Kap Arkona sits on Rügen's northernmost headland near Putgarten, where two lighthouses—the squat 1827 Schinkel tower and the taller 1902 tower—stand together on open grassland above chalk-and-boulder cliffs. The strongest composition places both towers in a single wide frame with the Baltic horizon behind them; a tighter shot isolates the red-and-white 1902 tower against open sky, using the older tower or the nearby Peilturm as a secondary element. Late afternoon and golden hour give the best results, when low sun rakes across the white-painted brick facades and picks out the red lantern galleries, and blue hour afterward lets both towers' lights and the site's low-level path lighting register against a darkening sky. The headland is exposed to wind off the Baltic in all seasons, so May through September offers the most comfortable conditions and the longest opening hours for climbing the towers; clear, dry air after a cold front gives the longest visibility along the coast toward Kap Arkona's Slavic hillfort ruins. The site draws steady day-trip traffic from Rügen resort towns, with the small parking area and shuttle drop-off busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon in peak season; the paths around the towers stay open into the evening, so a golden-hour or blue-hour visit after the day-trip crowds leave gives clearer sightlines for a tripod. Tripods are allowed on the public grounds and access paths; drone flights are restricted near the lighthouses and the adjoining military heritage bunker area, and a separate ticket is required to climb either tower. A modest walk from the car park across open grassland is needed to reach the towers, with no shade along the route.
| Best time | Late afternoon and golden hour, when low sun rakes across the two lighthouse towers and the Slavic-fort headland |
|---|---|
| Best season | May-September for the longest opening hours and clearest sea horizon |
| Address | Arkona 3, 18556 Putgarten, Germany |
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Wide-angle lens for the two towers together, Telephoto for isolating the 1902 lighthouse against the sky, Tripod for blue-hour long exposures, Wind-resistant jacket for the exposed headland
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Arkona 3, 18556 Putgarten, Germany
54.6796, 13.4326 View on map
Highlights
- Two historic lighthouses (1827 and 1902) standing side by side
- Slavic-era hillfort ruins on the same headland
- Open Baltic Sea horizon views from the exposed cliff-top
- Red lantern galleries lit at golden hour
Tips for visiting
- A wide-angle lens frames both towers together; a telephoto isolates the 1902 tower against the sky
- Bring a tripod for blue-hour long exposures once the towers' lights come on
- Wind off the Baltic is near-constant on the headland, so a windproof jacket and a stable tripod base help
- Restrooms and a small café are near the ticket booth by the car park
- Visit late afternoon after day-trip bus groups have left for clearer sightlines
When to visit
Late afternoon through golden hour for warm side-light on the towers, followed by blue hour once the lighthouse lights and path lighting come on.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors climb the lighthouses?
Yes, both towers can be climbed with a separate ticket, though opening hours are longest from May to September.
Is there a fee just to walk the grounds?
The outdoor paths and headland are generally free to walk; tickets are required only to enter the towers and museum exhibits.
Are drones permitted?
Drone use is restricted around the lighthouses and the adjoining bunker heritage site.
How far is the walk from parking to the towers?
It is a short walk of about 800 meters to 1.5 kilometers across open grassland from the car park or shuttle drop-off, depending on where a vehicle is left.