Welcome to Wyk, also known as Wyk auf Föhr, a city (the only one) on the North Frisian Island of Föhr. I’d say that’s pretty significant, considering Wyk (the city) is home to more than half the island’s total population in just one-tenth the area.
Sounds crowded, right? I’m not entirely sure about that, but I do know Wyk (and Föhr itself) sees thousands of visitors every year between mid-June and early September. They’re all coming to enjoy the water sports, so why not join them?
Doing what?
Oh, glad you asked, because pretty much if you can dream it to do in (or around) the water — you’ll find it here.
No problem, non beach lovers can rent a Strandkorb (beach chair), while the rest of your friends and family can windsurf, swim, kite-surf, or mudflat hike all they like. This last activity is really popular, since Wyk lies along the Wadden Sea — an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As I said, Wyk (and Föhr, for that matter) isn’t just limited to beach-y stuff, there are all sorts of cultural and festive events going on throughout the year. Yes, I said the year, just because Wyk is up in the coldest (read: freshest) parts of northern Germany, doesn’t mean they roll the sidewalks up when the weather gets chilly. ;-)
But, I digress, back to the festivals and events that make Wyk fun for all…
One really good one is the Biike Feuerbrennen, held on February 21st, it’s a big bonfire symbolically driving away evil spirits — while spectators drink mulled wine and eating cabbage. Perhaps it isn’t the fire that drives anything away, but the smell of cabbage cooking… hmmm… ;-)
Anyway, if you’d rather come when it’s warmer, then I suggest coming in May to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom; but if that’s still not the best time, perhaps visit in August for the multi-day Harbor Festival — which is when they do Föhr on Fire, a wonderful fireworks display.
Summer’s also the time for the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It’s where Wyk and Föhr host a number of concerts. And who can resist playing pirate? Not me, I’m a kid at heart, so July’s Piratentage (Pirate Days) are super fun.
I have not, however, ever played a Viking, but that could change after today — after visiting the Lembecksburg, believed to have once been a base for Vikings.
Pirates, Vikings, Festivals, and what else?
Oh yes, a wonderful 13th century Romanesque Church dedicated to St. Nicholas, a windmill over on Borgsum, thatched-roof cottages, a marina for boaters, and a Frisian Customs & History Museum (known as the Dr. Carl Haeberlin Frisian Museum) — this place has everything, and I don’t ever want to leave, no matter how cold it gets. ;-)
