In the cover picture you can see the Fehmarn Sound Bridge (German: Fehmarnsundbrücke), since 1963 it has connected the third biggest German East-Sea island, Fehmarn, with the German mainland. Before you had to go by ferry as is still the case with North-Sea islands like Helgoland (link) or Baltrum. Fehmarn is a beautiful calm place to spend a couple of days relaxing, doing outdoor activities - just enjoying yourself - regardless of the season. Fehmarn is a one-hour-drive to the north of Lübeck and does offer furthermore some interesting sights like the Flügge Lighthouse and is famous for water sports like wind or kite surfing. You can spend a very good time on Fehmarn - mixing relaxation, sight-seeing, outdoor activities and water sports. If you are hooked, continue reading and get the details.
Driving over the Fehmarn Sound Bridge
The first highlight is on the way there - driving over the Fehmarn Sound Bridge. The bridge makes Fehmarn quickly accessible from the German mainland. Locals sometimes affectionately call it “Kleiderbügel”, which means clothes hanger due to the shape of the bridge. Since the 1960s there have been efforts taken to develop the infrastructure between the areas of Hamburg and Copenhagen – calling it the bird flight line, referring to the parallel routes taken by Cranes and other Artic water birds travelling between Scandinavia and Central Europe. This makes Fehmarn also a very good spot for bird-watching. The Fehmarn Sound Bridge forms a part of this targeted development – combining a 963 metre road and also the railway line, making the 19 kilometre ferry connection from Puttgarden to Rödby on the Danish mainland easily reachable.
Fehmarn Sound Bridge
Fehmarnsundbrücke, B207, 23775 Großenbrode, DeutschlandThe port of Puttgarden
The ferry station at the port of Puttgarden on Fehmarn is another part of the infrastructure project 'birds flight line' and has been operating since 1963. In 1988 the 100 millionth passenger took the ferry and today more than 250 million passenger have taken the way - making it a big success. The driving time to Rödby is about 45 minutes and four different ferries provide a route. But before taking the ferry to Denmark you should check Fehmarn and its activities more closely.
Port of Puttgarden
Puttgarden (Fährterminal), 23769 Fehmarn, DeutschlandLighthouses
Fehmarn has five lighthouses to be explored, but only the Flügge Lighthouse is open to visitors. The 37 metre high lighthouse can be accessed by a two kilometre walk from the 1st of April to the 31st of October, except on Mondays, through the Krummsteert nature reserve. The spot is one of Fehmarn's most beautiful locations and taking the birds-eye perspective from the top of the Flügge Lighthouse is well worth the 162 steps.
Flügge Lighthouse
Leuchtturm Fluegge, 23769 Fehmarn, DeutschlandWater sports
And finally Fehmarn is the perfect spot for outdoor activities such as kite or wind surfing. I personally did my wind surfing course on Fehmarn. During this week we often had very good conditions. Furthermore, there are opportunities for sailing, SUP (Stand-up Paddling) and diving. So there should be one activity, which fulfills your desires.
Also it is said to be a good spot for fishing too. I’ve just tried kite surfing once kite – I haven’t actually got the board under my feet – just the kite in my hands and a friend showed me how to steer it. It fascinated me and I would love to try it once again. Holding the kite you really feel the power the wind can develop in your kite and you should be careful and start with a professional by your side. I really enjoyed just watching the kites from the beach. If you are up for it there are 17 hot spots all around Fehmarn – fulfilling kiters wishes and making it the mecca of kite surfing. There is a big selection of material and courses provided by kite surf schools and water sport shops on Fehmarn. Furthermore, there are water sports events happening annually on Fehmarn. So start thinking about doing your holidays on Fehmarn.
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The author
Christian Stascheit
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