The East Frisian Islands are in the German North Sea in front of the region of the same name - namely Ostfriesland. The seven inhabited islands magically attract summer visitors and sun worshipers again and again. Those who are looking for peace and solitude, on the other hand, come best in the cold season. In 2018 there were 1,570,724 guests with 10,916,935 overnight stays on the islands (source: Chamber of Commerce for East Frisia and Papenburg).
Islands
- 1 Borkum
. 
only island with an ocean climate. - 2 Juist. "Rank and Slim".
- 3 Norderney. Germany's thalassotherapy island.
- 4 Baltrum. "The Sleeping Beauty".
- 5 Langeoog. "is a natural experience".
- 6 Spiekeroog. "the green island".
- 7 Wangerooge. "Island of the Towers".
There is also the uninhabited island of Memmert, located between Juist and Borkum, which as a nature reserve cannot be entered. It can be observed from a boat or from the western tip of Juist with binoculars.
Other goals
- 1 Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. The East Frisian Islands and the surrounding Wadden Sea are part of the national park.
background
The islands are spread over 90 kilometers in a southwest-northeast direction. All islands have sandy beaches on the sea side, inside they consist of dune formations, while on the south side they merge in a marsh landscape to the mudflats.
language
In East Frisia, East Frisian Low German is still actively spoken by more than half of the population, which clearly stands out from the other dialects in Lower Saxony.
getting there
All islands can be reached via a port on the coast and then by ferry or passenger ship. It is possible to bring a private car on the islands of Borkum and Norderney.
When arriving by bus or train, the journey time of the ships is coordinated with the timetable. Temporal deviations on some islands due to too low water levels are calculated in advance and can therefore be planned.
Taking a bicycle with you is sometimes associated with considerable additional costs. In addition, there is an increased risk of corrosion due to the salty sea air, so that renting a bicycle for excursions is generally recommended. It is also possible to arrive with your own motor or sailing boat, but prior information about low water times and the mooring options is advisable. Not all islands can be accessed from the water, especially when the water is low. For hiking enthusiasts, a guided mudflat hike to some islands (Norderney, Baltrum, Spiekeroog, Langeoog) are recommended, this takes a few hours. More information about the ferry connections can be found in the main article Ferries in Germany, Article section Lower Saxony, being found.
Ferry connections to the islands
- Emden - Borkum, with the AG "EMS"
- Norddeich - Juist, with the Shipping company Frisia
- Norddeich - Norderney, with the Shipping company Frisia
- Neßmersiel - Baltrum, with the Baltrum line
- Bensersiel - Langeoog, with the Schiffahrt-Langeoog
- Neuharlingersiel - Spiekeroog, with the Spiekeroog ferry
- Harlesiel - Wangerooge, with the Shipping and island railway Wangerooge
Train connections to the ferry ports
Emden Hbf and Norddeich pier
- IC 35 Norddeich Mole - Norddeich - Norden - Emden - Leer - Papenburg - Meppen - Lingen - Rheine - Münster - Duisburg - Düsseldorf - Cologne - Bonn - Koblenz Hbf
- IC 56 Norddeich Mole - Norddeich - Norden - Emden - Leer - Oldenburg - Bremen - Hanover - Magdeburg - Leipzig Hbf
- RE 1 Hanover main station - Nienburg (Weser) - Verden - Bremen - Oldenburg - Leer (East Friesland) - Emden main station - north - Norddeich Mole
From Norddeich-Mole ferry connection to Norderney
Emden Hbf
- RE 15 Emden Hbf - Leer (East Frisia) - Meppen - Lingen an der Ems - Rheine - Münster (Westphalia) Hbf
Continue by bus, connecting train or taxi to Emden outer harbor, ferry terminal to Borkum
Esens-Bensersiel
- RB 59 Wilhelmshaven Hbf - Sande - Jever - Wittmund - Esens
From Esens train station, take a bus or taxi to the Esens-Bensersiel ferry port, and the ferry to Langeoog and Baltrum
mobility
The airlines FLN and LFH connect Wangerooge, Langeoog, Baltrum, Norderney and Juist as part of regular scheduled flights. In addition, excursion boats operate (irregularly) between the islands.
Mobility on the islands is at least partially guaranteed by regular buses (Borkum and Norderney), diesel-powered island railways (Borkum, Langeoog and Wangerooge), horse-drawn carriages (Juist) and a horse-drawn tram (Spiekeroog); However, the most important means of transport are the bicycle and your own feet. On some islands, bicycles are not welcome, especially in densely populated areas, and some areas are even closed for this reason.
Tourist Attractions
- The Old lighthouse on Wangerooge
- The Museum horse train on Spiekeroog
- The Water tower on Langeoog
- The museum Old customs house on Baltrum
- The island windmill Selden armor on Norderney
- The Kurhaus on Juist
- The Aquarium on Borkum
activities
The islands of Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge can be reached from the mainland by hiking through the mudflats during low tide. Dune landscapes and long sandy beaches invite you to take long walks. The well-developed network of trails also makes Wangerooge, Langeoog, Norderney, Juist and Borkum attractive for cyclists; Bicycles are not allowed on Spiekeroog, not necessary on Baltrum because of the small size.
kitchen
Kruiden (herbal schnapps) is a popular drink in East Frisia. On the islands people like to drink a lot of tea with kluntjes (rock candy) and cream. In terms of gastronomy, everything from solid home cooking (Spiekeroog and Wangerooge) to convenience (Baltrum and Langeoog) and international cuisine (Borkum and Norderney) to gourmet restaurants (Juist) is available that the average tourist expects at his holiday destination; Frisian cuisine is likely to be difficult to find. More about the kitchen can be found on Eating and drinking in East Frisia.
accommodation
The East Frisian Islands have accommodation options in all price ranges. There are numerous hotels, guest houses, holiday apartments and holiday homes available. There are youth hostels on Borkum, Langeoog, Norderney, Wangerooge and Juist. At least one campsite can be found on every island
- North Sea Islands accommodation - search & book holiday apartments and holiday houses North Sea Island Accommodation
nightlife
Basically, the offer on all islands is geared towards relaxation - especially for families - so that nightlife only takes place in a few localities, for example on Norderney.
security
There is no acute threat to human life on the islands. Storms are announced and people are evacuated in an emergency. Everything else, like swimming rules, should be known.
climate
Due to their location, the East Frisian islands are characterized by the maritime climate. The pure air and salty sea water create a stimulating climate, which is why spa stays are often recommended here. The sea ensures that the summers and winters are a little milder than on the mainland.
Practical advice
Most of the islands also have to pay a tourist tax for day visitors.
trips
- West Frisian Islands (Dutch Waddeneilanden) are in the north of the western neighboring state of the Netherlands and have a similar landscape
On the mainland:
