Sylt

People began visiting Sylt in the middle of the 19th century to take advantage of the iodine-rich air. In the 1960s, Sylt became famous for ‘the rich and the naked’, when the entire island became one big party. The island has grown up quite a bit since then, and it’s a tamer affair these days. With its Michelin-starred restaurants and a handful of cool bars, Sylt is one of the chicest destinations in Europe. For an island that is only 40 kilometres long and 700 metres wide at its narrowest point, Sylt is a big, little place. The largest town is Westerland, which sits right in the middle of the island. Hörnum lies to the south, while at the northern end is List — the most northerly town in Germany. During summer, it gets quite busy. However, such is the magic of this island that it’s easy enough to leave the crowds behind and find your own bit of beach.