Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [644]
For information on getting to Amrum from Sylt, Click here.
Buses take you around the island; there are bike-rental places in every village.
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HELGOLAND
04725 / pop 1333
Helgoland’s former rulers, the British, really got the better deal in 1891 when they swapped it for then German-ruled Zanzibar. But Germans today are very fond of this lonesome North Sea outcrop of red sandstone rock and its fresh air and warm weather, courtesy of the Gulf Stream.
The 80m-tall Lange Anna (Long Anna) rock on the island’s southwest edge is a compelling sight, standing alone in the ocean. There are also WWII bunkers and tunnels to explore, and resurging numbers of Atlantic grey seals. Cycling is not permitted on the tiny 4.2-sq-km island.
As Helgoland is still covered by an agreement made in 1840 and economically isn’t part of the EU, most visitors indulge in some duty-free shopping in the outlets lining the main drag, Lung Wai (‘long way’). To swim, many head to neighbouring Düne, a blip in the ocean that is popular with nudists. Little boats (one-way €4) make regular trips between May and mid-October from Helgoland’s northeastern landing stage.
Helgoland makes an easy and enjoyable day trip, but if you want to stay, the Kurverwaltung ( 01805-643 737; www.helgoland.de; Lung Wai 28; 9am-noon Mon-Fri & by appointment) can help find a room or tent pitch.
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Getting There & Away
For high-speed ferries from Hamburg, Click here. Reederei Rahder ( 04834-3612; www.rahder.de, in German) and Helgoland Reisen ( 04834-938 220; www.helgolandreisen.de, in German) have ferries from Büsum (return from €34 and €36 respectively). The latter also has ferries from Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony (return from €38). Other ferry services include Helgoline ( 0180-522 1445; www.helgoline.de, in German) from Cuxhaven (return from €36.50) and Helgoland Linie ( 01805-228 661; www.helgolandlinie.de, in German) from Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony (return from €36.50).
Adler Schiffe ( 987 00; www.adler-schiffe.de, in German) puts together full-day trips departing from the Westerland Bahnhof, Sylt (€45.50), which include around four hours on Helgoland.
Alternatively, you can fly from Büsum (one-way/return/day trip €80.50/159/149) and from Bremerhaven in Bremen (€86/170/155) with OLT ( 0471-771 88; www.olt.de), or from the small Hamburg-Uetersen airfield with Air Hamburg ( 04070-708 890; www.air-hamburg.de, in German; from €79 one-way).
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Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania
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Getting There & Around
MECKLENBURGER SEENPLATTE
SCHWERIN
Orientation
Information
Sights
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking
Entertainment
Getting There & Around
LUDWIGSLUST
GÜSTROW
Sights & Activities
Getting There & Around
NEUBRANDENBURG
Orientation
Information
Sights & Activities
Sleeping
Eating & Drinking
Entertainment
Getting There & Away
MÜRITZ NATIONAL PARK
Neustrelitz
COASTAL MECKLENBURG
ROSTOCK
Orientation
Information
Sights
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking
Entertainment
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
BAD DOBERAN & COASTAL RESORTS
Sights & Activities
Getting There & Around
WISMAR
Orientation
Information
Sights
Activities
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating & Drinking
Getting There & Around
DARSS-ZINGST PENINSULA
WESTERN POMERANIA
STRALSUND
Orientation
Information
Sights
Activities
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking & Entertainment
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
RÜGEN ISLAND
Orientation
Information
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
Binz
South Rügen
North Rügen
HIDDENSEE ISLAND
GREIFSWALD
Orientation & Information
Sights
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
USEDOM ISLAND
Getting There & Away
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All clichés aside, this spectacular stretch of the Baltic coast is certainly one of Germany’s better-kept secrets.