Islands have always occupied a special place in the imagination of travellers. Defined by their finite geography, they inspire a romanticised sense of ‘getting away from it all’, even if they’re just offshore. However, when thinking about a beach escape, Germany rarely comes to mind. Except to the Germans themselves, who know that there’s no need to go to the Med or the Caribbean to find azure seas, white beaches, and endless horizons.
Some 50 islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea belong to Germany, nearly all of them slow-paced and pristine nature sanctuaries. The two bodies of water exhibit distinct characters. While the North Sea is exposed to brisk breezes and crashing waves, the Baltic feels like a giant protected sound with calmer waters and a more relaxed vibe. Therefore, we introduce four of our favourite offshore gems.
Sylt – the Swanky Beauty Spot
Because of its reputation as a summer colony for celebrities and jet-setters, Sylt has often been compared to Martha’s Vineyard and Saint Tropez. Indeed, there are flashy bars like the glorified beach shack called Sansibar, fancy Michelin-starred restaurants like Söl’ring Hof, and plenty of cruising late-model BMWs and Ferraris. Nonetheless, Sylt offers much more. Long, slender, and connected to the mainland by a train-only causeway, it has all the prerequisites for a quintessential summer holiday.
With over 40km of sugary, dune-fringed beaches, it’s easy to find a spot to spread your blanket in soul-restoring solitude. The blustery west coast attracts A-list windsurfers to its annual world cup competition, while on the sheltered eastern side the rhythm of the sea exposes the muddy ocean floor during low tide. Taking a barefoot ‘walk on the water’ is a highlight of any stay on Sylt.
Other typical destinations include lighthouses striped like candy canes, centuries-old Frisian cottages under thickly thatched roofs, and a 5000-year-old Stone Age burial chamber. Hence, it’s easy to fall under the spell of Germany’s northernmost island, nicknamed the ‘Queen of the North Sea’.
Helgoland – the Island That Rocks
San Francisco may have Alcatraz, but Germany has its own ‘rock’, though it was never a high-security prison. Situated about 70km from the mainland, Helgoland is a tiny, wind-battered speck of red sandstone emerging from the North Sea like a flooded Uluru. The boat trip out here may test the stomach of the faint-hearted, yet all is forgotten upon arrival at this almost mystical island—actually two islands torn apart by a storm in 1720.
Helgoland’s history is as colourful as the charming fishermen’s houses lining its diminutive harbor. Danish until 1807, it was ceded to Great Britain after the Napoleonic wars, only to be traded to Germany in 1890 in exchange for the African island of Zanzibar. This decision proved controversial, especially given that the Germans made effective use of Helgoland’s strategic location during both world wars.
Today, it mainly attracts day-trippers from Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Cuxhaven, eager for duty-free deals and the island’s famous local lobster. However, those who linger a bit longer will truly soak up its refreshing air (cars are banned) and mild maritime climate courtesy of the Gulf Stream. Notably, a much-photographed landmark is the Lange Anna (Tall Anna), a 47m high pinnacle jutting from the sea, alongside WWII bunkers and ruins to explore, and a resurgence of Atlantic grey seals.
Rügen – the Unpretentious All-Rounder
As Germany’s largest island, Rügen offers as much nature, history, and architecture as many small countries. Fringed by 60km of sandy beaches, this Baltic isle increasingly attracts nature-starved Berliners (the capital is only 300km away). Moreover, it boasts a long and storied tradition as a holiday destination. Notables like Bismarck, Albert Einstein, and Christopher Isherwood vacationed here before WWII.
An even earlier visitor was Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, who famously captured Rügen’s enigmatic beauty in his moody landscapes. Among his favorite motifs were the cliffs of white chalk that plunge into the jade-hued sea in the far north. Just as gleaming white are the ornate gingerbread trims on the seaside villas lining the beach promenade in Binz, Rügen’s main resort, since its late 19th-century heyday.
Fast forward to the 1930s when the Nazis constructed Prora—an awe-inspiring yet unsightly tourist complex envisioned to cater to 20,000 party faithful but ultimately never completed. After languishing for decades, this colossal structure is now being developed into a luxury getaway, prompting various perspectives: some view it critically while others see it as a sign of Germany emerging from its darkest chapter.
Fehmarn – the Sunny Family Isle
Here’s a trivia question: where did Jimi Hendrix play his final concert? Answer: at the Love & Peace Festival held on Germany’s island Fehmarn (fehmarn.de/en) in September 1970. Rarely on the radar of non-Germans, this Baltic gem long ranks high with local holidaymakers in search of unspoiled nature and a relaxed vibe.
Connected to the mainland by a 963m-long bridge, Fehmarn is one of the sunniest spots in the country. Its 78km of broad, gently sloping beaches receive high ratings from families, while photographers reap rich rewards in springtime when canary-yellow rape blossoms blanket the hills.
Bird watchers year-round train their binoculars on feathered commuters such as great herons, tufted ducks, and red-necked grebes. Furthermore, perfect wind and water conditions have made Fehmarn a mecca for kitesurfers, hosting several competitions, including the prestigious Kite Surf World Cup (kitesurfworldcup.de).
