Holidays on Germany's Hamptons: Sylt

Tourists Love the North Sea Island off the Danish Coast

Jul 29, 2008
Renate Oetjens

Beach life on Sylt - Renate Oetjens

It's mainly Germans who travel to their northern most island of Sylt. But as the New York Times named it as one of 53 top-destinations in 2008, this might change.

Lying west of the German-Danish border and coast, the North Frisian island of Sylt is a beautiful spot to escape the city for a long weekend. Since Sylt first becoming popular with artists, writers and Germany's wealthy in the 19th century, Sylt has come a long way: The summer resort has developed into a popular destination all around the year – seaside fun can be enjoyed in the summer, but today sport events like the Surf World Cup, exclusive spas and the unique appeal of the windswept landscape attracts guests all year round.

Endless Beaches Offer perfect Getaway

Imagine 25 miles of perfect golden sand, stretching from north to south, the constant thunder of waves and the fresh sea air humming peacefully in the grass of the sand dunes. Even in the busiest season of July and August swimmers and walkers can always find a quiet spot for themselves. For many decades Sylt visitors have been enjoying the freedom of several nudist beaches – this might be as surprising for foreign visitors as the German custom of charging a fee for beach access, around 3 Euro per day, to keep the beaches tidy and to supply services like life guards. In return you get well maintained, secure beaches and proms, including old-fashioned live music by the sea, yoga classes in the sand and facilities for children and youngsters.

Culinary Delights among the Dunes

By exhausting yourself walking beaches, swimming in the powerful waves oder cycling against the often strong winds you are perfectly prepared for Sylt's culinary offerings: To enjoy all the excellent restaurants, a long weekend might not be enough. A selection: The unpretentious looking Sansibar is nestled into the sand dunes south of Westerland and offers delicious fresh sea-food and a vast wine cellar, that comes as impressive as unexpected. Kupferkanne is located in an artistically transformed WWII-bunker and has a lovely garden on the calm eastern coast of Sylt, especially worthwhile for breakfast and lunch stops – try the cakes! Loved by everybody and suited for all budgets is the local chain of fishmonger Gosch with al fresco restaurants in several nice locations like List harbour in the north.

Urban Feel or Exquisite Solitude - Where to Stay

While Sylt offers plenty of holiday homes and apartments, hotel and private accomodation, reservation before arrival is highly advisable - contact the tourist office for information. The central town of Westerland might not be the most picturesque place, but it has direct access to the beach and is an ideal base if you don't bring a car with you and want to discover the island by bicycle, by foot or by bus; the town also features a busy prom and shopping mile and most of the island's nightlife - accomodation at all price levels is available here.

Kampen is the more exclusive choice: With renowned restaurants, bars and clubs like Sturmhaube, Gogärtchen and Pony-Club it has remained the place to be seen in over years. At least as exclusive, but more private and quiet is the charming village Keitum with its thatched villas in rose scented gardens. Families often like the villages of Rantum and Wenningstedt – both offer direct access to the North Sea beach and attractive family-friendly restaurants to enjoy with or without the young ones. Both are close to the capital Westerland and at the same time close to pristine nature and quiet walks.

How to Get there

Your choices include: flying in – 50 minutes from Hamburg to Sylt airport, slightly longer from Düsseldorf, Munich or London Stansted; driving up by car to the coastal town Niebüll and going to the island by train – you can take the car on the 40 minute trip; or going by train, which would be the most economic way to travel – 3 hours from Hamburg.