Bremerhaven: Discover Harbor Worlds and Culture

Bremerhaven’s maritime character takes many forms: a stroll along the Weser embankment, museums exploring the history of the harbor and seafaring, and experiences centered on climate, art and fishing. This lets you choose your own focus for your stay—from historical insights to views of the city and the Weser.

Climate, Migration and the Relationship with the Sea

At the Klimahaus, a journey along the 8th meridian takes you through five continents and nine locations. This interactive learning and experience center explores climate, climate change and weather. The German Emigration Center offers a different way to discover people’s stories, with reconstructed settings and real family histories related to migration.

The German Maritime Museum focuses on the relationship between people and the sea. Discover the restored wreck of a cog dating from 1380 and the permanent exhibition “Ship Worlds.” The museum harbor is home to a deep-sea salvage tug, a lightship and a harbor tug. You can also explore the Wilhelm Bauer submarine from the inside; it is the last surviving Type XXI submarine.

Harbor Work and Fishing History

The Bremerhaven Historical Museum tells the story of Bremerhaven and the region across six sections of its permanent exhibition. Historical tools, documents and ship models illustrate work in the harbor and at a shipyard. The “Deep-Sea Fishing and Fish Industry” section explores the development of fishing trawlers, their fishing grounds and different methods of fish processing.

Fishing is also the focus of Fischbahnhof 360°. The 360° multimedia presentation traces its history from its beginnings in the late 19th century to today’s fishing and processing technology. At Schaufenster Fischereihafen, a year-round program of events adds to what’s on offer. It includes food and drink featuring fish and seafood, music events, markets and family activities. Individual events may vary.

Art, Harbor Views and Outdoor Experiences

Fischkai57 at Schaufenster Fischereihafen regularly hosts changing art exhibitions. The renovated industrial hall offers almost 1,000 square meters of space and displays works including paintings, photography, design and sculpture. If you’d like to see the harbor in operation, a guided tour of Schaufenster Fischereihafen offers an introduction to part of the historic fishing harbor, which is more than 100 years old.

The HafenBus offers a different perspective on the harbor, traveling through Bremerhaven’s overseas ports past container terminals, car terminals and large cargo ships. The ride gives you a glimpse of a harbor area that is normally not accessible. For a high-altitude view, take a ride on the High Swing at a height of 86 meters, where you can look out across Bremerhaven and the Weser. If you’d rather explore on foot, a stroll along the Weser embankment lets you experience the city’s maritime atmosphere.

At Zoo am Meer, a North Sea aquarium with nine tanks adds to the range of things to discover. The different options—from the aquarium and exhibitions to harbor views—give you a practical selection when planning your trip, so every stay doesn’t have to be the same.

Plan Your Trip and Choose What to See

From Bremerhaven Central Station, bus routes 502, 505, 506, 508 and 509 run to the Hochschule Bremerhaven/Stadttheater stop. From there, the museum harbor and the Wilhelm Bauer submarine are within walking distance. Bus routes may change, so check your connection before traveling.

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