The East Frisian Islands stretch along Germany's North Sea coast like a string of pearls — seven islands that together form part of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From west to east they are Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog, and Wangerooge.
Three of the islands — Juist, Baltrum, and Spiekeroog — forbid private motor vehicles entirely, which gives them an unusually peaceful quality: the only sounds are wind, surf, and bicycle bells. All the islands are connected by regular ferry services from the mainland, and cycling holidays with ferry hops between islands are popular. The tidal mudflats (Wadden Sea) between the islands and the coast are internationally significant for migratory birds, particularly waders.
Norderney is the largest and most visited of the islands, with a well-developed resort town and some of Germany's finest North Sea beaches. Borkum is the westernmost and also popular. The smaller islands — Juist, Baltrum, Spiekeroog — are quieter and draw visitors who want to escape the crowds.
