Eider Barrage
Tönning, Germany
Germany’s largest coastal flood barrier closes the mouth of the Eider, and the road runs through a tunnel beneath it. Climb the dike to watch boats pass through the lock.
The Eider Barrage at the mouth of the Eider on the North Sea was built after the storm surge of 1962: construction began in 1967, and it opened on 20 March 1973. Including the adjoining dyke it is 4.9 km long and protects the land along the Eider from storm surges; it shortened the dyke line from about 60 km to just under 5 km. It has two rows of five sluice gates, each 40 m wide, and a double lock. A road runs through a 236 m tunnel between the gates.
A footpath runs over the top of the tunnel with views of the Eider and the coast. The barrage lies about 10 km from Tönning and can be reached by car or bike; excursion boats also leave Tönning and pass through the lock. Komoot estimates one to one and a half hours for a walk across the structure and back. The sources we read give no information on parking.
- Nearest town
- Tönning, Germany
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 54.2655, 8.8434
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Comfort-Camp EiderCampsite8 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Campingplatz KnieseCampsite12 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Campingplatz AdemiCampsite12 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping in LeeCampsite12 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping "An de Waterkant"Campsite13 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Zur PerleCampsite14 km from Eider BarrageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Eider Barrage?
Eider Barrage is in Tönning, Germany, at GPS 54.2655, 8.8434. It is about 8 km from Wesselburen.
Can you camp near Eider Barrage?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping WesselburenerKoog, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 39 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Eider Barrage?
Eider Barrage is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: North Frisia: dikes, lighthouses and mudflats.
What is there to see near Eider Barrage?
Places worth a stop nearby: Multimar Wattforum (9 km), St. Peter-Ording beach stilt houses (17 km), Westerheversand Lighthouse (18 km) and Rømø beach (99 km).
When is the best time to visit Eider Barrage?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)