Amrum

Amrum (North Frisian: Oomram, Danish: Amrum or Amrom) is one of the North Frisian Islands. It is popular in summer for its sand beaches.

Understand

The island stretches about 12 by 3 km and is home to 2300 islanders and 5 villages, with tourists outnumbering them many fold. During low tides, the islands here can be reached on foot during guided tours. In winter it gets a lot quieter, with some people using the island to escape from loud fireworks in cities, which are banned here.

Get in

From Hamburg or Denmark you can take Autobahn 7 (European Road E45), then follow rural highways like B199 to Dagebüll. The as-the-crow-flies distance from the Autobahn to Dagebüll is about 45 km (28 mi). Driving from Hamburg takes about 2.5 hours or 200 km.

From Hamburg you can also take the regional or InterCity trains in direction of Westerland/Sylt to the town of Niebüll. There you'll either have your carriage attached to the small local train or transfer to it, taking you down the branch railway to Dagebüll. Plan 3 to 3.5 hours for the train journey.

In Dagebüll, WDR ferries run to the islands of Föhr and Amrum, taking cars and foot passengers. The 1 Ferry port is in Wittdün. An adult foot return costs €21.70 in 2024. Bikes cost €11.50 for a return trip. Some ferries run direct (90 minutes), others first stop at Föhr and take about 2 hours. 8 trips a day during summer, fewer trips in autumn and winter.

Get around

There's a bus route run by the ferry company, that uses articulated buses from Wittdün town, where the ferry arrives, past Nebel to Norddorf at the northern tip of the island. Buses run every day, roughly every 45 minutes. Fares are €2.60 for a single ticket, €5.50 for a day ticket. Children under 6 ride for free. Bikes and carts are not transported.

See

• 1 Amrum lighthouse (Leuchtturm Amrum), Tanenwai 46A (Bus stop Leuchtturm). This 60 m (200 ft) tall light house from 1875 is visible from afar. Climbing up the 297 steps allows for a great view. €8.00.  
• 2 Naturzentrum Norddorf, Strunwai 31, Norddorf, ☏ +49 4682 1635. 
• 3 Öömrang House (Öömrang Hüs), Waaswai 1 (Bus stop Nebel Mitte). M-Sa 11:00-13:30, 15:00-17:00. A traditional Frisian house, decorated in the way of the past, showcasing the life in the past. Free but dependent on donations. (updated Sep 2024)
• 4 Saint Clemens Church (St. Clemenskirche), Hööwjaat 2. Named after the patron of sailors, this church was erected in the 1240s and is covered with the traditional Reet roofing. (updated Sep 2024)

Do

The beach

Buy

There are 4 EDEKA-brand supermarkets and an organic store on the island.

Eat

• 1 Zum Fischbäcker, Lunstruat 13, 25946 Norddorf, ☏ +49 46 82 43 64. In seeason 11:30 - 14:30, 17:15-21:00, closed Sundays. 

Drink

• 1 Blaue Maus, Inselstraße 107, Wittdün, ☏ +49 4682 2040. 

Sleep

There are hotels on the island and a good number of holiday apartments to rent.

• 1 Mein Inselhotel, Madelwai 4, 25946 Norddorf/ Amrum, ☏ +49 46 82 945 00, fax: +49 46 82 94 50 37, info@mein-inselhotel.de. 
• 2 Hotel Anka, Nei Stich 10, 25946 Norddorf/ Amrum, ☏ +49 46 82 736, fax: +49 46 82 42 56, info@anka-amrum.de. 
• Vitalhotel Weiße Düne, Achtern Strand 6, 25946 Wittdün, ☏ +49 46 82 94 00 00, fax: +49 46 82 94 00 94, info@weisse-duene.de. 

Go next

• Föhr
• Pellworm