Rügen in a winter fairy tale

Almost an insider tip

Rügen is one of the most popular German holiday islands. Accordingly, the island is overcrowded and expensive in high season. The fine sandy beaches invite you to swim and do water sports. In addition, with its diverse leisure, sports and recreational offerings, it appeals to almost all tourist target groups, from families, solo travelers, youth groups to seniors. So far so good.

Being independent will save you a lot of money in the off-season. Out of season, for example in January, you have the popular holiday island almost to yourself. No traffic jams, no hectic arrival and departure, cheap accommodation from spa hotels to holiday homes.

During peak travel time a holiday home costs €1200 a week, now in January it costs less than half. You can easily save 50 to 60%.

Ok, the tourist spectrum is slimmed down during this time, but the scenic beauty is not. I was lucky, it was snowing with temperatures below zero. The already beautiful landscape was covered in powdered sugar overnight, transforming the island into a winter fairy tale.

No, not Stonehenge.

The formerly small fishing village of Baabe is ideal for long beach walks between the Baltic Sea resorts of Göhren and Sellin. Icy wind whistles into my mind and blows the last remaining gloom from every corner of my brain. There is no need for overpriced self-awareness groups of various gurus. I simply walk at my own pace, always discovering new, unique, bizarre sculptures in the winter landscape, created by the forces of nature.

The famous painter, graphic artist and draftsman Caspar David Friedrich, born on September 5th, 1774, died on May 7th, 1840, would also have liked this. But his pictures are immortal.

It is about 3 to 4 km from Baabe Beach to the pier in Sellin. Depending on where you start. Healthy sea air included. It ventilates my lungs, which are dusty from shisha consumption, right down to the outermost alveolus. I have the beach almost all to myself, what a priceless luxury. Further, ever further, past rugged slopes on which daring trees stand in a threateningly crooked position. Past rocks, but always in view of the landfalling sea. Who wants to have wet shoes in these temperatures? And there it is, the striking Sellins pier, with its diving bell at the end of the bridge.

Art. Just for a blink of an eye.

At 394 m, the Sellin pier is the longest on Rügen. From here you can also start your tours with the White Fleet (during the season) and the Adler ships. Trips with the White Fleet are free for holiday guests with the spa card. Likewise the use of public transport.

If you are traveling by bike or are less sure-footed, you can alternatively walk along the cobbled beach promenade. It leads from Göhren via Baabe to Sellin.

The racing Roland races at 30 h/km from Göhren to Puttbus.

At the end, reward yourself with a visit to the adventure pool and various sauna areas in Sellin. Advantage: The number of visitors is manageable. Or indulge in coffee, tea and cake. Calories or not. You can walk back the way you came or take the Racing Roland. Germany card holders receive a discount. In summer the narrow-gauge railway is hopelessly overcrowded. Now you almost have the compartment to yourself. But don't touch the oven! It's hot in real time. Not just virtual.

It's almost impossible to get more relaxation. In any case, I end the day relaxing with my friends by the fireplace in our holiday home. Alternatively, there would also be the option of using the sauna here. Sweating off more calories But first we light a fire in the fireplace

Footprints in the snow.

Finally, we still have to dispose of the wine bottles we brought with us properly. Empty, of course. Salute, see you soon on Rügen!

Balm for the soul.