Keitum’s Tides of History: A Tour of Sylt Island’s Quaint Village

Sylt isn‘t just for nature lovers, hikers and bike riders. The picturesque German island is full of historical charm and quaint villages brimming with traditional architecture. On this walking tour, I‘ll show you around the village of Keitum, the historic heart of Sylt, where whaling captains used their newfound wealth to build beautiful homes during the island‘s golden age in the late 1600s.

The tour starts on Gurtstig, the village‘s famous shopping street, lined with high-end stores, boutiques, and art studios. It’s thoroughly populated with cafés and restaurants that offer tantalising treats. You‘ll find out about the cultural heritage of thatched roofs which transform Keitum‘s houses into captivating photo motifs, particularly when framed by the vibrant hues of summer flowers. You‘ll then follow the shoreline, where I‘ll guide you through the unique mudflats that characterise the North Sea coastline. During low tide, you can witness the dramatic retreat of the water, unveiling miles of muddy ocean floor that‘s full of hidden flora and fauna, exclusive to this type of coastal ecosystem. We‘ll then walk past some of the most historical buildings in Keitum, including the Old Frisian House that‘s furnished exactly as it was in the 1800s, and the over 800-year-old St. Severin Church, where our tour ends.

Along the way, you‘ll have a chance to:

• Explore the historic site where boys and girls were co-educated since 1730
• Find stone graves from as far back as 2500 BC at the Sylt Museum
• Visit the historic Fire Fighter Museum located in the station, built in 1911
• Try the local Friesentorte, a puff pastry filled with plum jam and sweet cream
• Uncover the intricate process of reclaiming land from the sea which occurs at a much slower rate than land loss
• Hear stories about the impoverished Sylt fishermen and how their fortunes changed with the introduction of whaling
• Delve into the history of Knut, a Danish and later English king, credited with constructing Sylt‘s first church
• Enjoy a slice of cake from the stunning seaside café Nielsens Kaffeegarten
• Get insider knowledge on great walks through Sylt‘s fascinating landscape
• Walk beneath a gate formed from the jaw of a fin whale

By the end of this hour-long tour, you‘ll have explored the charming streets, indulged in local delicacies, and immersed yourself in the unique coastal landscapes that define the North Sea.