Overlooking a small bay on the coast of East Frisia, Greetsiel is a picturesque fishing port dating back to the 14th century. It’s clustered with beautifully preserved brick homes decorated with family crests and serves as a gateway for visiting the bird-filled wetlands of Leyhörn Nature Reserve.
Things to do in Greetsiel
Stroll along Greetsiel’s waterfront to admire its well-preserved fishermen’s cottages, many of which date back to the 18th century. A weather vane in the shape of a ship tops the brick-built Greetsiel Church, which was originally established in the 14th century as a private house of worship for Haro Edzardsna. Take note of the bell-shaped gables along Sielstraße, one of Greetsiel’s most photogenic streets.
Interactive exhibits detailing the flora and fauna of the Wadden Sea are housed within the Nationalpark-Haus Greetsiel, which is the starting point for guided walks through the nearby mudflats and salt marshes. You can virtually fly above the Wadden Sea to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the national park and get up close to crustaceans in the aquarium before hearing about the daily life of local fishermen.
A short drive west of Greetsiel is the Pilsum Lighthouse, which guided ships along the coastline between 1891 and 1915. Rising 11 metres in height, it is brightly painted red and yellow, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in East Frisia. Greetsiel is also home to two smock windmills, the oldest of which was constructed in 1706.
Getting around Greetsiel
Greetsiel is around 20 minutes’ drive from Norden and 30 minutes from Emden. Groningen Airport Eelde is 1.5 hours away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect to Greetsiel and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.