Cuxhaven Attractions: Tips from HENRI

Cuxhaven’s most iconic landmark. The wooden tower stands on a historic stone embankment in the middle of the Wadden Sea and has for centuries marked the point where the Elbe flows into the North Sea. The current structure dates from 1924, though its origins go back as far as 1703. It has been a listed building since 2002. You can stroll comfortably along the breakwater to the northernmost point of Lower Saxony, with sweeping views of the Elbe, the North Sea and the passing cargo ships. No visit to Cuxhaven is complete without this photo.

Cuxhaven’s most famous viewing platform and, at the same time, one of the town’s oldest harbour structures. Originally built in 1733 by sinking three decommissioned ships to act as a breakwater, the Alte Liebe is now a wooden platform from which you can experience freighters, ferries and cruise ships up close on the Elbe’s international shipping route. Whether you’re taking photos or simply losing track of time: here, locals and visitors alike gaze out over the water.

The oldest lighthouse on the German North Sea coast: built between 1802 and 1804 on behalf of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and in operation until 2001. The Hamburg Lighthouse stands right on the Alte Liebe and remains one of the city’s most photographed landmarks to this day. Above the entrance, a Latin inscription dating from 1803 commemorates its builders. A particular highlight: since the end of 2023, the historic tower has been privately restored and can even be booked as a unique holiday flat.

Fishing boats, cargo ships, ferries: there’s always something going on in the harbour at Cuxhaven. Between the fishing harbour and Amerikahafen, the air smells of salt and diesel, of nets and fresh catch. If you’re out and about early, you’ll see the fishing boats docking with their catch; if you arrive later, you’ll find fish sandwiches, seagulls and a view of the large ships that make their way out to the North Sea or back to the Elbe every day. It’s a place that shows why Cuxhaven has always been a port city.

Brick, harbour air, history you can touch. At the Amerikahafen, right on Albert-Ballin-Platz, the Hapag Halls serve as a reminder of how Cuxhaven became the gateway to the New World between 1900 and 1902: hundreds of thousands of emigrants set sail for America from here. In 1900 alone, the figure stood at around 65,000 people. Today, a permanent exhibition traces the eventful history of emigration, and the halls continue to serve as a passenger terminal for cruise ships and ferries. A living piece of world history right in the heart of Cuxhaven.

Right in the heart of the city stands the 48-metre-high Cuxhaven water tower, built in 1897. For many years, it ensured the city’s supply of drinking water and provided water for the ships in the harbour. Out of service since 2004, the brick-red tower is now enjoying a new lease of life: with a cosy café on the ground floor and holiday flats on the upper floors. It’s well worth a visit for anyone who, between days at the beach, would like to catch a glimpse of the ‘other’ side of Cuxhaven.

Not actually in Cuxhaven, but well worth a visit: around 25 kilometres to the south, in Dorum-Neufeld on the Wuster North Sea coast, the ‘Black Giant’ watches over the Wadden Sea. The 37-metre-high steel lattice tower was originally built on the Outer Weser in 1886/87 and was only moved to its current location in 2003. Inside, you’ll find an exhibition on the lives of lighthouse keepers in the 19th century, whilst the viewing platform offers sweeping views across the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The Wadden Sea stretching to the horizon and the North Sea, which changes its appearance twice a day. The beach at Duhnen is the best known and widest, whilst the one at Döse is a little quieter and more family-friendly – and if you fancy it, you can walk or cycle straight along the dyke from one to the other. This is where you’ll spend the best hours of your holiday, whether relaxing in a beach chair or exploring the mudflats.

Take the ferry from Cuxhaven to Heligoland, out onto the open sea. Passing colonies of seals, breathing in the fresh sea air. The Lange Anna, the northern gannet colony and the circular walk around the island make this day trip one of the highlights of any holiday in Cuxhaven.