Located in the middle of the East Frisian Islands, Baltrum is a car-free island off Germany’s north-west coast. It has been nicknamed “Sleeping Beauty” due to its natural attractions and is unique in that its houses are numbered chronologically, according to their year of construction.
Things to do in Baltrum
One of Baltrum's oldest buildings is the Alte Inselkirche, which was constructed in 1826 and can accommodate just 50 worshippers. Its belfry is considered a symbol of the island, with the simple wooden frame housing a bell sourced from a Dutch sailing ship that ran aground nearby. Dedicated to the patron saint of sailors is St. Nikolaus Church, a thatched-roof building from 1957.
You can delve into the history of Baltrum at the Old Customs House Museum, which is best explored with the help of an audio guide. Browse the old photographs and artefacts on display to discover what life has been like on the island throughout the centuries. Nearby is the Nationalpark-Haus Baltrum, which is dedicated to the island’s natural history.
A highlight of visiting Baltrum is exploring its mudflats at low tide to get up close to some of the area’s marine species. With the help of a local guide, you can learn about the Wadden Sea’s edible algae and see the unique patterns created by lugworms. When the tide comes back in, Baltrumer Badestrand is the place to head for a refreshing swim.
Getting around Baltrum
Regular ferries connect from Nessmersiel to Baltrum Island, with the Norden railway station around 20 minutes’ drive from the mainland port. Bremen Airport is just under two hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Renting a bicycle is one of the most popular ways of exploring Baltrum and many of the island’s attractions can be accessed on foot.