Fehmarn Sound Bridge

The Fehmarn Sound Bridge (Fehmarnsundbrücke) links the Baltic island of Fehmarn with the mainland near Großenbrode and is nicknamed the "coat hanger" for its steel arch. Opened in 1963 and protected as a monument, the combined road and rail bridge is one of Schleswig-Holstein's best-known landmarks. It makes a rewarding photo stop on a trip along the Baltic coast in northern Germany.

Where it is and how to get there

The bridge carries the B 207 between Großenbrode on the mainland and Fehmarn, part of the Vogelfluglinie (Bird Flight Line) between Hamburg and Copenhagen. By car you drive straight across it. According to fehmarn.de, trains to Fehmarn have been suspended since August 31, 2022 for several years; instead the express bus X85 runs between Lübeck and Puttgarden via Großenbrode and Burg auf Fehmarn. Check the Deutsche Bahn timetable for current departures. We found no reliable information on parking at the viewpoint, so look for signed car parks at Fehmarnsund or Großenbrode.

What makes it special

Plans date back to 1912, and the present bridge was built between 1960 and 1963, opening on April 30, 1963. It is 963 meters long and 21 meters wide, with a longest span of 248.5 meters. The main span is a network arch that rises up to 45 meters above the roadway, one of the first and largest of its type. The railway runs on the east side, the B 207 in the middle and a combined cycle and footpath on the west side. It has been a listed monument since 1999.

What to do

• Photograph the arch from the beach at Fehmarnsund or from the harbor at Großenbrode, especially at sunset.
• Walk or cycle along the path on the west side.
• Watch sailboats and kitesurfers on the sound.

Allow 20 to 60 minutes for a stop. Early morning and evening light are usually best for photos. Prices elsewhere on the island are in euros.

Tickets, hours and current works

The bridge is public and open at all hours, with no entrance fee. A major refurbishment has been under way since 2019 and is due to finish by 2030. According to a June 2026 report from the town of Fehmarn, new cable clamps are planned for autumn 2026 to spring 2027. The cycle and footpath was temporarily closed in 2024 for works, so check for closures before you go. A tunnel is planned in parallel, after which the bridge would carry only regional road, bike and foot traffic.