The beach image of SPO is characterized by the stilt houses up to 7 m high, which have long since become the town's landmark and are unique on the German coast. For more than 100 years, the wooden huts on stilts made of larch wood have made a significant contribution to the design of the beach in St. Peter-Ording. There are pile dwellings close to the coast on every beach in Ording, Bad, Dorf and Böhl.
In 1911 the first pile dwelling, the “Giftbude”, opened its doors in SPO. In typical North German fashion, the name indicates that there is something "gift" (an Old High German word for gift or giving) after jumping into the cool water. Initially there was alcohol - which meant that stories, songs and greetings on postcards soon became entwined around this legendary stilt house, where people celebrated together and had a lot of fun.
Even back then, the main task of the wooden buildings was to ensure the well-being of beach visitors. In order to offer water lovers more comfort and safety on the beach, additional stilt houses were built for lifeguards, beach chair rental, catering as well as changing rooms and toilets.
Today there are five pile-dwelling restaurants on the long beach of SPO, which prepare one or two culinary delights for guests and locals. Here you can have a delicious meal with the best view of the North Sea and enjoy the sun or a sundowner on the terraces.
Tourism headquarters
St. Peter Ording