National parks and nature

This national park is situated in the east of the Baltic Coast area, in the county Vorpommern.

The National Park "Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft" comprises of nearly 200,000 acres of undisturbed nature and is therefore the biggest in Central Europe. Marshland, special sea grass islands, spits, lakes between Bodden and the sea, mud flats, steep cliffs and flat coasts, original wooded parts along the coast and one of the biggest reservation area for cranes are being looked after and protected here.
You can visit most of the park on your own or on guided tours.

The Rhododendron Park Graal-Mueritz is unique to the county of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and one of the biggest in Germany. It covers an area of around 6 acres and hosts approximately 2,500 plants, 60 of them being different rhododendron hybrids.

In May and June, when the 2,000 perennials are in full blossom, the park is perfumed by their scent and displays an harmonious picture of all imaginable colours. This is the time when the inhabitants the seaside resort Graal-Mueritz and its guests celebrate the annual Rhododendron Festival. One of the highlights are guided tours led by "Miss Rhododendron".
The park's pavilion lends concerts, exhibitions and book readings a very special atmosphere.

Fehmarn Island is home to a spectacular aquatic sea water centre. It boasts one of the biggest aquariums in Europe, with a holding capacity of around 3 million litres of water the so called "Riesenozean" and many smaller tanks.

Get eye to eye with tropical fishes, swimming directly above your head in a tunnel, 10 metres long and made of acrylic glass. Sharks are the centre of attention in this sea water aquatic centre. It is home to 12 different species.

The OZEANEUM is to be found in the Hanseatic city Stralsund. In 2010 it was awarded the title "European Museum of the year"!

Visiting this brand new and huge exhibition will take you on a fascinating underwater journey through the northern seas. It starts with a downward glance into the docks of Stralsund, across different parts of the Baltic Sea towards Skerry Sea over to Kattegat and Skagerrak, arriving at the Wadden Sea in the North Sea. Passing Helgoland island the visitor will arrive at the coral reefs of the North Atlantic and finally approach the arctic underwater regions. At the end of the tour through the OZEANEUM spectacular eye catching life size models of whales "1:1 giants of the Sea" await the visitor.

SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand opened its doors in 1996. This enormous aquarium is home to thousands of living creatures. Unique to the north of Germany it allows an exceptional insight into the biodiversity of northern European and tropical waters.

In 36 lifelike, vibrant and stunning tanks and enclosures you can discover the diversity of species and beauty of native and tropical sea life. On approximately 1.500 square metres the visitor has the chance to explore the world of otters, the winter fjord, dock, grotto, turtle riff and much more.

The aquarium of the Institute of Oceanography in Kiel comprises of more than 30 tanks. It allows a small insight into the biodiversity of for example fishes, echinoderms, snails, mussels and shellfish.

The biggest attraction for both young and old are the seals. They live in a generously big enclosure outdoors and may be observed 24/7.

When holidaying on the island of Ruegen visiting the Chalk Coast is a definite must. The majestic sight of the chalk cliffs already inspired a number of painters and poets in the 19th century. Probably one of the most well known paintings on this topic is "Kreidefelsen auf Ruegen" by Caspar David Friedrich (around 1818).

Let the stunning colours of the Chalk Coast on Ruegen fascinate you: the white of the chalk cliffs is framed by the colours blue of the Baltic Sea which changes into turquoise when close to banks and green of fabulous beech woods, which turn a spectacular yellow and red in autumn.
A number of fantastic viewpoints and sights can be reached by a coastal path. Discover the Koenigsstuhl, Victoriasicht, Kieler Ufer and the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Sicht.
Get on board a boat to Stubbenkammer, just a few miles south of Koenigsstuhl, and enjoy the fantastic scenery of the Chalk Coast from the sea.

Chalk has been mined for a long time on the island of Ruegen. The chalk museum is the first and only of its kind in Europe. Visitors will find it in Gummanz, in the north east of the island, in a restored workshop of an old chalk plant.

Strolling through the exhibition original tools and technical equipment as well as pictures and written documentation will provide a wide range of information on geology, the 200-year old tradition of chalk mining and the industrial usage of chalk. Even today chalk has its use in a number of products.
The 1.5 km long, interesting, informative and fun nature trail will take you to "Kleiner Koenigsstuhl". There the visitor is spoiled with amazing views across Jasmund peninsular and its Bodden.

The Jasmund National Park is Germany's smallest nature reserve on Germany's biggest island, Ruegen.

The National Park Centre can be found directly on Koenigsstuhl, Ruegen's most famous landmark, and has something in store for every one. On an area of 2,000 square metres, it reveals secrets of the Jasmund National park.
Be surprised by head high glaciers, a 15-metre-tall chalk wall, interesting exhibits to touch and things to do and explore. Experience the national park from bird's eye view in the cinema or dive into the depth of earth on virtual tours.
For all the small explorers the centre offers an adventure playground.

Cape Arkona is situated on the tip of Wittow peninsula on the island of Ruegen. It seems to be the most northern point, but actually lies a few miles east. Chalk and stones formed this 45 metre tall landmark. It used to be a religious centre of the Slavic Rani.

Nowadays it is one of the most frequently visited sights on Ruegen. Standing on the cliff, enjoy the stunning views across the Baltic Sea.
Cape Arkona is a conservation area. Most famous are its two lighthouses. One constructed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1827 and the other built around 1900.
Visiting the Cape there is a lot to explore. Guests can discover remains of an old Slavonic fortress, today called Jaromarsburg, dating back to the 6th to 12th century, a military bunker and a foghorn. Strolling along visitors will come across the small fishing village Vitt with its thatched cottages and Germany's most northern chapel. This remarkable octagonal building nestles a stone throw away from the water and was built based on plans by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1816.

These flint stone fields can be found on the island of Ruegen close to the community of Neu-Mukran. They are situated in the nature reserve Schmale Heide and unique to Europe. A footpath of about 2 kilometres takes you from the car park in Neu-Mukran to this geological gem.

On roughly 100 acres parallel to the Baltic coast you will discover embankment after embankment made of grey-white flint stone. A number of severe floods piled up these flint stones about 3,500 to 4,000 years ago. The approximately one metre high embankments are embedded in heathlands with juniper trees, wild roses, blackthorn, blueberries, grasses and heath. What a fantastic show and eye catcher!
Around 9,000 years ago people on the island found out that flint stones are very useful for lightning fires and for tools. The extremely hard material was perfect for making bifaces, chisels, axes, scrapers, knives, arrows and spearheads.

Graswarder is a nature reserve on a peninsula not far away from the Baltic spa of Heiligenhafen. It is opposite the island of Fehmarn and comprises an area of around 570 acres. With its Baltic Sea beaches, dune-covered embankments and abundant salt marshes it is a paradise for flora and fauna alike. More than 40 different species of birds among them oyster catchers, avocets, redshanks and grey geese populate the area from March to May to breed in peace.

Another 180 species come to the area to rest and hibernate. On the grass-covered sandy and salty boggy soil flourish a number of sensitive plants and those threatened by extinction.
Although most of the nature reserve is closed to the public, you still get into direct contact with Mother Nature on special guided tours. Hand in your shoes at the start and enjoy the soft grass under your feet.
If you are lucky, the ornithologist might give you an egg not hatched yet or even a chicken to touch and hold.