Borkum

Germany

Borkum is the biggest of the East Frisian Islands by area and the second most populous.

In some ways Borkum is "the odd one out" of the East Frisian Islands. The largest in area and second only to Norderney in population, it is also (together with Norderney) one of only two not to ban motor vehicles. Due to its position north of the mouth of the river Ems, the North Sea has a strong influence on the climate, which is unique among German islands except Heligoland and Borkum. The island used to consist of two separate parts before natural land accumulation and human land reclamation united the two parts in the 19th century with the "Tüskendör-See" sitting at the place where the two islands used to be split just east of the airfield. Due to it being the westernmost of the East Frisian Islands, it is actually quicker to reach from the Netherlands than from mainland Germany. If you squint the island looks a bit like a dolphin.

  • Alter Leuchtturm. Has a viewing platform at 150 steps height
  • Neuer Leuchtturm. Has a viewing platform at 319 steps altitude which can be visited daily during the summer season.
  • Kleiner Leuchtturm.
  • Heimatmuseum "Dykhus". 10:00-17:00 Tuesday-Sunday except for late November / early December when the museum only opens on weekends; guided tours mondays at 15:00. Adults 4€ kids (up to 15 years old) 1.50€.

Alter Leuchtturm. Has a viewing platform at 150 steps height

Neuer Leuchtturm. Has a viewing platform at 319 steps altitude which can be visited daily during the summer season.

Kleiner Leuchtturm.

Heimatmuseum "Dykhus". 10:00-17:00 Tuesday-Sunday except for late November / early December when the museum only opens on weekends; guided tours mondays at 15:00. Adults 4€ kids (up to 15 years old) 1.50€.

  • Gezeitenland. Should the weather not permit swimming in the North Sea, this indoor pool might just do the trick. 7.50€ for 2 hours.

Gezeitenland. Should the weather not permit swimming in the North Sea, this indoor pool might just do the trick. 7.50€ for 2 hours.

Be prepared to pay "island surcharges" as most things sold here have to come in with the same ship as the visitors and there is a generally captive market.

Restaurant Alt Borkum, Roelof-Gerritz-Meyer-Straße 10, +49 49 22-20 05.

Yachthaven Café, Am Neuen Hafen 2, +49 4922 7773.

Heimliche Liebe, Süderstraße 91, +49 4922 929 520.

Restaurant Teehaus, Süderstraße 22, +49 4922 9232 608.

Klein & Fein, Fauermannspad 16, +49 4922 7935.

Zum Insulaner, Fauermannspad 5, +49 4922 9321 148.

Gaststätte Rhodos, Franz-Habich-Straße 12, +49 4922 4769.

Knurrhahn, Franz-Habich-Straße 16, +49 4922 2050.

Brasserie Stadtschänke, Franz-Habich-Straße 18, +49 4922 9247 900.

Delfter Stuben und Fischerdorf, Bismarckstraße 12, +49 4922 2011.

Pferdestall, Bismarckstraße 20, +49 4922 2169.

Borkum Riff, Bismarckstraße 34, +49 4922 4818.

Valentin's, Neue Straße 12, +49 4922 9325 030.

Ostland, Ostland 4, +49 4922 2202.

The local telephone area code is (0)4922 which just so happens to begin the same as the German country code +49 so yes, when dialing from outside Germany, Borkum numbers start "+494922"