Sylt island, Germany

Thatched Huts in Sylt island, Germany

Welcome to Germany's northernmost island. With an area of around 99 square kilometres, Sylt is the largest German island in the North Sea. Nationwide it ranks fourth in size behind the Baltic Sea islands of Rügen, Usedom and Fehmarn. This photo was taken in the tranquil municipality of Hörnum, on the southernmost tip of the island, whose rugged landscape is characterised by erosion from the wind and sea and is constantly shrinking.

Although the southern tip of Sylt is said to have served as a shelter for fishermen and pirates in earlier times, permanent settlement only began shortly after 1900. This makes Hörnum the youngest place on the island. The community’s towering landmark is the 33.5-metre-high Hörnum Lighthouse, which has dominated the skyline for over 100 years. If you want to enjoy a relaxing North Sea holiday, the sunny south of Sylt might be exactly what you’re looking – but as an island whose main source of income is tourism, keep in mind you might not be the only visitor hoping to explore the thatched cottages of idyllic Sylt.