A cluster of three towers at Rügen's northernmost point, including an 1827 Schinkel-designed lighthouse and a still-active 1902 lighthouse.
Kap Arkona marks the northernmost point of Rügen and, along with it, the northernmost tip of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Three towers stand together above the cliff: a squat 1827 lighthouse designed by the Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a taller 1902 lighthouse still guiding Baltic shipping today, and a Cold War-era naval sounding tower once used for coastal surveillance. Below the towers lie the earthworks of a Slavic-era stronghold, Jaromarsburg, adding an archaeological layer to the visit. Because the immediate area around the towers is a vehicle-free zone, visitors leave cars in the Putgarten car park and ride the Arkonabahn shuttle train the final stretch. A combined ticket allows entry to both the historic and active lighthouses, with a climb to the top of either rewarded by wide views across the Baltic toward the Danish coast on clear days. A visit covering both towers and the surrounding cliff paths takes about 1.5-2 hours.
| Admission | €6 (~$6.50) combined ticket for both lighthouses |
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Highlights
- Two historic lighthouses, including one designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel
- A still-active 1902 lighthouse open for tower climbs
- Cold War-era naval sounding tower
- Slavic-era Jaromarsburg stronghold earthworks nearby
- Views toward the Danish coast on clear days
Tips for visiting
- Park at Putgarten and ride the Arkonabahn shuttle train, since the immediate cape is vehicle-free
- Choose the clearest possible day for visibility toward Denmark
- Buy the combined ticket to climb both lighthouses
- Allow 1.5-2 hours including the Jaromarsburg earthworks
- Visit off-season for a much quieter experience than the summer crowds
When to visit
Clear days for the longest visibility across the Baltic; May-September for full shuttle-train service.
Accessibility
The Arkonabahn shuttle stop area is level, but the lighthouse interiors are reached by narrow spiral stairs with no elevator.
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Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach the lighthouses?
By parking at Putgarten and riding the Arkonabahn shuttle train, since the area around the cape is closed to private cars.
Can both lighthouses be visited?
Yes, a combined €6 (~$6.50) ticket covers entry to both the 1827 and 1902 towers.
Is there anything to see besides the lighthouses?
Yes, the earthworks of the Slavic-era Jaromarsburg stronghold lie just below the towers.