Heligoland is Germany's odd island out: a tiny offshore archipelago far out in the North Sea, with red sandstone cliffs, car-free lanes, duty-free shops, and a history that jumps between Denmark, Britain, Germany, and the Second World War.
The island is small enough for a day trip, but it does not feel like a simple beach resort. Walk the cliff path to Lange Anna, watch gannets and guillemots at the Lummenfelsen, and take the small boat across to Düne for sand, clear water, and seals.
Heligoland's military history gives the scenery a harder edge. Bunkers, bomb craters, and museum displays recall the island's years as a fortress and the enormous postwar British explosion that failed to erase it. Stay overnight if you can; once the day boats leave, the cliffs and harbour become much quieter.