List of Islands in Germany

Germany has coastlines on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The country also has numerous rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Several islands are located on the various water bodies of Germany. From isolated, quiet beaches to beaches buzzing with fun, and from nude beaches to car-free beach resorts, Germany has it all.

This is a list of all offshore islands that belong to Germany, which are found in the North and Baltic Seas.

In addition, some islands in inland waters are also listed.

Largest Islands in Germany

Rügen

Germany’s largest island, Rügen, is a magnet for tourists thanks to its unique landscape. The white chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park towering over the blue expanse of sea are an incredible sight. Rügen has 38 miles (61 kilometers) of beautiful sandy beaches, the most popular among which are the chic seaside resorts of Binz and Sellin. Picturesque villages, elegant architecture at the Putbus resort, the massive Störtebeker theatre festival, and endless hiking and biking trails all add to the attraction of the island.

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Usedom

The Baltic Sea island of Usedom is famous for its “singing sand.” With the right wind conditions, the sand grains rub together to create a cacophony of strange noises. While the peaceful, sun-drenched beaches spell paradise for holidaymakers, the hinterlands provide a unique landscape to explore. As an added bonus, Usedom has great spas, delicious food, and great music festivals. The most popular beach resorts on Usedom are Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin.

Fehmarn

Fehmarn is a small island off the northeast coast of Germany, and the name of a town there. The island is known as a water sports hub. The Maritime Center has sharks, a coral garden and an underwater tunnel. Nearby, the Fehmarn Butterfly Park is home to about 50 butterfly species. The U11 U-Boot Museum is housed in a former German navy submarine. West, egrets and cormorants shelter in the Wallnau Water Bird Reserve.

Sylt

The North Frisian island of Sylt boasts of some of the most popular beaches in Germany. This island, situated in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadden Sea, has something for everyone: shifting sand dunes, health and wellness, watersports, pulsating nightlife, exquisite cuisine, nature reserves, biking and hiking trails, golf courses, and most importantly, 25 miles (40 kilometers) of gorgeous sandy beach. No wonder it has been dubbed the Queen of the North Sea. The beach resorts of Morsum, Keitum, Hörnum, Kampen, Rantum, and List are hot tourist favourites.

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Föhr

Föhr is a North Sea island in Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park, whose landscape constantly changes with the tides. The sandy beaches of Föhr are perfect for watersports. Föhr is known for its lush and varied flora, beautiful gardens, thalassotherapy (healing through sea air and water), fun events throughout the year, wellness treatments, golf courses, and tennis courts. It has all the right ingredients for a perfect family holiday.

Pellworm

Natural beauty, peace and tranquillity and above-average hours of sunshine. These are just some of the qualities of this 37km² North Sea island with its distinctively rural feel and friendly locals. An island in harmony with the tides, Pellworm experiences the ebb and flow of the Wadden Sea every six hours. When the sea bed is exposed at low tide, the island’s visitors can venture out into the world of the coastal wetlands.

Poel

Poel is a treasure trove of rare bird and plant species, which, like the salt marshes, are given special protected status. The small sister island of Langenwerder, located just offshore to the north of Gollwitz, became the region’s first designated bird sanctuary nearly 100 years ago. Guided walks of the island provide a great chance to get close-up views of the breeding marine birds.

Borkum

Borkum’s unspoilt natural environment is particularly striking at the Borkumriff sandbank, where entire families of seals can be seen basking in the midday sun. And the island’s horseshoe shape offers a wide range of habitats to 560 species of plants. Great sweeps of pristine dunes give way to inland meadows and freshwater pools, where species of orchid found nowhere else blossom and thrive.

Norderney

Norderney – a small but very fine island – was the summer residence of the Royal House of Hanover. Visitors included not only members of the Royal House of Hanover and George V, but other German aristocrats, diplomats and politicians from all over Europe. Franz Kafka and Heinrich Heine at one time also enjoyed Norderney’s sea air, drawing inspiration from the waves. The East Frisian Island Norderney, founded in 1797 as Germany’s first health resort on the North Sea, first became a summer residence for the Royal House of Hanover and then an official retreat for the Kingdom of Prussia. Today, the island is a popular tourist destination, continuing to draw celebrities from politics, entertainment and culture.

