Bremerhaven? For many, the name brings to mind gray cranes, rough seas, and the smell of fish. But anyone who travels to the largest city on the German North Sea coast today will discover a place full of surprising contrasts.
Bremerhaven is situated at the mouth of the Weser River, which flows directly into the North Sea. The city is part of the federal state of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. The seaside city has transformed itself from a purely industrial metropolis into a fascinating travel destination that attracts visitors with world-class museums, culinary miles, and a fresh sea breeze. A holiday in Bremerhaven offers harbor flair with a relaxing vibe.
Historically, the city emerged from an old Swedish fortress town that was never completed. In 1827, the city of Bremen purchased the land, located a good 50 kilometers away. They needed a place to build a new port. The harbor quickly developed into a major emigration port. An increasing amount of freight traffic was also handled through the port facilities.
A holiday in Bremerhaven offers more than just the opportunity to visit large port complexes. The Havenwelten (Harbor Worlds), a modernly designed quarter right at the mouth of the Weser, should not be missed. Where there once were harbor basins, two of Germany’s most impressive adventure museums now stand. At the Klimahaus Bremerhaven 8° Ost, you embark on an unforgettable journey around the world along the eighth degree of longitude. Directly opposite, at the German Emigration Center (Deutsches Auswandererhaus), you can delve into the moving fates of over seven million people who departed from this port for the New World.
But to know the true character of Bremerhaven, you have to taste and smell it. For that, there’s no better place than the Schaufenster Fischereihafen (Shop Window to the Fishing Harbor). In the former fish packing hall IV, where tons of sea fish were once handled, you’ll now find a line-up of first-class fish restaurants, rustic harbor pubs, and small smokehouses. The city’s maritime soul can also be felt during a harbor tour past gigantic container ships, car terminals, and the docks of the Lloyd Werft shipyard. Or you can stroll along the dike, let your gaze wander over the vastness of the Weser to the North Sea, and take a deep breath of the clear, salty air that clears your head during a holiday in Bremerhaven.
Holiday in Bremerhaven – what can you discover?
When I go to Bremerhaven, I am going to see ships and cranes… my expectations were a little bit like that before we got into the car and drove to the city at the mouth of the river Weser.
The Climate House Bremerhaven is a stunning building. A giant dome next to the new port of Bremerhaven that is particularly noticeable when illuminated in the evening.
It is 10 in the morning and the German Emigration Centre in Bremerhaven opens its doors. We get our tickets with microchips in them and an in-depth explanation of what to expect from this truly unique museum. I am so curious what I am going to experience.
Great tours to book
Accommodation
Ferienwohnung Havenwelten
Im-Jaich Boardinghouse Bremerhaven
Im-Jaich Hotel Bremerhaven
Best Western Plus Hotel Bremerhaven
ATLANTIC Hotel Sail City
Nordsee Hotel Fischereihafen
Bremerhaven travel information
Arrival
By plane
About 65 kilometers from Bremerhaven is the airport Bremen. It can be easily reached via the A 27 freeway and by train (main station and then streetcar no. 6).
By train
The main station of Bremerhaven is quite centrally located. This and also the stations Bremerhaven-Lehe Personenbahnhof and Bremerhaven-Wulsdorf are not served by ICE connections. The city is connected with the surrounding area via IC connections, the regional express and the regional train. The nearest ICE station is in Bremen.
By bus
The central bus station is located directly at Bremerhaven’s main train station. Long-distance buses and buses to the surrounding area leave from there.
By car
The A27 and several federal highways lead to Bremerhaven.
By ship
There are ferries to Nordenham. In summer you can take a ship from Bremerhaven to Helgoland. All year round there are regular ships to Bremen.
If you travel to Bremerhaven with your own ship, you will find six marinas where pleasure boats are allowed to dock.
Cruise ships stop regularly in Bremerhaven’s overseas port and you can also go on cargo boat trips from there.
By bike
The Weser Cycle Route and the North Sea Cycle Route pass through the city area.
On foot
Hikers pass through the city on the European Long Distance Trail E9.
On the way in...
By train
From March to October, a museum train runs every 14 days from Bremerhaven to Bad Bederkesa.
By bus
There are numerous public transport buses in the city area.
By bike
Within the city area, blue bicycle signs lead to various points of interest.
On foot
The inner city area with the Old Port can be explored very well on foot.