Sheep graze on a vast green meadow while a cargo ship sails in the background on the water. View of a historical tower surrounded by trees and colorful flowers along the shore of a calm waterway.
Germany

Cuxhaven: A City Shaped by Water

Brick, Greenery, and History in Cuxhaven.
 Cuxhaven, Germany, July 2022

Cuxhaven sits right where the Elbe River meets the North Sea, and here, everything seems to revolve around water. In the harbor, fishing boats and massive cargo ships share space, cranes tower above, and ferries to Neuwerk and Helgoland fill with eager day-trippers. Just a few steps from the busy docks, a peaceful city park offers a break from the maritime hustle—though it’s hard to forget the sea when a historic schooner, the Hermine, stands right in the middle of the lawn.

Dunes, beaches, and the Wadden Sea surround the city. Large ships pass through the Elbe estuary toward the open sea, while small boats bob gently in a tiny harbor tucked behind the dike. Wadden hikers wade through the mudflats, seagulls squawk overhead, and somewhere, a Strandkorb—one of those iconic German beach chairs—is always in the way. Even in the heart of town, water leaves its mark—like at Schloss Ritzebüttel, a historic manor house that once served as the residence of Hamburg’s bailiffs and is still surrounded by a historic moat.

Cuxhaven and water? They belong together. Whether it’s in the harbor, on the beach, or falling straight from the sky.

Map of Cuxhaven
Cuxhaven harbor: A tugboat is docked, surrounded by other boats, a tall radio mast, and modern buildings.
Port in Cuxhaven: Several tugboats rest in the water, surrounded by harbor facilities and a clear sky.
Harbor in Cuxhaven: Several boats in the water, modern buildings at the pier, and a calm, slightly cloudy atmosphere.
Cuxhaven: Long walkway under a ceiling with peeling walls, view of a ship on the water.
A blue crane stands beside a cargo ship at the dock, with a light blue sky and soft clouds in the background.
Steubenhöft in Cuxhaven has been a departure point for transatlantic travel since the early 20th century. Once a gateway for emigrants heading to America, it now serves cruise ships and special vessels. The terminal’s historic charm meets modern maritime operations along the Elbe.
Harbor in Cuxhaven: A view of the water with an old bollard in the foreground and red warehouses in the background.
Cuxhaven harbor: Several boats on the water, modern buildings in the background, calm water surface, and overcast sky.
A leaning red buoy numbered 2 next to a brick building in Cuxhaven, showcasing maritime heritage and local architecture.
Cuxhaven: A modern building with a tall reception tower, surrounded by cyclists and pedestrians on a street.
Field with cyclists and colorful houses in the background in Cuxhaven.
Ritzebüttel Castle in Cuxhaven: The building is surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flower beds in the foreground.
Schloss Ritzebüttel has stood in Cuxhaven since the 14th century. Once the residence of Hamburg’s local governors, the brick-built manor is one of the oldest secular buildings in northern Germany. Today, it serves as a cultural venue and a reminder of the region’s long history under Hamburg’s rule.
Lighthouse in Cuxhaven: A red brick lighthouse stands in the foreground, surrounded by tall grasses and a harbor in the background.
A staircase leads down to a harbor with several boats, surrounded by grassy fields and open water.
Sheep graze on a vast green meadow while a cargo ship sails in the background on the water.
A familiar North Sea contrast—sheep grazing on the coastal dike while a cargo ship passes by Cuxhaven, where land and sea are always connected.
Lighthouse Dicke Berta in Cuxhaven: Two cyclists on a path alongside a white lighthouse, surrounded by green grass and trees.
The "Dicke Berta" lighthouse has stood at the mouth of the Elbe since 1897. Decommissioned in 1983, the small but sturdy tower guided ships into Cuxhaven for nearly a century. Today, it’s a local landmark and a popular stop for cyclists exploring the coast.
A weathered boat hull stands in the foreground, with a lighthouse visible in the background.
Gaff rigged ship "Hermine" in Cuxhaven: A historic vessel on land, surrounded by trees and green spaces.
The "Hermine," a 1904-built gaff schooner, stands as Germany's last fully wooden vessel of its kind. Once a coastal freighter named "Emma" and later "Wega," she now rests as a maritime monument in Cuxhaven's city park, reflecting a storied past of seafaring and trade.
View of a historical tower surrounded by trees and colorful flowers along the shore of a calm waterway.
Cuxhaven’s historic water tower has been part of the city skyline since 1897. Built in red brick with a distinctive green roof, it once supplied the growing port town with drinking water. Today, it stands as a well-preserved industrial monument, surrounded by greenery.
A row of yellow beach chairs sits on the sand in Cuxhaven, with the sea and grassy dunes in the background.
A walkway between two buildings leads to the beach, showcasing sand and water in the background.
Rows of yellow beach chairs are lined up on a sandy beach in Cuxhaven, with coastal water and a cloudy sky in the background.
Playground ship in Cuxhaven: A large wooden play ship featuring a figure, rope slides, and structures on a sandy area.
Beach house Döse in Cuxhaven: A modern, well-lit building with large windows, set amidst a green lawn.
The Strandhaus Döse in Cuxhaven is a prime example of mid-century seaside architecture. With its distinctive angled windows and functional design, the building has served beachgoers for decades. A reminder of Germany’s postwar coastal tourism boom, it still stands as a landmark on the North Sea.
Green meadow in Cuxhaven with sheep and a sailboat on the water in the background.