Sylt
The Island
They call it the queen and rightly so. Diversity in a very small area. A small strip of nature in a constant battle with the elements wind, water, and tide, while at the same time fulfilling all the criteria for a perfect vacation on the North Sea. Almost everyone loves the wind and the especially invigorating climate.
It is the largest island in the North Sea with an unusual shape and many faces. On the sandy beaches on the west side, the roaring surf and music share the sound. Here you can dive into the island lifestyle on the chic, beautiful promenade. In the east is the contrast program – thatched-roof Frisian houses are nestled among the dunes in the heath valleys with a view of the Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park, a designated UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Sylt’s beauty unfolds here in a way that makes artists, photographers, writers, and vacationers alike sing its praises. The connection to the mainland is the Hindenburgdamm, with a railway that brings the tourists to the island.
There is no lack of activity here and that applies to the island itself. The wind and the North Sea are constantly nibbling away at the island and Sylt shrinks every year by at least one meter. Maybe that is one of the reasons for the exuberant lifestyle on the island – as if there were no tomorrow.
Sylt is considered chic and expensive, but there is a wide range of offers for every pocketbook. You will find tolerance on this island, where campers and millionaires, famous personalities and families, hikers and convertible drivers, cyclists and yachters simply enjoy the island together.
Sylt has something different to offer at every corner: In the north is quiet and relaxation in the large “Ellenbogen” nature reserve near List. The towns on the west coast have beaches with lifeguards for fun in the surf and demanding water sport events. Kampen offers elegant flair and famous people and a considerable art program. Families find Wenningstedt-Braderup ideal. Westerland, the capital of the island, is especially lively, has a vibrant nightlife, numerous shops, the “Syltness Center”, the water paradise “Sylter Welle”, and a casino. Rantum is famous not only for its location at the narrowest section of Sylt, but also for the healthy water from the “Sylt Spring” and naturally for the legendary restaurant “Sansibar”. At the southern tip is the family resort Hörnum with its lighthouse. It is surrounded by beaches on three sides. In Inselosten it is quiet and rural, and the old Frisian houses with their colorful gardens in Keltum have their own special charm. The geological formation of the cliff in Morsum is unique in Europe. Munkmarsch is great for sailing and surfing – especially for beginners, and the lovely location of the villages Tinnum and Archsum in the middle of nature attracts many cyclists and hikers.
Sylt – beach information
Almost 40 km of fine sandy beaches along the west coast offers room for all demands.
Everywhere you will find guarded beaches with beach chairs for varying needs: families, nudist, dogs, and water sports each have their own areas.
A selection:
- Westerland: Brandenburg beach with fun beach section
- Rantum: “Oase zur Sonne”, “Samoa”, or “Sansibar” beaches, beach sauna
- Kampen: Buhne 16, beach sauna
- List: ideal family beach on the mudflat side
- Family beach
- Wenningstedt-Braderup: family, nudist, dog beaches
- Hörnum: ideal family beach also on the mudflat side
For more information on the beaches on Sylt, see our Beach finder (German).
Sylt – excursion tips
- Discovery center for natural forces in List
- Shopping and dining in Westerland, capital of the island
- Tinnum Castle, 2000-year-old circular fortifications
- Morsum cliff
- Braderup nature center
- Guided tours in the Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park
- Sylt Aquarium in Westerland
- “Sylter Welle” with wave pool, sauna zone, and fitness area
- The Rantum basin, bird sanctuary with many species
- Walk to the cross light and viewing platform on “Uwe Dune”, the highest dune on Sylt, near Kampen
- Beach hike along the Rotes Kliff to Wenningstedt
- The megalithic gravesite “Denghoog” in Wenningstedt
- “Kupferkanne” – café with a gorgeous North Sea backdrop and its own coffee roaster
- The legendary cult restaurant “Sansibar”
- St. Severin Church in Keitum
- From Hörnum: ship tours to the adjacent island Amrum, to Hallig Hooge, and to the seal banks
- Musical “Treasure Island” in Hörnum
Sylt - sports & leisure
- Water sports: surfing, kite surfing, sailing, catamaran sailing
- Every year on the beach in Westerland: Kitesurf World Cup, German Windsurf Cup, and Surf World Cup
- Beach sports: beach ball, beach soccer, beach volleyball, boccia, darts, tam beach, and bungee trampoline
- Cycling: over 200 km of cycling routes
- Nordic walking: Sylt Nordic walking park with 220 km of trails, 26 routes and distances from 1.6 to 18.7 kilometers
- Golf: four golf courses, including four 18-hole courses and two links courses
- Aerial sports: tour of the island, gliding, parachuting, paragliding
- Running: everywhere on the island, fine sand, soft dirt trails, mudflats, or on paved roads The highlight for all runners is the Sylt Race, held in March for 20 years on a 33.33 km course from Hörnum to List.
