The Island of Rügen Shines with Beach Villas and Piers

Della Ganas

Updated: 08 September 2025 ·
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Rügen: Sea, Beach, and Architecture on the Baltic Sea

A must-see for visitors to the resort town of Sellin: a walk on Rügen's most beautiful and longest pier.
photo by www.reisereporter.de

Rügen's promenades and town centers are lined with lavish city villas, modern shell constructions, and piers extending miles into the sea. We show you what there is to discover in Sellin, Binz, Sassnitz, Baabe, and Putbus.

Sellin: Breathing in the Fresh Baltic Air Among Villas

A prominent architectural landmark of the island of Rügen: the Sellin Pier
A prominent architectural landmark of the island of Rügen: the Sellin Pier photo by www.reisereporter.de

Walking through Wilhelmstraße in Sellin, guests can admire the stately houses on both sides. They are richly decorated, with bay windows, turrets, and intricately carved verandas.

Guests can breathe the fresh Baltic Sea air and simply enjoy Rügen. Even Albert Einstein stayed at the 'Johanneshorst' house in 1915.

It's said that he found the proof for his theory of relativity only after his stay in Sellin - even a genius needs a break.

Binz: Splendid Villas and Concrete Structures

A feast for the eyes on the Baltic coast: Binz is adorned with magnificent spa architecture villas.
A feast for the eyes on the Baltic coast: Binz is adorned with magnificent spa architecture villas. photo by www.reisereporter.de

The largest seaside resort on the island is Binz. Here, too, are splendid villas. They combine with the sculptural shell constructions of concrete by architect Ulrich Müther to form an exciting ensemble.

Müther's rescue tower built in 1981 at the beach entrance 6 looks like a UFO. Today, the iconic building is used as a wedding venue.

Directly on the beach promenade is also the 'Undine' Villa - the oldest and perhaps the most beautiful of the listed Wolgast houses.

Sassnitz: Where Musicians and Nobles Once Resided

Open-air concerts and events are held year-round at the distinctive Kurmuschel in Sassnitz.
Open-air concerts and events are held year-round at the distinctive Kurmuschel in Sassnitz. photo by www.reisereporter.de

The 'Kurmuschel' by Ulrich Müther is located in Sassnitz - even today, open-air events are held in the music pavilion on the beach promenade.

In the town's classical and modern buildings, visitors can mainly find old fishermen's and farmers' cottages. 'To travel to Rügen means to travel to Sassnitz,' said the writer Theodor Fontane.

Composer Johannes Brahms and Empress Auguste Viktoria also spent their summers in Sassnitz.

Baabe: Typical Thatched Cottages in a Small Seaside Resort

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is known for its thatched cottages. Many of these are found in the small seaside resort of Baabe. These remind visitors of the fishing village's origins with its dense building layout.

But architect Müther also left his mark here. The 'Inselparadies' on the beach was once a popular restaurant and disco, and it is still used as a restaurant today.

Putbus: Classical Buildings and a Historic Theater

A popular destination for lovers of classicism: the Putbus Circus in the south of the island of Rügen
A popular destination for lovers of classicism: the Putbus Circus in the south of the island of Rügen photo by www.reisereporter.de

Putbus is the oldest seaside resort on the island of Rügen. Wilhelm Malte I, Prince of Putbus, had it built in the classical style. At the Circus, a central square in the city, a unique ensemble of antique-looking buildings emerged.

In Alleestraße, just a few meters further, is the Residence Theater from 1821. It is the longest continuously played historical theater in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.