Making the most of Heligoland
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Passengers are tendered ashore. With only 1100 residents, the island’s population triples when a cruise ship visits; rough weather frequently forces ships to cancel tenders and skip the port.
Cruise lines mainly use this port to gain tax-exempt status, often worth 1000’s of Euros: VAT and other taxes need not be paid during the entire cruise, and onboard tax-free shops can stay open. Helgoland, also known as Heligoland, is a holiday resort with tax-exempt status because it belongs to the EU but is outside the EU VAT area and customs union. Much of its economy therefore depends on tourist sales of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and perfumes.
Bring a printable map along.
Germany has many islands but only one high sea island. Around 70 km from the mainland, the red sand-stone rock and its green land steeples rise from the German Sea, or Nordsee. Helgoland is both an oasis of quietude and a singular natural monument.
Heligoland is a geological oddity: its main island’s red sedimentary rock is unusual in the middle of the German Bight, and these are the only cliffs of this formation on the North Sea’s continental coast.
Getting around
Helgoland has lower, middle and upper levels. Reach the upper part by climbing 184 steps or pay a small fee for the elevator.
Almost no car traffic makes the island safe and quiet. Helgoland comprises a fairly large sand stone island and a smaller nearby island made from sand, both pleasant to stroll around; even bikes are forbidden.
Nearby places
Visit Düne, Heligoland’s satellite island, for beautiful beaches where seals are often found lying on the sand.
Food and shopping
Helgoland is duty-free, so tobacco, alcohol, electronics and other high-duty goods can be purchased.
Money
The currency is the Euro, and some ATM machines are available around the island.
Check with smaller establishments first to see whether they take Credit Cards.
Staying connected
German is spoken. Germans are considered punctual, disciplined and, not least, a little formal. German has two ways to say you, “Du” and “Sie”: “Du” is less formal, while “Sie” is more so. With people you do not know, almost always use “Sie” and their last name.
For Police Emergency call 110; for Fire Emergency or Ambulance Call, dial 112.
Free WiFi is offered by most cafes.
Opening Hours and
Stores must close by 8 p.m., although some shut as early as 6:30 p.m. Saturday closures are at 1 or 2 p.m., though most shops in big city centers stay open until 2 or 4 p.m.
Apart from some bakeries that open on sunday morning, every store closes on Sundays.