Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is Germany's largest national park by far, covering about 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles) of tidal flats, salt marshes and sandbanks along the North Sea coast. Part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stretches from the Danish border to the mouth of the Elbe. Twice a day the tide retreats and reveals a vast landscape you can explore on foot with a guide.

Why the Wadden Sea Is Special

The Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world, and UNESCO inscribed the German and Dutch parts as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. The Schleswig-Holstein section became a national park on October 1, 1985, and has also been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1990.

Wildlife is the main draw. Each year 10 to 12 million migratory birds stop here to rest and feed, making it one of the most important bird areas in Europe. Harbor seals and gray seals haul out on sandbanks, and harbor porpoises swim in a dedicated whale sanctuary off the islands of Sylt and Amrum.

Things to Do in the National Park

• Go mudflat hiking (Wattwandern): Walking across the seabed at low tide is the classic Wadden Sea experience. Join a guided tour, as tides and channels can be dangerous, and large parts of the park may only be entered on fixed guided routes.
• Watch birds and seals: Spring and fall bring huge flocks, while boat trips head out to the seal banks.
• Photograph Westerhever Lighthouse: The red-and-white tower standing in the salt marshes of the Eiderstedt peninsula is one of the most photographed sights on the coast.
• Visit the Halligen: These tiny islands without dikes, where houses stand on raised mounds, can be reached by boat.
• Explore the Multimar Wattforum: The park's main visitor center in Tönning features a large North Sea aquarium, tidal pools, otters and a life-size sperm whale model.

Visiting the Multimar Wattforum

As of October 2026, the Multimar Wattforum is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round (try to arrive by 4 p.m.), except December 24 and November 26, 2026. Admission costs €15 for adults, €9 for children aged 4–16 and €40 for families; parking is free. A restaurant overlooks the Eider River. The national park itself is free and open at all times.

How to Get to the Wadden Sea

Tönning lies on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, roughly two hours by car from Hamburg. By train, travel to Husum and change to the hourly regional line toward St. Peter-Ording; Tönning station is a 15-minute walk from the Multimar Wattforum. The Deutschlandticket is valid on regional trains. Depending on what you want to see, other good bases include St. Peter-Ording, Husum and the islands of Sylt, Amrum and Föhr. There are more than 25 national park information centers along the coast, from the Naturgewalten center in List on Sylt to the seal station in Friedrichskoog, where kids can watch rescued seals up close.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy wide-open landscapes, wildlife and fresh sea air. Check tide tables before planning any walk, dress for wind and bring a change of clothes, especially for kids. A guided mudflat hike combined with the Multimar Wattforum makes a great family day, while birders should aim for spring or fall migration.