North Sea/Sylt

On the other hand, there are those who claim that this unmistakable Sylt feeling of exuberant joie de vivre and unbridled enjoyment is a thing of the past, that the island has changed and that the days of glitz and glamor, when European celebrities flocked here, are over. Certainly, the proportion of glamorous vacationers whose names dominate the tabloids has decreased. Is that a drawback? The long-established families from the aristocracy, business, politics and culture have remained, but are increasingly retreating to their retreats in the Kampener and Braderuper Heide. Their children are now traveling the world: St. Barth, the Hamptons, Ibiza, the Maldives and, at least for a few days, Sylt. And then it's back to the exuberant parties and dancing until dawn. Cult bars and discos, such as the aforementioned "Pony" or the "Rote Kliff" in Kampen, are hip locations where you can let it rip, especially in July and August.

This is also when you can see a number of stars from showbiz, who usually mingle casually at the hotspots of the scene. There is also a change of generation in some Intreffs. Two veterans of the Kampen gastronomy scene have retired. Back in 2012, Greta, the landlady of the "Rauchfang" (an epicenter from early afternoon until late at night), and recently Rolf Seiche, the shining light of the Kampen lifestyle from the legendary "Gogärtchen". Fears that there will be less going on here on the so-called Whisky Mile, which is actually called Strönwai, turn out to be completely unfounded. This street is still the catwalk for the luxury cars that cruise along the 300-metre stretch and the catwalk for the "beautiful people" in luxury clothes from the exclusive boutiques, which are mainly found in Kampen and the picturesque village of Keitum. People meet here in the afternoon after a full day at the beach, sunburnt and still slightly sandy in casual beach wear, drink latte macchiato with wonderfully fragrant sheet cake and plan the evening at bar tables.

However, the fascination of Sylt is not just about the few facets of the cliché of the exclusive jet set with its demands for luxury. Rather, the island is a unique blend of noblesse and nature. This is the only place where the special stimulating climate unfolds, which distinguishes it from other North and East Frisian islands. The island's offshore position means it is more exposed to the sea and wind, which increases the salt and iodine content of the air.

Tracks in the sand
On the kilometer-long beach of the Elbow, the northernmost and for many the most beautiful part of the 38-kilometer-long island, a unique connection with nature is conveyed in the midst of an impressive dune landscape. Even in high season, you are often the only one to leave your footprints in the sand here, accompanied by the cries of seagulls and the sound of the surf. For Roman Polanski, this was the ideal location for his film "Ghostwriter".

The tidal flat side of the island with the idyllic village of Keitum is less dramatic and more charming. Here, the picture is almost exclusively dominated by thatched houses with flower-filled cottage gardens and old trees, as well as a beguiling scent of dog roses, heather, iodine and seaweed that you will want to bottle up for home.
However, Sylt's versatility is not only reflected in the landscape: from campsites to exclusive small country hotels, bed and breakfasts with family facilities or posh wellness resorts, fish stalls or Michelin-starred restaurants - everyone will find what their heart, wallet and taste desire. No visit to Sylt is complete without at least one visit to the Gosch fish stall empire, preferably in List, Germany's northernmost fish stall, a sailor-style Hofbräuhaus with freshly caught fish dishes accompanied by shanty music. Herbert Seckler's rise to fame was similar with the "Sansibar" phenomenon, the popular "ski hut" in the dunes, which reflects the Sylt attitude to life and wonderfully conveys it. Even in the depths of November, the place is packed and every guest - whether Jauch or Joop, European nobility or family XY - is welcomed by Herbert with his authentic coziness. The food is predominantly rustic and tastes excellent. The wine cellar is famous and houses real treasures.

Summertime - beach time! The legendary Kampen beach section "Buhne 16", which established the reputation of the "beautiful, rich and naked" of Sylt and is still celebrated today, is still prominently occupied. In the simple wooden bistro "Buhne 16", a cult address with Sylt dolce vita, you can enjoy a hearty snack with chill-out music and a brilliant sea view. Just ten minutes' walk further south, below the Kampen lighthouse, is a wide beach with widely spaced beach chairs. Here you will find the trendy beach bistro "Grand Plage" with a beach sauna, a meeting point at any time of day or evening. It's a great place to enjoy an aperitif at sunset.

There are also wide beaches in Wenningstedt, Rantum and southern Hörnum, which are more family-oriented seaside resorts.
Sylt has undergone a remarkable change with its increased appeal at any time of year. Whereas in previous decades people mainly visited the island in summer, Sylt is now attractive all year round. Of course, the salty and iodine-rich air is always a fountain of health and the storm-tossed North Sea is a spectacle of a special kind, but the new wellness resorts, which are viewed critically by some islanders, certainly contribute to enjoying a few relaxing days on the island.
Winds of change - yes, but what always remains is Sylt's very own soul!

Bevölkerung

15.169

Sprache

Deutsch

Anreise

? mit Personenzügen der DB per Auto bis Niebüll, dann mit dem Sylt Shuttle (Autozug) bis Westerland über den Hindenburgdamm (ca. 40 Minuten) ? Flug, z.B. Air Berlin und Sylt Air ? per Fähre ab Romö (Dänemark)

Hauptstadt

Westerland, municipality of Sylt

Weather

Auf Sylt herrscht ein vom Golfstrom beeinflusstes Seeklima. Die Wintermonate sind mit durchschnittlich etwa 2 °C etwas milder als auf dem benachbarten Festland, die Sommermonate dagegen mit durchschnittlich 17 °C, trotz längerer Sonnenscheindauer, etwas kühler. Im Jahresdurchschnitt hat Sylt täglich 4,4 Stunden Sonnenschein und ist auf das niedrige Relief der Küste zurückzuführen. Wolken können sich nicht gut stauen und werden in der Regel durch den konstanten West- oder Nordwestwind vertrieben.

Klima

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max. Temperaturen	2	2	5	10	14	17	18	19	16	12	8	4
Min. Temperaturen	0	0	1	4	8	11	13	14	12	8	4	1
Sonnenstunden	2	2	4	6	8	8	7	7	5	3	2	1
Luftfeuchtigkeit	90	88	86	81	77	76	78	77	79	84	86	88
Regentage	12	8	10	9	8	9	11	11	13	13	16	13
Wassertemperatur	4	3	4	6	10	13	16	17	15	13	9	6