Baltrum's village sits in the protected centre of the island, sheltered by dunes on both the north and south sides. It is genuinely tiny — a few streets, a small church from the 18th century, a bakery, a couple of restaurants, and a cluster of traditional Frisian guesthouses. The church is worth a look: simple plastered interior, ship models hanging from the ceiling (common in North Sea coastal churches), and a small cemetery with the weathered headstones of local fishing families.
The village centre is where the electric luggage carts congregate and where arrivals from the ferry get their bearings. There is a small island museum that covers the natural history of the island and the wreck history of the surrounding waters. It is manageable in an hour and provides useful context for the rest of the stay.