Wangerooge is the easternmost and, together with Baltrum, the smallest of the seven East Frisian islands. Tourism is the main source of income on the car-free and family-friendly island. Historically, the island is part of the Frisian Jeverland, but is generally counted as part of the holiday region of East Frisia. The kilometre-long sandy beach and the Wadden Sea determine the character of the island. Along the beach promenade there are numerous hotels and spa facilities. This also includes an indoor seawater pool. The Café Pudding on a dune acts as a prominent meeting place on Wangerooge. The shape of Wangerooge is often compared to that of a seahorse.

Geography, landscapes, flora and fauna

The beach is adjoined by dunes and dikes. In addition, salt marshes and marshes characterise large parts of the North Sea island. A lagoon in the salt marshes has developed into a breeding and resting place for seabirds. The mudflats used to be even flatter than today and there was a footpath and wagon path from the mainland over to Wangerooge. Bomb craters from the world wars also represent small biotopes. The whole of Wangerooge belongs to the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park and is strictly protected. The flora on Wangerooge is characterized by a considerable poverty of species, only targeted reforestation brought smaller forest and bush areas with willows, poplars and potato roses. The fauna, on the other hand, is very species-rich. Many bird species feel at home on Wangerooge, migratory birds use it as a stopover. The variety of butterfly species on the island is also remarkable. The sandbanks in the Wadden Sea are used by seals and grey seals for sunbathing.

Sights on Wangerooge

The Old Lighthouse

A living monument to the island’s history and seafaring, the Old Lighthouse towers over the main town of Wangerooge. Until 1969, it reliably showed ships in the direction of Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven the way. Only then was it replaced by the new lighthouse. Several important shipping lanes cross off Wangerooge. Today, the Old Lighthouse houses a small museum about the island’s history. And you can even get married here. However, lighthouses have existed on Wangerooge since 1600, after a devastating storm surge hit the island.

The West Tower

Another striking monument rises into the sky of Wangerooge with the west tower. It is now used as a youth hostel . It is a replica of an earlier tower, which served as a landmark, but was destroyed during the severe storm surge in 1855, in which the island of Wangerooge was torn into three parts.

The National Park House Rosenhaus

The house is all about the Wadden Sea. Inside, there is a small aquarium and some interactive stations, as well as a movie room. The highlight, however, is likely to be the sperm whale skeleton presented. Participants of the Voluntary Ecological Year are happy to answer questions from visitors and show them around. More information can be found on the website.

Opening hours:

from 16 March to 31 October:
Mon closed
Tue – Fri: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sat., Sun. and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

from November 1st to March 15th:
Mon closed
Tue – Fri: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sat., Sun. and public holidays: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The National Park House is closed over the Christmas holidays (24-26 December).

The Island Cinema “Insellichtspiele”

Of course, a cinema is not to be missed on Wangerooge. It is located almost directly opposite the central Café Pudding in the Hotel Hanken and offers space for 100 spectators. Open in the summer months and in bad weather, the cinema is a great alternative for young and old. Up to four performances are shown daily.

Pure nature in the west of Wangerooge

The island railway also runs through this part of the von Wangerooge. Wide salt marshes stretch here, which serve as a refuge for many bird species. On a hike or bike tour through this area in the direction of the west tower, the kiosk “Bei Klausi” invites you to take a break with coffee and cake on the way. Various sweets are available for the little ones.

Leisure activities on Wangerooge

Leisure, games and sports are very important on Wangerooge. First and foremost, life takes place on the long sandy beach, but there is also a dune playground, an indoor sandpit and the Sockenland children’s playhouse. In case of bad water, a visit to the seawater indoor pool is announced. After all, on Wangerooge you even have the opportunity to spend the night in a beach chair and wake up surrounded by sand, the sound of the sea and the cry of seagulls.

Wellness and health

The seawater adventure pool with the Oase health centre ensures that Wangerooge is far ahead, especially when it comes to wellness and cure. Thalasso treatments, soothing massages and physiotherapy treatments are available for every age group. In addition, there are climate and exercise therapies, swimming courses, but also sporting activities such as aqua jogging and water aerobics. After training, the sauna area promises peace, relaxation and loose muscles. Geysers and two hot whirlpools complete the varied wellness offer.