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Amrum

Amrum Island offers the chance to experience remarkable natural spectacles. For example when thousands of sea and coastal birds populate the island during breeding season, attracted by the coastal wetlands’ rich supply of food. When the wetlands drain with the ebb of the tide and the sea disappears for a few hours, intrepid hikers can cross the mudflats from Amrum to the neighbouring island of Föhr (or the other way around) and become real birdwatchers in the process. Amrum is well worth a visit at any time of year. Cold weather simply results in a warmer welcome. The island’s five villages have plenty of charming thatched Frisian houses for you to stay in, or wellness hotels for a relaxing break. Fish restaurants provide delicious food for the island’s guests, and those keen to try out the local beer should round off the evening in a proper sailors’ tavern.

Some Other Popular Islands in Germany

Langeoog

Langeoog is an East Frisian car-free island protected by imposing sand dunes. Travellers can treat themselves to a stunning view of the surroundings from the island’s water tower in summer. Sandy beaches, a mild climate, fresh sea breezes, mudflats to explore, and quaint shops make Langeeog the ideal spot for a quiet, relaxing holiday.

Lubmin

The beach resort of Lubmin on Greifswalder Bodden is a favourite summer destination for locals, and promises a picturesque panorama of rugged cliffs and lush pine forests. While the broad sandy beaches are great for lazing, bathing, or strolling, more active travellers can indulge in watersports and beach games, and even go for hiking, walking, jogging, horseback riding, or fishing. Nudity is allowed on this beach.

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Juist

Natives affectionately call this Wadden Sea island Töwerland (“magic land”) and the island certainly lives up to its name. While the 10 miles (16 kilometers) of broad beaches and beautiful marinas of Juist form the perfect setting for a family holiday, this car-free island has also carved a name for itself as a health and wellness resort.

Timmendorfer Strand

The four miles (six kilometers) of sandy Timmendorfer Strand in the Bay of Lübeck are extremely popular with locals, but practically unknown to tourists. The long pier stretching out into the sea is an attractive feature of the beach, while the wildlife park at Timmendorfer Strand is home to around 1,300 exotic birds and makes for a great outing. The beach resort is also a popular spa destination among Germans.

St Peter-Ording

St Peter-Ording is a well-known spa resort in the North Sea and famous for its rejuvenating, curative sulfur springs. The resort is especially known for thalassotherapy. Rolling sand dunes and mudflats constitute the landscape of this beautiful beach resort. St Peter-Ording is also a great resort for watersports.

Hiddensee

From the little picturesque fishing village of Neuendorf to the idyllic landscape of Grieben, and from the beautiful harbor to the hilly Dornbusch, the car-free island of Hiddensee in the Baltic Sea promises endless beauty at every turn. It has sandy beaches, a picture-postcard lighthouse and a lot of cultural attractions.

Warnemünder

Warnemünder is a port town in the Baltic Sea where hundreds of cruise ships dock. Climbing up its 19th-century lighthouse is a wonderful way to get a different perspective kilometre and to see ships bobbing on the horizon. Its long beach strip and marina make for a perfect family getaway. The city of Rostock is an easy trip from Warnemünder.

List of Islands of Germany

Islands of the Baltic Sea

• Fehmarn
• Poel
• Walfisch island
• Langenwerder
• Hiddensee
• Rügen
• Dänholm
• Vilm
• Greifswalder Oie
• Ruden
• Ummanz
• Usedom (partly belonging to Poland)

Islands of the North Sea

• Heligoland
• East Frisian Islands (in the Wadden Sea)
  • Borkum
  • Buise (former island, disappeared)
  • Lütje Hörn
  • Kachelotplate
  • Memmert
  • Juist
  • Norderney
  • Baltrum
  • Langeoog
  • Spiekeroog
  • Wangerooge
  • Mellum
• Neuwerk
• Scharhörn
• Nigehörn
• North Frisian Islands
  • Sylt
  • Föhr
  • Amrum
  • Pellworm
  • Nordstrand (former island, now peninsula)
• Halligen (also part of North Frisian Islands)
  • Langeneß
  • Norderoog
  • Süderoog
  • Nordstrandischmoor
  • Oland (German island)
  • Südfall
  • Gröde-Appelland
  • Hooge
  • Hallig Habel
  • Hamburger Hallig

Islands of Elbe River

• Lühesand

Islands of Weser River

• Harriersand

Islands of Lake Constance

• Mainau Island
• Reichenau Island
• Lindau

Islands of Chiemsee

• Herrenchiemsee
• Frauenchiemsee
• Krautinsel