Emden can be planned with a range of interests in mind: protected landscapes and migratory bird areas, boat trips, or museums covering art and local history. This lets you choose which aspects of the city you want to focus on during your stay.
Protected landscapes and migratory bird areas
A total of 490 hectares of the “Ostfriesische Meere” protected landscape lie within Emden’s city limits; the area is part of the Natura 2000 network. Another natural area can be explored along the approximately two-kilometre hiking and cycling trail through the “Schlafdeich Constantia” protected landscape. It runs along the Larrelter Tief and the former Constantia shelter dyke; wetlands, ponds and small bodies of water characterise the route.
The “Krummhörn” protected landscape extends from Emden to Greetsiel. It is of great importance as a stopover and wintering area for northern geese, ducks and waders. Those wishing to include natural areas in their trip will find a different perspective here than among the city’s museums and waterways; the migratory bird areas mentioned are particularly relevant for stopovers and wintering.
Waterways: from your own boat to a harbour cruise
Around 20 kilometres of waterways within the city limits can be navigated by rowing boat. Day trips in all four directions start from the Emden Rowing Club boathouse. You can also explore Emden’s canals by canoe or pedal boat. The boat and canoe rental by the water tower hires out canoes, kayaks and pedal boats by the hour or by the day—offering a choice between time on the water at your own pace and a longer tour.
The “Atlantis” harbour cruise lasts a good two and a half hours and travels through Emden’s inner harbour and, depending on the route, through either the Nesserlander Lock or the Great Sea Lock. This makes it easy to fit a cruise with a clearly defined duration into your plans. Ships operated by AG Ems depart daily from Emden’s outer harbour for Borkum; check the current timetable before your trip. The “Dollard” passenger ship also travels from Emden to Ditzum or Delfzijl.
Museums, maritime history and art
The Bunker Museum is a regional museum covering the period from 1933 to 1948 in Emden and East Frisia, housed in an authentic Second World War bunker. Group tours are available by arrangement. Two museum ships are moored at the Ratsdelft: the logger “AE 7-Stadt Emden” has been a museum ship there since spring 1995, and the “Amrumbank Deutsche Bucht” museum lightship since 2 August 1984. The latter is now a maritime history museum and houses the oldest intact lightship engine installation.
The Kesselschleuse also brings together engineering and history: it is the only hydraulic engineering structure of its kind in Europe that is protected as a historic monument and still operates daily. The Protestant Reformed New Church in Emden was built from 1643 to 1648 as the first Reformed preaching church in northern Germany; its acoustics make it a popular venue for concerts.
For art, the Kunsthalle Emden and the East Frisian State Museum offer different points of interest. The Kunsthalle hosts changing exhibitions of 20th- and 21st-century art across around 1,700 square metres. The State Museum presents an art and cultural history collection unique in north-west Germany. Directly beneath its tower carillon is an observation platform 38 metres above the ground, offering views across the city and surrounding countryside. The Vrouw-Johanna Mill, built in 1804 and in operation until 1956, is also home to the Emden Art Society in the miller’s house; regular changing special exhibitions are held there.
Plan your cultural outings and stay
The International Film Festival Emden-Norderney takes place every June; check the current programme and dates before your trip. The annual Emden Matjes Days are a recurring culinary tradition. Plan your trip around your interests, then look for hotels in Emden.
Discover more destinations: Emden, Logumer Vorwerk, Twixlum, Wybelsum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Petkum, JarĂźum, Wesermarsch.
Back to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.