Useful holiday information

• Wangerooge can be reached by ferry from the port of Harlesiel in a tide-dependent connection several times a day. We continue from the ferry port with the island railway to the main town of the same name. With the ferry ticket you also receive the Wangerooge Card, which also functions as a spa card and admission ticket to various events on the island. If you are in a hurry, you can take the plane, which flies to Wangerooge, also from Harlesiel, in five minutes.
• Beach chairs can be reserved at the spa administration or online in advance. For day visitors, the rental happens directly on the main beach.
• There is a limited area for dogs on the east beach, otherwise they must be kept on a leash and are not allowed to enter the Wadden Sea National Park under any circumstances.
  After all, mudflat hikes should only be started under expert guidance, otherwise it can happen that you misjudge your time or are suddenly surprised by the flood due to other imponderables and thus your life is in danger.

Take the boat out into the big wide sea. The fresh air blows into your face, the song of the seagulls sounds and the sound of the waves surrounds you. Is there anything more beautiful? Simply drive to wherever you spontaneously feel like it, explore beautiful places and harbours, find fantastic beaches, enjoy picturesque bays and simply switch off. That sounds like a plan? Then be curious about what else the Baltic Sea has to offer!

City trip along the Peene

Rent a boat or rent one (tip: rent a boat in the Baltic Sea) and you’re ready to go. This tour starts in the cute, small community of Neukalen. Here you will find quaint monuments, a great, small old town and restaurants that will spoil your palate. After this detour, you continue by boat to Verchen. The village, located at the northeast end of Lake Kummerow, is something very special, because the village impresses with its location and beautiful nature. A water hiking rest area and various beaches are just waiting to be found by you. By the way, in Verchen you will find the largest low moor landscape in the entire European region! The tour continues, you set off for Demmin.

Nature tourists in particular get their money’s worth here. In addition, the Hanseatic city of Demmin offers many venerable buildings, including the Marienhain, which was named after St. Mary’s Church. It stood there until 1630, when it was completely destroyed. Off to the boat and on to Jarmen. Here, too, you will find various water hiking rest areas that offer pure idyll. Great church buildings and an old well, integrated into a restaurant, are special sights. We continue on the Peene to Anklam. This is where the Peene ends. But before that, there is still a lot to see. In addition to beautiful windmills and time-honoured buildings, you can expect a wonderful park and cultural institutions. The best thing about this tour is that the whole open Baltic Sea is now in front of you.

Island hopping in the Baltic Sea

In the German Baltic Sea alone, there are over 50 islands, but not all of them are inhabited. The largest and most inhabited of these islands are Rügen, Usedom, Fehmarn, Poel, Ummanz and Hiddensee. Each one has its own special charm. It is therefore definitely worthwhile to charter a boat and then go on a big tour.

Rebuke

On Rügen, the chalk cliffs are particularly admirable. The insanely imposing sea view at this point takes everyone’s breath away. You also have to see the Sellin pier, which offers a truly amazing panorama.

Usedom

Usedom offers white beaches and stunning sand sculptures. There are great lidos to be found there and on Usedom, family holidays are always a great idea. From the butterfly farm to the mini golf courses to ostrich farms, everything is possible here. Here you can experience the entire diversity of the Baltic Sea!

Fehmarn

Fehmarn is known, among other things, for the magnificent Fehmarnsund Bridge, which offers a brilliant sight, especially at sunrise and sunset. There is also something for rock music fans. The Jimi Hendrix memorial stone is placed here, commemorating the talented musician. Furthermore, the many mills and lighthouses here are always worth a visit.

Poel

Poel has various harbours on offer, which are particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts. Nature fans are also well catered for here, because the bird sanctuary island of Langendwerder is predestined to observe colourful and cheerful mudflats and water birds. With experienced guides, you can get all the information you need here.

Ummanz

Ummanz may be less well known, but it is no less beautiful. This small island represents the idyll in its purest form. Green, flat areas, farms, streams, rivers and home-style restaurants. The sight alone conveys such a calm and relaxed atmosphere that Ummanz should not be left out of an island hopping tour.

Hiddensee

Hiddensee is something for all those who love romantic nature. Untouched land meets sandbanks and cliffs. Here you can see sights that you don’t see often these days. A dreamlike natural paradise awaits you, where endangered animal species are protected by a national park. Hiddensee is an absolute must on your itinerary through the Baltic Sea!

