Rømø

Introducing Rømø

Wide open spaces, ruler-straight horizons, rippling summer-heat hazes and air blown fresh in from the North Sea give the unrelentingly flat island of Rømø a hypnotic quality. Just off the mainland coast, midway between the historic towns of Ribe and Tønder and a 30-minute drive from either, Rømø is connected to the mainland by a 10km causeway that passes over marshlands, where sheep graze happily and wading birds forage for food.

During the 18th century, many islanders were captains of German and Dutch whaling ships working off Greenland. Today, Rømø is a hugely popular holiday destination, especially with visitors from nearby Germany. It has its fair share of caravan parks but also a sprinkling of red-walled, thatch-roofed houses nestling in scrubby pine woods. Vast, sandy beaches line the western shore.

The northern end of the island is an out-of-bounds military zone.

The tourist office (74 75 51 30; www.romo.dk; Havnebyvej 30; 9am-5pm mid-Junmid-Sep) is on the eastern side of Rømø, 1km south of the causeway exit on to the island.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009