Camping at the Gelting Bay

The unspoilt coastal region in the north-east of Schleswig-Holstein stretches from Habernis on the Flensburg Fjord across the magical Geltinger Birk nature reserve to the Schlei. Sailors and surfers are guaranteed to find a fresh breeze here. Idyllic hiking and cycling trails invite you to go on extended tours, while bathing fun is on the programme on the white sandy beaches.

Special features of camping in the Bay of Geltingen

At the campsites in Geltinger Bucht, everyday life seems a long way away. In Pommerby, the proverbial village of the Pomeranians south of Geltinger Birk, there are two campsites. One is nestled at the foot of the red and white striped Falshöft lighthouse with views as far as Denmark. The other, an unspoilt family campsite, impresses with its quiet location directly on the Baltic Sea and its own stretch of beach for nudists.

In addition to Wackerballig in the Kneipp spa town of Gelting, the state-recognised resort of Hasselberg on the Oehe-Maasholm peninsula also has a family-friendly campsite. A long natural beach with moorings for small boats is just a few steps away for holidaymakers. The lapping sea is also just a stone's throw away at the campsite in Habernis, which is surrounded by meadows.

Arrival

Before guests can listen to the calls of seabirds and the crashing Baltic Sea, ride the waves and collect stones on the natural beach, they need to travel to Geltinger Bucht. The A7 motorway stretches around 962 km north-south from Ellund on the Danish border in Schleswig-Holstein to Füssen in the Ostallgäu region. To the west, it passes Flensburg at the entrance to the Flensburg Fjord and the Viking town of Schleswig on the Schlei. Flensburg lies around 35 km west of Gelting and is connected to the A7 motorway via two junctions.

From the third largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, take the B199 motorway via Wees, Langballig and Steinbergkirche to Gelting. Coming from the south, holidaymakers on the A7 should take the Büdelsdorf exit, then take the B203 towards Eckernförde/Kappeln and continue on the B199. Alternatively, take the B201 motorway from the Schuby/Schleswig exit to Kappeln and from there onto the B199. Coming from the east, the A24 motorway first takes campers to Hamburg before they continue north on the A7 motorway.

Destinations on the Bay of Geltingen

Natural landscapes and cosy villages make Geltinger Bucht a charming holiday destination. These include the following villages:

At the harbour of Maasholm

Maritime flair and a tranquil atmosphere characterise this idyllic fishing village not far from the mouth of the Schleim estuary. Extensive sailing trips to Schleswig and the Danish part of the Baltic Sea depart from the modern marina. Thatched fishing cottages, cosy alleyways, the small St. Peter's Church and rocking cutters at the fishing harbour tempt you to stay. The NEZ Nature Experience Centre is located just outside Maasholm on the site of a former rocket station. Here, visitors can gain exciting insights into the nature of the Baltic Sea and Schlei, wander through a seasonal garden, discover a mystical tree horoscope and learn all about Vikings, storm surges and the local bird life on an educational trail.

Travelling back in time in Stoltebüll

In the midst of a hilly landscape of fields and pastures, Stoltebüll consists of a small village centre and a number of splinter settlements. Individual farmsteads exude charm. The Drült estate on a hill, a neat manor house in the classicist style, is a particularly popular photo motif, but Stoltebüll's biggest attraction is located on the Arltberg in the Gulde district. This is where you can marvel at a historical meeting place known as the Thingplatz, which dates from 300 to 800 AD. It was reconstructed in 2003 using traditional drawings made from erratic blocks and provides interesting facts about rune stones and Jüten tents.

Activities and excursions

Splash around, take a walk on the beach, dig in the sand, hike through sparse woodland, cycle, watch rare birds, climb a lighthouse or let the wind blow around your nose in a horse-drawn carriage: Enjoying nature is really quite easy at Geltinger Birk and beyond.

Out and about in the Geltinger Birk

The landmark of the 773-hectare nature reserve at the eastern end of the Flensburg Fjord is the Charlotte Dutch mill. However, the Geltinger Birk is particularly enchanting with its unspoilt, almost wild landscape of lakes, watercourses, dunes, moors, whimsical trees and seagrass meadows. Here it is possible to observe free-roaming Konik horses and Scottish Highland cattle on open pasture, but over 270 species of birds also rest and breed in the Geltinger Birk. Four marked circular hiking trails invite you to go on nature tours.

A stroll along the Schlei

At 42 kilometres long, the Schlei is the longest Baltic Sea fjord in Germany. The largest town in the region is Schleswig, famous for Gottorf Castle and the Haithabu Viking Museum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Danewerk border wall. The harbour town of Kappeln exudes pure romance, with its herring fence made of ash wood piles that is unique in Europe. From the railway station, the historic Angeln steam train takes you at a leisurely pace to Süderbrarup.

Gastronomy

In the Angeln region, which includes Geltinger Bucht, Holsteiner Sauerfleisch is on almost every menu. Schnüsch, a typical regional vegetable stew made from potatoes boiled in milk, carrots, kohlrabi, green beans, peas and lots of parsley, is also popular. The local delicacies also include the Angler saddleback pork and freshly caught fish is a particular favourite, whether in the restaurants or as fish sandwiches at the kiosks on the beach. In Maasholm, holidaymakers can even go on a fishing trip on a cutter in the western Baltic Sea and watch how the butt and cod are netted. Back on land, there is a hot Angler Muck, a grog made from rum, water, lemon juice and sugar, which is traditionally kept warm in a porcelain pot on a teapot.

Best time to visit

The Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein is characterised by a temperate climate. The sea is a great heat reservoir and usually brings moderately warm summers and relatively mild winters. The wind blows constantly, mostly from the west, and has the power to quickly blow away rain clouds. Nevertheless, holidaymakers should be prepared for sudden changes in the weather and should always bring a warm jacket with a hood as well as swimwear. Geltinger Bay is charming at any time of year. In spring, the rapeseed fields framed by hedgerows are in bright yellow bloom. Swimming is particularly enjoyable in July and August, when water temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius. Huge flocks of migratory birds dominate the autumn skies, while in winter the clear, cold Baltic Sea air is a delight to breathe.