Off the coast of Lower Saxony, along the East Frisian Peninsula that gives them their name, lie the East Frisian Islands. Their long white sandy beaches and dunes shape the coastal landscape; at the same time, the islands are a hotspot of biodiversity within the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the islands in terms of the experiences that interest you most: beaches, nature, activity or island history.
Beaches, dunes and different beach areas
The beaches invite you to swim in the North Sea; you can also hike and jog along the long stretches of coast. Numerous beach chairs and beach tents are also part of the beach scene. Every island has beaches for dogs and naturist beaches; observe the local rules. At family beaches, children will find playgrounds and entertainment programs, whose offerings may vary depending on the season. This means that different priorities can guide your choice of beach area: swimming, activity, family facilities, or an area designated for dogs or naturism.
Discover the Wadden Sea and its natural environment
In Lower Saxony, the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn about the Wadden Sea habitat at many national park visitor centers and information centers along the Lower Saxon North Sea coast and on the East Frisian Islands. In this way, the Wadden Sea as a natural environment adds to the experience of the beaches and dunes.
Getting around the islands
Five of the seven East Frisian Islands are car-free. On the car-free islands, you can get around on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage. There are dedicated cycle paths for bike rides; you can bring your own bicycle or, depending on the island, rent one locally. If you want to rent a bicycle, check availability on the island you plan to visit. Varied hiking trails and jogging paths complement the long beaches as other ways to explore the islands on foot or at a run.
Baltrum: mudflat hike and Gezeitenpfad
Baltrum is the smallest of the East Frisian Islands. Norden railway station is a useful reference point for the journey: a connecting bus from there takes you to the ferry in NeĂźmersiel. Check the train, bus and ferry timetables before setting out. You can also reach Baltrum on a guided mudflat hike; whether this is possible depends on the tides and the weather.
On Baltrum, the Gezeitenpfad is a seven-kilometer circular walk that passes through almost all the island’s characteristic vegetation types. The nature trail tells the story of nature and culture and is equipped with information boards and interactive modules. Allow about 1.5 hours for the walk. Alongside the route across the mudflats, Baltrum thus offers a described tour that brings nature and culture together.
Island history and the Migratory Bird Days
The Altes Zollhaus Museum in Baltrum recounts the island’s turbulent history and that of its residents. The Old Island Church and its island bell are considered landmarks of Baltrum. Together, these places draw attention to the island’s history and a distinctive landmark.
The annual Migratory Bird Days also focus on nature: each of the East Frisian Islands offers a varied program for the event. If you want to plan your trip around the Migratory Bird Days, check the event dates for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Baltrum, Borkum, Langeoog, Norderney, Wangerooge, Juist, Spiekeroog, Osterode am Harz.
Back to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.
