In a nutshell
- East Frisia isn’t just sea and cow pastures — though we love both — there are also some wonderful towns and villages worth exploring.
- The region is compact enough that during your stay you can easily take multiple day trips to the most beautiful spots in East Frisia.
- Our favorite towns in East Frisia? Norden, Greetsiel, and Leer — each one totally different, all of them worth your time.
- For the larger towns, we’ve also included hotel recommendations so you can plan where to stay.
Norden: Germany's Largest Marketplace
What do you need to know? At nearly 770 years old, Norden is one of the oldest towns in East Frisia. The district of Norddeich borders directly on the Wadden Sea.
Is it worth it? Definitely! Beyond the beach, there are plenty of historic attractions like the Ludgeri Church and the old town hall with its museum. And not everything in Norden is “old” — the pedestrian zone is modern, with lots of great shops and cafés.
Our tip: Don’t miss the Westgaster Mühle in Norden. It’s an old windmill with a miller’s house that today is home to a farm shop and a tea room — and it also happens to be the only beer garden in Norden!
Our hotel pick: Romantik Hotel Reichshof
You can find more hotel recommendations here:
Lütetsburg: Moated Castle with Park
What do you need to know? Lütetsburg is a small village west of Norden, best known for its moated castle and its sweeping castle park.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! Lütetsburg is tiny, but the castle and its gorgeous grounds — very Jane Austen — are not to be missed. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular attractions in East Frisia.
Our tip: We love the cycling routes here. Ride from Norden to Lütetsburg and enjoy the scenery along the way: green meadows, wide fields, patches of forest — and after just five kilometers, the castle awaits.
Greetsiel: East Frisia's Largest Cutter Fleet
What do you need to know? Greetsiel is a small fishing village in the Leyhörn area, best known for its historic harbor and the largest cutter fleet in East Frisia.
Is it worth it? In our eyes, Greetsiel is the most beautiful fishing village in the region. The historic harbor with its old boats is simply wonderful, and the 18th-century brick houses are a real highlight in their own right.
Our tip: Where there are shrimp cutters, there are shrimp — and if you’re a fan, you have to eat some here. In Greetsiel they’re fresh off the boat and seriously delicious.
Emden: Historic Harbor City
What do you need to know? Emden sits at the mouth of the Ems River on the Dollart and is not only the largest city in East Frisia but also a well-known harbor city with a fascinating history.
Is it worth it? Emden has modernized a lot over the years, which makes for a really great mix of historic sights and contemporary activities — like the Rüstungskammer and the Otto Huus.
Our tip: Several canals wind through Emden, and they’re perfect for a leisurely stroll or for renting a canoe or pedal boat.
Our hotel pick: Hotel am Delft
Aurich: Shopping and Sightseeing
What do you need to know? Aurich is the second-largest city in East Frisia. It’s not particularly famous for traditional sights — instead, it’s known for its shopping street and the Caro shopping center.
Is it worth it? Aurich is especially worth visiting if you’re in the mood for some shopping in East Frisia. But there are also some great points of interest, like the Landschaftshaus and the Auricher Stiftsmühle.
Our tip: At the Aurich Mausoleum, you can view the actual sarcophagi of former counts of East Frisia — completely real ones. Admittedly, that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but we find it seriously impressive!
Our hotel pick: Hotel Hochzeitshaus
Leer: The Gateway to East Frisia
What do you need to know? Leer lies on the Ems River and is often called the Gateway to East Frisia. It’s a great mix of vacation destination and lively, versatile small city.
Is it worth it? Leer has a real energy to it. There’s so much to see, and wandering through the lanes of the historic center — taking in the old buildings and the museum quarter — is genuinely fun.
Our tip: Right next to the old quarter is the Freizeithafen — a leisure harbor with a lovely waterfront promenade. With its little houses, it almost reminds us of Bergen in Norway.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Hafenspeicher
Pewsum: East Frisian Rural Life
What do you need to know? Pewsum is a small village in the East Frisian municipality of Krummhörn, northwest of Emden.
Is it worth it? Pewsum is genuinely typical rural East Frisia — and that has real charm. You can gaze out over the fields for miles, and there’s a 15th-century moated castle to visit.
Our tip: While you’re in Pewsum, it’s easy to take a quick detour to nearby Pilsum to see the Pilsum Lighthouse.
Neuharlingersiel: Small Fishing Village
What do you need to know? Neuharlingersiel is a small fishing village right on the coast, known for its shrimp fishing. Ferries to the island of Spiekeroog also depart from here.
Is it worth it? Neuharlingersiel is the very definition of maritime. The village sits right on the water, with an inner harbor, beach, mudflat hikes, and boat trips. Even though it’s really small, there’s a surprising amount to do.
Our tip: The guided bike tour “By Bicycle to Potatoes and Cows” takes you through loads of East Frisian countryside, lets you pet cows on working farms (yes, really!), and teaches you all about potato farming. A great activity for all ages!
Jever: Medieval Beer Town
What do you need to know? Jever is located far to the east and technically doesn’t belong to East Frisia at all, but only to Frisia. The town is also called Marienstadt, named after its last ruler, Fräulein Maria von Jever.
Is it worth it? Today Jever is of course best known for its excellent beer. But the town also has many wonderful historic attractions, such as the Schlossmuseum and the Wüppgalgen.
Our tip: Also well worth a visit in Jever is the old blue-print dyeing workshop, which keeps alive the tradition of East Frisian blue printing. You can watch the printing process and pick up some truly original, authentic souvenirs.
Our hotel pick: Stadthotel Jever
Wilhelmshaven: Harbor City on the Jadebusen
What do you need to know? Wilhelmshaven is a harbor city on the Jadebusen, a large bay on the North Sea. Like Jever, it technically belongs only to Frisia.
Is it worth it? Because Wilhelmshaven sits right on the sea, there’s a huge amount to do — from beach days and sailing trips to visiting the popular Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke.
Our tip: Wilhelmshaven is made up of 24 neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character. Just wandering through the streets for a while reveals the urban side of the city — and it’s really lovely!
Our hotel pick: Atlantic Hotel
Esens-Bensersiel: Town and Spa
What do you need to know? Esens lies southwest of Neuharlingersiel and borders the North Sea spa town of Bensersiel — which is why the two are often referred to together as Esens-Bensersiel.
Is it worth it? Esens really shines in combination with Bensersiel, giving you a great mix of beach relaxation and a bit of exploration. And there’s more to see than just the usual museums and buildings — the dike bridges in Bensersiel are also worth a look.
Our tip: Make sure to check out the dike bridges after dark too. They’re beautifully lit up at night — a really special experience and a fantastic photo opportunity.
