Rømø Island

Where the Wadden Sea Meets the North Sea

Rømø sits just off the coast of southern Jutland, the southernmost of Denmark’s Wadden Sea islands and one of the largest, with more than 120 square kilometres of dunes, heath and salt marsh. Although it is easily reached via a long, low causeway over the tidal flats, the island feels distinctly separate from the mainland, ringed by big skies and the rumble of the North Sea. To the east lies the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea, with mudflats and sandbanks exposed at low tide; to the west, the ocean stretches seemingly without end. This geographic position has shaped everything about Rømø: the dramatic tides, the unusual mix of habitats, and the sense that land and sea are constantly negotiating their boundaries. Shallow tidal channels snake across the mud, migratory birds feed in dense flocks, and patches of hardy grass cling to the shifting sands. Even on a busy summer day, it is easy to walk a few minutes and be alone with the sound of wind and waves.

Endless Sand and Wind on Lakolk and Sønderstrand

Rømø is best known for its enormous beaches, among the widest in northern Europe. At Lakolk and Sønderstrand, the sand extends for hundreds of meters from the dunes to the waterline, forming a broad, hard-packed plain at low tide. Here, driving on the beach is permitted in designated areas, a rarity in Denmark and a key part of the island’s character. Cars, campervans and surfers share the open expanse, framed by rolling dunes and white-crested waves. The same constant wind that shapes the dunes also powers a culture of speed and play. On calm days, the beaches host kite buggies, blokarts and land yachts racing across the flat sand, while colourful kites add streaks of red, blue and yellow to the sky. In early September, one of Europe’s largest kite festivals transforms the beach into a floating gallery of intricate designs. When the tide comes in and the wind picks up, the scene shifts to windsurfing, kitesurfing and long walks along the water’s edge.

Whaling Captains, Maritime Wealth and Rural Churches

Behind the dunes, Rømø’s inland villages tell a quieter story of seafaring wealth and rural survival. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many local men sailed as commanders on long whaling voyages, bringing home enough income to build ornate farmhouses. At the Kommandørgård, now a museum, a traditional commander’s farm displays panelled interiors, carved furniture and maritime artefacts, including a whale skeleton that hints at the global reach of these islanders. Nearby, St Clement’s Church anchors the community with its whitewashed walls and simple tower. Inside, ship models hang from the vaults, a reminder of the island’s dependence on the sea. Gravestones and memorials record generations of sailors, some lost far from home. These buildings, together with scattered thatched houses and wind-bent trees, create a rural landscape that feels both Danish and distinctly shaped by the North Sea.

Nature, Migration and a Living Tidal Landscape

Rømø is embedded in the wider Wadden Sea ecosystem, one of Europe’s great wetlands and a critical stopover for millions of migratory birds. Salt marshes on the island’s eastern side flood and drain with the tides, creating feeding grounds for waders and wildfowl. In autumn and spring, the skies can fill with skeins of geese and swirling flocks of starlings, part of a larger spectacle that stretches along the coast. Marked walking routes thread through plantations such as Tvismark, Kirkeby and Vråby, where conifer stands alternate with open heath and sandy clearings. Boardwalks and sandy paths lead into dune areas rich with lichens, heather and coastal grasses. Guided nature tours introduce visitors to the subtle life of the mudflats—worms, shellfish, crabs and oysters that underpin the food web—as well as to bunkers and concrete remnants that recall the island’s role in 20th-century conflicts.

Island Atmosphere, Seasons and Everyday Life

Despite its modest permanent population, Rømø carries the rhythm of both a working island and a holiday destination. Fishing boats still operate out of Havneby, where a modern harbour serves both commercial vessels and the ferry that links the island to its German neighbour. Small shops, cafés and smokehouses cluster near the main settlements, offering local fish, pastries and simple meals between beach excursions. The island’s mood shifts with the seasons. Summer brings long, bright evenings, warm sand and families spread out across the shore. In winter, the beach empties, the wind sharpens, and the dunes feel wilder, with storms reshaping the coastline and frost stiffening the marsh. Yet even in the coldest months, the causeway connects Rømø to the mainland, and the island remains a place to watch the weather roll in, listen to the surf and sense how tightly daily life is woven to sea and sky.