exploring Bremen & its surrounding areas
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Bremerhaven - Havenwelten
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The "Seute Deern" with her figurehead in better days, circa 2009
Unfortunately, this regionally famous landmark of Bremerhaven faced a massive problem. The protected ship, which was the world’s largest original wooden cargo sailing vessel still in existence, had deteriorated so severely that 150,000 liters of water entered its hull daily, water that had to be pumped out for years. After initially considering a comprehensive restoration costing €32 million, disaster struck on February 16, 2019, when a fire broke out inside the ship, causing such extensive damage that the restaurant operation was permanently closed. On August 30, the pumps failed, and the hull sank into the muddy harbor bed. After the German Maritime Museum (DSM) commissioned two expert reports, both reaching the same conclusion, the dismantling of the ship, which had since been salvaged, was announced on October 23, later revoked, but ultimately decided upon. By 2020, it was done.
No longer on diving missions: Submarine "Wilhelm Bauer"
In addition to other ships, either propped up on land or in the water, such as the brightly red lightship Elbe 3, the former salvage tugboat Seefalke (1924), or the whaling steamer Rau IX (1939), a submarine also lies in this small harbor. It is the only remaining example of Type XXI. Built in 1943/44, this type was groundbreaking in terms of its technical innovations. For the first time, shipbuilders had succeeded in constructing a submarine that could travel faster underwater than on the surface and, thanks to a snorkel, theoretically allowed the crew to remain submerged for weeks. However, anyone who has experienced the claustrophobic tightness of the interior must regard this as more of a theory. And visitors can indeed experience this cramped space, as the submarine is now a museum, the U-Boot "Wilhelm Bauer" Technical Museum.
A seagull waits for a scrap of bread on one of the many benches by the harbor
Adjacent to the museum harbor lies the German Maritime Museum, which first opened its doors in 1975. It showcases maritime history from prehistoric times to the present day. Both civilian and military shipping are represented. Over 500 ship models of various sizes, original ship parts, cabins, interiors, photographic material, and countless other items from all branches of shipping illustrate life and work on and with the wet element. In some cases, entire ship segments, such as the promenade deck of an ocean liner or the midship section of the side-wheel steamer Meißen (built in 1881), are not only on display but can also be boarded.
Since the inauguration of the extension building in May 2000, the museum has featured a particularly interesting exhibit from Bremerhaven’s maritime history: the Hanseatic cog, discovered during dredging operations in the Weser River in 1962 and dating back to 1360. After decades of conservation treatment, this ship now has its exhibition space in the new building. Also on display is the skeleton of a sperm whale.
View over the New Harbor, with the Simon-Loschen Lighthouse visible on the right
On the other side of the Havenwelten complex lies the New Harbor. This harbor is primarily used by recreational sailors who are guided directly into the harbor basin from the Weser via the new lock built in 2005. Here stands the charming Simon-Loschen Lighthouse. Built in the neo-Gothic style in 1853, this red brick structure, named after its architect, Simon Losch, is the oldest lighthouse on the mainland along the North Sea coast and is still operational.
Simon-Loschen Lighthouse at the lock between New Harbor and Outer Weser
In front of the Klimahaus® at the end of the elongated New Harbor, where many new modern office and residential buildings have been constructed, the tourism center is located. In the small marina in front of the center’s door, numerous traditional ships are moored. From here, visitors can also see the nearby German Emigration Center.
The "Schulschiff Deutschland" at its berth since 2021 in the New Harbor
Just a few meters away, since early October 2021, a new attraction has been floating in the harbor water: the three-masted "Schulschiff Deutschland". The association responsible for maintaining this 86-meter-long tall ship, built in 1927 at the Tecklenborg shipyard in Geestemünde, found its former berth at the mouth of the Lesum River in Vegesack, Bremen-Nord, to be unprofitable. After all, funds for maintenance must first be earned. That is why the ship eventually relocated to Bremerhaven.
A young polar bear born at Zoo am Meer
The Havenwelten in Bremerhaven and its surroundings are rounded off by Zoo am Meer. Located directly on the dike along the Outer Weser, this zoo is particularly popular with children in Bremerhaven.
The Bremerhaven Lower Lighthouse and the Windsemphor, a signal mast, at Willy-Brandt-Platz between the zoo and the Weser
At the other end of the New Harbor lies Kaiserhafen 1, an area largely inaccessible to visitors. Goods are transshipped, ships built, and repaired in Kaiserhäfen 1-3. The second Kaiser Lock, which connected the harbors with the Outer Weser after five years of construction in August 1897, was the world’s largest lock at the time, with a chamber length of 200 meters and a width of 28 meters. Since 2011, a newly built larger lock has been operational.
View through a window of the cruise terminal onto the container quay
Between the harbors and the open water lies Columbuskaje, formerly the site of farewells for emigrants and now the cruise terminal. From here, visitors can see the unloading bridges along the long container quay, a restricted area for tourists.
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Map
Further information
Hotel with Observation Deck SAIL City
Am Strom 1
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 309900
Email: sailcity@
atlantic-hotels.de
www.atlantic-hotels.de/hotel-sail-city-Bremerhaven/
Klimahaus® Bremerhaven 8° Ost
Am Längengrad 8
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 90 20 30 0
Open: April – August: Monday – Friday 9 AM – 7 PM, Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 7 PM, Holidays 10 AM – 7 PM. September – March: Monday – Friday 9 AM – 6 PM, Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM, Holidays 10 AM – 6 PM
Closed:
December 24th, 25th, and 31st.
