"Borkum: Island with high sea climate" Borkum by Kathrin_E

Borkum Travel Guide: 51 reviews and 80 photos

Dunes and Northern beach

I love the North Sea coast. A long weekend in a seaside resort on the North Sea has the value of a four-week holiday to me. My aim is to spend at least a few days there each year.

There is nothing more relaxing to me than walking along the beach with my feet in the water, breathing the fresh salty air, watching the changing tides, observing the animals in the tidelands, biking along the dikes and the trails through the dunes. The eternal strong wind makes my North-German blood sparkle. The island of Borkum with its high-sea climate has the freshest wind of them all!

Lighthouse

Borkum is the westernmost of Germany's seven East Frisian Islands. Holland is close, and clearly visible from the top of the lighthouse.

Being an art historian, a city trip with sightseeing and museums is a study trip to me, not a holiday. Sometimes even someone like me wants to relax, best in an art history free zone. Borkum isn't entirely without culture, though! Historical buildings and a little museum show the history of the island as a base of whalers and fishermen and the development of the spa town in the 19th century.

Since I'm living without a car, public transport connections strongly influence my choice of destination. The port of Emden where the Borkum ferries depart can easily be reached by train, so it's no problem to get there.

Allow me to humbly mention that this page won a prize in VT's Weekend Warrior Contest in August 2008.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wind, sea, tidelands, big sky, fresh fish...
Cons:Weather not always perfect
In a nutshell:My favourite for relaxing vacations

Last visit to Borkum: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Jan 29, 2009
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (42)

Beach Promenade Things to Do (12)

The dike in front of the spa quarter and town centre has been terraced on two levels and turned into a promenade. The... more travel advice

Coastline protection along the Southwest of Borkum - Borkum

Protection of the Coastline Off The Beaten Path (8)

The Frisian islands are constantly 'on the move'. Sand is washed away from their Western and Northern side and deposited... more travel advice

Wattwürmer - Lugworms Off The Beaten Path (8)

The Wattwurm (lugworm, photo 2) is, in a way, the heraldic animal of the North Sea tidelands. These worm live in the... more travel advice

Tides and Swimming Warnings and Dangers (2)

The tides cause strong currents, especially round the Western tip of the island. The official swimming hours that are... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Favourite Cafe with yummy cake
Local Customs (5)
See All "Moin" - The Local Greeting
Transportation (6)
See All Bike Rentals
Shopping (2)
See All Silly Souvenirs...

Comments (8)

Reply
- Report abuse
PALLINA Mar 3, 2010 at 3:30 PM

Great page! For a vacation in East frisian Island, where do you suggest to overnight? Is it easy to reach the other island as well?
Reply
- Report abuse
mustertal Aug 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM

I love a glass of Grog thank you :) Lovely pages, I've enjoyed reading them.
Reply
- Report abuse
Bernd_L Aug 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM

Congrats for being one of the winners of the weekend warrior contest. I've never been on Borkum although I've been in the area for six weeks years ago. Seems like I missed something.
Reply
- Report abuse
christine.j Aug 14, 2008 at 4:56 AM

A great page, Kathrin, and a well-deserved prize. I love Borkum, have been there at least five or six times.
Reply
- Report abuse
goutammitra Aug 8, 2008 at 2:41 AM

I enjoyed reading your tips. Your warning of danger tip is really good. Unfortunately there is no advise available in the beaches of our country. They may go into the water during wrong time. I have hreard about the North Sea air and the Seals! Great Page
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Aug 5, 2008 at 10:16 AM

lovely page
Reply
- Report abuse
travelgourmet Aug 4, 2008 at 11:59 PM

Here's to the winners, congratulations. Larry
Reply
- Report abuse
ATLC Aug 4, 2008 at 3:07 PM

I still have a voucher for a free hotel night on Borkum! Very funny: birds saying 'thank you', hahaha! I love Ostfriesentee. Specially Gantertee (from Ganderkesee).