Copy it into your account, move it to your own dates and make it yours — swap stops, change the pace, add days.
Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.
Arriving at the coast
Total driving time under four hours of pure driving, easily manageable with a break in Leer.
Plan a short stop for the dog to stretch its legs at a service station along the way.
Your trip starts here. You'll head off along the A31, taking it easy towards the North Sea coast.
A charming tea town with a historic old town by the harbour. Ideal for a first break with a walk to the Waage and the old town hall, before continuing on to the coast.
A cosy holiday flat in Norddeich, just a few minutes from the dyke and the ferry terminal. The perfect base for island trips to Norderney and Juist. Dog-friendly flats are readily available here.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Car-free island as a day trip
Car-free island: get around by bike or on foot once there.
During peak season there are dog-free beach sections; designated dog beaches are signposted.
Don't choose too late a ferry back, so the evening in Norddeich stays relaxed.
At the Norddeich Ferry Terminal there are large, supervised car parks right next to the pier. You'll park your car here cheaply for the day and walk to the ferry.
The largest inhabited East Frisian island, with a touch of glamorous seaside flair, a long sandy beach and dune landscape. It's especially worthwhile as a day trip because in just a few hours you can experience the beach, the historic spa quarter and the vastness of the Wadden Sea National Park. You can hire bikes right at the harbour.
Töwerland without cars
Juist's ferry only sails at certain tide times, so plan your day around the ferry schedule.
There are no cars on the island, so bring comfortable shoes or hire a bike.
Departing again from the Norddeich Ferry Terminal. Keep an eye on the tide-dependent Juist ferry, as departure times shift daily.
Juist is affectionately called Töwerland, meaning magic land, and is especially peaceful, since even bicycles and horse-drawn carriages set the pace. A 17-kilometre-long beach, dunes and the Hammersee make the island ideal for long walks away from the crowds. Just the right island if you're after genuine East Frisian tranquillity.
Mainland idyll by car
Short driving distances, plenty of time for strolling and drinking tea.
There's no café right at the lighthouse, so bring provisions for the dyke walk.
A picturesque fishing village with twin windmills, a colourful cutter harbour and narrow lanes. Here you'll find fresh fish, can wander around, and try genuine East Frisian tea with kluntje and cream in a little tea room. Park your car in the large car park on the edge of the village and continue on foot.
The yellow-and-red lighthouse standing amid the dyke foreland is one of East Frisia's best-known photo spots and became famous through Otto Waalkes. Wide meadows and dykes surround it, ideal for a walk with the dog. Climbing the tower is possible at certain times.
Moving to the island
There are no cars on Langeoog, so luggage travels by the island railway - pack light.
Ferry times are tide-dependent, so plan your afternoon accordingly.
The Nationalpark-Haus explains the Wadden Sea ecosystem clearly, which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage. From here, the dyke leads straight to the mudflats, where you can experience the tides and the typical wildlife. A good starting point for understanding the Wadden Sea before moving on.
The ferry to Langeoog departs from Bensersiel. Right by the harbour there are large long-term car parks where you can safely leave your car for the overnight stay.
A quiet holiday flat in the car-free island village, within walking distance of the beach and the water tower. Langeoog is worth an overnight stay, because in the evening and early morning you'll have the island entirely to yourselves, without the day visitors. Dog-friendly flats are common here.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Beach, dunes and peace
A pure rest day with no driving at all, entirely in keeping with the relaxed pace.
You'll get around on foot or by hire bike while there.
Langeoog has one of the widest and finest sandy beaches of the East Frisian Islands. Between dunes and sea, it's wonderful for walking, swimming and simply enjoying the peace. Designated dog-beach sections are available.
The island's landmark stands on a dune and offers a wide view over Langeoog all the way to the mainland. A lovely way to end a long beach day. All around, paths through the dune landscape invite you to go walking.
From the island to the seaport city
Short drive after the ferry, plenty of buffer time for a quiet arrival afternoon.
Use the ground-level car parks on the edge of Emden's town centre, then continue on foot.
Take the island railway to the pier and the ferry back to Bensersiel, where your car is parked.
Here you'll collect the car and continue towards Emden.
A central guesthouse in Emden, within walking distance of the harbour, the Kunsthalle and the Otto Huus. A good base for two quiet mainland days. After checking in, there's time for a first stroll along the Delft.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The Ratsdelft is the historic heart of Emden, with museum ships and a view of the town hall. Cafés and fish restaurants surround it, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. A lovely place to immerse yourself in the city's maritime history.
Culture, moorland and border region
The trip to the border at Bargerveen is a longer day excursion, but with a total driving time of under three hours, it's manageable.
Stay on the paths in the moor, and keep the dog on a lead due to ground-nesting birds.
If you'd rather stay in Emden, you could visit the Kunsthalle Emden instead.
The Otto Huus is dedicated to the city's most famous son, the comedian Otto Waalkes. In the small fan shop and museum, you'll find Ottifants, memorabilia and plenty of East Frisian humour. A charming, entertaining stop right in the old town.
Right on the German-Dutch border lies the Bargerveen, one of the last great raised bog areas in the region. On boardwalks and hiking trails, you'll experience an untouched moorland landscape with rare birds and the lively moor experiment in the neighbouring Veenpark. A peaceful contrast to the coast and islands.
Homeward drive with a farewell cup of tea
A relaxed drive back with one stopover, altogether a good three hours of pure driving.
Plan a stop for the dog to stretch its legs in Meppen on the Ems.
One last morning in Emden with a cup of East Frisian tea before the journey home begins. Take your time for a peaceful farewell walk along the Delft.
A small county town in the Emsland region with a pretty old town and a promenade along the Ems. A good stopover to stretch your legs and have a coffee halfway back to the Ruhr region.
Return to your starting point. This is where your relaxed East Frisian tour comes to an end.
Copy it and move it to your own dates.
Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.