Sylt
Westerland, Wenningstedt, Kampen, List, Keitum, Hörnum by car, train or bike
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Duration: Travel time by train from Hamburg: 3.5 hrs Drive from Hamburg: 3.5 hrs Cartrain from Niebüll – Sylt: 35 min. Westerland – List: 25 min. by car Westerland – Hörnum: 20 min. by car Distance: Hamburg – Niebüll/car train: 124 miles/200km Hamburg – Sylt: 149 miles/240km Westerland – List: 10 miles/16km Westerland – Hörnum: 11 miles/18km Getting there From Germany The island is connected with the mainland over the 6.8 miles (11 km) long Hindenburgdamm. The dam that was built in 1927 and can only be passed by passenger or car trains. The car train runs several times a day and tickets can be purchased on site in Niebüll. Since space is limited and the connection very popular with vacationers I recommend making an online reservation in advance during summer and during the main German holidays. More info is available at the website (German only): http://www.syltshuttle.de |
By car: take highway A7 towards Flensburg/Kiel. Follow the highway from Hamburg for about 90 miles/145 km before you take the exit 2 Flensburg/Harrislee. Later merge onto B199 to Handewitt/Niebüll/Leck. After almost 35 km turn left onto Hauptstraße/B5 and make a right onto Krouerswäi/L7. When you reach the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Kurt-Bachmann-Ring and stay right. At the end you approach the car train terminal “Autozug Sylt”. By train: The main station of the town of Westerland on Sylt can be reached from different German cities with Deutsche Bahn or with the regional train Nord-Ostsee-Bahn. For more details please visit the website of Deutsche Bahn: http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml or the website of Nord-Ostsee-Bahn at: http://www.nord-ostsee-bahn.de/ (German only). From Denmark Sylt also has a frequent ferry connection to the Danish island Romo. The passenger and vehicle ferry arrives and departs from List at the island’s northern tip. More info is available at: http://www.syltfaehre.de/nc/service/home.html |
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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. |
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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/
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.
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.
Hotels on Sylt
If you decide to stay on Sylt overnight you either can rent a vacation home or consider the following hotels:
Hotel Strand am Königshafen, Hafenstraße 41, 25992 List: http://www.hotel-strand-sylt.de/
Long Island House Sylt, Eidumweg 13, 25980 Westerland: http://www.sylthotel.de/index.htm
Benen-Diken-Hof, Keitumer Süderstraße 3-5. 25980 Keitum: http://www.benen-diken-hof.de
Aparthotel Seepferdchen, Odde Wai 1, 25997 Hörnum: http://www.seepferdchen-sylt.de/index.php?id=8
Restaurants on Sylt:
Gosch, Hafenstr. 16, 25992 List: http://www.gosch.de/
Lister Austernperle Sylt (L.A. Sylt), 25992 List
Restaurant Wonnemeyer, Am Strand Nr. 1, Wenningstedt: http://www.wonnemeyer.com/
Sansibar, Hornumer Strasse 80, 25980 Rantum: http://www.sansibar.de/Home.html
Samoa Seepferdchen, Stiindeelke 15, 25980 Rantum: http://www.samoa-seepferdchen.de/index.php?article_id=41