Waterfront vacation homes in Germany

Seaside holiday properties in Germany are in particularly high demand

Without a doubt, the most sought-after locations for vacation homes in Germany are those that lie on one or the other of the country’s beautiful coastlines or on a lovely lake. Properties located on the exclusive North Sea island of Sylt, for example, where luxury and nature have a symbiotic relationship, are known to fetch top prices. Sylt is famous for its charming reed-thatched houses, broad sandy beaches and cosmopolitan flair. As far back as 2014, property prices in prime locations ranged from €7 million to €12 million, then climbed as high as €25 million in 2019 and reached an impressive €29 million in 2024.

When we take a look at Föhr, another North Sea island only a few kilometers away, the picture changes completely. Föhr may be only a stone’s throw from elegant Sylt, but properties here are far less expensive. In 2024, the highest price achieved on Föhr was €3.6 million, while similar properties on Sylt were fetching many times as much. Such a difference in price levels between Sylt and Föhr offers buyers looking to enjoy the beauty and proximity of the North Sea, but unwilling to pay the higher prices, an attractive alternative.

Exclusive waterfront properties from the coast to the sea

Some very exclusive waterfront real estate can be had in southern Germany too. Locations on Lake Tegernsee and around Lake Starnberg in Bavaria are among the region’s most expensive and most sought-after. Properties in top locations in the town of Tegernsee can set you back between €5 million and €15 million, whereas prices on Lake Starnberg have now reached €30 million, even surpassing those on Sylt, which was Germany’s top market for a long time.

Buyers who prefer a more maritime flair should consider the equally lovely Baltic Sea islands of Rügen or Usedom, both of which are more affordable. Rügen, Germany’s biggest island, is famous for its spectacular chalk cliffs and extensive beech forests as well as luxurious villas and vacation homes. Prices for prime properties here can reach €4.3 million. Visitors to the island of Usedom will find charming seaside resorts and a lively culture scene. Here too, top properties are very much in demand, and prices for a villa in a prime location range from €1.5 to €3.5 million.

Attractive and affordable properties in Germany

For the properties in the Mecklenburg Lake District, which is known for its idyllic lakes and picturesque villages and is a haven of relaxation, buyers won’t need to dig quite so deep into their pockets either. Attractive and affordable properties can also be found along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Historic cities such as Wismar or Rostock don’t just offer a wealth of cultural highlights, but also less expensive properties compared with hotspots on the North and Baltic seas. Vacation homes in good locations in Wismar can be had for between €500,000 und €700,000.

Investors and buyers looking for an authentic North Sea experience should also consider East Frisia and Wilhelmshaven. These regions are distinguished by fresh sea air and their proximity to the tidal flats and wetlands of the Wadden Sea. Vacation homes here are still available at prices that would be unthinkable in more exclusive locations. In East Frisia, for instance, prices for houses in very good locations lie between €400,000 and €1.2 million, a very attractive option for potentials buyers.

Whether it’s the North Sea or the Baltic coast, lake country or the Alps, the German market for vacation homes has a waterfront idyll to suit every taste and purse. Let yourself be inspired by the diversity and beauty of Germany’s coastline and lakes!

Get to know...

Christian von Gottberg, director of E&V in Schleswig-Holstein, has been with Engel & Völkers since 2005. A true all-rounder, he started out at Engel & Völkers Commercial in Berlin before switching to E&V Residential in 2012. Von Gottberg now lives in Hamburg with his wife, three children and their dog. As much as he loves that German city, he is also a fan of Denmark, where his wife is from. He calls their house north of Copenhagen, where he goes for rest and relaxation, his “happy place.”