Beach in sight! The Sunbathing season in Germany has begun on the North Sea and Baltic Sea with no Corona restrictions!
Sunbathing season in Germany: It’s time to visit Germany! Travelers only have to accept a few corona restrictions on the north German coast. What needs to be considered at the start of the bathing season on the North and Baltic Seas.
- Sunbathing season has started: Beaches are now guarded again
- Even on the coast, only basic corona protection applies
- Overview of the most beautiful beaches on the North and Baltic seas
Current state of Corona restrictions in Germany
In general, only basic corona protection must be observed when traveling within Germany. This includes:
- Masks are still compulsory in all local and long-distance public transport
- In all other public areas, it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask. However, shops, museums and other institutions can still prescribe the use of a mask through their domiciliary rights
- Access restrictions (3G, 2G, and 2G plus) for restaurants, shops, and other facilities as well as for events no longer apply
Current state of Corona restrictions in the beach states in Germany
The federal states on the North and Baltic Seas have compiled extensive information on the subject of travel and tourism in Corona times :
- Information about Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Information about Schleswig-Holstein
- Information about Lower Saxony
The nationwide basic corona protection applies in the federal states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The additional special rules in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have expired.
Sunbathing season starts: Beaches are now guarded again
Despite water temperatures of just under twelve degrees, beachgoers on the coasts of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can already jump back into the North Sea and Baltic Sea in many places.
► Mid-May is the official season opening for the watch season of the German Life Saving Society (DLRG). The lifeguards of the water rescue service of the German Red Cross (DRK) have also started the watch season.
Sunbathing season in Germany: The 9 most beautiful beaches on the North and Baltic Seas
1. Binz Beach, Ruegen
A five-kilometer long, fine sandy beach is part of the seaside resort of Binz on Rügen, which is characterized by magnificent spa architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The sheltered location in the bay of Prorer Wiek ensures a weak surf, which makes the beach in Binz particularly attractive for families with small children.
There are a total of 64 access points, plus designated textile, nudist, and dog beach sections.
A large part of the beach is guarded during the bathing season.
Good to know: Rügen is the largest and, with 77,000 inhabitants, the most populous German island. In addition to the seaside resort of Binz, holidaymakers should also visit the Jasmund National Park with its famous chalk cliffs.
More information on the website of the Baltic Sea resort of Binz *.
2. Usedom Beach
Germany’s longest sandy beach is 42 kilometers long and belongs to the Baltic Sea island of Usedom.
The 19th Century of German bathing tourism began here: The first lodging house, the “White Castle”, opened in Heringsdorf in 1820 and accommodated numerous prominent personalities, such as the later Kaiser Wilhelm II and the writer Kurt Tucholsky.
The imposing resort architecture in Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck, and Bansin still bears witness to the history, as do the five piers in Usedom, including Germany’s longest in Heringsdorf at 508 meters and Germany’s oldest in Ahlbeck, built-in 1898.
Fact: the longest beach promenade in Europe at twelve kilometers.
Further information on the website of Usedom *.
3. Beach at Ellenbogen, Sylt
The Lister Ellenbogen, a 330-meter narrow and 1200-meter long peninsula, is the northernmost tip of the North Frisian island of Sylt and thus the northernmost point in Germany.
A visit is worth it: the natural, approximately three-kilometer-long sandy beach is never overcrowded. When the weather is good, you can see as far as the Danish island of Rømø.
Attention: Swimming at the Lister Ellenbogen is prohibited, as strong deep currents occur there.
More information on the website of the island of Sylt *.
4. Timmendorfer Beach
Timmendorfer Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Germany. Beach chairs can be rented for two or three people.
Thanks to the soft, fine sand and lots of play equipment in the various sections, children in particular also feel at home on Timmendorfer Beach.
The town of the same name, which has 9,000 inhabitants, has been allowed to call itself a Baltic Sea health resort since 1951. Visitors will find numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops in the center and on the promenade.
The three piers – the Maritim-Seebrücke, the Seeschlösschenbrücke and the Fischkopf-Seebrücke in the district of Niendorf – are great for strolling.
Further information on the tourism portal of the municipality of Timmendorfer Strand *.
5. South Beach, Borkum
Beach chairs and tents, dunes and extensive, white sandy beaches: typical East Frisian islands.
Borkum’s southern beach is considered to be particularly idyllic and family-friendly, and it is also less crowded than the larger northern beach.
Despite the calm, the south beach is guarded. There are playgrounds, sanitary facilities, and several kiosks, the so-called milk stalls. Borkum is the westernmost and at almost 31 square kilometers the largest East Frisian island.
Good to know: Borkum is the only East Frisian island that is always surrounded by seawater, which is why the air is particularly low in pollen and iodine.
More information on the website of the island of Borkum *.
6. Nordstrand, Norderney
The East Frisian island of Norderney also has several beautiful beaches to offer. In the northwest of the island, the western beach is followed by the northern beach, which stretches along the coast for about ten kilometers.
In the high season, visitors can rent beach chairs here. Incidentally, the north beach is not only popular with those looking for relaxation.
Windsurfers will also find the best conditions here. With an area of 26.29 square kilometers, Norderney is the second-largest East Frisian island.
Fact: 85 percent of the island area belongs to the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park.
Further information on the website of Norderney *.
7. West beach, Fischland-Darss-Zingst
Probably the wildest beach in Germany is on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula between Rostock and Stralsund on the Baltic Sea coast.
The fine sandy western beach, which is about 14 kilometers long, borders the Darss Forest, which consists mainly of pine trees. The result is a unique landscape: the treetops grow downwind and bend over the beach, and beach grass, crowberries, and heather have settled on the dunes.
There are two DLRG rescue towers near Ahrenshoo
Further information from the Fischland-Darss-Zingst tourist office *.
8. St. Peter Ording Beach
Twelve kilometers long and up to two kilometers wide: On the beach of St. Peter-Ording in the Schleswig-Holstein district of Nordfriesland you can enjoy the vastness.
It’s time to swim! There is enough space for swimmers, walkers, sand yachtsmen, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. There are numerous wicker beach chairs, but the 13 stilt houses on the beach, which are considered the town’s landmark and are more than 100 years old, are unique.
The first pile dwelling opened in 1911 under the name “Giftbude” because there was “wat gift” (High German: something there). With currently five pile-dwelling restaurants, the original purpose has been preserved to this day.
By the way: St. Peter-Ording is the only German seaside resort that bears the title “North Sea Healing and Sulfur Baths” because the town has its own sulfur spring.
Further information at the Tourist Office in St. Peter Ording *.
9. Badedüne, Helgoland
The rocky island of Helgoland has its own bathing island: the offshore dunes. It has existed since 1721 when the previously larger island broke in two.
Two gently sloping, Caribbean white beaches frame the dunes. The south beach with its calm water is particularly suitable for children. The surf on the north beach is also impressive.
Ferries commute between the main island and the dune all year round, which is worth a visit for another reason: Helgoland’s neighboring island is considered the nursery of the gray seal.
In the summer, numerous animals hunt through the water, some taking a break on the beach of their birthplace.
Important to know: A safety distance of 30 meters to the seals must be maintained.
Further information on the website of Helgoland *.
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