SYLT
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Sylt is one of the most beautiful islands in Germany and reminds many visitors of New England’s coastline. The largest North Frisian Island (39 square miles/~ 100 km2) is located about 3 - 4 hours northwest of Hamburg. Its landmarks are over 25 miles (40km) of beaches and dunes and picturesque small villages with beautiful old Frisian houses.
While the West Shore is exposed to rough surf, the East Shore is characterized by the calm Wadden Sea, which is accessible during low tide. The anchor-shaped island includes eleven small villages and the major tourist town of Westerland. |
Westerland is the islands tourist hub and located at the West Shore in Sylt’s center. It embeds the main train station and most shopping facilities and has the largest concentration of accommodations and eateries as well as the least desirable architecture. It is a favorite one-day get away for mainlanders and packed during high season.
In the southern part of Sylt are the more remote villages Rantum and Hörnum. Rantum is located at the narrowest land stretch with only yards between the West and East shore. This area is popular with beach lovers since the beach is over 7-miles (11 km) long. This sand stretch is packed with dunes and runs down to quaint Hörnum with its lighthouse and harbor. No matter if you are looking for a quiet place to relax in one of the many Strandkörbe, a roofed wicker beach chair with seating for two or a hike along the beautiful dunes, this place is great to get away from it all.
East of Westerland are five traditional island villages with many Frisian homes. All of them are close to the cliffs above the tidelands and connected through biking and hiking trails. In particular the village of Keitum is very picturesque since it was a popular residence hub for whale ship captains in the 17th and 18th century.
North of Westerland you have the village of Wenningstedt that is popular because of its jaw-dropping cliff shore. Further north it is getting quite exclusive with the small village of Kampen. This place is popular with Germany’s upper class and wannabes. The village is packed with luxurious designer boutiques and overpriced restaurants and bars along famous “Whiskeystraße”. For mere mortals it is just fun to come here to watch people or to visit the famous Kupferkanne. The rustic and cozy restaurant at the East Shore is known for delicious pies, Frisian teatime and a scenic surrounding.
At the northern tip of Sylt you have List with its two lighthouses, maritime harbor, and endless and deserted beaches. The little village is not only known as most northern German village but also as the home of Gosch, one of Germany’s most famous fish food chains.
The best way to explore the island is by car or bike. The latter can be rented in almost all villages. The most beautiful bike path runs from Westerland over Kampen to List along the old island tram route and is described separately.
More info about the island of Sylt is available @: http://en.sylt.de/
In the southern part of Sylt are the more remote villages Rantum and Hörnum. Rantum is located at the narrowest land stretch with only yards between the West and East shore. This area is popular with beach lovers since the beach is over 7-miles (11 km) long. This sand stretch is packed with dunes and runs down to quaint Hörnum with its lighthouse and harbor. No matter if you are looking for a quiet place to relax in one of the many Strandkörbe, a roofed wicker beach chair with seating for two or a hike along the beautiful dunes, this place is great to get away from it all.
East of Westerland are five traditional island villages with many Frisian homes. All of them are close to the cliffs above the tidelands and connected through biking and hiking trails. In particular the village of Keitum is very picturesque since it was a popular residence hub for whale ship captains in the 17th and 18th century.
North of Westerland you have the village of Wenningstedt that is popular because of its jaw-dropping cliff shore. Further north it is getting quite exclusive with the small village of Kampen. This place is popular with Germany’s upper class and wannabes. The village is packed with luxurious designer boutiques and overpriced restaurants and bars along famous “Whiskeystraße”. For mere mortals it is just fun to come here to watch people or to visit the famous Kupferkanne. The rustic and cozy restaurant at the East Shore is known for delicious pies, Frisian teatime and a scenic surrounding.
At the northern tip of Sylt you have List with its two lighthouses, maritime harbor, and endless and deserted beaches. The little village is not only known as most northern German village but also as the home of Gosch, one of Germany’s most famous fish food chains.
The best way to explore the island is by car or bike. The latter can be rented in almost all villages. The most beautiful bike path runs from Westerland over Kampen to List along the old island tram route and is described separately.
