The scenery on Rügen, Germany's largest island, is extraordinarily varied. Gentle wooded hills give way to flat plains of meadows and marshland. Sheer cliffs and fine sandy beaches are the defining characteristics of the coastline. The dazzling white chalk cliffs on the coast of the Jasmund peninsula are Rügen's most famous sight and landmark. Jasmund National Park
Jasmund National Park is a chalk landscape interspersed with marshes, wetlands and dry grassland. The "Königsstuhl" (King's Seat) is the tallest of the cliffs along the park's most popular attraction, its chalk coastline, which was famously painted by the 19th century German Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich. The national park also includes beech forests that have existed since the 13th century. They grow on the Stubnitz plateau, which is composed mainly of chalk and was formed during the ice age. The national park's rich flora and fauna includes the house martin, which breeds in the chalk reefs, and the rare sea eagle.The coast
Sheer cliffs with narrow pebbly beaches alternate with wide beaches of fine sand that stretch for miles around sweeping bays. Although Rügen is only 50km in diameter, the island's coastline runs for several hundred kilometres. It is ideal for a variety of watersports including sailing, windsurfing and diving. Quiet coves offer relaxation at its best. The most popular beaches are in Binz, Baabe, Göhren, Sellin, Thiessow, Prora and Juliusruh.