Holiday in Helgoland

What makes Helgoland special as a destination?

Helgoland, Germany's only offshore island, rises 48 kilometers off the coast as a red sandstone cliff from the North Sea and offers a natural experience that is unmatched in Germany. The distinctive landmark is the Lange Anna, a 47-meter high freestanding rock tower at the northwest tip, which has withstood wind and waves for centuries and is the most photographed motif of the island. The Oberland on the rock plateau and the Unterland at the foot of the cliffs form the main island, while the offshore dune — once connected to the main island — attracts visitors with its fine sandy beaches, clear water, and a colony of harbor seals. Between November and February, hundreds of seal pups are born here, which can be observed up close. In early summer, thousands of northern gannets, guillemots, and black-legged kittiwakes nest in the red cliffs — Germany's only seabird cliff colony. Helgoland is duty-free, making the purchase of perfume, spirits, and cigarettes particularly affordable. The island is completely car-free and can be circled in an hour. The Hummerbuden at the harbor, small colorful wooden huts, now house restaurants and galleries and are the social meeting point of the island. The James-Kruss-Museum commemorates the famous children's book author who grew up on Helgoland. The ferry ride from Cuxhaven or Hamburg takes between two and a half and four hours and is already part of the adventure.