The town of Sassnitz is an international entry point to Germany's largest island, Rügen. The town's distinctive character stems from its dual identity as both a bustling ferry port and a traditional seaside resort.
The harbour area is more than just a transit point - it offers visitors up-close views of active fishing boats bringing in their daily catch and the ferry operations linking Germany with Scandinavia.
The town's fishing tradition is still evident in the small restaurants serving fresh local catch and the morning fish market where locals and visitors gather to buy the day's catch.
Aerial view of Sassnitz on Rügen island
The real attraction of Sassnitz is its position as a base for exploring the Jasmund National Park. The protected area contains Germany's iconic chalk cliffs, including the famous Königsstuhl, which rises 118 metres above the Baltic Sea.
The town caters to travellers looking for a less commercial alternative to Rügen's popular resorts. The focus here is on natural beauty and maritime heritage rather than entertainment and nightlife.
Sassnitz is particularly attractive to hikers, nature photographers and those interested in experiencing authentic coastal culture.
Sassnitz occupies a strategic position on the north-east coast of Rügen island in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The town stretches along the Jasmund peninsula and is the most north-eastern port in Germany.
The town's geographical location provides natural protection for its harbour, with the Jasmund peninsula forming a sheltered bay that has supported maritime activities for centuries.
The famous chalk cliffs of the Jasmund National Park extend for several kilometres to the north, forming a distinctive white wall visible from miles out to sea. These cliffs, formed over millions of years from the remains of marine organisms, are one of Germany's most recognisable natural landmarks.
White cliffs on Rügen island
Sassnitz's location in relation to other major Baltic Sea destinations makes it an important transport hub. It lies 185 kilometres across the Baltic Sea from Trelleborg in Sweden, providing a vital shipping route between Central Europe and Scandinavia.
On the island of Rügen itself, Sassnitz is located 22 kilometres northeast of Bergen auf Rügen, the island's central town, and about 50 kilometres from Stralsund, the nearest mainland city.
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The history of Sassnitz begins in the 13th century as a modest fishing village, then known as Lanke, with just a handful of families living off the bounty of the Baltic Sea.
The settlement remained relatively unchanged until the 1800s, when the Romantic movement sparked interest in Rügen's dramatic landscapes. Artists and writers, including Caspar David Friedrich, drew attention to the region's natural beauty, particularly the striking chalk cliffs.
The town's transformation accelerated in 1871 when the first pier was built, marking Sassnitz's emergence as a seaside resort.
The arrival of the railway in 1891 proved crucial, linking the formerly isolated fishing village to Berlin and triggering rapid development. Grand hotels and villas sprang up along the waterfront, catering to wealthy visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of sea air and bathing.
This period also saw the establishment of a ferry service to Trelleborg in Sweden in 1897.
The fishing port of Sassnitz on Rügen
The early 20th century brought significant changes as Sassnitz developed into a major fishing port. The construction of the large harbour facility between 1934 and 1936 transformed the town's economy and appearance.
The port gained strategic importance during World War II, which resulted in several Allied bombing raids that damaged parts of the historic centre.
As part of East Germany, Sassnitz became a major fishing port for the GDR's fishing fleet, and the state built large fish processing facilities.
The ferry service to Sweden remained one of the few regular links between East Germany and the non-communist world. The town's tourism industry continued, but now focused on providing holidays for workers through state-organised programmes.
Sassnitz faced significant economic challenges after German reunification in 1990, with the decline of the fishing industry. However, the town has successfully repositioned itself by developing its tourism infrastructure while retaining its maritime character.
The construction of the modern ferry terminal in 1998 and the restoration of historic buildings in the old town helped Sassnitz to strike a balance between its dual identity as a working port and a tourist destination.
However the cancellation of the FRS Baltic direct ferry service to Sweden in 2024 and the controversy about the future of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline (the Neu Mukran port in Sassnitz was planned to be a major hub) have caused some economic uncertainty in the town.
At the time of writing, ferries still operate to Rönne on the Danish island of Bornholm, with connections from there to Ystad on the Swedish mainland and to Köge in Denmark.
The Old Town Harbour is the historic heart of Sassnitz, where traditional fishing boats still dock alongside restored waterfront buildings. The 1.5-kilometre-long harbour promenade offers views of both fishing operations and pleasure craft, with local restaurants serving freshly caught fish throughout the day.
The Sassnitz footbridge, completed in 2007, is an elegant 250-metre suspension bridge that connects the town centre with the harbour area. Known as the 'balcony to the sea', it provides an accessible link between the upper town and the port and offers an excellent view of the submarine museum and the water. The bridge with its curved design has been a landmark in Sassnitz since its construction.
Pedestrian bridge leading from Sassnitz town to the harbour
The iconic lighthouse, built in 1912, stands guard at the entrance to the harbour. Visitors can walk along the pier to it for panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and watch the ferries arriving to dock at the Neu Mukran port a few kilometres to the south. The nearby Submarine Museum, with its decommissioned British submarine, offers an insight into the naval history of the Cold War.
The Sassnitz Fishing and Local History Museum documents the town's maritime heritage. Exhibits include traditional fishing equipment, historical photographs and artefacts from the region's prehistoric settlements.
Jasmund National Park, accessible directly from the town, features the famous chalk cliffs, including the 118 metre high Königsstuhl. A well-maintained network of footpaths leads through ancient beech forests, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park's visitor centre has detailed exhibitions on the region's geology and ecosystem.
The nearby Pirate's Gorge is a dramatic example of coastal erosion, creating a natural amphitheatre in the cliffs.
Outdoor enthusiasts may also enjoy the small Dwasieden Forest, on the southern edge of town, which offers hiking trails through coastal woods that lead to hidden beaches and ruins.
Sassnitz visitor information office - Tourist Service Sassnitz - is located at the old harbour. It is open seven days a week, with slightly shorter opening hours on the weekend.
Website: insassnitz.de