Hiddensee

Cars are prohibited on this little island west of Rügen, and the only way to get around is by bike, horse carriage, or foot - the ideal antidote to city life.

As the largest island inside the national park, Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft, considerable portions of Hiddensee have been declared as nature protection areas. The west shore is distinguished by a lengthy sandy beach surrounded by dunes. When the weather permits, sunbathe in Kloster, Neuendorf, and the kid-friendly, gently sloping Vitte. When the clouds sweep in, keep an eye out for animals on the salt marsh and equip yourself at one of the many fishing settlements.

The name Hedinsey, which means "Island of Hedin," appears in the Prose Edda and the Gesta Danorum penned by Saxo Grammaticus. Hedin, the famous Norwegian monarch, is said to have battled here for a lady or maybe merely for cash. Hedins-Oe ("Hedin's Island") was a frequent name under Danish control. Even in 1880, the island was labeled Hiddensjö on German maps, and Hiddensöe on German vacation guides in 1929. As a result, its full Germanization to Hiddensee is relatively new.