Rural Seaside Town: Top 10 Best Things To Do In Cuxhaven, Germany

things to do in cuxhaven germany
Irwan Shah
Irwan Shah 
Updated
| 4 min read

A sleepy seaside town? Nope not Cuxhaven. This small town that sits along Germany’s North Sea is a popular haunt for sea lovers who simply want to bask in the sun during the summer months. Located at the northernmost part of Lower Saxony, Cuxhaven’s importance in the local maritime industry is obvious based on its maritime museums and lighthouses. On top of that, they’ve got so many really cool things for you to see. To avoid a head-scratching situation, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best things to do just for you.

1. Alte Liebe

Cuxhaven alte liebe 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ra Boe used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Built in the year 1733, The Alte Liebe is a pier and breakwater that was formerly used by ships. Nowadays, it’s a nice and pleasant place for you to take a walk and enjoy the scenery of the sea. Stand on the Alte Liebe for an unending view of the sea in front of you. Enjoy the breeze while walking down the platform to have a closer look on the boats docked nearby. The Alte Liebe is definitely a place for you to enjoy if you like to stroll leisurely and explore.

Alte Liebe

Address: Bei der Alten Liebe 10, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany

Website: Alte Liebe (In German)

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2. Kugelbake

Kugelbake2010
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Unukorno used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Kugelbake is a landmark of Cuxhaven that appears on the town’s coat of arms. It is used to help seafarers navigate at sea. The same spot has been used as a guiding point for mariners for over 200 years. If you like to take a stroll, take in the sea breeze and look at passing ships, the Kugelbake is a place you have to go to. The Kugebalke was also the spot where amateur radio pioneer Jonathan Zenneck experimented with communicating via radio with ships at sea.

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3. Schloss Ritzebüttel

Schloss Ritzebüttel 2011 Nr. 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stefan Didam used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Schloss Ritzebüttel, or Castle Ritzebüttel, is one of the most important cultural gems in Cuxhaven. Built in the early 14th century, it was once used as administrative office. In the 1980s, the castle was dilapidated and it was only in 1996 that the whole place was completely renovated. You can take a stroll in the castle compounds and admire its exhibition rooms or simply have a nice afternoon lunch at the restaurant within.

Schloss Ritzebüttel

Address: Schlossgarten 8, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany

Website: Schloss Ritzebüttel (In German)

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4. Fort Kugelbake

Fort Kugelbake von vorne Scheinwerferstand
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Axel Hindemith used under CC BY 3.0

Just behind the Kugelbake sits the last fort on the North Sea, Fort Kugelbake. It was built in the late 19th century as a key strategic position to guard against invaders from the North Sea and from the mouth of the river Elbe. Nowadays though, you can have a walk around inside this compound and marvel at the different types of artillery weaponry inside. If you’re a military fan or simply an admirer of warfare technology, this is the place to be.

Fort Kugelbake

Address: 27476 Cuxhaven, Germany

Website: Fort Kugelbake (In German)

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5. Penguin Museum

Penguin museum in Cuxhaven
Source: Photo by Flickr user Dr. Hans-Günter W... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Penguins. Who doesn’t love them? If you’re a staunch admirer of penguins or you love cute animals in general, the Penguin Museum is a must for you to visit. Opened in March 2009, the Penguin Museum is the first of its kind in Germany. It houses over 3,000 different penguin collectibles and it has even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Have a look around this place and immerse yourself in all things penguin.

Penguin Museum

Address: Schillerstraße 64, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany

Website: Penguin Museum

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6. German U-Boat Museum

U-Boat Deutsches Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jorge Royan used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Come face to face with history as you delve into one of Germany’s most notorious periods. The U-Boat Museum holds historical accounts, information, photographs and personal notes of the people who were involved with the legendary German submarine, the U-Boat. There’s also a variety of U-boat exhibit collections that will provide you a window into the history of underwater operations in Germany.

German U-Boat Museum

Address: Lange Str. 1, 27478 Cuxhaven, Germany

Website: German U-Boat Museum

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7. Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

Am Strand von Sankt Peter-Ording im Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer 02
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Naturliebhaberin used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The area of the German Wadden Sea is one of the biggest national parks in Germany. Most of the national park is underwater while about 30% of it gets dry during low tide. You can walk on the mudflats and explore the unique coastal ecosystem. With a biodiversity unmatched elsewhere, the Wadden Sea has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.

Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

Website: Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park (In German)

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8. Aeronauticum

Aeronauticum in Nordholz 2008 104
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Aeronauticumsp used under CC BY 3.0

Another worthy mention in this list is the Aeronauticum. This official German maritime aircraft museum hosts many planes used by the German Navy. They’ve got Luftwaffe planes from the World War II era and many more. This place is a must for anyone who’s a fan of airplanes. Well, even if you’re not, the stunning array of aircrafts alone will keep you aghast.

Aeronauticum

Address: Peter-Strasser-Platz 3, 27637 Wurster Nordseeküste, Germany

Website: Aeronauticum (In German)

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9. Duhnen

Camping Tent Recreation
Source: Pixabay

If you’re looking for cute little cottages and camping sites by the beach, Duhnen will be an ideal place for you. Sure, Germany isn’t well known for its pristine beaches but this seaside resort gives you a most spectacular view of the North Sea. They’ve also got an annual horseracing event on the mudflats that attracts over 20,000 people each August. You can hang out by the village or simply walk along the coast.

Duhnen

Website: Duhnen

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10. Windstärke 10 Wrack und Fischereimuseum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A city famous for its maritime history is not complete without a maritime museum. The Windstärke 10 Wrack und Fischereimuseum is a museum that showcases models and excerpts of life at sea. Ever wondered about the laborious tasks that are undertaken on fish trawlers? You’ll find out about this and more in this museum. They’ve even got cool items recovered from wrecks in the Wadden Sea. You can explore the museum and interact with tools used by fishermen in the past and now.

Windstärke 10 Wrack und Fischereimuseum

Address: Dummy Full Address

Website: [ Windstärke 10 Wrack und Fischereimuseum}(http://www.windstaerke10.net/ausstellung.html)

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Waddle up to Cuxhaven

With so much to see and do, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the amazing seaside town of Cuxhaven. They’ve got really cool museums and awe-inspiring nature that is set to wow its visitors. So what are you waiting for? Time to get on your feet and buzz along to Germany’s beautiful town of Cuxhaven.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Irwan Shah weaves enchanting tales that capture global hearts. As a solo backpacker, he immerses himself in diverse destinations, learning about local cultures and street talk. Irwan's zeal for...Read more

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