Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is one of 16 national parks in Germany. It covers 4,415 km² (441,500 ha) — about 2.8 times the size of London, making it the largest national park in Germany (59.2% of the country's national park area).

History and protection

The park was established in 1985, 41 years ago, one of the earliest national parks in Germany (the first dates from 1970). It is listed in IUCN category II: National Park — protecting whole ecosystems while welcoming visitors for recreation and education.

Visiting Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

The closest airport is Westerland Sylt Airport (GWT), about 54 km away — around 1 h 11 min by car; alternatively Sea-Airport Cuxhaven/Nordholz / Nordholz Naval Airbase (FCN, 77 km). Other national parks within reach include Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park (138 km²), Wadden Sea National Park (1,466 km²), Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park (346 km²) and Mols Bjerge National Park (180 km²) — easy to combine on one trip.