Fishing boats lined up along the water in Greetsiel, showcasing the town's maritime charm and scenic waterfront. Bell tower in Greetsiel: Historic brick tower with a pointed roof, surrounded by cobblestone paths and trees.
Germany

Greetsiel: A North Sea Fairytale

The historic bell tower of Greetsiel, a landmark of this coastal village, now serves as a small book exchange for locals and visitors.
 Greetsiel, Germany, July 2022

Greetsiel is one of those places that feels almost too perfect to be real. The little harbor, lined with historic shrimp trawlers, looks straight out of a storybook. Red brick gabled houses, narrow canals, cobblestone streets—everything is just as you’d imagine East Frisia. Even the windmills are right where they should be.

But Greetsiel isn’t an open-air museum, even if it sometimes feels like one. The fishing boats in the harbor aren’t just for show—they’re still in use. Nets hang out to dry, the scent of salt and fish lingers in the air. If you arrive early enough, you can watch the shrimp fishermen at work.

It doesn’t take long to wander through the village, so I made a quick detour to the Pilsum Lighthouse. At just eleven meters tall, it would be easy to overlook—if it weren’t painted in bright red and yellow stripes. Over the years, it has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in East Frisia, thanks to its frequent appearances in German films and TV shows. A dwarf among lighthouses, but with undeniable star power.

Map of Greetsiel
Fishing boats lined up along the water in Greetsiel, showcasing the town's maritime charm and scenic waterfront.
A yellow fishing boat is moored in the harbor, surrounded by charming buildings and reflecting water.
A fishing boat with a wooden hull is moored in calm waters, surrounded by charming buildings along the harbor.
Fishing boats in Greetsiel: Red, yellow, and blue boats in a harbor with houses and trees in the background.
Greetsiel’s harbor is home to one of the last traditional shrimp fishing fleets in Germany. The colorful boats may look picturesque, but they’re working vessels—bringing in the "Krabben" that end up on local menus.
Greetsiel: Historic houses line the canal, adorned with colorful flowers and an inviting promenade.
Bell tower in Greetsiel: Historic brick tower with a pointed roof, surrounded by cobblestone paths and trees.
The historic bell tower of Greetsiel, a landmark of this coastal village, now serves as a small book exchange for locals and visitors.
Church interior in Greetsiel with green wood, carpet, and chandelier beneath a blue-green ceiling design.
Greetsiel: A tree-lined cobblestone street with charming houses and a bicycle in the foreground.
House in Greetsiel: A two-story brick house with a red gabled roof, surrounded by wild greenery and a barricaded pathway.
House in Greetsiel: A bright, elegant building with red windows, flanked by two dense hedges and a cobbled street.
Greetsiel: A tranquil waterway surrounded by trees and historic buildings, featuring a restaurant along the bank.
A windmill stands by the bank of a calm waterway, surrounded by greenery and small boats.
The Greetsieler Sieltief winds its way past the famous twin windmills, a striking landmark of East Frisia.
Pilsumer Lighthouse in Greetsiel: A colorful red and yellow lighthouse stands on a dyke surrounded by green meadows.
The Pilsum Lighthouse, with its striking red and yellow stripes, stands on the dike as one of East Frisia’s most recognizable landmarks.