While international tourism to Germany is increasing, visitors rather stick to the clichés like beer and Lederhosen at Munich and a cruise on the river Mosel; or they hang out at the hip capital Berlin – instead of enjoying Island Hopping in Germany.
I guess that’s the reason why many people think Germany is landlocked. They don’t think about long coasts, two seas, and about 80 islands.
However, that’s exactly what Germany’s north has to offer – and many fascinating phenomenons like the tideland that comes with it. As a matter of fact, Germany’s shoreline is longer than the Portuguese one.
So what are you waiting for? Join me on my island hopping…in Germany!
Germany consists of sixteen federal states. Three of them are on the coast. Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are in the north and Lower Saxony is in the west. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is in the Baltic region and Lower Saxony’s shores border the north sea. Schleswig-Holstein, however, is nestled between both.
The Islands
As I mentioned before, there are about 80 islands there and I cannot introduce them all. Therefore, I’ve had a concept, travelling from the east to the west, and picked the following:
Fehmarn in the Baltic sea
Föhr as one of the five large North Frisian islands
Heligoland as supposedly Germany’s only deep-sea island
Neuwerk which does politically belong to the distant city of Hamburg and you can reach walking
Borkum as one of the seven East Frisian islands – and Germany’s westernmost isle
On this map, you can see where exactly they are located:
Each of these islands represents precious culture and traditions, astonishing phenomenons, outstanding activities, beautiful sceneries, and well-preserved flora and fauna.
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein lies on the base of the Jutland Peninsula between the north sea and the Baltic. Both waters are epicontinental seas and are connected with the Atlantic ocean.
It is the northernmost of the 16 federal states of Germany with obviously, long beaches and many islands.
I’ve introduced three of them:
Fehmarn
Fehmarn is Germany’s third-largest island. In the times of Germany’s post-war division, it was the only Island in the Baltic sea belonging to the western part, the Federal Republic.
In the south, the Fehmarnsundbrücke, the Fehmarn Sound Bridge, connects the island with the German mainland. It is almost one kilometer long and carries road and rail.
In the north, at Puttgarden, lies the small harbor that connects Fehmarn with Rødby in Denmark by a very scenic ferry ride. By the way, also just a great joy roundtrip in itself.
Once on Fehmarn, you need to
✔ have breakfast or tea time at one of the cozy cafés in the remodeled barns
✔ visit the Waterbird Reserve Wallnau
✔ go on a ferry ride to Denmark
✔ visit an old windmill and learn about the island’s past rural life
✔ cycle on the 300 kilometers long bike lanes to the beautiful beaches
But there is much more to explore – as you can read in my post.
Föhr
There are five North Frisian islands scattered in the north sea off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein. One of them, Föhr, is Germany’s largest and most populated island with no land connection. You have to get there by ferry which even adds to the charm.
There are various interesting and quirky phenomenons to experience on – or off – the island of Föhr like a hike into the tideland and paying the gray seals on a sandbar a visit.
Also, in summer, you can hike to the neighboring island Amrum. Like I said, in summer, since you have to cross a hip-deep tidal creek….and, believe me, you don’t want to do that during any other time of the year!
Once on Föhr, you need to
✔ go on a boat trip to the Halligs, the tiny, secluded islets scattered in the sea around North Frisia
✔ pay the old cemeteries a visit and try to figure out the life stories of the late whale catchers
✔ admire modern art at the Museum der Westküste, the Art Museum of the West Coast
✔ awe at the gorgeous traditional architecture for instance at the village of Nieblum
✔ spend the night under the stars in a Strandkorb, a hooded wicker beach chair.
But there is much more to explore – as you can read in my post.
Heligoland
Heligoland is a tiny archipelago that long ago used to be Danish and British, but is, actually, as German as can be. In 1841, the poet Von Fallersleben wrote the National Anthem during his stay on the island.
However, today’s visitors to Heligoland can hardly imagine that at the end of WWII, Germany’s supposedly only deepsea island was completely bombed out. For ten long years, it even was uninhabitable.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, today, Heligoland is one of Germany’s most popular islands when it comes to a couple of relaxing days in a secluded spot.
