Cuxhaven Attractions - Top 10 of the Most Popular Attractions

In the port city on the North Sea, everything revolves around the water and the Wadden Sea. This is also evident in the sights of Cuxhaven, which range from museums and historical buildings to impressive natural spectacles.

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We have compiled the 10 most popular attractions in Cuxhaven for you to ensure your vacation on the northern German coast is a complete success.

The Old Love of Cuxhaven is a two-story wooden structure at the harbor, built in the 18th century as a wave breaker and ship landing stage. Some boats still depart from here today, especially excursion boats to Neuwerk, Helgoland, or the seal banks.

There are several theories about the origin of the name of the landing stage. One states that a sailing ship named Olivia was once docked here. The name sounded like the Low German word 'Oliv', which means old love. An alternative theory mentions three ships that sank here, one of which was named 'Die Liebe'.

At the Old Love stands a wind semaphore from the 19th century. At that time, these wind indicators played an important role in navigation, providing passing ships with information about the wind conditions at Helgoland and Borkum. Now, it serves only as a technical monument.

At the top of the Old Love, there is an observation deck with a fantastic view of the coast!

Address: Bei der Alten Liebe 10 27472 Cuxhaven

The Wadden Sea off the coast of Cuxhaven is a unique ecosystem that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. It is part of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. A hike through this extraordinary landscape should definitely be on everyone's to-do list during their Cuxhaven vacation.

Wadden seas always occur in coastal areas that are heavily influenced by tides. As the water level fluctuates significantly in these coastal areas, they become flooded at high tide and dry out at low tide. These temporarily dry areas are referred to as mudflats.

In the mudflat, you will find many unusual plant and animal species. The most common animals of the mudflat are often referred to as the 'Small Five', in reference to Africa's Big Five:

In 2013, a new museum emerged from the former Fisheries Museum and Wreck Museum in the harbor, dedicated entirely to the theme of the sea and its dangers and impacts on humanity with an exciting concept.

The Wind Strength 10 Museum is housed in the historic fish packing halls, which have been appropriately renovated to create the fitting atmosphere for the maritime exhibition. Half of the 4,000 m² exhibition space is used for the permanent exhibition, while the other half is for temporary exhibitions and events.

Many exhibits and interactive stations inform visitors about the dangers and challenges of shipping and fishing, such as the impact of high waves and strong winds. You can simulate being on a shipping vessel or embark on a staged dive to the sea floor to discover sunken ships.

Address: Ohlroggestraße 1 27472 Cuxhaven

Cuxhaven's landmark stands at a geographically significant point where the Elbe transitions into the North Sea. Navigation marks such as the Kugelbake were once of great importance for ensuring the busy shipping traffic.

A bake functions similarly to a lighthouse; it also helps passing ships with orientation. However, there are differences in construction and size. In addition, bakes do not have a light. Nevertheless, the Kugelbake has aided many ships in safely passing the Elbe estuary since its construction in the early 18th century.

Constructed of wood, the Kugelbake has lost its significance as a navigation mark over time, as modern ships are now equipped with electronic navigation. However, the Kugelbake retains its high cultural value. It has been depicted in the city's coat of arms since 1913 and is protected as a historical monument.

The historic lightship in the Old Harbor of Cuxhaven is actually named Bürgermeister O'Swald II. The name Elbe 1 refers to its location: the lightship is traditionally situated at the outermost sea position on the Elbe. Thus, a whole generation of lightships has carried the name Elbe 1.

O'Swald II was decommissioned in 1988 and has since been owned by the city. It has been made accessible to the public as a museum. During a visit, you can see areas such as the bridge, engine room, and crew accommodations.

Unlike many other museum ships, the O'Swald II is still fully seaworthy. The Cuxhaven Lightship Association frequently offers trips with the lightship during the summer months, accompanied by a volunteer crew.

The impressive structure from the 14th century was once the residence of Hamburg officials during the time when Cuxhaven was still part of Hamburg. The castle is one of the oldest non-religious buildings in North German brick Gothic architecture.

For several centuries, the estate held significant political importance due to its important residents. However, when Cuxhaven fell from Hamburg to Prussia in 1937, that importance was lost overnight. The castle subsequently fell into disrepair.

Renovation work on the castle could only be completed in 1996 due to lack of funds. Today, Schloss Ritzebüttel can again be admired in its full glory, alongside the beautiful castle park. Inside, there is now a museum that brings the castle's past to life through several exhibition rooms.

At the time of their construction in the early 20th century, the Hapag Halls were the main departure point for all emigrants wanting to leave Germany via Cuxhaven. Today, an exhibition here commemorates their fate.

In the second half of the 19th century, many Germans left the country for America in search of a better life. The Hapag shipping company operated the route from Hamburg to New York. Soon, however, their ships became too large for the Elbe, prompting the departure point to be relocated to Cuxhaven. Consequently, the Hapag Halls were established as a kind of train station for emigrants.

The history of the Hapag Halls is today presented in the permanent exhibition 'Departure to America'. Through numerous exhibits, you can gain insight into the many passengers of Hapag ships and their Atlantic journey. A computer terminal designed like a suitcase allows you to search for names of emigrated family members.

The Hapag Halls also feature an observation deck with a fantastic view of the Elbe mouth and the North Sea.

Address: Albert-Ballin-Platz 1 27472 Cuxhaven

Officially, the 3 km² North Sea island belongs to the city of Hamburg. However, since it is only 13 km from Cuxhaven, it can certainly be counted as one of its attractions. In fact, you can even walk via the mudflat to Neuwerk.

From the districts of Duhnen or Sahlenburg, Neuwerk can be reached in about 2.5 hours. The path has been marked for orientation with so-called 'Pricken', which are poles with branches attached at the top. The mudflat hike is logically only possible at low tide; at high tide, boats run from Cuxhaven to Neuwerk.

One of the highlights of Neuwerk is the historic lighthouse from the 14th century. Since the island already belonged to Hamburg at that time, the lighthouse is regarded as the oldest building in the Hansestadt. You should also visit the Cemetery of the Unknown, where bodies washed ashore were buried, as well as the National Park House with an exhibition about the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park.

In the Altenbruch district stands the 13 m high Dicke Berta, built in 1897 alongside two other lighthouses. During the summer months, the restored lighthouse, which is now a protected monument, can be visited.

Before the construction of Dicke Berta, the Elbe Estuary was considered dangerous navigational water, especially at night due to its many currents. The continuous growth of shipping made the construction of Dicke Berta and the other lighthouses necessary. It guided ships here until 1983, when it was replaced by a modern lighthouse with automated operation.

The Kurpark Döse is a small zoo specializing in birds and small animals. It also features numerous wild birds that prefer to nest in the large water pond.

In the 1930s, a small animal enclosure was first established in Döse as a new home for animals brought back by sailors from their sea outings. Today, the small zoo primarily contains seabirds, as well as a rabbit village and numerous squirrels. The highlight is the penguin enclosure with a daily public feeding.

Address: Strandstraße 80 27476 Cuxhaven

Ship landings, lighthouses, and the Wadden Sea; this roughly sums up the highlights of Cuxhaven. The attractions range from unique landscapes to culturally and historically interesting sites. Immerse yourself in the maritime charm of the city with a city trip to Cuxhaven.