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Hitting the beach in Germany
generally means heading for the North Sea or Ostsee coasts. On warm summer days,
Germany's beaches are a wonderful place to relax on the sand, play volleyball or
swim in the bracing sea. Whether your desires are a beach for children and
family to play on, a place to be with adults, or a nude beach, Germany has them
all. Here are some popular places to visit:
Sylt
Ask a German about Sylt and he or she will
tell you about nude beaches. Well, there's more to Sylt than that, but there
certainly are beaches where people can bare all in a relaxed, non-threatening
environment. There are also plenty of places where you can keep your bathing
suit on.
Sylt is Germany's most
northern point. It is an island, 39 kilometers or 24 miles long, off the
northwestern coast in the North Sea, just off the Danish island of Rømø. The sandy beaches used to be an exclusive resort area for the wealthy, but today's facilities meet everyone's needs.
Sylt provides stunning views
of the North Sea, and has miles of bicycle paths that you can follow through
pine forests. Some parts of the island are heavily developed for the tourist
trade, but you can find tranquil spots as well. In Sylt's largest town of
Westerland, there's plenty of shopping, spas, pricy restaurants and crowds in
summer. Elsewhere on Sylt, you can hike in solitude or go windsurfing.
Trains arrive several times
a day from Hamburg to Westerland. A six-mile bridge, the
Hindenburgdamm, connects the island to the rest of Germany. You can also
take a ferry to Rømø
in Denmark. There are
plenty of accommodations
choices on Sylt, from a beachfront youth hostel to camping to varieties of
hotels.
Büsum
This seaside and spa resort town has a population of less than 5,000, making it
an intimate and friendly place to visit.
Büsum draws beachgoers looking for calm waters because a seawall protects
the area from the North Sea. Water sports, shopping and nature hikes are all
part of the area's attractions.
Helgoland
Helgoland is one of the Frisian islands in the North Sea, off the northwestern
coast of Germany. At different points in history, the island belonged to both
Denmark and Britain, which finally ceded it to Germany in 1890 in exchange for
colonies in Africa. With a current population of less than 2,000 residents who
live from fishing and tourism, Helgoland has developed a fine tourism office to
help the crowds that visit there every year.
Ferries arrive daily to bring visitors to Helgoland. You can take a ferry
from any one of a number of places, such as Sylt, Bremerhaven, Hamburg,
Norddeich, Wedel or Cuxhaven.
You can visit the beach on
Helgoland or hop a ferry to the next-door island of Dünne, which is just one
beach. Helgoland also has a resort area that includes a kurhaus (spa).
Heiligendamm
Germany's oldest seaside resort is
Heiligendamm, also called the "White Town by the Sea" because of the
prevalence of
white classical villas. Two examples of this beautiful style are the
spa, or kurhaus, which dates from 1816, and the spa-hotel Haus Mecklenburg,
built in 1796. Not as popular as other seaside resorts, travelers can find
fewer crowds and better prices. However, the town is already planning a
redevelopment that officials hope will attract more tourists.
Heringsdorf
Heringsdorf is one of three famous resort towns close to each other along 12
kilometers of pristine beach on the island of Usedom, in northeastern Germany.
Home to one of the "Imperial Spas," Heringsdorf was a favorite spa destination
for Kaiser Wilhelm II. The natural iodine brine continues to contribute to spa
treatments today. For other health activities, you can walk along trails to the
other resort towns of Ahlbeck and Bansin, ride horses, or stroll on the
boardwalks. If you want to go sightseeing, visit the nearby Water Castle
Mellenthin, the Thurbruch nature reserve or the museum exhibiting motor
vehicles produced in the GDR.
While Heringsdorf used to
host only the elite of Europe, today anyone can gaze at the historic mansions
with elaborate gardens that line the town's streets.
Kühlungsborn
One of the most beautiful seaside resort towns is
Kühlungsborn, located on the Ostsee. There are no high-rise, modern hotels
here - the town's architecture comes from the 19th century, built for wealthy
visitors. If you want to escape summertime crowds, stroll through nearby pine
forests. The beach is several kilometers long and well-maintained. Camping,
youth hostels, pensions, rooms and hotels are all available for accommodations.
Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy taking a ride on the 19th century restored
narrow gauge railway called "Molli."
Warnemünde
Located just 10 km or six miles from Rostock's city center, this seaside
district on the Ostsee is Rostock's jewel. Like other resort areas in the
former East Germany,
Warnemünde has undergone a solid renovation to attract tourists. The
district has its roots in the Middle Ages. Once a fishing village, Rostock
bought it in 1323 to gain access to the sea. The area's white sandy beaches are
a relaxing way to spend the day, or you can try your luck at the
casino.
Accommodations are
plentiful and various.
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