Germany's high seas island in the North Sea is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a slow-paced getaway in nature. Steep, bright-red cliffs covered in lush green pastures, and the "Düne"'s white beaches give the island its unmistakable appearance. Activities on Heligoland are limited, with the island emphasizing its historic and natural sights and wellness facilities. Nevertheless, whether you are visiting for a day or two weeks, you are sure to be kept busy between touring the island and relaxing along the beach or on the cliffs.

Good To Know:

• Who Should Visit?: Birdwatchers, Photographers, History Buffs, Families, Beach lovers, Couples of all ages, Friends, Work Trips, School Trips
• Getting There: Ferries depart every morning from the mainland at Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Büsum and head towards Heligoland. Depending on the port of departure, the trip takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, during which you can enjoy the fresh ocean air and onboard restaurants. The ferries start their return journeys in the afternoon, leaving around 4 hours for day-trippers to explore the island.
• Getting Around: There are virtually no cars on Heligoland, except for a few electric taxis and service vehicles. As the island is so small, walking anywhere is possible within 15 minutes.
• When to Visit: With mild temperatures, all year round, choose the time of your visit according to your planned activities. The summer months are great for family and beach holidays, but keep in mind that the island can get very crowded at those times. We suggest visiting during the off-season in early October or late spring.
• Where to Stay: There are plenty of rental apartments or houses on Heligoland, as well as hotels. Additionally, Düne offers rental bungalows and a campground, which are great for families. Choose to stay on the mainland, however, if you would like to be close to restaurants and shops.
• Accessibility: Some parts of Heligoland are not easily accessible. Travelers should be aware that, in order to board the ship, a walk up a (sometimes rather steep) gangway is required. However, the onboard staff do help passengers as best they can. Shops on the island are generally not wheelchair accessible, but the island does offer a lot of accessible paths. Contact the shipping company, your housing provider, and tours in advance and let them know about your disability. They will do their best to accommodate everyone. You can find more information on accessibility on www.helgoland.de
• More: Check out our other trips in Northern Germany: Hamburg Insider Tips, Camping In Northern Germany. 

Highlights

Unterland:

Heligoland's main island is divided into three parts, each at different heights: the Oberland ('upper land'), Unterland, ('lower land'), and Mittelland ('middle land'). The ships anchor in the southern part, at the Unterland, where the town center is located. Here, you'll find plenty of shops, often carrying items of higher value, as goods on Heligoland can be purchased duty-free. When buying anything, however, be aware that you will have to declare any items with customs on the mainland. Unique to Heligoland is the colorful row of wooden shops lining the pier, called the Hummerbuden. Enjoy some seafood from the Hummerbuden and be sure to try lobster pinchers, Helgoländer Knieper, the island's delicacy. Visit the Museum and learn more about Heligoland's interesting, yet tragic, history. A strategic military location during WW2, Adolf Hitler even planned on converting it into a gigantic military port. After WW2 ended and residents had been evacuated, the British took control of the island and planned to destroy the remaining bunkers by blowing them up. And so, on April 13th, 1947 on a day known as the "Big Bang", detonated explosives to the equivalent of half of the Hiroshima bomb, in the largest non-atomic, man-made explosion in history. Besides detailing those events, the museum also gives insights into Heligoland's unique geology and marine life.The Unterland is also where the wellness facilities and family activities are located: get a massage at the Wellness Center, go swimming in the salty swimming pool or have fun at the park playing minigolf! 

Oberland:

An elevator connects the Unter- with the Oberland. After navigating through the rows of colored rental houses, you will reach Heligoland's most stunning nature walk. The Klippenrandweg takes you all around the edge of the cliffs, boasting a fantastic view over the rough waters of the North Sea, its waves breaking on the towering red cliffs. Inland, the green pastures show the aftermath of the Big Bang. The once-level landscape is interrupted by the deep craters left by the bombs, leaving rolling hills and valleys. Continuing on the loop trail, you will pass by any ornithologist's dream: the Lummenfelsen. Multiple bird species not found anywhere else in Germany use the cliffside as their breeding grounds. They are the most numerous in late spring/early summer, when most of the red sandstone cliffs are covered in birds, making this the densest bird population in Germany. Heligoland's most recognizable landmark Lange Anna ('Tall Anna'), a 47 m (154 ft) tall sea stack, can be best seen from the Lummenfelsen. Along the loop trail are several detailed sings, explaining both the history of the island, as well as the bird populations.

Düne:

Up until 1721, Heligoland and its neighboring island Düne ('Dune') were connected by landbridge. After a particularly bad storm flood, Düne was disconnected and now is only accessible by boat. A small ferry leaves for Düne every 30 minutes during the high season for 6€ roundtrip. Düne is Heligoland's beach, with long stretches of fine, white sand and clear waters. Spend at least one afternoon on Düne if possible, strolling along the beaches (if you're lucky, you'll even find a rare red firestone!) and breathing in the fresh, salty sea air. In summer, this is the place to enjoy the waves, but be sure to not disrupt the seals lounging on the beach alongside you (stay at least 30 m (100 ft) away). On Düne, there is another mini-golf park, hidden in the grassy center of the island, as well as a small café from which you can enjoy the view. 

Guided Tours:

We highly recommend booking at least one of the available guided tours of the island. If you are only visiting for the day, choose to learn more about the island's history from a weathered seaman while rounding the island on Heligoland's famous Börteboot or visit the civilian bunker used to keep the residents safe during attacks in WW2. There are also multiple ornithology and geology walking tours available both in the Ober- and Unterland, should you be interested. Those staying at least two nights on the island may also consider visiting the off-shore wind park by catamaran and learning more about Germany's renewable energy efforts!

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