If you decide to rent or borrow a boat, don’t save at the wrong end. It is better to rent it a little longer than too short. Not that you end up getting annoyed because you had to miss out on one of these beautiful destinations. It is definitely worthwhile to explore the Baltic Sea extensively and to give each anchor point enough time. Pack your partner, family or friends, rent a boat and go exploring! You can live on such an adventure for the rest of your life. Of course, a boat license is a prerequisite for such a longer trip. But even if you don’t have one yet, it’s definitely worth tackling. The Baltic Sea simply has too many beautiful spots on earth that need to be explored. So what are you waiting for?

Our tip: SamBoat

At SamBoat you can rent your suitable boat with just a few clicks. After you have found your suitable boat, make a non-binding booking request. If this has been accepted, you can pay for the boat directly online. The boat owner will also receive your payment directly. This allows you to concentrate fully on the boat handover on site. Make sure that the description given in the advertisement is correct.

Spiekeroog is located between the islands of Langeoog and Wangerooge in the Wadden Sea in Lower Saxony and belongs to the district of Wittmund. Except for a few logistics companies such as The post office and the emergency vehicles of the volunteer fire brigade and the ambulance, the island of Spiekeroog is completely car-free. The population of the island is 850 inhabitants. Tourism is the central economic factor – the island is visited by about 600,000 holidaymakers every year.

The most popular sights of the island

Old Island Church

The Evangelical Lutheran church was built in 1696 on Spiekeroog and is therefore the oldest surviving house of God on one of the East Frisian islands. It forms the heart of the island, is homely and cozy, so that you can feel quite secure. Services take place from the beginning of November to mid-March, but baptisms, weddings and funerals of islanders are held throughout the year.
However, non-residents with a “special island connection” can also be married in the Old Island Church. A prominent example of this was the Federal President Johannes Rau, who married in this church in 1982. Tip: It is only open at a few times, so check the schedule beforehand if you want to enter the church.

Museum horse-drawn tram

Spiekeroog is home to Germany’s only museum horse-drawn tram. As early as 100 years ago, this railway took passengers from the former station to the Westend. The drive through the salt marshes to the former Herrenbadestrand takes about 12 minutes. This experience is great for young and old. Tip: In the summer months, the train runs every hour from 12:00 to 16:00.

National Park – Haus Wittbülten

In this national park you can discover the Wadden Sea habitat and is especially interesting for the little ones, because in many places touching is extra desired and allowed. The nature trails and the aquarium with local fish and varied events are particularly sensational. Information on opening hours and current exhibitions can be found on the website of the National Park.

Island Museum

In an old captain’s house, in the middle of the village, the small island museum is housed. There you can learn a lot about the history of Spiekeroog, its shipping, sea rescue and about the customs and traditions of the islanders. The opening hours are daily except Tuesdays (closed day) from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dune Spa

In the Dünenspa on Spiekeroog you will find everything that pampers the body, is healthy and touches the senses. Not only the wide range of offers, but also the natural architecture invite you to linger. In the sauna area, you can enjoy beautiful dune panoramas alone, as a couple or as a family. You can find the opening hours on the spa’s website. Tickets should be reserved in advance.

Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park

After the rainforest, the Wadden Sea is the largest ecosystem on earth. There are about 4,000 different plant and animal species to discover here. The Wadden Sea has been a national park since 1986 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. By participating in a mudflat hike, you can learn a lot of interesting facts about the Wadden Sea and its tides. This is very interesting for the little ones, but also for the big ones.

De Utkieker

The 3.5 m tall, bronze-coloured sculpture depicts a naked man looking over the dunes to the sea. De Utkieker translates as “The Lookout” was designed by the artist Hannes Helmke and inaugurated in 2007. An enchanting walking path leads through Spiekeroog directly to the sculpture.

Island cinema

The small island has a cinema with state-of-the-art technology such as 3D film and Dolby 7.1.
Not only the current films can be watched, but also popular film classics are played again and again. The Inselkino is also booked for events such as readings, concerts and comedy performances.

Curious Shell Museum

Opposite the island cinema, in the house “Knogge” is the curious shell museum. In this museum you will find all kinds of shells that have been given imaginative names by their collector. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Special features of Spiekeroog

In the past, the island was only covered by sand. The Spiekeroogers began to plant the island, which over time made the flora more and more lush.
Today there are unique groves with ancient trees. The car-free island is interesting not only because of its landscape, but also because there are many different activities to discover.

