logo
ic_menu

Hiddensee Island

44B Hafenweg, Schaprode, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Description

Hiddensee is an island located just off Rugen, a larger and popular island on Germany's North-Eastern Baltic coastline. It belongs to Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park (some of which are out of bound as conservation zones) and is nearly 17km long with a width varying between 250m and 3.7km. It only has about 1,000 inhabitants across four villages (Grieben, Kloster, Vitte and Neuendorf, from north to south) and is largely car-free. Sights include the Dornbusch Lighthouse, the Gerhart Hauptmann House, the Hiddensee Local History Museum, the Blaue Scheune with its art gallery, and the Gellen-Hiddensee beacon.

Access & Transport

Movement on the island is by public bus and visitors can reach the island by ferry from Schaprode year-round and from Stralsund in spring and summer. Refer to timetable: https://www.reederei-hiddensee.de/fahrplan/schaprode Schaprode is just over 40km from Stralsund and 24km north-west of Bergen auf Rügen, the largest town on Rügen Island.

Instructions & Recommendations

Make sure to check the ferries timetable. On Rügen, those who enjoy natural features should also discover the chalk cliffs of Jasmund national park.

Meta review

The island gets excellent ratings despite recurring complaints from online reviewers about the expensive return ticket price for such a short distance. Visitors enjoy the natural beauty, beach, cycling and walk opportunity as well as the quiet sense of isolation for those who stay several days outside of the touristy summer season.

Environmental & Social

We rate the island highly in terms of sustainability, both environmentally (almost car-free and use of electrically powered vehicle) and for its success in keeping over-commercialization at bay by not giving in to mass tourism.

Conclusion

The inhabitants of Hiddensee have chosen not to go the route of total commercialization and whilst we do agree that technically the ferry crossing price is prohibitive considering the distance, it is probably the only way to keep a lid on the number of visitors and encourage more sustainable tourism with people coming for several days to enjoy a relaxed environment and pace of life. Out of season, over-tourism is less of an issue so we would recommend a visit then.

Key positive

Car-free means safe and no pollution

Some gorgeous landscapes

Key negative

Expensive ferry crossing

Time consuming to get to

Suitability

The ferries look to be accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Ferries take 25-45mins each way

av. transport time:1h 30m

est. visit time:5h 30m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Nov, 01

Season 1

MONDAY06:15 - 18:20

TUESDAY06:15 - 18:20

WEDNESDAY06:15 - 18:20

THURSDAY06:15 - 18:20

FRIDAY06:15 - 18:20

SATURDAY08:00 - 17:35

SUNDAY08:00 - 17:35

Start of Season 2:Apr, 07

Season 2

MONDAY06:00 - 19:45

TUESDAY06:00 - 19:45

WEDNESDAY06:00 - 19:45

THURSDAY06:00 - 19:45

FRIDAY06:00 - 19:45

SATURDAY06:00 - 19:45

SUNDAY06:00 - 19:45

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€22.8
Adult
15 - 64
€22.8
Child
4 - 14
€12.5
Infant
0 - 3
€0
Return fee (same day) from Schaprode
Family price

Max total number:5

Max number of adults:2

Min.child age:4

Max.child age:14

Price for family€59.1

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. For a complete overview of all cookies used, please see MORE INFORMATION.