The car-free environment here makes it the ideal destination for health and wellness. A holiday on Helgoland means, not least for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, that by coming here they can breathe deeply again. The island air in the middle of the North Sea is very rich in iodine and oxygen, it is nearly emission-free and poor in pollen.
Helgoland is also an official German spa destination under the name "the North Sea Spa". All traditional spa treatments are available here including medicinal baths and various wellness offers. All island visitors, including those arriving by own vessel like ourselves, are required to pay a small spa fee, even if you don't use any of the spa facilities.
Helgoland is also a shopper's paradise. The island is not subject to the EU Customs Code, meaning that products are exempt from customs duties and VAT.
Today I met many daytrippers arriving by a catamaran coming from Hamburg. I have a strong feeling that most of them came here to buy tax free alcohol, tobacco and parfum rather than to participate in any wellness program. On my rainy village walk today I tried to find shops displaying atmosphere rather than spirits...
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