travel
April 30, 2024

North Sea Islands: On which do I find my island happiness?

Granted, Germany's North Sea islands can be quite piepy - with its architecture, which often dates from the 50s and 70s, the sometimes dusty pensions and cheap souvenir shops.

But nowhere else but in the Wadden Sea does the wind blow so refreshingly, the expanse is so enchanting, the sky so big and the air so good. Nowhere (except in the mountains perhaps) does one feel so at one with nature, so free and so well recovered so quickly.

Which island suits you? Here are the 10 most beautiful in short portrait. All islands, except Heligoland, are located in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site:

North Sea island Sylt

Sylt is the Germans favorite island? right to Mallorca. And because Sylt is also the largest of the North Sea islands, you will find total solitude in the dunes (for example, on the "elbow" in the north) as well as party, fancy and down-to-earth, new rich in swanky SUV and poets on the bike. Depending on where you are staying, you will find your island happiness on Sylt.

Hotel tip: Cornelia Kamp, former gallery owner in Hamburg, now exhibits her artists in her thatched Sylt house. Grandma Ina bakes the cake for the café garden (Kamps, Gurtstig 41, Keitum, Tel. 046 51/983 90, www.kamps-sylt.de).

North Sea island Föhr

Föhr and Amrum are two fundamentally different North Frisian islands, which is why it is often said: who loves the stormy Amrum, can only hate Föhr, or the other way around. Because Föhr does not even look like an island at low tide. Due to the location behind Amrum, Sylt and the Halligen, surf and storms are tamed, extensive marshes and green salt meadows dominate the landscape. Therefore Föhr is also called "the green island". Nevertheless, it has miles of white sandy beaches to offer. And because of the protected location wonderful little wind.

Hotel tip: The "Old Pastorate", once the work and residence of the pastors, is a refuge of tranquility. If you want, stay for yourself, if you want to chat a bit, sit down to eat or have breakfast together with other guests. With spa area (Old Pastorat, 25938 Süderende, Föhr, Tel. 046 83/226, www.hotel-altes-pastorat.de).

North Sea island Amrum

Because of the incredibly wide beaches and the stormy wind Amrum feels really wild. Especially on the widest beach in Europe, the "Kniepsand", which is actually an upstream sandbar. On a summer's day it does not differ much from the deserts of far southern parts of the globe, in winter it feels like being on the moon. There are also forests on the North Frisian island south of Sylt - not a matter of course in the North Sea.

Hotel tip: Apartments in new thatched houses, Frisian country house style, watchtower, large garden, spa area (Friesenhof Captain Cornelius Bendixen, Uasterstigh 33, 25946 Nebel, Amrum, Tel. 046 82/94 74 0, www.friesenhof.net).

North Sea island Pellworm

A North Sea island without sandy beaches? There's! The North Frisian island Pellworm consists mainly of meadows and pastures (with many sheep on it), which is why they are also? Little Ireland? is called. The beach chairs are on the dike - also called green beach. Above all, travelers appreciate the seclusion in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea and the rural charm.

Hotel tip: Organic farm with complete menus and family connection, ideal for children; Rooms and apartments, breakfast or half board on request (Ütermarker Hof, Ütermarkerweg 11, 25849 Pellworm, Tel. 048 44/230, www.bio-hof.de)

North Sea island Wangerooge

If you want to get out, you should give the East Frisian island Wangerooge a chance. The car-free island is manageable (scarce 8 square kilometers make it the second smallest East Frisian island) and perfect for a family holiday with a dog, which is welcome on many beaches and in many pensions.

North Sea island Spiekeroog

On Spiekeroog you will find a lot of peace, wide salt marshes, small forests, a 15-kilometer long sandy beach and the village Spiekeroog. Cars are banned on the green island and the last railroad still pulled by horses travels. A world of yesterday, in which party people, however, would die of boredom.

North Sea island Langeoog

The "long island" has about 14 kilometers of the finest sandy beach and is great for long beach walks at low tide and high tide. At the "Osterhook", on the eastern tip of the island, you can watch the seals and seals.

North Sea Island Baltrum

The smallest of the East Frisian Islands is also quiet and car-free, but offers a great deal for children and teenagers - there is even a youth club with billiards, table football and disco.

North Sea island Norderney

With its endless beaches Norderney is great for cycling, horseback riding, hiking and beach walking and for wellness from the sea: The "Bade: haus" is Germany's largest thalasso center.

Hotel tip: Well-being apartments with garden (Wessels, Emsstraße 7-9, Tel. 049 32/939 10, www.wesselsnorderney.de).

North Sea island Juist

Instead of cars, carriages race over the car-free island, instead of stressed-out fellows, one rabbit hangs from one foot to the other: Juist calms down. Especially when you stay at the posh beach hotel "Kurhaus Juist", which even has a sea water well - a prerequisite for classic thalasso therapy.

Hotel tip: In a great beach location rises the "White Castle by the sea", a spectacular building in the style of old grand hotels (Strandhotel Kurhaus Juist, Strandpromenade 1, 26571 Juist, www.kurhaus-juist.de).

North Sea island Borkum

Borkum is the largest and westernmost of the East Frisian Islands. It is located 30 kilometers and thus particularly far from the mainland in the sea - and thus from everyday life. The high seas climate on Borkum ensures that even allergy sufferers can breathe deeply - while cycling, kitesurfing, beach walking and swimming. The sandy beaches seem endless.

Hotel tip: On farm Pergande makes her vacation in the historic Friesenhaus, surrounded by an apple orchard. The café serves home-baked cakes and waffles. While you enjoy the sweets on the sun terrace by the stream, your children can draw candles in the barn (Hof Pergande, Poststraat 7, Nieblum auf Föhr, Tel. 04681 - 58 01 43, www.hof-pergande.de).

Hochseeinsel Helgoland

Even further away from everyday life is Heligoland in the North Sea, the only offshore island in Germany. During the day, she is haunted by day tourists? they buy tax-free, circle the island, look at the famous red rock finger, the "Lange Anna", and in the evening return by ship or catamaran to the mainland. However, if you are looking for a true deep-sea experience, you can take the ferry to the neighboring island "Die Düne", book yourself in a bungalow or on the campsite and enjoy complete mystery and starry nights.

Accommodations: On the "dune" you can buy colorful bungalows or build your tent. All information under www.helgoland.de/uebernachten

tip: Do you want to know how it lives on a Hallig? Katja Just has decided for this life: living on the Hallig Hooge