Sylt

Sylt is Germany's largest North Sea island and its most famous beach destination, tucked against the Danish border in Schleswig-Holstein. Think nearly 40 kilometers of sandy beach facing the open sea, the glowing Red Cliff at Kampen, shifting sand dunes near List, thatched Frisian cottages in Keitum and the lively promenade of Westerland. Part glamorous resort, part wild nature, Sylt is a memorable trip for anyone who loves the sea.

Sylt at a glance

The island stretches about 38 kilometers from north to south and is only some 320 meters wide at its narrowest point near List. Westerland, the main town, became a seaside resort in 1855, and Sylt has drawn vacationers, surfers and nature lovers ever since. Its exposed west coast is constantly reshaped by storms: since the early 1970s, sand has been pumped onto the beaches to protect them, and the island's southern tip still shifts by around 40 meters a year.

Things to do on Sylt

• Westerland promenade: The heart of island life, with beach chairs, cafés and an open-air music shell. A natural first stop.
• Red Cliff (Rotes Kliff) at Kampen: A steep wall of reddish sand above the beach, especially beautiful at sunset.
• Uwe Dune: At 52.5 meters, the island's highest point. A wooden staircase leads to a viewing platform overlooking Kampen, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea.
• Keitum: A leafy village of thatched captains' houses on the quieter tidal-flat side of the island.
• Morsum Cliff: A colorful cliff about 1.8 kilometers long that reveals millions of years of geological history.
• List and the Ellenbogen: Wandering dunes, heathland and a narrow peninsula with two lighthouses at Germany's northernmost tip.
• Lighthouses: Five stand on the island; the black-and-white Kampen lighthouse, lit in 1855, is the oldest.

How to get to Sylt

There's no road to Sylt. Since 1927, the island has been linked to the mainland by the Hindenburgdamm, an 11-kilometer railway causeway. Regional trains run from Hamburg to Westerland without a change in about three hours, and the Deutschlandticket is valid on them, which makes Sylt an easy and affordable trip by rail.

Drivers load their car onto a car train in Niebüll for the short ride across the causeway; on summer weekends, expect lines and book ahead where possible. From Denmark, a ferry runs from Havneby on Rømø to List. Sylt's small airport in Tinnum has mostly seasonal flights. On the island, buses and an excellent network of bike paths connect every village.

Beaches, resort tax and the best time to visit

To use the supervised beaches, you need a guest card (Kurkarte). Overnight visitors get it through the resort tax, and day-trippers buy a day card; ask the island tourism office for current prices, which are in euros. Beach chairs in Westerland and Rantum can be reserved online. Swimming season runs from June to September, though the North Sea stays cool. May, June and September are ideal for hiking and cycling, while fall and winter bring dramatic storms, clear air and lower prices. The Windsurf World Cup off Westerland is a fall highlight.

Is Sylt worth visiting?

Yes, and ideally for more than a day. A day trip from Hamburg covers Westerland and one highlight such as the Red Cliff, but three or four days let you explore List, Keitum and the quiet east coast at your own pace. Families will find calm tidal-flat beaches on the east side and an indoor water park in Westerland. Swim only at lifeguarded beaches on the west side, where currents can be strong, and look for designated dog beaches if you're traveling with a dog.

Nearby

• Föhr and Amrum, quieter neighboring islands reachable by boat.
• Rømø in Denmark, famous for its huge drive-on beach.
• St. Peter-Ording and the Westerheversand Lighthouse on the Eiderstedt peninsula to the south.