The River Weser meets the North Sea at this Lower Saxony city, which is known for its large harbor and maritime history.
Bremerhaven, also known as “Bremen’s Harbor,” has been influenced by its location on the River Weser across from Nordenham. The city was founded in 1827 from a group of small island villages, emerging and growing to be one of largest container ports in Europe.
Learn about Bremerhaven’s important maritime history, which is illustrated at a majority of the city’s tourist attractions, such as the Overseas Harbor. At the German Maritime Museum, visitors can see a number of exhibitions, dedicated to prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods. Learn about modern shipping, submarines, military seafaring, fishing, whaling and maritime sports at the various other exhibitions. Head outside the museum, where you will see a remodeled harbor with a number of old ships, including a three-masted vessel, tugboat and U-boat.
The famous Sail Bremerhaven festival is held in the city. It celebrates Bremerhaven’s maritime history, attracting vessels and visitors from all over the world. When you have seen enough boats and submarines, head to the Zoo Am Meer Bremerhaven. You will see polar bears, penguins and seals among other arctic sea life at the zoo’s sizeable aquarium.
Find out about Germany’s emigration history through interactive displays at Deutsches Auswandererhaus, which is a 10-minute walk from downtown Bremerhaven. Learn about climate change along the eighth longitudinal degree at Klimahaus. Take a harbor tour in one of the barges with sliding glass roofs for better views.
Head to High Street for some retail therapy and food options. The pedestrian street is full of small shopping centers and name brand chain clothing stores. The many restaurants in the area primarily serve local seafood.
Bremerhaven can be easily reached from Bremen and Hamburg. Located in northwestern Germany, the city can be a point of departure for a number of small towns in the area.
