Sylt, the slender island off the Danish-German coast, is sandwiched between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea mudlfats. The island has seen many visitors come and go and has never lost its appeal for holidays. It inspired Thomas Mann to prose, after he spent a week there in 1928. The silhouette of Sylt has become an icon for the island's many fans.Over 650,000 tourists visit here each year to revel in the beach, the dunes, the wind and the waves. And the true aficionados pay their visits in the winter.

On the western side of the island, 40 kilometers of white beaches lure visitors to the shore. The wind and the ocean spray blow away the cares of the everyday. Kampen is also a favorite of golfers. But the best views of the dunes can be found on horseback. The eastern part of the island features a unique coastal landscape, the mudflats, which were listed a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2009. At low tide, there are guided tours of the mudflats.

For those interested in the island's geology, the "Erlebniszentrum Naturgewalten" visitor center near the harbor of List is well worth a visit. For a taste of true Friesian tradition, there's also Keitum, a district featuring many cozy pubs.Some of the beachfront pubs even have beach chairs where guests can enjoy the winter sun. Sylt's cooking can be sampled at the Speisekammer Nordsee restaurant, which features dishes made with oysters and algae.

From Visit Germany
Editor: Sue Cox