Along the German side of the Flensburg Fjord, there are a number of beautiful little places that invite you to take a short trip. There are historic buildings as well as beautiful stretches of beach and untouched nature.

Blick auf Förde vom Strand Wassersleben in Harrislee

Harrislee

To the west of the inner fjord, around 15 km from Glücksburg, lies Harrislee, which, with its districts, has something to offer not only in terms of scenery but also history. Immerse yourself in a piece of German-Danish industrial history and visit the copper mill in the district of the same name in Harrislee. Founded by the Danish King Christian IV, copper was processed in this mill using natural water power from the 17th to the 20th century. It is exciting for young and old to learn about the history of this industry and to feel what life was like back then on a tour of the workers' houses.

Right next to the copper mill you will find the 109-hectare Klueser Forest. This is also the starting point of a circular trail with quiet forest paths where you can really slow down and relax. The route runs for 5.3 kilometers through the historic tree population, which includes beech trees over 100 years old with huge trunks. The yellow buds of the hawkweed and the bright red berries of the holly, which add wonderful splashes of color to the forest, can be found along the way.

Wassersleben lido

If you want to chill out on the beach, you should visit the Wassersleben lido, where you can slow down and relax on the fine sand. It is ideal for swimming, especially for the little ones or those who are not so strong swimmers, as the entrance to the sea is shallow. You feel safe under the protection of the DLRG, which guards the beach. You can try out stand-up paddling (SUP) at the local SUP learning and rental station. Later, you can relax in the beach bar and enjoy entertainment such as live music. But you can also have fun out of the water and play with balls: beach volleyball and mini golf! By the way, if you think you know the beach and the imposing hotel building on the marina from somewhere, you're right: it has already been used as a location for a TV production full of emotion.

Our tip: From Harrislee to Kollund on foot

Why not simply walk to Denmark? It's a relaxed ten-minute walk across the Schusterkate bridge, which can be reached north of the Wassersleben district of Harrislee. It is the only bridge that connects Germany and Denmark. If you are a good walker, you can then enjoy a wonderful hike along the Danish side on the blue-signposted Gendarme Trail to Kollund, where the "butter ships" from Germany used to land. Here you can admire the church, which was built in 1971 and designed by the well-known Danish architect Karsten Rønnow in a minimalist style. If you want to enjoy traditional Danish cuisine or sit down to a Jutlandic coffee table, you can do so at the Fakkelgården hotel and restaurant. The former local youth hostel has been converted into a beautiful residence. From there you have a fantastic view over the fjord.

Blick auf das Naturschutzgebiet Geltinger Birk ©instagram.com/jeannelabr

Geltinger Birk & Bay

The Geltinger Birk nature reserve is located at the easternmost point of the outer fjord, a good 30 km from Glücksburg. At 773 hectares, it is the largest nature reserve in Schleswig-Holstein and is home to around 200 species of birds, small animals, butterflies, beetles, hymenoptera and diptera. If you're lucky, you might spot a herd of Koniks, a pony-like breed of wild horse that was released into the wild in 2002. The horses share the area with small Galloway cattle and thus serve to protect nature. Geltinger Birk was created in 1821 by diking a side bay of the Baltic Sea.

As a tip, you should also make a note of the Falshöft lighthouse in Wackerballig - with its red and white stripes, it really is a lighthouse straight out of your imagination. From the almost 25-metre-high cultural monument dating back to 1910, you can enjoy the view over Geltinger Bay and the fjord all the way to Denmark while learning interesting facts about its historical significance. Lovers and engaged couples take note: you can also say "I do" on the picture-book lighthouse!

Yachthafen Langballigau

Langballig & Langballigau

Langballig

Langballig and Langballigau are just under 10 kilometers from Glücksburg. Langballig is home to the Angeln/ Unewatt Landscape Museum , which allows visitors to experience cultural-historical themes and stories from the Angeln region, which includes Glücksburg. Five museum islands are united in the village of Unewatt by the Angeln Landscape Museum. There is the smokehouse, the waterwheel-driven butter mill, the "Fortuna" windmill, the Christesen barn and the Marxenhof, where you can experience the regional economy and living conditions of the 19th century. The motto of the folklore museum is: "A village with a museum and a museum with a village." True to this motto, the museum buildings are spread out in the middle of the village and you can easily find them among the private houses of just 69 inhabitants. Feel the uniqueness of this very special museum experience!

Langballigau

You can get freshly caught fish straight from the fishing boat here in the fishing port - deliciously prepared in one of the many restaurants or simply as a fish sandwich to take home. Afterwards, take a stroll through the marina to see all kinds of beautiful boats. If you simply want to relax, the beautiful natural beach is the perfect place to do so. Ships also leave from Langballigau for excursions to Denmark!