Hiddensee

Hiddensee, affectionately known as "Dat Söte Länneken" (the sweet little land), is Rügen's car-free sister island, sheltered between the open Baltic Sea and the Rügen Bodden. Thatched-roof houses, wide dune landscapes and the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park shape the scenery – no wonder the island has long attracted artists and those seeking peace and quiet. For sailors, Hiddensee is a rewarding destination, but it calls for care: the Bodden and coastal waters are shallow in places, so it's essential to stick to the marked fairways.

In the north of the island lies Hafen Kloster, just a few minutes' walk from the Dornbusch lighthouse and the Gerhart Hauptmann House – in autumn also a popular starting point for watching the spectacular resting cranes. Further south is the main village with Hafen Vitte and the neighbouring Yachthafen Lange-Ort Vitte, which is especially popular with sailors. Here you'll find restaurants, small shops and bicycle rental, making it easy to explore the island away from road traffic. Finally, in the south lies Hafen Neuendorf, a tranquil fishing harbour from which the salt meadows and the Gellen bird sanctuary can be explored on foot.

Those with a bit of time should plan a stop ashore: whether it's a walk through the dune heath, a detour to the lighthouse, or simply fresh fish straight from the cutter – Hiddensee offers genuine island tranquillity right in the heart of the western Baltic sailing area.