( Travel + Leisure ) -- With its tranquil beaches , the tiny northern island of Sylt is the country 's best-kept summer secret . An ideal way to see the island -- especially in late summer when the heather is in full bloom -- is by bike . Where to stay . Long and narrow , and spread over 36 square miles , Sylt has a verdant countryside peppered with its signature low-slung cottages . Many house tiny hotels , like the secluded Dorint Söl'ring Hof ( 1 Am Sandwall , Rantum ; 49-4651/836-200 ; doubles from $ 550 ) , a 15-room inn tucked into the dunes on the southern coast with its own hidden stretch of sugary sand . For those who want to be closer to the action , there 's the Hotel Stadt Hamburg ( 2 Strandstrasse ; 49-4651/8580 ; doubles from $ 253 ) , in the charming village of Westerland . You 'll have to walk five minutes to the beach , but this tidy hotel , built in 1869 , is an ideal base for exploration . Where to eat . The island 's dining scene attracts a number of German celebrities ( Claudia Schiffer , Boris Becker ) , and many frequent the stylish Sansibar ( 80 Hörnumer Str. , Rantum ; 49-4651/964-656 ; dinner for two $ 130 ) . The restaurant 's North Sea-meets-Asian dishes , like fresh mussels in a sweet curry sauce , are a potent draw . In Kampen , you 'll find Greta 's Rauchfang ( 5 Strönwai ; 49-4651/ 42672 ; dinner for two $ 92 ) next to Louis Vuitton and Hermès . Here , socialites enjoy bottles of Kristall ( opened dramatically with sabers ) , along with small plates of the sweet local shrimp . To get away from the fabulous set , head to Alter Gasthof ( 5 Alte Dorfstrasse , List ; 49-4651/877-244 ; dinner for two $ 65 ) on the isle 's northern tip . This 200-year-old inn dishes out classic regional food , including stellar house-smoked salmon and eel . What to do . Sylt is known for its nude beaches . The most famous is Buhne 16 ( 133A Listlandstrasse , Kampen ) , where Germans of every stripe let it all hang out as they lounge in wicker basket chairs . For those who like things a bit more covered up , try Am Roten Kliff , just north of Kampen , which is also ( no surprise ) less crowded . An ideal way to see the island -- especially in late summer when the heather is in full bloom -- is by bike . Fahrrad am Bahnhof ( 49-4651/5803 ) , in Westerland 's main train station , has a terrific rental selection , and the staff will happily suggest a route along Sylt 's 136 miles of well-laid-out paths . Getting there . Sylt is reached by train from Berlin ( 5 hours ) or Hamburg ( 3 1/2 hours ) . By car , take the autobahn to Niebüll from Berlin ( 290 miles ) or Hamburg ( 120 miles ) . There is no road connecting Sylt to the mainland ; vehicles board a train for the 30-minute trip to the island . For more , see bahn.de . Planning a beach getaway ? Do n't miss Travel + Leisure 's guide to Affordable Beach Resorts . Copyright 2009 American Express Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved .
The island of Sylt is five hours from Berlin by train . Sylt is known for its nude beaches . Comment: