The Kugelbake marks where the Elbe ends and the North Sea begins: this 29-metre-high wooden navigational beacon makes the transition easy to see. Cuxhaven offers a variety of ways to explore nature and history. The Wadden Sea and coastal heathland feature in exhibitions and nature tours, while maritime history, moorland and the underwater world offer further themes. The discoveries that interest you most can shape the focus of your stay.
Wadden Sea, coastal heathland and salt marshes
The UNESCO Wadden Sea World Heritage Visitor Centre in Cuxhaven presents information about the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and Cuxhaven’s coastal heathland in an exhibition spread across three floors. The centre’s natural history tours complement this introduction, offering the chance to experience mudflats, salt marsh, a geest cliff and coastal heathland. The exhibition and tours each have a different focus: one centres on the World Heritage Site and coastal heathland, while the other takes in the landscapes listed above.
Cuxwatt also offers guided mudflat walks from Cuxhaven-Duhnen throughout the year for participants of all ages. Depending on the tour, they last from 1.5 to 4 hours. This makes it possible to fit a walk into your day with different time commitments. Dates may change depending on the tides, weather and the provider’s schedule, so check the current offer before your visit.
If you prefer to plan a route by distance, the five-kilometre circular walking trail at Spieka-Neufeld passes through the salt marshes north of the fishing harbour. Its circular route and stated distance provide a different guide from the duration of a guided mudflat walk, without specifying a walking time.
Maritime history and views of the Elbe
The two-storey Alte Liebe viewing platform offers views of the Elbe. The Hapag Halls offer a different perspective on Cuxhaven’s history: the historic emigration complex is now an event venue and welcomes visitors for guided tours and visits. These offer distinct experiences: a view of the river and a visit to a place with a maritime past.
Bederkesa Castle houses the archaeological museum of the district of Cuxhaven. It offers a distinct focus alongside the emigration history of the Hapag Halls: here the subject is archaeology, while the Hapag Halls are shaped by their history as an emigration complex. The two attractions offer culture enthusiasts different themes to explore.
A unique discovery awaits in Spieka-Neufeld: visitors can see a one-of-a-kind shrimp-peeling machine at Alwin & Siegfried Kocken Krabbenhandels-GmbH. The visit focuses on a specific machine, adding an insight into shrimp processing to the area’s landscape and history.
Moorland, trails and the underwater world
You can explore the Ahlenmoor in different ways: by moor railway, by bicycle or on foot, either independently or on a guided tour. This gives you a choice of transport and of exploring on your own or with a guide.
The Kreidesee in Hemmoor reaches depths of up to 60 metres and is a destination for divers. On a dive or an exploration trip in the “Eurosub” submarine, you can discover remnants of the chalk-mining operation and artefacts, including caravans, cars and an aeroplane. Its depth, appeal to divers and underwater objects give the lake a different character from the coastal trails and landscapes.
In Bad Bederkesa, the Moor-Therme offers peat baths, peat packs and various therapies for spa and holiday guests. There is also a well-signposted network of cycling and walking trails around Bad Bederkesa. This part of the destination combines treatment options with opportunities to explore the surrounding area by bike or on foot.
Discover more destinations: Steinau, Otterndorf, Hemmoor, Cuxhaven, Oberndorf, Sahlenburg, Wanna, Wingst, Wremen, Osten, Beverstedt, Nordholz, Langen, Midlum, Loxstedt, Wehdel, Neuhaus, Nordleda, Odisheim, Mulsum, Bad Bederkesa, Am Dobrock, Land Wursten, Börde Lamstedt, Schiffdorf, Ringstedt, Hagen Im Bremischen, Flögeln, Mittelstenahe, Geestland, Osterbruch, Sandstedt, Hechthausen, Wurster Nordseeküste.
View the higher-level travel overview: Lower Saxony.