More info about the island of Sylt is available @: http://en.sylt.de/
Sights on Sylt
Keitum (Munkmarsch, Archsum, and Morsum)
Before the 17th century Sylt was known as a poor island in the North Sea which only changed partially when wealthy captains chose the village of Keitum as home for their residences. When they started building their homes in Keitum they turned the small village into the richest and most popular area on Sylt. Due to its growing wealth Keitum became the island’s hub including the island’s only non-Danish administrative center until the administration was moved to Westerland in the 19th century.
Together with Munkmarsch, Archsum, Morsum and Tinnum Keitum forms the most traditional area on the island. Coming here you will see many historic Frisian and reed-thatched homes with lovely gardens. In particular Keitum has beautiful sights to visit like St. Severin church that was built in 1216 when Keitum was founded and two prehistoric graves at Am Tipkenhoog. The small village consists of narrow alleys, beautiful backyards, and small art and craft shops along Gurtstig and as mentioned picturesque homes. The most historic and beautiful homes are located between Erich-Johannsen-Wai and Mühlenweg. In fact, there are enough reasons why Keitum is named the most beautiful village at the North Sea.
All villages are connected with bike trails that run down to Morsum, the most eastern village, and up to Munkmarsch through meadows, moorlands, tidelands, and along Frisian farms and houses.
The most scenic area in Morsum is the famous cliff with different colored rock beds. Towards the West you pass Archsum that is characterized by wide tidelands. In the North follows Munkmarsch, known for its small harbor and many reed-thatched homes.
In addition to the bike trails there is a beautiful hiking path between Keitum and Kampen that is called “Kliffweg”. This path is very scenic and runs through picturesque green meadows and moorlands.
Red Cliff
The red cliff is located between Wenningstedt and Kampen and is considered one of the most impressing cliff lines at the North Sea shore. The rough coastline developed during an ice age 120,000 years ago and was exposed through erosions to oxygen, which turned the ferrous stone into a red cliff line. The best way to enjoy the scenery is a walk along the endless white beach below the cliff.
The red cliff is located between Wenningstedt and Kampen and is considered one of the most impressing cliff lines at the North Sea shore. The rough coastline developed during an ice age 120,000 years ago and was exposed through erosions to oxygen, which turned the ferrous stone into a red cliff line. The best way to enjoy the scenery is a walk along the endless white beach below the cliff.
Kupferkanne (Kampen)
The copper pot (Kupferkanne) is a famous café in Kampen with jaw-dropping views over the tidelands and the North Sea at the East Shore. It is located within a pine forest and known for its outstanding home made pies. The building is a former World War II bunker that was later transformed into an apartment and atelier with subterranean alleyways by a sculptor. Since the sculptor loved to invite friends for tea and drinks, this habit got around and turned the former bunker apartment into an art café.
The copper pot (Kupferkanne) is a famous café in Kampen with jaw-dropping views over the tidelands and the North Sea at the East Shore. It is located within a pine forest and known for its outstanding home made pies. The building is a former World War II bunker that was later transformed into an apartment and atelier with subterranean alleyways by a sculptor. Since the sculptor loved to invite friends for tea and drinks, this habit got around and turned the former bunker apartment into an art café.
Shifting sand dunes (List)
In former times Sylt’s landscape was characterized by shifting sand dunes that regularly covered homes and farmland. To protect residents and farmers against damages caused by the dunes most dunes were planted with beach grass in recent years to stop their movement.
However, around the village of List is one typical area of shifting dunes left. This one is protected by the nature conservation and only accessible over a few paths. Until today the dune is moving about 23 ft (7 meters) per year and sometimes also covers parts of the road.
Bike tour along Sylt’s old island tram route
Westerland – Wenningstedt – Kampen – List – Kampen – Braderup – Keitum – Tinnum – Westerland
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 30 miles/48km
The old island tram route is the most beautiful bike trail on the island and runs through dunes, along historic sights, and small villages.
