Cuxhaven

Until 1937, Cuxhaven was part of Hamburg; in a reorganization two towns near Hamburg that were part of Prussia were given to Hamburg in exchange for Cuxhaven. With 48,000 residents (2020), Cuxhaven isn't a very large city.

Tourism is one of the traditional industries in Cuxhaven. The other two are fishing and shipping. The city is trying to expand the harbour and has invested a lot of money in the modernization and expansion of the port facility. Still, the economic situation isn't too good and tourism remains the major industry of the city. Many people have left Cuxhaven in recent decades, and many of those who remain are retired, contributing to the quiet small-town ambiance.

Cuxhaven was not always so quiet, though: about 500 rockets were launched near Cuxhaven between 1945 and 1964. The best known rocket launches which took place in the area of Cuxhaven were three launches of V2 rockets in Operation Backfire, in order to demonstrate Allied forces the technology of the "wonder weapon" V2 in October 1945. That said, the only remnant of this history of rocketry at Cuxhaven is a trough near the road from Arensch to Sahlenburg.

Most people come to Cuxhaven either via train or car. Some ferry services exist, but they are negligible, overall.

There are limited choices when it comes to moving around Cuxhaven. You can walk, bring your own car, take a taxi, or use one of the bus lines. Thankfully, many of the harbor related sights are within easy walking range of the train station.

• 🌍 Alte Liebe (Old Love). A former quai turned viewing platform at the entrance to the Cuxhaven harbour. Good view of passing ships. Loudspeakers announce their names and origin. 
• 🌍 Schloss Ritzebüttel. Small castle-like building near the Nordersteinstraße shopping area. 
• 🌍 Fishing Harbor. There's an old harbor and a new harbor 
• 🌍 Kugelbake. marks the geographic point where the Elbe river ends. Originally intended as a navigation aid, it is one of the more notable constructions in the region. It was incorporated in the Cuxhaven coat of arms when the city was incorporated and remains one of its primary landmarks. 
• 🌍 Water Tower. 
• 🌍 Semaphor (next to the Alte Liebe). A construction from the year 1884 that is used to communicate wind speed and direction to passing ships. It is still set every day. 
• 🌍 Wrackmuseum (Shipwreck Museum), Dorfstraße 80, Stickenbüttel, ☏ +49 4721 23341, fax: +49 4721 690876, windstaerke10@cuxhaven.de. Open late March to early November, M closed, Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su holiday 10:00-17:00. Only museum in Europe that has shipwrecks as its topic. Adult €3, teenager €2. 
• 🌍 Elbe 1. A retired lighthouse-ship. 
• Relics of the launch pad of operation Backfire, the last launch of V2-rockets in Germany in form of a trough near the way from Arensch to Sahlenburg and some shelter remnants.
• 🌍 Aeronauticum: maritime aircraft museum, Peter-Strasser-Platz 3, Nordholz, ☏ +49 4741 18190, info@aeronauticum.de. Mar 15-Nov 15: daily 10:30-17:30; Nov 16- Mar 14: 10:30-15:30; Dec 22-Jan 1: closed. The museum is located near the Nordholz Naval Airbase. It comprises of indoor and outdoor expositions and has a large collection of aircraft that has been used by the German Navy. The museum with its Cafe and a nice playground can easily be reached from motorway A27 between Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven and is well worth a visit for travelers with technical interests, as well as families with children. The webpage is in German only. Adult €9.50, child €4.50. 

• Wadden Sea is the area of the sea where the water recedes during low tide. It's one of the main reasons why people visit Cuxhaven. You can take walks, look at crabs, build castles from the sand and the mud, and so on. Be warned that the rising water can be tricky! See the "stay safe" section.
• As a non-resident you have to pay "Kurtaxe" (touristic fee) for entering the beach. If you have already been charged for "Kurtaxe" in your accommodation just show your receipt. If you like pay-free beaches you have to travel a few miles to the north and try the coastline of Schleswig-Holstein.
• 🌍 Stadttheater Cuxhaven, ☏ +49 4721 35656. 

The Nordersteinstraße is the primary shopping area of Cuxhaven. It is geared towards the general population and not really too touristy. Prices are rather normal as a result; the downside is that you cannot expect a store to accept credit cards. "EC" bank cards are usually accepted, however.

Cuxhaven is a traditional fishing town, so do not leave out some fresh fish or crabs while you are there.

When enjoying a walk in the Wadden Sea in front of the coast, you must take some simple precautions as the rising waters can be dangerous. If you are far from the beach and the tide surprises you, your life will be in danger.

Always remain within sight of the land, and do not walk out too far. Take care of fog and mist. Enter the area only after high and prior to low tide, and return shortly after low tide, i.e. as soon as the water starts to return and the high tide sets in. Keep a watch with accurate time, and memorize the times of low and high tide. The water does not rise in all places at the same speed. Some areas are lower, and Priele (creek-like arms or canals of water) can well flood very early, cutting you off from land.

You should ask for advice and rules on-location; there are several lifeguard stations and most tourist information places will be able to provide you with basic information as well. Ask for a tidal calendar (German: Tidenkalender).

• Take a horse carriage to Neuwerk.
• Continuing your vacation with a maritime theme, a day trip to Bremerhaven to take a look at the Schiffahrtsmuseum (Museum of sea travel) maybe be worth your time.
• For a few days in a quite different environment, take a ferry to Helgoland.