Cuxhaven between tidal flats and maritime history

Cuxhaven is shaped by the changing landscapes of the Wadden Sea, coastal heathland and maritime history. You can explore the natural surroundings, discover historic buildings and museums, or combine both during your trip. Which of these appeals to you most may also influence your search for suitable accommodation.

Wadden Sea and coastal heathland

The coastal heathland around Cuxhaven meets the Wadden Sea between the districts of Duhnen and Berensch. Around 900 hectares of Cuxhaven’s coastal heathland have been designated a nature reserve since December 2004. Its ecosystem provides a habitat for more than 200 plant and animal species listed in the Red Lists of Lower Saxony or Germany. Here, the focus is on a distinctive landscape and its protected natural environment.

The Wadden Sea near Cuxhaven also combines a distinctive landscape with special conservation and natural heritage status: it is part of Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. At low tide, the mudflats provide a habitat for more than 10,000 animal and plant species. If you would like to experience this landscape beyond the shoreline, you can set out on a guided mudflat walk to the island of Neuwerk from the Cuxhaven districts of Sahlenburg or Duhnen.

In the wider Cuxhaven travel destination, Cuxwatt offers guided mudflat walks from Cuxhaven-Duhnen year-round for participants of all ages. The tours last between 1.5 and 4 hours. Check the latest dates before making plans: tides, weather and the operator’s schedule can affect how things run. If you are interested in nature, you can compare the duration of a specific tour with the rest of your travel plans.

Maritime landmarks and architectural history

The 29-metre-high wooden Kugelbake marks where the Elbe ends and the North Sea begins. It also marks the northernmost point of Lower Saxony and is a listed monument. Fort Kugelbake tells another chapter in maritime history: it was built in a prominent location in Cuxhaven between 1869 and 1879 at Prussia’s instigation. Its pentagonal structure features a rampart and a dry moat. The fort is considered the only surviving naval fortress in Germany.

The Alte Liebe also combines a historic function with a modern vantage point by the water. The two-storey viewing platform on the Elbe was built in 1733 as a landing stage and breakwater. Ships depart from here for Neuwerk, Heligoland and the seal banks. If you are planning a trip, check the latest departure times. The Kugelbake and the Alte Liebe offer different perspectives: one is a landmark at the boundary between the Elbe and the North Sea; the other, a platform with a maritime past and views of the Elbe.

Museums and culture in the destination

Ritzebüttel Castle is a late-medieval castle whose front was extended in the 18th century with an impressive Baroque porch. Following extensive restoration, it was opened to the public in 1996 as a civic castle. Today, it is a venue for cultural events, including concerts, readings and exhibitions; each programme has its own dates.

At the Joachim Ringelnatz Museum, you can learn about Ringelnatz’s life and work through a variety of exhibits: the collection includes paintings and drawings as well as volumes of poetry, prose works, photographs, documents and letters. At the Windstärke 10 Museum, by contrast, the tour takes visitors into the world of fishing and shipping. It lets visitors experience a fishing trip to Iceland, the cramped conditions aboard a fishing trawler, and the search for shipwrecks and their cargo. The museum has a permanent exhibition covering almost 2,000 square metres and a large room for temporary exhibitions. It is a five-minute walk from Cuxhaven railway station.

These differences can help guide your travel plans: would you mainly like to experience coastal landscapes and mudflats, or are you particularly interested in maritime history, art and exhibitions? Search for accommodation based on the experiences that matter most to you. That way, you can start with a clear idea of what you would like to discover in Cuxhaven rather than limiting yourself to a single idea of what your stay should be like.

Discover more destinations: Lüdingworth, Altenbruch, Duhnen, Döse, Berensch, Wehdel, Sandstedt, Land Wursten.

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