Holidays on Langeoog

Beach and swimming

The main beach lies directly north of the island village. Roofed wicker beach chairs (Strandkörbe) stand at the main beach, on the Kurpromenade and at the Westbad, and you rent them online by the day. Almost every beach access has toilets and foot showers.

Swim only at the lifeguarded areas. The water is safest on the rising tide, from low water to high water. On the ebb, strong undercurrents form, even for experienced swimmers.

You may fly kites only on the kite-flying beach (Drachenstrand). Surfers and kitesurfers will find a surf school on the west beach, open from mid-April to mid-October.

Sights

• Water tower: The landmark dates from 1909 and stands in the middle of the village. From the top you see dunes, sea and mudflats. It is open on a few mornings a week.
• Melkhörndüne: The viewing dune east of the village is about 20 metres high and one of the highest natural elevations in East Frisia.
• Ostende: The unspoilt east of the island, with the Osterhook nature trail. From there you look out over the seal banks.
• Lifeboat museum and Maritime Museum: Sea rescue and seafaring on the island.
• Heimatmuseum Seemannshus: Island history, open on Saturday afternoons.
• Lale Andersen memorial: The memorial to the singer of “Lili Marleen” stands on the promenade, and her grave is in the dune cemetery.
• Mini-Langeoog: The island as a building-block model, a good stop for children when it rains.

Things to do

Cycling: You can hire bikes and special bikes at the railway station or in the village. From the Easter holidays to the end of the autumn holidays, cycling in the village centre is banned between 10:00 and 20:00. Outside the village, tracks lead through the dunes as far as Ostende.

Mudflat hikes: Guided mudflat hikes run on the island and as a day tour from the mainland, in which you walk across the mudflats from Bensersiel to Langeoog. Never go onto the mudflats without a guide.

Carriages and riding: Several operators run horse-drawn carriage trips across the island, for example to the Meierei. Two riding stables offer pony rides for children and guided rides along the dunes.

Spa and pool: The leisure pool in the village has a heated sea-water pool, a long slide and a sauna area. The spa and wellness centre offers massages, thalassotherapy treatments and aqua fitness.

With children: Playgrounds, an indoor play area, mini golf, a trampoline at the beach kiosk and pony rides. There is also a free sports programme on the beach.

Boat trips: In season, excursion boats go out to the seal banks, onto the mudflats and to see the migratory birds. The programme is published each spring.

When to go and climate

Langeoog has a North Sea climate, with mild summers and plenty of wind. These are the long-term averages from the island's weather station:

July and August are best for swimming. May and June are sunnier than high summer and quieter. In winter the leisure pool and sauna stay open, and the ferry runs to a winter timetable.

Dogs on Langeoog

Dogs are welcome on the dog beaches West and East, to the west and east of the bathing beach. Dogs must be kept on a lead across the whole island. Dogs travel on the ferry and the island railway, and the crossing costs extra for the dog. Whether your dog is welcome in your accommodation is up to each host; there is more under Where to stay on Langeoog.

Visitor's tax and guest card

You pay a visitor's tax for every day on the island: staying guests through their accommodation, day visitors with the day ticket. In return you receive the guest card. The rates are listed under Where to stay on Langeoog.

Day trip from Bensersiel

Langeoog is well suited to a day trip. The day ticket includes the ferry, the island railway and the visitor's tax, the departure times are fixed and you book in advance. Be at the landing stage in Bensersiel an hour before departure. A rucksack is more practical than a suitcase, and should hold wind and sun protection.

For the timetable, prices and parking at Bensersiel, see Ferry to Langeoog.