre sells a combined boat and Königsstuhl ticket. - **The Rasender Roland steam train between Putbus and Göhren** (1 h 15 · All ages): What it is The Rasender Roland, "Racing Roland", is a narrow-gauge (750 mm) steam train that has run since 1895 through south-east Rügen, at 30 km/h at most. It goes from Putbus, the prince's little white town, to Binz, Sellin, Baabe and Göhren, the resorts on the coast. It is public transport, all year and every day. How it works Take the ordinary train to Putbus or to Binz (the DB station) and board the Roland at Putbus or at Binz LB. About 180 days a year it also leaves from Lauterbach Mole, Putbus's harbour. Note: from 23 November to 11 December 2026 there are works and a bus replaces it. ## Dónde comer - **Störtebeker Braugasthaus** (Restaurant, Stralsund, €€). Qué pedir: a seasonal dish with the beer they recommend to go with it - **Zum Scheele** (Restaurant, Stralsund, €€€). Qué pedir: the regional Pomeranian cooking from the daily menu ## Car-free: Stralsund and Rügen without a car Without a car it works well based in Stralsund: the old town and harbour are small, and Rügen is covered by regional train, bus and the steam train. The only thing that needs planning is the Königsstuhl: train to Sassnitz and bus 23, or the path on foot. Presupuesto orientativo: 90–180 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Lieblingsplatz Hotel Scheelehof** (Hotel): Sleeping in a Hanseatic house The Scheelehof occupies several protected houses on Fährstraße, right in the old town and beside the old harbour: St Nicholas's and the town hall are a few minutes away, as is the Ozeaneum. Every room is different, with brick vaults or beamed ceilings. The rooms and the spa Standard and superior doubles, junior suites and suites of up to 45 m² for three people, all with shower, fridge, coffee machine, safe and wifi. The spa has three saunas, a steam bath and a relaxation area, open every day from 15:00 to 20:00; it is best to book a time. Pets are accepted in rooms prepared for them. Getting there Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 12:00; you can leave your luggage. From the station it is about a 15-minute walk. For parking, ask the hotel before you arrive: the old town has narrow streets. - **Hotel Hafenresidenz Stralsund** (Hotel): In the harbour The Hafenresidenz is on Seestraße, on the harbour island, beside the Strelasund strait and a few steps from the old town and the Ozeaneum. It is two buildings, one on each side of the street: the main house, with reception, bar, restaurant and rooms, and the Seemannshus, with rooms only. The rooms Singles, doubles and suites. There is a sauna centre and a gym. A word of warning for summer: the rooms have no air conditioning, although reception lends fans. Reception is staffed 24 hours. The Strelasund bar is open Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00. Getting there and parking From the station, about 20 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride. It has two spaces with electric-car chargers; for the rest, ask when you book. ### Servicios - **Stralsund Hauptbahnhof**: Stralsund's main station, with trains from Berlin and the regional services that cross the bridge to Rügen, towards Binz and Sassnitz. ## By plane: Fly to Berlin and take the train to Stralsund For Stralsund and Rügen you fly to Berlin: BER airport has direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities. From Berlin there are direct trains to Stralsund in about three hours, and from there regional trains to Rügen. With a hire car at BER it is about 270 km via the A11 and the A20, around three hours. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Lieblingsplatz Hotel Scheelehof** (Hotel): Sleeping in a Hanseatic house The Scheelehof occupies several protected houses on Fährstraße, right in the old town and beside the old harbour: St Nicholas's and the town hall are a few minutes away, as is the Ozeaneum. Every room is different, with brick vaults or beamed ceilings. The rooms and the spa Standard and superior doubles, junior suites and suites of up to 45 m² for three people, all with shower, fridge, coffee machine, safe and wifi. The spa has three saunas, a steam bath and a relaxation area, open every day from 15:00 to 20:00; it is best to book a time. Pets are accepted in rooms prepared for them. Getting there Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 12:00; you can leave your luggage. From the station it is about a 15-minute walk. For parking, ask the hotel before you arrive: the old town has narrow streets. - **Hotel Hafenresidenz Stralsund** (Hotel): In the harbour The Hafenresidenz is on Seestraße, on the harbour island, beside the Strelasund strait and a few steps from the old town and the Ozeaneum. It is two buildings, one on each side of the street: the main house, with reception, bar, restaurant and rooms, and the Seemannshus, with rooms only. The rooms Singles, doubles and suites. There is a sauna centre and a gym. A word of warning for summer: the rooms have no air conditioning, although reception lends fans. Reception is staffed 24 hours. The Strelasund bar is open Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00. Getting there and parking From the station, about 20 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride. It has two spaces with electric-car chargers; for the rest, ask when you book. ### Servicios - **Stralsund Hauptbahnhof**: Stralsund's main station, with trains from Berlin and the regional services that cross the bridge to Rügen, towards Binz and Sassnitz. ## By car: Stralsund and Rügen by car A car gives you freedom on Rügen, a large island: the Jasmund cliffs, the resorts of Binz and Sellin and Putbus are far from one another. From Berlin it is about 270 km via the A11 and the A20, around three hours. In Stralsund, leave it at the hotel or in a car park at the gates of the old town. Presupuesto orientativo: 100–190 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Lieblingsplatz Hotel Scheelehof** (Hotel): Sleeping in a Hanseatic house The Scheelehof occupies several protected houses on Fährstraße, right in the old town and beside the old harbour: St Nicholas's and the town hall are a few minutes away, as is the Ozeaneum. Every room is different, with brick vaults or beamed ceilings. The rooms and the spa Standard and superior doubles, junior suites and suites of up to 45 m² for three people, all with shower, fridge, coffee machine, safe and wifi. The spa has three saunas, a steam bath and a relaxation area, open every day from 15:00 to 20:00; it is best to book a time. Pets are accepted in rooms prepared for them. Getting there Check-in from 16:00 and check-out until 12:00; you can leave your luggage. From the station it is about a 15-minute walk. For parking, ask the hotel before you arrive: the old town has narrow streets. - **Hotel Hafenresidenz Stralsund** (Hotel): In the harbour The Hafenresidenz is on Seestraße, on the harbour island, beside the Strelasund strait and a few steps from the old town and the Ozeaneum. It is two buildings, one on each side of the street: the main house, with reception, bar, restaurant and rooms, and the Seemannshus, with rooms only. The rooms Singles, doubles and suites. There is a sauna centre and a gym. A word of warning for summer: the rooms have no air conditioning, although reception lends fans. Reception is staffed 24 hours. The Strelasund bar is open Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00. Getting there and parking From the station, about 20 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride. It has two spaces with electric-car chargers; for the rest, ask when you book. ### Servicios - **Hagen car park and shuttle to the Königsstuhl**: The large car park of Jasmund National Park, at Hagen, where shuttle bus 19 to the Königsstuhl leaves from. ## As a family: Stralsund and Rügen with children It is one of the best getaways from Berlin with children: huge aquariums, a sailing ship, white cliffs, boats and a steam train. Split it up: one day Stralsund and another Rügen. ### What works best The Ozeaneum, with aquariums, life-size whales and penguins The Königsstuhl and the Skywalk, accessible and with an exhibition The Rasender Roland, the steam train The boat trip to the cliffs ### Where to stay Lieblingsplatz Hotel Scheelehof, with suites for three Hotel Hafenresidenz, next to the Ozeaneum ### Where to eat Störtebeker Braugasthaus, spacious and with parking ### Worth knowing At the Ozeaneum, under-4s do not pay The Gorch Fock is closed from November to March The cliff path has steps: it is not for pushchairs ### Qué hacer as a family - Ozeaneum, the Baltic and North Sea museum - Stralsund old town, Hanseatic brick Gothic - The Königsstuhl and its walkway over the chalk cliffs - Gorch Fock I training ship - Boat trip to the chalk cliffs from Sassnitz or Binz - The Rasender Roland steam train between Putbus and Göhren ## With young children: Stralsund and Rügen with young children For the youngest: fish, boats and a steam train. Avoid the long path and go up to the Königsstuhl on the shuttle. ### What works best The Ozeaneum, free up to age 4 The Rasender Roland The boat trip to the cliffs The Königsstuhl, accessible with a pushchair ### Where to stay Hotel Hafenresidenz, with 24-hour reception ### Where to eat Störtebeker Braugasthaus, every day from midday ### Worth knowing The Ozeaneum needs three hours: bring a snack for the break The Hagen shuttle takes wheelchairs and pushchairs ### Qué hacer with young children - Ozeaneum, the Baltic and North Sea museum - The Königsstuhl and its walkway over the chalk cliffs - Boat trip to the chalk cliffs from Sassnitz or Binz - The Rasender Roland steam train between Putbus and Göhren ## Consejos ### Two nights at least One day for Stralsund and another for Rügen. ### Walk up to the Königsstuhl The trail from Sassnitz is the best thing on the island; come back down by bus. ### Book a timed Ozeaneum ticket In summer and during the German holidays there is a queue. ### Bring a coat The wind blows on the Baltic even in summer. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Berlin to Stralsund? About three hours by direct train, and around three hours by car. ### Can you see Rügen in a day from Berlin? It is not worth it: it is six hours of travel. Sleep at least two nights in Stralsund. ### How do I get to the Königsstuhl without a car? By train to Sassnitz and bus 23, or on foot, 8 km along the cliff trail. ### How much does the Ozeaneum cost? €20; children aged 4 to 16, €12. ### Where is it better to sleep, in Stralsund or on Rügen? In Stralsund, if you travel by train: you have the station and trains to the whole island. ### Can you go with a dog? To the Königsstuhl, on a lead, around the site; the Scheelehof accepts pets.