Germany's islands attract tourists

From specks of nature refuge to sprawling tourist resorts, some 80 islands are part of German territory. Most lie either in the Baltic Sea to the east, or North Sea to the west. DW highlights eight German islands.

High up in Germany's north

The North Frisian Islands are a group of islands in the Wadden Sea just off the western coast of Schleswig Holstein. Sylt, the largest island, stretches from Germany up past the Danish coastline. Locals here speak a unique dialect called Söl'ring: a mix of Dutch, Danish and English.
Glamor on the high seas

Sylt is to Germany what the Hamptons are to New York. German elite and tourists alike ascend upon the island for a taste of glamor and a potential glimpse of celebrities at clubs like "Rotes Kliff" - or "Red Cliff."
Rügen's blue hour

As Germany's largest island, Rügen lies above former East Germany, in the Baltic Sea. In 2013 the island's accommodations tallied more than 10 million overnight stays. Here, visitors catch an outdoor concert on the illuminated pier in Sellin, a seaside resort.
Planned Nazi resort

The "Colossus of Rügen," a former Nazi-planned resort sprawls nearly five kilometers (three miles) along the Baltic Sea coastline on the island of Rügen. Constructed between 1936 - 1939, it is the largest Nazi-era structure alongside the Nuremburg rally grounds. Since 2004, parts of the complex have been sold for various uses - from hotels to elderly housing.
Medieval heritage

The Monastic Island of Reichenau lies in the middle of Lake Constance on Germany's southern border. The island is home to the Benedictine Abbey, founded in 724. Since 2002 the island has been listed as a World Heritage thanks to the abbey's cultural influence in the Middle Ages.
Hybrid super-power

A beloved tourist destination, Pellworm in the North Sea is also home to one of Europe's largest hybrid solar and wind power plants.The station generates two times the amount of electricity the island needs to function and delivers excess energy back to the mainland via underwater cables.
North of the Netherlands

Borkum's first official mention on historical documents was in the year 1398. At that time, the island served as a haven for pirates. Today, about 5,000 residents call this island in the North Sea home. Hotels line the waterfront. It's been a beach resort since 1830.
Germany's 'Long Island'

In low German dialect, Langeoog literally means "Long Island" - but this island's main attractions are a far cry from its New York cousin of the same name. One of seven inhabited East Frisian islands, Langeoog is famous for its sand-swept shores and dunes soaring up to 20 meters high.
Heligoland's natural tower

Heligoland is Germany's only island in the ocean - about three hours by boat from the coast. Automobiles and bicycles are banned from the island to help preserve its natural state. "Tall Anna," the sandstone formation (above) is one of the island's most notable landmarks.
New identity?

Nature aside, savvy shoppers are lured by the lack of customs duties and value added tax on goods here. Lately, however, tourism numbers have dropped significantly, and officials are seeking to reinvent Heligoland as an "offshore service island" for energy companies.
Refuge for birds

Declared a World Heritage site in 2009, the Wadden Sea is the largest continuous system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. Both coastal lands and islands make up the Wadden Sea Nationalpark, which stakes its claim as Europe's most bird-rich region and Germany's most important natural preserve.

High up in Germany's north

The North Frisian Islands are a group of islands in the Wadden Sea just off the western coast of Schleswig Holstein. Sylt, the largest island, stretches from Germany up past the Danish coastline. Locals here speak a unique dialect called Söl'ring: a mix of Dutch, Danish and English.
Glamor on the high seas

Sylt is to Germany what the Hamptons are to New York. German elite and tourists alike ascend upon the island for a taste of glamor and a potential glimpse of celebrities at clubs like "Rotes Kliff" - or "Red Cliff."
Rügen's blue hour

As Germany's largest island, Rügen lies above former East Germany, in the Baltic Sea. In 2013 the island's accommodations tallied more than 10 million overnight stays. Here, visitors catch an outdoor concert on the illuminated pier in Sellin, a seaside resort.
Planned Nazi resort

The "Colossus of Rügen," a former Nazi-planned resort sprawls nearly five kilometers (three miles) along the Baltic Sea coastline on the island of Rügen. Constructed between 1936 - 1939, it is the largest Nazi-era structure alongside the Nuremburg rally grounds. Since 2004, parts of the complex have been sold for various uses - from hotels to elderly housing.
Medieval heritage

The Monastic Island of Reichenau lies in the middle of Lake Constance on Germany's southern border. The island is home to the Benedictine Abbey, founded in 724. Since 2002 the island has been listed as a World Heritage thanks to the abbey's cultural influence in the Middle Ages.
Hybrid super-power

A beloved tourist destination, Pellworm in the North Sea is also home to one of Europe's largest hybrid solar and wind power plants.The station generates two times the amount of electricity the island needs to function and delivers excess energy back to the mainland via underwater cables.
North of the Netherlands

Borkum's first official mention on historical documents was in the year 1398. At that time, the island served as a haven for pirates. Today, about 5,000 residents call this island in the North Sea home. Hotels line the waterfront. It's been a beach resort since 1830.
Germany's 'Long Island'

In low German dialect, Langeoog literally means "Long Island" - but this island's main attractions are a far cry from its New York cousin of the same name. One of seven inhabited East Frisian islands, Langeoog is famous for its sand-swept shores and dunes soaring up to 20 meters high.
Heligoland's natural tower

Heligoland is Germany's only island in the ocean - about three hours by boat from the coast. Automobiles and bicycles are banned from the island to help preserve its natural state. "Tall Anna," the sandstone formation (above) is one of the island's most notable landmarks.
New identity?

Nature aside, savvy shoppers are lured by the lack of customs duties and value added tax on goods here. Lately, however, tourism numbers have dropped significantly, and officials are seeking to reinvent Heligoland as an "offshore service island" for energy companies.
Refuge for birds

Declared a World Heritage site in 2009, the Wadden Sea is the largest continuous system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. Both coastal lands and islands make up the Wadden Sea Nationalpark, which stakes its claim as Europe's most bird-rich region and Germany's most important natural preserve.