Helgoland

Helgoland is Germany's only deep-sea rock — fifty kilometres from the mainland, shaped by red sandstone, the "Lange Anna" stack to the north, and a history caught between British administration, demolition and reconstruction. The island is car-free, duty-free, and small enough to walk around in a day — but you stay longer, because the North Sea sounds rougher here and the bird cliffs come closer than you ever expected. A short ferry from the inner harbour reaches the Düne, a second, off-lying island with sand beaches, seals and a swimming area. On the upper plateau stands Lange Anna, the free-standing pillar that has represented Helgoland for centuries. Razorbills, guillemots, northern gannets — the seabird watching here is among the most striking in Germany. To get here, take the Halunder Jet from Cuxhaven or Hamburg, and in summer from Büsum or Wilhelmshaven. Stay longer and you'll hear Helgoländisch, a language that still echoes Frisia's past.