Sitting in the very north-west corner of Lower Saxony you’ll find the very flat Aurich District, protruding out into the North Sea. Bordered on the west by the mouth of the Ems River, it surrounds the medieval harbor town of Emden.
Aurich District Map
Towns & Villages in the Aurich District
- Halbemond
- Hinte
- Ihlow (East Frisia)
- Juist
- Krummhörn
- Leezdorf
- Lütetsburg
- Marienhafe
- Norden
- Norderney
- Osteel
- Rechtsupweg
- Südbrookmerland
- Upgant-Schott
- Wiesmoor
- Wirdum
This region also includes four of the seven East Frisian Islands that seemingly grow, shrink, move or disappear completely over time, at the whim of the wandering waves. However, most are now protected by the Wadden Sea National Park (Wattenmeer) and one island, Memmert, is solely inhabited by birds.
All are easy to visit by plane — with Battrum being the most popular — but boats are often canceled in bad weather. A popular day trip here is to walk to the islands at low tide through mud and knee-deep waves. Apparently quite the adventure to some of the 3000 or so German tourists who visit here each summer.
The Aurich District is also very close to the Netherlands, so you will see a pleasant mix of cultures — along with hundreds of windmills, dikes and cyclists! The population here and in neighboring districts are very proud of their local language known as Plattdütsch — and also enjoy drinking tea like the British! ;-)