Once on Heligoland, you need to
✔ pay the seals on the island of Düne a visit
✔ hike on the Oberland to the rock where the birds are nesting
✔ join an informative and gripping tour of the air raid shelter tunnels
✔ eat Knieper, delicious crab claws
✔ do some duty-free shopping
But there is much more to explore – as you can read in my post.
Lower Saxony
In terms of the surface area, Lower Saxony is Germany’s second-largest federal state, however, it is somehow the country’s éminence grise. Although it does not get much international tourism, probably everybody around the globe knows Lower Saxony’s most prominent export hit, the Volkswagen, with its headquarters in Wolfsburg.
However, there is more important industry in Lower Saxony, and the annual fair Cebit was taking place at Lower Saxony’s capital Hannover till 2018 for a reason.
In Hannover, in the year 2000 also the World Exhibition Expo took place.
Another fun fact is the very tight connection between the British Royal House and the Welfs of Hannover. Also, Princess Caroline of Monaco had married randy Welf Prince Ernst-August who for instance caused a scandal during the Expo when he peed against the Turkish pavilion – literally!
Obviously, all this is not necessarily a reason to put Lower Saxony on my list of unmissable tourist destinations. But the coastline is a valid one, respectively the Wadden Sea and the islands scattered there:
The world’s largest Tideland stretches in the North-West of Europe from the Netherlands along Germany’s West coast all the way up to Denmark. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.
The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a major part of this area and spreads over 1,335 square miles. It was established in 1986 and consists of the East Frisian Islands, mudflats, and salt marshes.
Neuwerk
Neuwerk is one of the many small islands located in the World’s largest Wadden Sea. This area stretches in the North-West of Europe from the Netherlands along Germany all the way up to Denmark.
It has a quirky status since it belongs to the city of Hamburg which is about 120 km further east. Neuwerk is basically a North German Gibraltar.
That you can actually hike to this island makes it even more unusual.
So once you get there, chances are that you’ll have already the most exciting part behind you. However, there are further attractions you shouldn’t miss.
Once on Neuwerk, you need to
✔ A hike to Cuxhaven – unless you came here hiking and do want to get back the same day
✔ A hike to the uninhabited islet of Scharhörn, a spellbinding refuge for birds
✔ Enjoy a snack at one of the small farmhouses
✔ Get information on the wonders of the Wadden Sea at the information center Nationalpark-Haus
✔ Spend the night in a straw bed
But there is much more to explore – as you can read in my post.
Borkum
The island of Borkum is one of the seven East Frisian Islands off the coast of Eastern Friesland. It is not only the largest but also the westernmost isle. Therefore, Borkum is geographically actually closer to the Netherlands than to the German mainland.
Parts of Borkum, as well as the adjacent tideland, form part of the Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer, Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park, hence listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.
Once on Borkum, you need to
✔ explore the island cycling on about 130 kilometers long bike lanes
✔ go on a coach tour to the seal sandbar
✔ pay the whale catcher cemetery and the old lighthouse a visit
✔ spend a day on the beach in a traditional Strandkorb, a hooded wicker chair, or in the dunes
✔ enjoy the view from the new lighthouse
But there is much more to explore – as you can read in my post.
So, you’re planning on adding a beach break to your next trip to Germany now? Then make sure to pin one of these pix for future reference:
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I’d love to cycle round Bokrum and visit Heligoland. Germany is definitely somewhere I don’t associate with island hopping but all of these places look amazing.
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Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words.
This is one part of Germany I haven’t been to yet. I would love to go island hoping. It’s amazing what we take for granted in our own backyard. I have seen about 80% of Germany, as I am half German, and spent my summers there visiting my Oma. But nothing north of Koln have I been. I will someday, and will use your guide as my resource. Dankeschon aus Kanada!
Gern geschehen – yes, the North is quite different than the South – less cliché 😉
I must admit that I often think of Germany as a cold, land locked country. Good to be reminded that there is lots of coastlines and islands too. I think when I plan a visit to Germany it will now have lots of variety between the big cities and some island hopping. I loved reading that there is such a good variety in the things to do on the islands.
Those places are stunning, I wouldn’t have guessed there were in Germany! For some reasons I always thought about big city and architecture for Germany, islands hopping is a great activity!