Email: info@klimahaus-bremerhaven.de
www.klimahaus-bremerhaven.de
Mein Outet & Shopping-Center Bremerhaven
Am Längengrad 12
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 92 69 07 90
Shopping hours: Monday – Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM, extended shopping Sundays
Email: moin@mein-outlet-bremerhaven.de
www.mein-outlet-shopping.de
Technikmuseum U-Boot "Wilhelm Bauer"
Van-Ronzelen-Str.
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 4192443
Open: April – May daily 10 AM – 6 PM, May – September daily 10 AM – 7 PM, September – November daily 10 AM – 6 PM
www.u-boot-wilhelm-bauer.de
Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum
Hans-Scharoun-Platz 1
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 48207-0
Open: April – November daily 10 AM – 6 PM, November – March Tuesday – Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM. Closed December 24th and 31st
Email: info@dsm.museum
www.dsm.museum
Deutsches Auswandererhaus® (German Emigration Center)
Columbusstraße 65
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 90220-0
Open: March – October daily 10 AM – 6 PM, November – February daily 10 AM – 5 PM
Email: info@dah-bremerhaven.de
dah-bremerhaven.de
Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven GmbH
H.-H.-Meier-Straße 7
27568 Bremerhaven
Phone: +49 (0)471 308 41-0
Open: April – September 9 AM – 7 PM, March & October 9 AM – 6 PM, November – February 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Email: info@zoo-am-meer-bremerhaven.de
www.zoo-am-meer-bremerhaven.de
Bremerhaven - Zoo am Meer (Zoo by the Sea)
In addition to the 19th-century harbor facilities, the Zoo am Meer is the oldest attraction on the site between the Weser River and the pedestrian zone. It opened in 1928 under the name "Tiergrotten." The enclosures house polar bears, seals, penguins, various bird species such as gannets and keas, reptiles like turtles, raccoons, Arctic foxes, pumas, monkeys, and others - almost 50 animal species in total.
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Bremerhaven - Schaufenster Fischereihafen (Fishery Harbor Showcase)
Away from the Havenwelten and older than both the Emigration Center and Klimahaus is the "Fishery Harbor Showcase." In fact, the Fishery Harbor was originally Geestemünde's deep-sea fishing harbor, built between 1891 and 1896. After a period of decline and decay - including partial demolitions - the idea emerged to transform the area into a maritime experience world. In 1990, efforts began to restore Fish Packing Hall IV, the oldest surviving hall, which had been slated for demolition just shortly before.
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Klimahaus® Bremerhaven 8° Ost
In this futuristic building, visitors embark on a journey along the 8th meridian east, traveling around the globe through all climate zones. Across multiple levels, there is plenty to read, see, hear, and experience sensorially and tactilely about climate and its impact on local nature and human life. Visitors are not limited to being passive observers but are invited to actively engage with numerous exhibits.
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Bremerhaven - Überseehafen (Overseas Port)
In addition to the Old Harbor (now the Museum Harbor), which was the first to be built, other ports were later added. Adjacent to the New Harbor lies Kaiserhafen I, the first in a series of additional harbor basins. Even a glance into this initial section of the expansive port area reveals a different world of maritime activity - one of large ships. And we will see even larger ones along the five-kilometer-long quay on the Weser.
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SAiL Bremerhaven
When SAiL Bremerhaven takes place, the port city becomes an even more international stage than it already is, both in terms of participants and visitors, who exceed ten million over the five days of the event. Unlike the usual focus on cargo ships at the container terminal and cruise ships at the cruise terminal, this time - true to its name - the spotlight shifts primarily to sailing ships. In total, 250 vessels were attracted or involved in the SAiL, which returned for the first time in ten years in 2025.
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DGzRS - The Maritime Rescuers
Anyone in distress at sea today has far better chances of receiving help, even out on the open water, thanks to modern technology and professionals who take care of it. Along Germany’s North and Baltic Sea coasts, these are primarily the approximately 1,000 full-time and volunteer men and women of the DGzRS (German Maritime Search and Rescue Service), also known as "The Maritime Rescuers." In 2020 alone, they conducted 1,720 operations and rescued 357 people. Since its founding, the organization has helped 86,000 individuals.
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Neu-Helgoland (New Heligoland) / Hamme Harbor Worpswede
From April to October, the Hamme Harbor in Worpswede attracts many day visitors, weekend trippers, cyclists, and campers. The campsite operators run not only a bistro & beer garden with waterside seating but also rent out kayaks and canoes. Those who don’t want to paddle on the Hamme themselves can instead book an excursion trip aboard one of the Adolphsdorf Peat Boats. Food and drinks are also available just a few meters from the harbor at "Hamme Hütte Neu Helgoland." Tip: A great bike trip destination from Bremen!
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Cuxhaven - a day trip
Many people from Bremen consider the seaside resorts of Cuxhaven to be "their home beach." The coastal city at the mouth of the Elbe is easily accessible from Bremen by car via the A27, which passes by Bremen and Bremerhaven before ending in Cuxhaven. By train, the journey takes a bit longer with a transfer in Bremerhaven. However, even in the off-season, Cuxhaven with its seaside resorts is a great destination for an outing - for example, by bicycle.
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