The tower was built in just 10 months, a significant feat of engineering for the late 19th century.
The lighthouse is painted with three distinct horizontal stripes to serve as a daylight navigation mark for ships.
It replaced the 16th-century Old Lighthouse, which suffered a major fire in 1879.
The base of the tower features a circular layout that sits approximately 7 meters above sea level.
Its optical system uses a complex array of lenses to focus the beam into a singular, high-intensity flash.
The tower is structurally connected to the island's history as a strategic lookout point for North Sea maritime traffic.
The New Lighthouse Borkum, known locally as the 'Neuer Leuchtturm', stands 60 meters tall and was commissioned in 1891 to replace the smaller Old Lighthouse. It remains an active navigational aid for the Ems estuary, featuring a rotating light signal visible up to 45 kilometers away. Constructed from red brick, the tower features a prominent gallery level that offers panoramic views of the island, the Wadden Sea, and the North Sea. Visitors can ascend a spiral staircase consisting of 308 steps to reach the observation deck. It is one of the few lighthouses in Germany that serves both as a functioning maritime beacon and a public viewing platform. The structure survived both World Wars largely intact, though it has undergone several technical modernizations to its lighting systems.
The external gallery deck at the top provides the most expansive 360-degree views of the island.
Wear comfortable, flat footwear as the 308-step spiral staircase is narrow and physically demanding.
Check local weather reports before ascending; high winds can sometimes lead to restricted access to the outer gallery.
Bring binoculars to identify distant ships and the neighboring sandbanks of the Wadden Sea.
Do not attempt the climb if you have significant mobility issues or a fear of heights, as the staircase is steep and enclosed.
Operating status is subject to seasonal changes; frequently closed during extreme weather conditions and winter months.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the tower to respect other climbers, and stay within designated safety railings on the viewing gallery.