I’m ashamed to say I also had never thought about Germany having such beautiful islands. Or any islands for that matter. I should know it isn’t landlocked as my first ever trip abroad age 14 was to Germany by ship from the UK. I love all the seals, they are so cute. Hard to believe there are beaches with that many of them. And that Friesentorte looks delicious
Oh Boy! I had no idea! I visited Germany last year March, if only I knew about island hopping. Perhaps next time! A great post 🙂
I honestly never knew Germany even had islands and now I want to go back and visit some! It looks so charming to island hop in Germany
When I think of Germany, I definitely don’t think ‘Island Hopping’. Thanks for this fresh perspective on a well-travelled destination. The islands look like a birders paradise, I think I’d love a trip there.
This is such a great trip as I love island hopping. To be frank I never thought of visiting the German coast but I would absolutely love to do it. BTW that picture of Fehmarn with the rapeseed in full bloom looks divine.
Thank you for sharing another side of Germany! The photo of the horse-ride on the beach in Neuwerk really caught my eye. I’ll definitely consider adding that to my itinerary when I find myself in Germany.
Germany is such a beautiful country with such diverse terrain. I love seeing the islands as I haven’t had an opportunity to visit any of them. I will definitely be adding them to my list though!
Yap, like I say: There is more to see than Lederhosen and Cuckoo clocks 😀
Yap, as I say: There is more to see than Lederhosen and Cuckoo clocks 😀
Wonderful intro to the German north coast! I am guilty of having never considered it, but looks like a restful nature area once you’ve had your fill of the big cities! Thanks for the ideas!
That’s exactly the reason why I did this series: Most foreigners have not idea how beautiful and unique the Northern coasts are.
Wow, I definitely never thought about island hopping in Germany. I knew it wasn’t landlocked but never think about it’s coastline! This is a great introduction, good for when I can get back to Europe and plan a trip to the islands!
That you knew that Germany is not landlocked is already much more than many people do know ?
When I read your title at first, I thought you are joking. I never knew about German islands and these island hopping thing looks interesting to me. As I have been to German mainlands and was quite impressed, and so this time, thinking for some islands after reading your post. Fehmarn looks very beautiful with those yellow rapeseed blooms.
This is exactly the reason why I’m introducing these islands: It’s a side of Germany hardly any foreigner knows about. I want to change that! 🙂
This is definitely not what comes to mind when I think of Germany. From Beaches to seal’s… Clearly I have a lot to learn about this country!
I had never thought of Germany as a beach/island destination so it was surprising to read of all these amazing places to visit. For me, the wildlife on Heligoland would be a big draw.
I really love this article and I love the islands of Germany. I am quite fond of the island of Rügen and especially Hiddensee. I know that area well because my sailboat once had her home port in Stralsund and I learned to sail on the Baltic Sea. I was lucky enough to take a sailing trip to the island of Helgoland and absolutely loved the spectacular bird sanctuary! It was really special! I don’t know these other islands but can’t wait to explore them one day!
What a memorable horse-ride to the island of Neuwerk, that’s quite a trek but a lovely way to spend you day. It doesn’t sound like there’s much to do once you get there, but what’s that saying about the the journey being more important than the destination?
No, there definitely isn’t much to do on Neuwerk. You can watch the water come and go – or the grass grow. Actually, you can also hike to a bird sanctuary as the tide is low. But that’s it: Charming nothing 😀
I’ve never even thought about the islands of Germany, I’m not sure I even thought about their existence. This is giving me a sight of a very different side of Germany to visit!
I would not have thought of Germany having islands. This is a very helpful guide!
I always find my self surprised when I read about countries that are not surrounded by the meditoranian, that have really beautiful beaches. I dont know why though, I live in sweden and we have fairytale beaches aswell, but still… 😀
You are completely right, when I think of Germany………I never think of Germany and islands. In my mind it is always landlocked beautiful mountains and fields. I definitely want to go for a tour of all the islands.
I had no idea Germany has islands. I need to read up on my history. I would love them all for the hiking. But Heligoland sounds fascinated. When you think of it ot really wasn’t all that long ago when it was bombed out in the grand scheme of things . They rebuilt it quite quickly.
Definitely would not have thought about island hopping in Germany! Such a unique and different way to explore the country. I hope to get back to Germany again in the future and would love to see some of the places firsthand.
Germany certainly looks different to me now that I know of these islands you have mentioned. They each are unique and island hopping would be a wonderful experience.
I love your posts about the islands. I never think of Germany as having islands and they all look so fabulous. I think I can feel a plan coming on! Malta and Germany have an air corridor ?
They are just wonderful – each of them 🙂
BRB, just planning my trip to Heligoland to see the seals! This is a great post, I honestly can’t believe people don’t talk about Germany’s islands more.
That’s so cool…never ever have I thought about island hopping in Germany. Well, now I know.
My teenage son and I absolutely adore Germany and we had planned another trip for this summer, but COVID…
So many off the beaten track places for us to choose from in here !
Once you can make it to Germany, you should definitely see (also) other stuff than those epitomes. The north is different, interesting – and quite peculiar 😉
I've been up to the North Sea in Germany, which isn't always the warmest even in summer. But I didn't realize Germany has all those islands or that you could even visit many of them. That's definitely getting off the beaten path in Germany!
Yes, the weather – which can be very hot or quite cold even in summer – is the only weak point. It can be tropical, but you can never be sure.
What a unique thing to do – island hopping in Germany. I didn't even know these islands existed! Love your photos; must have been fun to see all the wildlife!
Yes, especially on Heligoland, the birds'n'beasts were quite impressive.
Wow what a beautiful place to explore. I love to cycle so I would love to explore this German island.
Cycling there is so much fun – a feeling of complete freedom!
What another fun German island. We love riding so would totally cycle around Fehmarn. Or course, we’d have to visit Fohr for Frisian cake. 🙂
Yes, I personally find they make the best on Föhr. But maybe I could add a series on Frisian cake hopping….
Looks like a beautiful destination! How fun that you got to see seals!
These seals are sooo cute – and it was amazing to see them from so close.
You got it right, when people say Germany, I absolutely do not picture islands or beaches; instead, I think of Berliner Dom and beautiful churches in Munich and more, completely landlocked. But this is a complete new picture of Germany that you have brought up. Starting from the Frisian islands to the places by the Baltic sea, places like Fohr, Heligoland, Neuwerk, Borkum, Fehmarn are completely new to me and I would love to include them in my Germany itinerary.
I'm very happy that I was able to add another side of your views of Germany!
I am very guilty of what you say, all of my trips so far to Germany have very much involved a few too many beers and not enough of the coast line. I love that you can reach the island of Neuwerk by walking or on horseback! That would be amazing to do.
Don't worry, I think most people are guilty of that. Yes, the hike to Neuwerk is amazing, and they build a mobile bar on the tideland – so next time, you'll have your beer there.
This is a great post and thank you so much for showing a different side of Germany. Like many, I had very typical impressions of Germany and none of them included beaches. I know the Portuguese coastline, so I can only imagine the German one. I have a new appreciation for the country. Thank you.
That was my only intention: To show that it's not all mountains and that the other part is totally worth visiting. And research for my posts was a great excuse to spend some amazing weekends on those islands, too 😉
The only time I seen the coastline of Germany is from my 80+ flights between UK and Latvia in the last ten years. The beaches sure do like wide and yellow (not sure if they are golden) but they also look quite quiet in the summer months also, probably the same sort of British weather, too cold! 😀 But from the ground and on your post, there looks like some hidden gems here and defo worth checking out.
I guess that's because they are so huge; they are never, ever packed since there is sooo much space. Well, too cold….in summer, it's up to 35 degrees celsius – then you need the Strandkorb to shelter from the sun.
So true, that first photo is certainly not what we picture when mentioning Germany. Love that Friesentorte, by the way, looks delicious.
Still, I think I'd go for Borkum. Spending time on the beach there would be nice, but I'd also try the cycling tour. If not for the whole 300 km, then for at least 10 or so.
Thanks for this, didn't even know about this side of Germany. 🙂
The stay on Borkum was really nice – I'm still overwhelmed by the size of the beaches: huuuuge!
So this is the introductory post. I think I've read most of your posts on each island. Changed my whole picture of Germany even as we went to the south and not Munich, Berlin or Frankfurt
Hm, you don't have to change it, you just have to add the north 😉
I think the other reason people don’t associate islands with Germany is because those islands and seas are to the north where it doesn’t get too warm for beach stuff. But the wildlife is astonishing!