- Fishing, tennis, horseback riding, archery, inline skating, bowling, ping pong
- Children’s circus in Wenningstedt
Downloads:
- Sylt Freizeitmagazin
- Cycling and hiking on Sylt
- Golfing on Sylt
- Nordic walking on Sylt
- Horseback riding on Sylt
- Fishing on Sylt
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Water sports on Sylt
Sylt – health & thalasso
The open sea brings salty air and the wind keeps it clean, rich in iodine, and low in pollen. The invigorating climate has a positive effect on body and soul. Exercising enhances the effect and strengthens immunity against diseases. The healthy components of sea mud and seawater are used in treatments in the spa centers.
Thalasso (thalassa – the sea) is used to describe the treatment of diseases with cold or warm seawater, sea air, sun, algae, sea mud, and sand. It is also used successful for beauty and health treatments.
- Syltness Center with thalasso, shiatsu, tai chi, qi gong, yoga, ayurveda, TCM, rasul, hamam, aroma treatment, Cleopatra treatment, Kraxenofen hay bath, massages, beauty treatment, inhalations
- “Sylter Welle” with wave pool, sauna zone, and fitness area
- Numerous hotels and guesthouses offer large spa and wellness areas.
Sylt – discover nature
Fine sandy beaches in the west, the designated UNESCO World Natural Heritage site Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park in the east. An idyllic location between dunes and dikes. Lush green meadows, blooming heath, imposing cliffs: Sylt has many attractive and varied landscapes. Numerous species of animals and plants find the ideal habitat here: a Garden of Eden, diverse, ecologically intact and – in its subtle way – with Baroque abundance. It’s worth taking a closer look.
As early as 1923, the people of Sylt saw that the fragile nature needed special care. Gradually dunes, heath, cliffs, and breeding grounds were designated as nature reserves. Some 50% of the almost 100 square kilometers of the island are now designated nature reserves.
Highlights:
- Walk on the beach along the Rotes Kliff to Wenningstedt or continue to Westerland, the capital of the island.
- The Rantum basin, bird sanctuary with many species
- Walk to the cross light and viewing platform on “Uwe Dune”, the highest dune on Sylt, near Kampen
- Discovery center for natural forces in List The topics Forces of the North Sea, Living with Natural Forces, and Climate, Weather, and Climate Research are presented in an interesting, entertaining way.
- Morsum Cliff
- Kampen duck station
- Mudflat hiking in the recently designated Wattenmeer World Natural heritage site.
- www.nordsee-naturerlebnis.de
Sylt - history & culture
Sylt in its present form is still quite young, just 400 years old. It was once part of the mainland. And it is still changing its face every year and that is in particular due to its unprotected location in the North Sea. From all sides, the sea and the wind tear away parts of the island and make it smaller. This is why there have been extensive coastal protection measures for decades. For example, beach replenishment projects and designating areas such as the dunes as nature reserves to protect the flora, fauna, and land. The island with the many facets also has a checkered past. Pirates and beach robbers sought a hideaway here, whaling, herring fishing, and oyster breeding made the island rich. And when it was opened up for tourism, the success story could not be halted. The incomparably diverse nature, the air, the wind, the thatched-roof houses, and last but not least, the people make Sylt an unforgettable vacation destination.
Sylt – barrier-free
In every season, Sylt offers pure, healthy North Sea air, vast expanses of sandy beaches, and unspoiled nature. This diversity should be made accessible for handicapped people also. In the past, Sylt’s offerings for the handicapped have been constantly improved.
A comprehensive overview is available in a brochure that was compiled especially for the needs of mobility-challenged visitors. You will find a great deal of information to make your vacation as uncomplicated and stress-free as possible. The various alternative directions for reaching Sylt and handicapped-accessible accommodations and restaurants are presented. In addition, there is information on the program of events in Sylt and information on ways of getting around the island and a service section (physicians, medical suppliers, nursing services, etc.)
Brochure:
Vacation with a handicap (German)
Sylt - directions, service & contact
Directions
- By car
A23 to Heide, B5 to Niebüll (car train across Hindenburgdamm to Westerland/ Sylt)
A7 to Flensburg, B199 to Niebüll, (car train across Hindenburgdamm to Westerland/ Sylt) - By train
Direct connections from many German cities to Westerland (IC station)
From Munich, Lörrach, and Villach, take the car train to Hamburg. You can make reservations here. From Hamburg, continue by car to Niebüll and from there, take the Car train to Westerland/Sylt. Alternatively, you can take the Nord-Ostsee-Bahn from Hamburg to Westerland/Sylt. - By plane
Direct flights to Westerland from various airports in Germany and from Zurich and Vienna with Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Sylt Air, Hanseflug, and Air Hamburg.
In the summer, flights with Hanseflug to Föhr and back. More info - By ferry
Car ferry from Havneby, Rømø, to List - By excursion ship
Leaves from the Nordstrand peninsula, from Amrum, and Hallig Hooge to Hörnum, continue by island bus
Service
The Directory of accommodations for Sylt can be ordered or downloaded.
Contact
Sylt Marketing GmbH
Stephanstr. 6
25980 Westerland
Tel.: +49 (4651 82) 02 0
Tel.: +49 (4651 82) 02 22
Email: info@sylt.de
www.sylt.de