Few places on the Baltic Sea attract as many travellers every year as Timmendorfer Strand. Not far from Lübeck and within easy reach of recreational destinations such as Hamburg, Kiel or Fehmarn, lies the fascinating Baltic Sea resort, which in good weather stands for holiday relaxation close to the sea. The history of the village dates back to the Middle Ages, and today it attracts tourist attention with its beach, piers and family excursion highlights such as SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand. So it is not surprising that the village of Timmendorfer Strand is now one of the best places to experience the Baltic Sea coast.

Holiday highlight – The coastal panorama at Timmendorfer Strand

The real highlight of the seaside resort stretches over about seven kilometres: the beach. It is not without reason that a six-digit number of holidaymakers are drawn to Timmendorfer Strand every year. Relaxation in the typical beach chairs on the fine sandy coastal strip of the seaside resort is popular. Especially in the warm months, the region becomes a lively holiday destination in its beach area. If you’re not on the beach, you can stroll along the waterfront promenades or stop off at one of the cafés, restaurants and bars along the shore. The beach panorama is also impressive with its striking piers. The Seeschlösschen Bridge, which in its modern form protrudes 150 meters into the Baltic Sea , stands out in particular.

But the heart of Timmendorfer Strand does not only consist of the beach and promenade. In the middle of the village is the New Spa Park, which offers a pleasant contrast to beach life in the sunny months due to its lush green. The Trinkkurhalle within the park is now a popular venue for events and events. Timmendorfer Strand is also still home to the Old Spa Park, built in the 1930s, which is a little quieter with its historic face. The mix of beach, parks and sights makes the Baltic Sea resort of Timmendorfer Strand a serious option for a multifaceted Baltic Sea holiday.

Niendorf – Relaxation at the beach and pier

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, you can visit the Niendorf district to the east. The tranquil town has a prominent harbour that is intended for yachts and fishing boats. If you are interested in regional fishing, you can also discover the Niendorf fish market here, not far from which small restaurants and cafés are waiting for a stop. Despite the rather quieter village, Niendorf is a popular centre for events and events. Harbour festivals take place here, as well as the jazz festival JazzBaltica, which is now celebrated annually in the spa gardens of Timmendorfer Strand. Niendorf also has a section of beach, but it is a little less busy and fine-grained, like the popular sandy beach in Timmendorfer Strand. For this purpose, Niendorf has the Niendorf Bird Park, which currently offers a home to about 1,000 birds, some of them exotic species.

Local recreation destinations – Sea Life, Hemmelsdorfer See and co.

For holidaying families, the Sea Life on Timmendorfer Strand is particularly interesting. Since 1996, the large aquarium has been on display in the coastal region of the village. The aquarium takes up a lot of space: On an area of about 1,500 square meters, a wide variety of themed aquariums can be discovered – from rainforest habitats to Europe’s coastal worlds to a tropical underwater tunnel. Sea Life provides another facet in the interesting excursion program around Timmendorfer Strand. The same applies to the natural Hemmelsdorfer See, which unfolds directly south of Timmendorfer Strand and Niendorf. The lake is a popular local recreation area in Schleswig-Holstein and has existed since the last ice age. There is a prominent observation tower here, and ice sailing is particularly popular when the season is right.

Lübeck, Hansa Park, Bad Segeberg – Popular excursions in the region

However, those who choose their tourist accommodation in Timmendorfer Strand also benefit from a convenient location not far from the holiday highlights of Schleswig-Holstein. It is about 20 kilometres to Lübeck. The old town of Lübeck is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List for nothing. If you stay at Timmendorfer Strand, you should not miss local sights such as the Holsten Gate, St. Mary’s Church, St. Peter’s Church or Travemünde with its lighthouse and beach promenade. The popular Hansa Park is also nearby, which can be reached in 15 kilometres.

In an average year, millions of visitors are drawn to the park, which stands for varied entertainment with its attractions – from roller coasters to water rides. The excursion programme from Timmendorfer Strand is rounded off by popular day trips such as Bad Segeberg with its Karl May Festival on the Kalkberg, the port city of Kiel, the world metropolis of Hamburg and the holiday island of Fehmarn. One thing is clear: The popularity of Timmendorfer Strand is not only fed by the scenic beach location and the beautiful coastal region, but also by the optimal location not far from some of the absolute highlights on the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein