Juist

The magic of the longest and most beautiful sandbank in the world

Juist is located between the neighboring islands of Borkum to the west and Norderney to the east. With an east-west extension of 17 kilometers, it is the longest of the seven inhabited East Frisian islands and proudly calls itself the longest and most beautiful sandbank in the world. With a maximum width of only 900 meters, the island looks like a long white carpet with a green core from a bird's eye view. So it is not surprising that romantics gave the island the nickname 'Töwerland', which translated from Low German means something like 'magic land'.

Ferry port Norddeich-Mole - Arrival by car, bus and train

The journey to Juist leads via the ferry port Norddeich-Mole in Lower Saxony. By car you travel via the A31 to Emden-Nord and from there via the B210 and B72 to the parking garages at the port. Here your car will find a safe parking space during your stay on Juist, because cars are not allowed on the island. The land route also ends here for long-distance bus users and rail travelers arriving by long-distance trains from all parts of Germany. As far as you do not use one of the small passenger planes of the island airlines to the airport Juist, you continue your journey here by ferry from the Juistanleger.

For the journey through the tidal flats to the island, which is only about 10 kilometers away as the crow flies, the ferry from Norddeich-Mole takes about 90 minutes. Sandbanks of the Juister mudflats make small detours necessary, so that you can admire the magic land from the most different perspectives already during the journey. The ferry trip is only possible at high tide and thus maximum twice a day. The port of Juist is located in the main town of the island near the many hotels, guesthouses and vacation apartments.

Car-free Töwerland - The alternatives of mobility

In the car-free life you will inevitably shift down a few gears on the island, enjoy relaxing peace and healthy clean air and discover the alternatives of mobility. In the settlement area everything is easily and comfortably accessible on foot and the car-free strolling along the paths and streets make the island a paradise for walkers and cyclists. The bicycle is probably the most used means of transport to explore the worth seeing end points 'Bill' in the west and 'Kalfamer' in the east.
Of course, the freedom from cars also applies to trucks and vans. Thus, about 50 horse-drawn carts determine the picture, with which almost everything is transported today. They take care of the delivery of food, furniture and building materials as well as cab and shuttle services between the port, airport and settlements. In addition, the carts are also available for island tours.

The best time to travel and the luggage

Juist enchants its guests with its maritime climate and its unique changing moods at any time of the year. Due to the island location and the maritime climate, it is somewhat cooler on Juist in summer and somewhat milder in winter than on the mainland. Summer vacationers enjoy pleasant temperatures at 21°C and an average sunshine duration of 6 hours per day between June and September with a maximum of 11 rainy days. It is particularly dry in spring, while in late autumn in November and December the most precipitation falls. When the autumn and spring storms stir up the North Sea in the dark season and the Blanke Hans shows its wild side with foaming spray and high surf, walks on the beach are a particularly fascinating experience.

With moderate temperatures and a constant light breeze, a light sweater and windbreaker should be part of your luggage for a visit to the island, even in summer. From autumn to spring, it is advisable to bring weatherproof clothing for all outdoor activities. For the protection of the skin, moisturizing creams against dehydration and effective sunscreens are recommended.

Vacations in the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea National Park

A vacation on the island of Juist is a journey into the middle of the impressive fauna and flora of the protected Wadden Sea National Park. You will stay here in an area that was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2009. Right on your doorstep, walks, guided tours and also information sites such as the Juist National Park House will give you insights into the secrets of this wondrous living world, which is characterized by the change of tides like no other. Even on a barefoot walk through the mudflats you will encounter a wide variety of creatures, among which the lugworm is certainly the best known representative of the mudflats. In the Juist National Park House between the harbor and the village, you will receive a variety of information about the Wadden Sea and the division of the park into the quiet zone with particularly strict protection regulations, the intermediate zone with temporary restrictions, and the recreation zone. The recreation zone is a refuge of relaxation and regeneration for vacationers and day visitors. They enjoy especially on Juist the clean air with a high iodine and salt content. The spa facilities located here focus on skin and lung diseases such as neurodermatitis and asthma. A contact point for all information and offers for experiences in the national park is the island's national park administration.

Spa concerts, tea ceremony and fish

The tourist center is the green oasis of the spa square in the main town. Open-air concerts by the Juist spa orchestra and guest musicians are held here regularly. In the evening hours, young and old can float their model ships on the ship pond. The cosy restaurants, cafés and bars provide for the physical well-being. Of course, the East Frisian tea ceremony is celebrated here and of course fish dishes take a very special place on the menu.

A popular destination for an excursion is the Loog domain about 2.5 kilometers west of the main town. The viewing platform "Dree Water Utkiek" opens up a view of the Wadden Sea as well as the North Sea and the Hammersee. The 500-square-meter Loog Coastal Museum with its exciting exhibits provides extensive insights into the history of the island, the hardscrabble life of the islanders, the eternal struggle with the destructive forces of the North Sea and the development of spa tourism. The history of the island's current elongated shape is also presented.

Juister beach experiences

A swim in the North Sea is a pleasantly fresh experience after sunbathing on the 17-kilometer-long beach. In the summer, the temperatures are pleasant for everyone, but in the early and late season, jumping into the waters of the 10 degree cold North Sea requires a great deal of effort. At any time of the year you must always pay attention to the bathing hours due to the strong currents during the outgoing water. The main beach with beach chair rentals and many recreational facilities is located in the immediate vicinity of the island's diverse accommodations. Here, soccer goals and volleyball nets invite to beach sports and participation in tournaments. At the same time, at the so-called Red Tower in the central area of the main beach, there is a children's animation center with playground equipment and offers suitable for children.

The dance on the North Sea waves

The surf of the North Sea makes the East Frisian Islands an Eldorado for surfers and kite surfers worldwide. The conditions on the 17-kilometer-long dream beach of Juist could not be better, especially since a constantly blowing breeze provides propulsion. The dance on the North Sea waves becomes spectacular during the stronger winds in spring or autumn, when the best of the best in the world chase across the sea on their boards in front of the North Sea islands. Stand-up paddling on boards is less fast-paced and more sensitive to balance. Local surf schools offer both surfing equipment and surfing courses.

Family vacation on Juist

The fine white sandy beach and the shallow sloping water are the ideal conditions for a family vacation. Here you can build sandcastles to your heart's content and without crowds on the beach and make new friends with other children.
The offer from the island between playful learning and pure children's adventure is almost limitless. The care offer of the children's club Wiegand Wattwurm-Club contributes to this. Here, children can enjoy an exciting play and sports program while parents pursue their interests. The thematic offers sometimes deal with pirates, the treasure hunt and pirate songs, sometimes with crafting Juist flags or sand building. There are quiz afternoons, reading sessions and, of course, guided tours on the tracks of lugworm & Co, so that no boredom can arise.
Family activities also include beach festivals or colorful afternoons, family parties with the play fire department, mini-discos and children's karaoke shows or even an Africa festival.

By bike and on foot through beach and dune landscapes

Whether you're riding your own bike or renting one of the well-maintained bikes from local rental shops, Juist is considered a little paradise among pleasure cyclists. The well-signposted paths of the car-free island lead you through flat and wonderful landscapes, where the slight climbs in the dune areas, which are up to a maximum of 22 meters high, are easy to manage. Only the wind can slow you down a bit during the manageable distances to the east or west end of the island. Near the end points of the island, in addition to the beautiful views, you can enjoy the delicacies of the local gastronomic establishments of the Bill Domain or at the airfield in the 'Sale e Pepe'.

The experience of nature is particularly profound during a hike or a walk along one of the many trails or on the beach. Following the Frisian principle that there is no such thing as bad weather but only the wrong clothing, beach walks or a beach hike are attractive at any time of the year. It is a wonderful experience to walk over the hardened white sand at the edge of the North Sea surf even in autumn, or to walk barefoot for miles through the shallow water directly on the shore in summer.

An overview of all cycling and hiking trails on the island with additional information about the destinations and places to stop for refreshments is provided not only by the information boards that have been set up in many places, but also by an orientation map of the entire island.

Tranquility with the two-horse carriage

A very special way to slow down is to discover the island from the carriage of a carriage and cart. During the ride in a carriage you can fully concentrate on the multifaceted island landscapes, about which the coachman knows how to tell little anecdotes and entertaining stories. You sit protected in the weatherproof covered wagon, so that a carriage ride is an attractive alternative for leisure activities even in "bad weather".

By passenger ship to seals, grey seals or neighboring islands

The seal banks are one of the great attractions of the national park. An excursion with the passenger ship "Wappen von Juist" leads close to the living rooms of the seals and grey seals, which have their protected habitat in the Wadden Sea. Observing these lovable animals in the wild is an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

In addition to the trips to the seal banks, an excursion to the neighboring islands is recommended. Borkum is the largest of the East Frisian Islands. A striking landmark is the 60-meter high New Lighthouse from 1879, which once showed the island's whalers the way. The neighboring island to the east, Norderney, is characterized by the traditional history of a sophisticated seaside resort and forms a stark contrast to the car-free island of Juist.

Fishing and surf angling

While the islanders used to make a living from whaling and fishing, the traditional craft of fishing can be experienced during shovel fishing. In addition to watching, you can also learn how to shell crabs. During surf fishing, amateur fishermen can also go after the fish that are often found here, such as flounder, plaice or turbot.

Natural and cultural sites worth seeing on Juist

Both nature and the long cultural history have given Juist unique sights. At the western end of the island lies the Bill sand reef. Here the tides of the open North Sea meet the Wadden Sea. From time to time seals and grey seals cavort here. The Hammersee, surrounded by salt water, is the largest freshwater reservoir of the East Frisian islands. In this biotope, a flora and fauna unique to the island world have developed. A hiking trail makes it possible to walk around the lake. A special feature of the otherwise forest-free island is the population of hardy plants such as black alder or Carpathian birch, which form a small mystical forest in the west of Hammersee. There are even some deer living here.

The two spectacular beacons that mark the western and eastern ends of the island on Juist's marginal dunes at Bill and Kalfamer resemble acute-angled triangles. Today's Juist symbol, however, is what welcomes you to the island when you enter the harbor. It is a seven meter high beacon, which is modeled on a floating buoy and gets you in the mood for the maritime experiences of your vacation.