St. Peter-Ording: Tips for your North Sea Vacation

Endless beaches as far as the eye can see—that's what awaits you in St. Peter-Ording, often referred to as SPO. But this holiday destination offers much more than just sandy shores.
Are you ready for a dose of North Sea vibes? Here are our highlights, tips, and insights for your stay in St. Peter-Ording.

1. ABOUT ST. PETER-ORDING (SPO)

A twelve-kilometer-long sandy beach, stunning dune landscapes, a fresh North Sea breeze, and boundless horizons—all of this awaits you in St. Peter-Ording.
This popular travel destination on the German North Sea is no longer a hidden gem. Families, couples, day-trippers, dog owners, and beach sailors all come here to relax.

The town of St. Peter-Ording consists of four districts: Böhl, Bad, Dorf, and Ording, all connected by a bus system.
If you don’t feel like taking the bus, you can easily get around by bike or on foot.
Of course, you can also use your own car, but we advise against it, as you can reach all areas within the town comfortably by bus or bike.

Important Note: The tides on the North Sea are particularly pronounced, with a difference of several meters between high and low tide.
This allows you to explore the famous Wadden Sea only at low tide—a fascinating experience that makes St. Peter-Ording so unique.

2. BEST TIME TO VISIT ST. PETER-ORDING

Summer is especially popular with families due to school holidays. However, thanks to the expansive beaches, you can always find a quiet spot even in peak season.
In the fall and spring, St. Peter-Ording attracts mostly couples, seniors, and solo travelers, as it's pleasantly quiet in the off-season.

We’ve experienced SPO in both summer and fall, and here’s our advice: if you’re not planning a typical beach vacation, visit St. Peter-Ording in the fall or spring!
The weather may be stormier, and there may be more rain than in summer, but the mild temperatures are perfect for long walks and outings without breaking a sweat.

3. ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS IN SPO

EXPANSIVE BEACHES

Fine sand and vast, open beaches—this is what St. Peter-Ording is famous for. Each of the four districts offers one or more beach access points.
The beaches have a fee, with access covered by your spa card, which you receive upon arrival at your accommodation or, as a day visitor, at one of the spa card vending machines.

To reach the water, the path often leads through a nature reserve with impressive dune landscapes.
An alternative route is in St. Peter-Bad, where you reach the beach via a 1.1-kilometer-long pier.
In some areas, the beach is up to two kilometers wide, so the walk to the water can take up to 15 minutes.

Once at the beach, you can rent a beach chair, take long walks, or visit one of the famous stilt-built beach restaurants, depending on the weather and the duration of your stay.
We particularly recommend the beach bar 54° Nord, where you can enjoy your meal with a fantastic view.

WESTERHEVERSAND LIGHTHOUSE

The Westerheversand Lighthouse is one of Germany's most famous lighthouses. Standing 40 meters tall with its distinctive red-and-white stripes, it’s a symbol of the entire region.
Many may recognize it from commercials or the slogan, "Like the Land, So the Beer".

The lighthouse is a perfect destination for a bike tour. From St. Peter-Ording, it takes about an hour by bike to get there.
Note, however, that the lighthouse can only be visited as part of a guided tour.
These tours don’t happen every day and often sell out quickly, so if you're interested, be sure to book in advance.

WADDEN SEA HIKES

A Wadden Sea hike is an absolute must on a visit to the North Sea.
With weatherproof clothing, barefoot or in rubber boots, you can explore the mudflats and discover fascinating creatures like lugworms and shells.
Guided mudflat tours are only offered at low tide, in good visibility, and during daylight. If you’re interested in a tour, book in advance. You can book one here.

SWIMMING AT THE DÜNENTHERME

The Dünentherme is St. Peter-Ording’s leisure and adventure pool. It’s ideal not only for bad weather but also for anyone seeking wellness, beauty, and relaxation.
The Dünentherme offers various slides, a sauna with a view of the sea, and a wave pool filled with seawater. For more information, visit Dünentherme.de.

ENJOY LOCAL SPECIALTIES

Discover the culinary specialties of the North, like fresh shrimp, fish dishes, the traditional Pharisäer (coffee with rum and cream), and Eiergrog, a warming alcoholic drink.
Our recommendation for the best shrimp soup and freshest fish is Restaurant Gosch, located directly on the pier in St. Peter-Bad.
Its central location makes it a popular spot, so it’s often bustling.

ENJOY THE PHENOMENAL SUNSETS

St. Peter-Ording is famous for its phenomenal sunsets. Thanks to its western location, you can watch the sun slowly sink below the horizon into the sea.
Great spots to enjoy this natural spectacle include the pier, the dike to the left, or the area around the beach bar 54° Nord.
However, our absolute favorite spot for sunset viewing is Maleens Knoll, nestled in the dunes, offering a breathtaking view of the sea.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.