Bensersiel: Experience the beach, Wadden Sea and nature

Bensersiel combines beaches, the Wadden Sea and activities for nature lovers. When looking for a hotel in Bensersiel, it helps to first decide what your trip will focus on: the main bathing beach, nature experiences on the Wadden Sea or outdoor activities on land. The wider destination of Esens also offers museums and local history as separate cultural themes.

The main beach and natural beach compared

At the main bathing beach, fine sand reaches right down to the water. Accessible beach chairs are also available there. The natural beach is a separate beach area: it lies directly on the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea, offers walks along the dike and is a starting point for a guided mudflat walk. The distinction is useful when planning your trip: the main bathing beach focuses on sand and beach chairs, while the natural beach offers a connection to the Wadden Sea, a walk along the dike and a starting point for a mudflat walk.

Experience the Wadden Sea and discover nature

The Wattenhuus Bensersiel National Park House combines an interactive exhibition about the Wadden Sea with guided mudflat, birdwatching, land and children’s tours, talks and other nature experiences. The exhibition includes a tidal model. This means visitors can choose from a range of formats: the exhibition and model, guided tours, and talks. The Wattenhuus Garden behind the National Park House shows how to garden in a nature-friendly way. The garden is being redesigned, so its layout may change.

Get active on foot and by bike

The spa park in Bensersiel has an exercise course. The terrain therapy trails, meanwhile, comprise six routes of varying difficulty. This makes it possible to distinguish between an exercise course in the spa park and a network of routes with different levels of difficulty. There is also a well-developed, well-signposted network of cycle paths around Bensersiel. It extends around the town; the description does not refer only to routes within Bensersiel.

In the wider destination of Esens: culture and local history

The August Gottschalk House Jewish Museum in Esens is located in the former community hall of the Jewish congregation, built in 1899. Its permanent exhibition covers Jewish life in East Frisia up to the dissolution of the Jewish congregations in 1940. Topics include everyday life, religious life and Jewish holidays, as well as persecution and extermination. The renovated mikveh is also open to visitors: it is the original, preserved ritual bath of the Jewish congregation in Esens.

The Life by the Sea Museum presents the settlement history of the Harlingerland region and the history of the town of Esens. An old watchmaker’s workshop and a tiled room offer insights into the crafts and everyday culture of the 19th and 20th centuries. The clock mechanism from 1873 can be seen in the tower museum, which opened in 1982 in the tower of St. Magnus Church; visitors can also look inside the Rohlfs church organ from 1860. A climb of 113 steps leads to the sound openings, which offer views across the rooftops of Esens to the coast.

The Esens Bear Flyer can be a starting point for a walking tour of Esens; it is available to download and at the tourist information office. A guided town tour passes through the market square and pedestrian zone and along the former ramparts, sharing interesting facts about the town’s past and present. The 52 Buddy Bears in Esens are local attractions and photo opportunities for visitors and residents alike. The sculpture trail consists of seven works of art. The Esens Street Arts Festival is an annual tradition in the old town, featuring street theatre, variety acts, acrobatics, clowning and music. The programme may change; if the festival is the reason for your trip, check the dates in advance.

Ferry service to Langeoog

Ferries run from Bensersiel to Langeoog several times a day. If you plan to take the ferry, check the timetable for your intended travel date. This lets you consider Bensersiel’s beach and nature offerings, the cultural attractions in the wider destination of Esens and the ferry service separately when planning your hotel and trip.

Discover more destinations: Stedesdorf, Thunum.

See the overview of the wider destination: Esens.