How To Spend A Weekend In Sylt

Our favorite places to stay, eat and play in Sylt, the idyllic North Frisian island known as the ‘German Hamptons’. Lying near the border with Denmark, it’s relatively under the radar internationally but a Teutonic hotspot for decades. Here’s everything you need to know:

Playboy Gunter Sachs and Brigitte Bardot partied here in the 60s and put the island on the map. The writer Thomas Mann spent his holidays in Kampen (Kliffende) and got the inspiration for Death in Venice here.

Kampen is Sylt’s main town. Nearly every luxury brand has a store here and it's the epicentre of the island's gastronomy scene — and it’s truly a place to ‘see and be seen'. However, we prefer picturesque Keitum with its hidden boutiques (don't miss the Ralph Lauren store), galleries, and cafés.

When the world-renowned medical spa hotel, Lanserhof, opened in the village of List last year, it was the talk of the island. It was said to be the second most expensive European hotel project of 2022 after the Ritz in Paris.

For a weekend escape, we recommend:

• Fährhaus, Munkmarsch

Located in the picturesque port of Munkmarsch, and facing the Wadden Sea (UNESCO world heritage site), the hotel offers a 700m2 SPA and one of the best restaurants on the island.

• Benen Diken Hof, Keitum

A beautiful thatched roof hotel in picture-perfect Keitum. This family-run hotel is one of our favorite hotels on the island. Book far in advance.

• Severin's Resort & Spa, Keitum

Perhaps the best hotel in Sylt. Situated in Keitum, a short stroll from the Wadden Sea, the Severins ticks all the boxes when it comes to a superb and relaxing stay in Sylt. We love their houses for a more private experience.

• Söl’ring Hof, Rantum

A five-star hotel facing the rough North Sea with a restaurant run by famed chef Jan-Philipp Berner, that has been awarded two Michelin Stars. The Söl’ring Hof is the most luxurious stay on the island.

Sylt boasts as many Michelin-star restaurants as five-star hotels and super authentic restaurants. Here is our hit list from Westerland to Rantum.

• Web Christel, Westerland

In the South of Westerland, you will find this super cozy restaurant. For more than three decades, Web Christel has offered excellent local food. Order the duck!

• Käpt'n Selmer Stube at Fähraus, Munkmarsch

Some of the best seafood on the island (get the cod). During the summer months, snag a spot on their terrace overlooking the Wadden Sea.

• Johannes King, Keitum

Johannes King is one of the local chefs on the island you have to know. He worked at the Söl’ring Hof before starting his own spot in picturesque Keitum, offering fine foods and culinary treasures.

• Sylter Royal, List

For the freshest oysters, this is the place to go!

• Gogärtchen, Kampen

If you have been to the island before, you will know it. Part bar, part restaurant, Gogärtchen is an institution and will always be one of our to-go places.

• Manne Pahl, Kampen

For the best Schnitzel on the island, Piu’s Manne Pahl can’t be missed on our list.

• New since last summer: Sturmaube , Kampen beach

If the food is only half as good as the location, the new Sturmhaube could be the new restaurant star on the island.

• Sansibar , Rantum

A rustic beach cabin, located in the dunes of Rantum, which has become the most famous restaurant in the country. The Who’s Who of German politicians and celebrities dine here. The food and setting is hard to beat.

• Head to the white sandy beach on the western side of the island and work on your tan in one of the many Strandkorbs (beach chairs). Buhne 16, a rustic beach bar with restaurant is an 1/2h walk north of Kampen and a popular spot during summer months.
• Wander barefoot in the mud in the Wadden Sea.
• Bike through purple-heathered dunes. You can rent bikes in Wenningstedt, Westerland, or Keitum.
• Have a sweat at one of the many beach saunas.
• Watch the sunset over drinks at Sansibar.

Sylt contains Germany's northernmost point and is probably it is most windswept. Even in July or August, the temperature barely rises over 20 Celsius. This, however, is part of the island's appeal. The unique climate has made Sylt a popular destination for health and recreation. Over the past years, the island has become an all- year round destination with most hotels and restaurants operating even during the winter months.

Sylt has its own tiny airport. The island is served by direct flights from Zurich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf. Or, you can take the train up from Hamburg — it's an idyllic 3-hour journey.

Read also: Bavarian Stays, and Six Scenic Train Journeys For 2023.