Colorful beach chairs line the sandy shore, with historic buildings and green trees visible in the background. A red brick house with a white entrance, large windows, and a cyclist on the sidewalk, flowers adorning the wall.
Germany

Föhr: The Green Island

Cycling by Föhr’s Historic Brickwork
 Föhr, Germany, July 2022

Seen from the water, Föhr looks different from the other North Sea islands. No dunes, no endless dikes—just dense woodland reaching all the way to the beach. Houses stand close to the shore, and everywhere, Strandkörbe—those distinctive wicker beach chairs—are neatly arranged in blue, green, and white. Do the colors mean anything? Maybe. I have no idea.

The ferry docks in Wyk, the island’s largest town. This is where most of the action happens, where visitors first set foot on Föhr. Yet despite its central role, Wyk feels quiet, almost reserved. Narrow lanes adorned with flowers, small shops, lots of red brick.

And on the beach? Bright sunshine—but barely any people. Empty Strandkörbe sit patiently in the sun, waiting for guests, while only a handful of walkers pass by.

Wyk is charming, no doubt. But maybe the true appeal of Föhr lies beyond, in the villages where thatched-roof houses and ancient churches keep the past alive. I should have brought more time.

Map of Föhr
Beach on Föhr: A modern building by the sandy shore, featuring numerous beach chairs and forest in the background.
Föhr: A sailboat glides across the water with a backdrop of colorful houses and a sandy beach along the shore.
Beach in Föhr: A wooden pier leads to the shore, with colorful beach chairs and historic buildings in the background.
A waterfront promenade with several buildings, colorful beach chair areas, and a stone pier by the water under a cloudy sky.
The waterfront of Wyk on Föhr: a mix of historic brick buildings and modern apartments, with colorful beach chairs lined up along the sandy shore. A classic North Sea seaside town atmosphere.
Colorful beach chairs line the sandy shore, with historic buildings and green trees visible in the background.
Beach life on Föhr: rows of colorful wicker beach chairs line the sandy shore, with the island’s distinctive brick houses just beyond the dunes.
A red and white striped lighthouse stands on a harbor pier, surrounded by boats and calm water.
Beach in Föhr: A tranquil sandy beach with water in the background and a small wooden jetty on the right side.
Beach on Föhr: Several wooden benches sit in the sand, overlooking the calm water and a pier in the distance.
Beach on Föhr: Sandy shore with many beach chairs, a few people standing by the water, wooden pier in the background.
A cobbled lane between white buildings lined with green shrubs and bicycles.
Stylish shop with blue and white striped awning, orange bicycle, and wooden bench in front.
Brick architecture in Föhr: A charming red brick facade with an entrance, surrounded by green plants and a lamppost.
Föhr: Red brick architecture with large windows and surrounding trees, path leading to the entrance.
House facade in Föhr: A decorative building with windows and paintings, next to an old bicycle and maritime decor.
A red brick house with a white entrance, large windows, and a cyclist on the sidewalk, flowers adorning the wall.
A cyclist passes a historic brick house on Föhr, built in 1889 as the gable reveals.