Sylt-Ost between cliffs, mudflats and Frisian villages

Sylt-Ost combines impressive landscapes with traces of Sylt’s past. Between cliffs, mudflats, dikes and traditional Frisian villages, you will find various ways to explore the island: on foot, by bicycle or along historic sites.

Nature at Morsum Cliff and the Wadden Sea

Morsum Cliff is a particularly attractive destination. It is one of the oldest nature reserves in Schleswig-Holstein. The exposed layers of earth reveal an unusually long geological period of 10 million years for Schleswig-Holstein. This makes the landscape not only an accessible coastal area, but also a geologically remarkable place.

The network of paths in the nature reserve leads through a largely unspoilt stretch of coast. The surroundings are characterised by cliffs, a natural beach, beach ridges, salt marsh reeds and high-rising dunes. These different landscape forms give your stay a clear focus on nature without every outing having to follow the same pattern.

The mudflat path between Munkmarsch and Keitum also offers a unique perspective. It begins at Munkmarsch Harbour and runs above the water along the Wadden Sea. A small bridge, woodlands and thatched-roof houses accompany the route to the end of Keitum. In Keitum, guided mudflat walks focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea as well as professionally guided ornithological tours are also offered.

Cycling tours through Sylt’s green east

The “Round Tour through Sylt’s Green East” is ideal for actively exploring the island. The circular route is 32.48 kilometres long, designed for e-bikes and has a medium difficulty level as well as moderate fitness requirements. The route follows the line of the dikes through the traditional Frisian villages of Morsum and Keitum. Along the way, you have the opportunity to visit the Morsum Cliff nature reserve. Take the length and the stated level of difficulty into account when planning your day.

Archsum offers further cycling experiences: extensive bike tours lead through salt marshes and along the dike. Remains of megalithic tombs can also be seen in the southern meadows. Information boards explain the archaeological background of the dolmens. This allows you to combine a bike tour with a glimpse into the island’s early history.

Historic paths and stories

Sylt-Ost is also shaped by its past. The former Sylt-Ost area comprised the five villages of Archsum, Keitum, Morsum, Munkmarsch and Tinnum. In 2009, it merged with Westerland and Rantum to form the municipality of Sylt. This historical development helps put today’s place names and their differing characters into context.

In Munkmarsch, the former journey to the island recalls a time before the causeway: before it opened in 1927, tourists arriving on Sylt came via Munkmarsch Harbour. From there, they continued their journey to the seaside resorts by horse-drawn carriage or, later, by the island railway. The “Expedition Uthlande: Eastern Sylt – In the Footsteps of the Past” explores topics such as these and includes fourteen stops, or “moments”, along its route relating to Sylt’s past and origins.

A path at Tinnum Castle also leads past history and landscape. A wooden footbridge runs alongside the green rampart system beside the castle to a gravel path that leads to the beach and Westerland.

Choose the right starting point

Whether nature observation, the mudflats, cycling or the island’s history is the main focus, your choice of accommodation should match your desired travel theme. A holiday apartment in Sylt-Ost provides the setting for a trip where you can include various landscapes and historic sites in your plans. For a nature-focused stay, Morsum Cliff and the mudflat path take centre stage; those who prefer physical activity can plan cycling tours through dike landscapes and salt marshes. In Archsum, Munkmarsch, Keitum and Tinnum, history is combined with specific paths and sites.

More places for planning your trip

Other destinations on Sylt to explore include Rantum, Kampen, Tinnum, Archsum, Morsum, Hörnum, Wenningstedt and Keitum.

To the main travel overview: Sylt.