The tour starts at Westerland’s main station at Kirchenweg and the corner of Trift and goes through the town’s pedestrian area with many shops, restaurants and pubs.
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 30 miles/48km
The old island tram route is the most beautiful bike trail on the island and runs through dunes, along historic sights, and small villages.
The tour starts at Westerland’s main station at Kirchenweg and the corner of Trift and goes through the town’s pedestrian area with many shops, restaurants and pubs.
First follow Wilhelmstraße that becomes Friedrichstraße to the West to explore the pedestrian area of Westerland and Sylt’s center of tourism. At the end you hit Kurpromenade, a path that runs parallel to the shore and famous Brandenburger Strand, Westerland’s main beach. Turn right and follow the promenade up to Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Behind the hotel find your way over the small streets to the right to Lornsenstraße that is becoming the official bike trail to List going to the left. From this point trail signs mark the way.
The first village in the North behind Westerland is Wenningstedt. This area is popular because of its endless beach, its quietness and the foothills of the red cliff. Moreover you have many restaurants and shops around. Entering Wenningstedt your route goes through Wenningstedt and continues on the path to List.
First follow the beach path until its end. Then make a right into Dünental and then a left into ‘Westring”. Immediately turn right into “Lerchenweg”. At the end of the street make a left into ‘Am Dorfteich’ before you are turning right into ‘Bi Kar’. Now you reached the village pond. To your left next to the playground is the ‘Denghoog” a 4500 year-old megalithic tomb.
Follow ‘Bi Kar’ and the sign towards Kampen/List. To your left is the bike trail marked through wooden trusses. Until 1970 this path was the island’s tram route and operated between Hornum and List.
Shortly before Kampen make a little detour to ‘Rotes Kliff’ (red cliff) and the lookout of ‘Uwe Düne’. This is the highest elevation on Sylt (171 ft./over 50 m) with beautiful views over Westerland and Kampen. If you follow Riperstieg you come to “Sturmhaube”, one of the most popular restaurants on Sylt.
The high society village of Kampen backs the shore and chances are high that you run into German celebrities and wannabes along “Whiskeystrasse”. Leave them behind and bike to Stapelhooger Wai and the famous “Kupferkanne”. The copper pot is a popular café with outstanding homemade pies and nice views over the tidelands along the East shore.
Find your way back to the bike path and continue to the North along the most scenic part of the trail that runs through wild dunes and heath lands. On your way you will pass several reed-thatched houses before you enter the main street that leads to List.
Cross the street at the lights and continue on the marked bike trail to “List Hafen” (List harbor). Before you enter the village you come along the unique shifting sand dunes that are moving continuously to the East. Reaching the village follow the main street to “List Hafen” where you will find souvenir shops and restaurants.
A must-do at List harbor is a stop at Gosch, a famous German fish and seafood chain that serves delicious fish rolls and seafood dishes.
If you continue further North you come to Ellenbogen, a very narrow peninsula and the most northern area of Germany. Most parts of Ellenbogen belong to a bird sanctuary and national conservation area and are only accessible over marked paths. The beach and landscape are magnificent and very remote. If you like to swim here be cautious since the current can be very dangerous.
When going back follow List’s main street again until the village limit. Cross the street at the lights to enter the bike trail and follow the path to Kampen.
In Kampen make a left into “Kurhausstraße” and a right into “Hauptstraße”. From “Hauptstraße” turn left into “Braderuper Weg” where you pass a wildlife sanctuary. Entering Braderup turn left and immediately right into “M.-T.-Buchholz-Stich”.
Stay on the path towards Munkmarsch and Keitum, two of the most traditional villages on Sylt. Between Munkmarsch and Keitum follows the beautiful old St. Severin church that dates back to the 13th century and the founding of Keitum. Follow “Alter Kirchweg” to enter the most beautiful Frisian village at the North Sea shore. Lovely reed-thatched houses with colorful gardens line Keitum’s streets and narrow side alleys. Along “Gurstig”, the village center, you have arts and crafts shops and tiny tea houses where you can have a rest before you bike back to Westerland over “Keitumer Landstrasse” or to your accommodation.