About this Destination
Germany's White Cliffs of the Baltic
Rügen is Germany's largest island, a popular holiday destination on the Baltic Sea known for its diverse landscapes, from sandy beaches and sleepy fishing villages to elegant seaside resorts with classic pier architecture. The island's most spectacular and famous feature, however, is the Jasmund National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its northeastern coast.
The Chalk Cliffs
Here, magnificent white chalk cliffs tower up to 120 meters (393 feet) above the turquoise waters of the Baltic Sea, creating a stunning and dramatic coastline. These cliffs, formed some 70 million years ago from the shells of countless microorganisms, create a striking contrast with the deep blue sea and the ancient beech forests that crown them.
Königsstuhl - The King's Chair
The most famous of these cliffs is the Königsstuhl (King's Chair), rising 118 meters above the sea. Legend says that in ancient times, whoever could climb the cliff from the sea and sit in a chair on top would become king. Today, a visitor center provides access to viewing platforms and information about the unique geology and ecology of the area.
Romantic Inspiration
This dramatic landscape has inspired artists for centuries, most famously the German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, whose 1818 masterpiece "Chalk Cliffs on Rügen" immortalized the view. Visitors can literally walk through the landscapes that appear in these famous paintings.
Ancient Beech Forests
The chalk cliffs are complemented by the ancient beech forests of Jasmund National Park, which are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These primeval forests offer beautiful hiking trails that lead to various viewpoints along the cliff edge, each offering breathtaking vistas of the Baltic Sea.
Visiting Tips
While the main visitor center at the Königsstuhl charges an entrance fee, the viewpoint at Victoriasicht, a short walk south, is free and offers an equally spectacular view of the famous cliff formation. The best light for photography is often in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun illuminates the white cliffs.