The Local Germany

From beach apps to day trip bans: The planned measures for German seaside visitors

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 13:03:58 +0200

Tourists are returning to the popular North and Baltic Seas. Here are some of the measures you can expect if you're looking to dig your toes into the sand this summer.

Germany's top 10 most beautiful summer swimming spots

Wed, 27 May 2015 16:55:37 +0200

A European ranking released in 2015 showed that Germany had one of the highest numbers of 'excellent' lakes and rivers for swimming, so The Local picked out some of the best places to take a dip in Germany this summer.

Drivers told to limit speed as heatwave hits

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:28:57 +0200

Authorities have imposed speed limits on certain stretches of the Autobahn (motorway) to prevent damage to the asphalt as temperatures are expected to soar over the weekend.

Green and pleasant land boosts quality of life

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:24:27 +0200

Germany took third place among advanced economies for having the best environmental surroundings in a report on quality of life, though the country did not rank as well in openness of government.

Sandcastles verboten on German beach

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:51:00 +0200

Some beaches in Germany have stricter rules than expected: In Sylt sandcastles are completely forbidden and others have restrictions on height and width.

Four swimming deaths in a week prompt warning

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:55:00 +0200

After three people died in Germany's Baltic waters this week, police are warning bathers not to underestimate the power of the sea. The body of a young man was also pulled from a lake in Berlin on Thursday.

Munich inventor makes splash with sea rucksack

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:57:00 +0200

A Munich inventor has put the finishing touches to brand new kind of rucksack perfect for ocean exploration. A watertight, floating bag is proving a hit with fans of sea-trekking – a combination of free-diving, swimming and walking.

Germans plan holidays despite euro crisis

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:01:00 +0200

As the school summer holidays kicked in on Wednesday in parts of Germany, it also emerged that the country’s wanderlust has not been squashed by the European financial crisis, with over 60 percent of people planning a holiday.

Baltic beaches declared no smoking zones

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:56:00 +0200

Germany may take a more relaxed attitude to smoking than other European countries, but one northern state is on the way to stubbing this out after declaring two of its beaches non-smoking last week.

Spending a day at the beach without leaving Hamburg

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:16:00 +0200

Hamburg’s love affair with the sea is well-known, but the northern port city is also burnishing its credentials as a bona fide beach town. Jiffer Bourguignon gets some sand between her toes.

Lakes and beaches sparkle for summer bathing season

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:54:00 +0200

Those thinking of cooling off with a jump in the sea or a lake this summer can do so without worrying about pollution – German bathing waters have been ranked above average for their cleanliness when compared across Europe.

Topless sunbathing goes out of style

Mon, 02 May 2011 15:51:00 +0200

German women are less willing to sunbathe topless than they were in the past, a recent survey shows. The primary reason for the new prudishness? Unwanted attention by men.

Bacteria spoiling one quarter of all beaches

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:31:00 +0200

Pollution at nearly a quarter of Germany’s beach swimming spots is at unacceptably high levels, posing the danger of gastrointestinal illnesses, skin rashes and inflammations, a survey released Tuesday found.

Top women's volleyball team prove work is a beach

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:38:00 +0100

Spending the day at the beach can be hard work if you’re Europe’s top-ranked volleyball players. Jeff Kavanagh catches up with Laura Ludwig and Sara Goller.

EU says water quality at German beaches worsens

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:59:00 +0200

EU officials have bad news for those Germans heading to the beach this summer: the water quality along the country’s North and Baltic Sea coasts has worsened.