Schleswig-Flensburg: Discover nature, culture and coastal landscapes
Accommodation in Schleswig-Flensburg
Between the fjord, the Schlei and river landscapes
Schleswig-Flensburg brings together the coasts of the Flensburg Fjord, the Schlei and a river landscape. Within the district, the fjord features unspoilt cliffs and beaches. In Schlei Nature Park, gentle hills, forests, hedgerow landscapes, rapeseed and grain fields, sandy beaches and swimming coves shape the scenery. The Schlei’s brackish-water areas provide a habitat for many endangered bird species; the Eider-Treene-Sorge river landscape is also among the district’s landscapes. As a result, coasts, nature and river landscapes offer contrasting impressions.
More than 130 bird species can be observed on the Holnis peninsula, including around 65 breeding species. Holnis is the northernmost point of Schleswig-Holstein’s young moraine landscape. Geltinger Birk covers 773 hectares and is the largest nature reserve in the Schleswig-Flensburg district. It has well-developed paths and guided walks that share insights into flora and fauna. Holnis puts the spotlight particularly on birdlife; Geltinger Birk also offers paths and guided nature experiences.
Experience nature and explore on two wheels
Guided nature tours are offered in Schlei Nature Park. The Wikinger-Friesen-Weg, the Ochsenweg and 15 signposted themed cycling routes also lead through the landscape. One specific cycling loop is the 25-kilometre SchleiUferTörn: it circles the central part of the Schlei and starts in Arnis. This gives you a choice of guided nature experiences, longer routes through the landscape and a named circular route, depending on the kind of outing you’re interested in.
Arnis itself is also a destination for water sports enthusiasts. Together with the Schlei, the town served as a filming location for a German adaptation of “Five Friends.” From 1986 to 2012, Kappeln served as a filming location for the TV series “Der Landarzt” under the name “Deekelsen.” These screen stories add a cultural perspective on places in the region to the focus on nature and routes.
History, from World Heritage to museums
Haithabu and the Danewerk have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since June 2018. More than 25 kilometres of the Danewerk rampart still remain today. In the wider travel destination of Schleswig-Holstein, Haithabu was an important Viking Age maritime trading centre at a historic bottleneck between the Baltic Sea inlet of the Schlei and the lowlands of the North Sea near Schleswig. The Danewerk was a border fortification at this historic bottleneck. These connections give the World Heritage site a distinctive historical dimension.
The historic memorial site and Idstedt Museum offer another perspective on German-Danish history. They provide information about the uprising of 1848 and the Battle of Idstedt. Together with the surviving Danewerk rampart and the history of Haithabu, they create a multifaceted picture of the region’s past: from trade history and border fortifications to the events of the 19th century.
Something for a range of interests
The Tolk-Schau family and leisure park offers, among other things, rides, playgrounds, park railways, fairytale cabins and more than 100 life-size dinosaurs. Alongside nature, cycling routes and history, the programme also includes a leisure park with its own distinctive attractions. The range of activities shows how varied your days out can be: birdwatching, a guided walk, a cycling loop, a museum visit or the attractions at Tolk-Schau.
When looking for accommodation in Schleswig-Flensburg, you can start by considering which of these interests matters most to you. Holnis and Geltinger Birk are all about nature and birdlife, Idstedt and the Danewerk about history, and the SchleiUferTörn is a specific cycling loop.
A broader look at Schleswig-Holstein
In the wider travel destination of Schleswig-Holstein, the Wadden Sea on the North Sea coast offers another natural environment. It is considered Europe’s last large-scale wilderness area and is globally significant as a stopover for migratory birds. The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and one of the world’s largest ecosystems. On a guided mudflat walk, you can walk on the seabed without diving equipment; certified National Park guides ensure professional standards and safety. Check the dates for the guided activity before your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Gelting, SĂĽderbrarup, Schleswig, Oeversee, Harrislee, Kappeln, Schafflund, Eggebek, Handewitt, HĂĽrup, Langballig, GlĂĽcksburg, Husby, Maasholm, Quern, Mittelangeln, Kropp-Stapelholm, Haddeby, Gelting Bay, SĂĽdangeln, Arensharde, Kappeln-Land.
To the wider travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.
