Fehmarn

Fehmarn is Germany's third largest island at about one hundred and eighty square kilometres, low and largely agricultural, linked to the mainland since 1963 by the Fehmarnsundbrücke, a bridge whose steel arch above the deck has become the island's symbol. It records some of the highest sunshine totals in Germany, which along with steady winds made it a windsurfing and kitesurfing centre from the 1980s. The Wallnau lagoon on the west coast is a bird reserve on a major migration route, with hides and a visitor centre. Jimi Hendrix played his last full concert at a festival on the island in September 1970.

History

Villages such as Bisdorf, Presen and Staberdorf were founded either by Slavs or by colonists from Holstein, Dithmarschen, Frisia, Lower Saxony and Denmark, and from the Middle Ages until 1864 Fehmarn belonged to the Danish Duchy of Schleswig. When the duchy was partitioned in 1544, it went to John the Elder, and on his death without heirs in 1580 it passed to the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp; on 26 July 1932 the navy training ship Niobe sank off the island in a sudden squall, with the loss of 69 lives (Wikipedia, Fehmarn).

What's there

• The arched bridge - a 1963 crossing whose steel arch is the island emblem.
• The surf beaches - steady wind that made the island a board sports centre.
• Wallnau reserve - a lagoon on a migration route with hides.
• The sunshine record - among the sunniest places measured in Germany.

When to go

May to September for beaches and surfing; spring and autumn for bird migration at Wallnau. Wind is constant, which suits sport more than sunbathing.

What to expect

The island is flat farmland with limited scenery inland. Wind is near-constant. Summer holiday traffic on the single bridge queues.

Nearby

The Danish island of Lolland lies north by ferry; Lübeck is south.