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Borkum

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City
—°121
Borkum (Germany)
ℹ️

Practical info — Borkum

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Use the historic Borkum Light Railway for the transfer from the harbor to the town for a nostalgic arrival.
  • Always check the tide times before planning long walks on the beach to avoid being cut off by the water.
  • Rent a bicycle to explore the island's extensive path network all the way to the eastern 'Ostland' area.
  • Visit the 'Dykhus' local history museum to learn about the island's whaling heritage.
  • The open sea climate is particularly healthy, take deep breaths while walking along the West Beach.

🍽 Food

🍽
East Frisian Tea

Enjoy an authentic tea ceremony with 'Kluntje' (rock sugar) and cream in an island cafe.

🍽
Snirtjebraten

A traditional regional pork roast, often served with red cabbage and pumpkin.

🍽
Borkum Sea Buckthorn Cake

A fruity cake made from berries that grow wild on the island's dunes.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Island Tea Houses

Buy special tea blends and accessories for the traditional East Frisian tea ceremony.

🛍
Sea Buckthorn Products

From liqueur to jam, find everything made from this healthy island berry in local shops.

🧘
Greune Stee

A wooded nature reserve in the south of the island, well-suited for walks protected from the wind.

🧘
Ostland

The eastern part of the island is very spacious and features peace and quiet away from the main hub.

As the largest of the seven East Frisian Islands, Borkum lies in the middle of the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea and captivates visitors with its unique offshore climate. Due to its significant distance from the mainland, the air here is exceptionally rich in iodine and low in pollen, making it a true health retreat for the respiratory system. The endlessly wide sandy beach is great during the summer for swimming, kite surfing, or simply building sandcastles. A stroll along the lively promenade, past the iconic classic beach tents, provides a quintessential North Sea holiday feeling. The island's primary landmark is the New Lighthouse; after climbing its 315 steps, the observation deck rewards you with a dramatic panoramic view of the island chain and the rugged sea. Equally fascinating is the historic Old Lighthouse, which is deeply connected to the island's bygone whaling industry. Those seeking tranquility can explore the untouched eastern half of the island on a long bicycle ride through expansive dune landscapes and salt marshes. The nostalgic narrow-gauge railway comfortably transports visitors from the ferry port directly into the bustling town center.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C445812151818161285
Rain mm876958415867839172808088

Live webcam – Borkum

See what it looks like near Borkum right now.

Borkum: Livespotting - Live von der höchsten Webcam mit Blick über · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
5,186
Coordinates
53.58810, 6.66970

Facts

  • Total island area: approximately 31 square kilometers.
  • Certified as a high-sea health resort.
  • The New Lighthouse stands 60 meters tall.
  • Part of the district of Leer, Lower Saxony.
  • Accessible via ferry from Emden (Germany) or Eemshaven (Netherlands).
  • Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Borkum (12)

New Lighthouse

Built in 1879, this tower has a fantastic 360-degree view of the island and the Wadden Sea after 308 steps.

🕒 Jan-Feb We,Sa,Su 14:00-16:00; Mar-May Mo,Tu,Th,Fr,Sa 11:00-1

Old Lighthouse

The oldest building on the island stands on church foundations and is famous for its fences made of whalebones.

Borkum Light Railway

This historic narrow-gauge railway has connected the island's port to the town center since 1888.

Dykhus History Museum🏛 museum

Set in a traditional island house, it vividly documents the history of whaling and island life.

Music Pavilion📍 landmark

Located right on the promenade, this pavilion hosts regular concerts with views of the North Sea surf.

Hohes Riff🎡 recreation

Hohes Riff, a high dune area on the western end of Borkum island.

Südstrand🎡 recreation

Südstrand, the main south beach of Borkum with fine sand and a pier.

Jugendbad🎡 recreation

Jugendbad, a family-friendly indoor and outdoor pool complex on Borkum.

Seewasserbecken für kleine Seeleute🌿 nature

This seawater basin on Borkum has young visitors a safe way to experience the water.

Spielinsel👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Spielinsel on Borkum features a variety of play options for children near the beach.

Pit Pat Hindernis Billard👨‍👩‍👧 family

This facility on Borkum has a fun combination of billiards and miniature golf for the whole family.

Gezeitenland👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Gezeitenland on Borkum combines water fun with wellness and relaxation.

🕒 Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa,Su 10:00-20:00

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Borkum Island?
Ferries and catamarans run from Emden (DE) and Eemshaven (NL). The crossing takes between 60 minutes and 2 hours.
Are cars allowed on Borkum?
Yes, cars are allowed, but the town center is closed to private car traffic during the high season. Bicycles are the main mode of transport.
What is special about the climate on Borkum?
Borkum is the only German island with a high-seas climate, which is particularly low in pollen and high in iodine, convenient for allergy sufferers.
Which sights should not be missed?
The New Lighthouse features a great view, and the Dykhus local history museum shows the island's whaling history.
Is there a railway on Borkum?
Yes, the historic Borkum light railway takes guests from the ferry pier directly to the center of the island town.
Borkum: where is it located?
Borkum is located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Borkum: what is there to see?
Highlights include New Lighthouse, Old Lighthouse, Borkum Light Railway.
Borkum: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Borkum: why is it worth visiting?
As the largest of the seven East Frisian Islands, Borkum lies in the middle of the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea and captivates visitors with its unique offshore climate.
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