Pilsum Lighthouse
Krummhörn, Germany
A small yellow-and-red striped tower on the dike, made famous by an Otto Waalkes comedy. Walk up the grassy dike for views over the Ems estuary.
Pilsum Lighthouse stands on the dyke near Pilsum, in the municipality of Krummhörn in East Frisia. The tower, about 12 m tall, entered service on 1 October 1891 to guide ships into the Ems estuary. Its light was put out in June 1915 during the First World War, and in 1919 it was shut down for good because the shipping channel had silted up. The tower was originally plain red; it received its red and yellow rings in 1973 during a renovation. It became nationally famous through Otto Waalkes' film "Otto – Der Außerfriesische" (1989), in which it is Otto's home.
The tower is not far from Greetsiel and is easy to visit on a walk or bike ride along the dyke. It is also used as a wedding room by the Krummhörn municipality; whether and when the interior can be visited is something to ask the municipality or the tourist office beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Krummhörn, Germany
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 53.4938, 7.0535
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–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (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
- Camping am DeichCampsite8 km from Pilsum Lighthouse · 335 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Womopark-NorddeichMotorhome stopover13 km from Pilsum Lighthouse · 44 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Emder Kanu ClubCampsite16 km from Pilsum LighthouseTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Campingplatz Großes MeerCampsite18 km from Pilsum LighthouseTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Wohnmobilstellplatz Alter Emder BinnenhafenMotorhome stopover18 km from Pilsum Lighthouse · 35 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camperplaats EemsdijkMotorhome stopover19 km from Pilsum Lighthouse · 20 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pilsum Lighthouse?
Pilsum Lighthouse is in Krummhörn, Germany, at GPS 53.4938, 7.0535. It is about 3 km from Greetsiel.
Can you camp near Pilsum Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camper Welcome, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Pilsum Lighthouse?
Pilsum Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: East Frisia’s Wadden coast: harbours and lighthouses.
What is there to see near Pilsum Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Norddeich Seal Station (16 km), Seal Centre Pieterburen (41 km), Dwingelderveld National Park (89 km) and Eise Eisinga Planetarium (106 km).
When is the best time to visit Pilsum Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)