This Danish island has northern Europe's widest beach, stretching 14 kilometers. Wadden Sea tides reveal shellfish and seals, while 18th-century sailing captain homes dot the coast.
Rømø, Denmark's southernmost Wadden Sea island, covers 129 square kilometers of wide sandy beaches and rolling dunes. You can drive your car directly onto Lakolk Beach, walk across the seabed at low tide, or join the hundreds of colorful kites dancing in the September sky during the European kite festival. The island's past comes alive at sites like the Kommandørgården museum, where you'll find a complete whale skeleton, and the unusual whale jawbone fence in Juvre.
Getting to Rømø
A 9.2-kilometer causeway connects Rømø to mainland Denmark, making it easy to reach by car from Skærbæk. From Germany, take the hourly ferry from Sylt, which takes about 40 minutes. Regular buses run between the main towns: Kongsmark, Østerby, Lakolk, and Sønderstrand.
Beaches and Activities
Lakolk Beach stretches along the entire western coast of Rømø, expanding to 4 kilometers in width during low tide. The hard-packed sand makes it possible to drive and park directly on the beach. Head to Sønderstrand, the southern section, to try kitebuggying or watch hundreds of kites fill the sky during the European kite festival on the first weekend of September.
Natural Landscapes
The Wadden Sea surrounds Rømø with tidal flats and mudflats. During low tide, you can walk on the seabed and collect oysters. Inside the island, dune heath landscapes spread across the terrain, with Spidsbjerg hill reaching 18 meters above sea level. You'll find 50 World War II bunkers across the island, including 15 hidden within the dune hills.
Wildlife and Birdwatching
Spring and autumn bring migrating birds to Rømø's shores. Watch for the "Black Sun" phenomenon at sunset, when thousands of starlings create moving patterns across the sky. The Wadden Sea waters attract many coastal birds that feed on the abundant seaweed and shellfish.
Historical Sites
St. Clement's Church, dating from 1200, displays seven detailed model ships and 19th-century name plates on its benches - including one belonging to H.P.P. Møller, grandfather of Maersk's founder. In Juvre, a fence made from whale jawbones stands as a reminder of 1772, when many locals worked on whaling ships. Visit the Kommandørgården, a preserved captain's farm from 1770, to see artifacts from the whaling industry and a complete whale skeleton.
