Discover Best of Bremerhaven: Maritime and Cultural Adventures in the Biggest Tourism Complex in North Germany
Visit Bremerhaven, a captivating harbour city west of Hamburg on Germany’s North Sea Coast, which offers a unique blend of maritime heritage, cultural attractions, and delicious seafood cuisine. With its rich history as a fishing and emigration port, Bremerhaven has evolved into a bustling hub of museums, research institutes, conference and entertainment venues.
Whether you’re exploring the German Maritime Museum, embarking on a journey through different climates at Klimahaus, or savoring fresh seafood at the local restaurants, Bremerhaven promises an unforgettable experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you on a virtual tour of the top things to do and see in Bremerhaven, providing valuable insights and recommendations for your visit.
Bremerhaven’s Havenwelten, meaning Harbour Worlds, is a must-visit destination for culture enthusiasts and maritime enthusiasts alike. This tourism complex in Bremerhaven brings together a range of attractions. With its modern architecture, waterfront promenades, and vibrant atmosphere, Havenwelten in Bremerhaven has become the largest tourism complex in Northern Germany, offering something for everyone. Havenwelten is a wonderful combination of education, entertainment, and breathtaking views.
So head to the Havenwelten (Harbour Worlds) area on the 212 road, which is a maritime-styled quarter in Bremerhaven where everything is within walking distance. Bremerhaven’s Havenwelten Includes the Klimahaus (Climate House Bremerhaven 8° East) the Atlantic Hotel Sail City, the shopping mall Mein, the Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum (German Shipping Museum), the Bremerhaven Zoo(Zoo am Meer) and other maritime-themed places and the Atlantic Hotel and Conference Centre.
Let’s dive into the wonders of Havenwelten Bremerhaven!
1. Visit Bremerhaven Klimahaus: A Multisensory Journey
Looking for somewhere in Germany to take a school trip or your children? Then try the Klimahaus Bremerhaven because it is an extraordinary cultural adventure for all ages that combines education and entertainment in a really innovative way. Experience the wonders of climate and culture at Klimahaus Bremerhaven. Opened in 2009, this unique attraction takes visitors on an immersive trip along the 8th meridian east, from the temperate German North Sea Coast to the rainforests of Cameroon and the icy landscapes of Antarctica.
Each zone within Klimahaus offers a multisensory experience, with changing temperatures, sounds, smells, and scenery. Discover how climate change has impacted different regions and gain a deeper understanding of our planet’s ecosystem with innovative features. Feel for yourself the differences in temperature and humidity at each travel station and gain insights into the different climates of planet Earth.
Klimahaus Bremerhaven – What are the areas of the world covered? See the list below
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 1 is Switzerland
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 2 is Sardinia
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 3 is Niger
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 4 is Cameroon
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 5 is Antarctica
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 6 is Samoa
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 7 is Alaska
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 8 is Holm Langrness (Halligen Islands, North Sea)
Klimahaus Bremerhaven Travel Station 9 is Bremerhaven
2. Visit Bremerhaven German Emigration Centre: Tracing European Ancestral Roots
Across the road from the Klimahaus, step into the shoes of millions of European emigrants who embarked on a journey to the New World at the German Emigration Centre. This museum, the only one of its kind in Germany, provides a captivating insight into the experiences of those who sought a better life overseas and the courage and determination of those who left everything behind in search of a brighter future.
At the German Emigration Centre in Bremerhaven, you’ll explore the stories, hardships, and dreams of emigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary migration trends including those relating to Ukraine.
The German Emigration Centre has interactive exhibits, dioramas, and original documents. the German Emigration Centre offers a powerful and emotional exploration of human resilience and the pursuit of a new beginning.
3. Visit Bremerhaven German Maritime Museum: Unraveling Seafaring History
Delve into the fascinating world of seafaring at the German Maritime Museum. Located on the Havenwelten‘s Weser Dyke, this comprehensive museum takes visitors on a historical journey through Germany’s maritime heritage. From model ships and archaeological remnants to exhibits on whaling, polar exploration, and container shipping, the museum offers a captivating glimpse into the evolution of maritime industries. The German Maritime Museum is a treasure trove of maritime history, providing you with a deep appreciation for the impact of seafaring on society and commerce.
Be sure to see the Bremer Kogge when at the German Maritime Museum, it is a 14th-century merchant’s vessel discovered in the Weser, and explore the museum ships docked outside, such as the RAU IX whaling steamer and the Seute Deern, a barque launched in 1919.
4.Visit Bremerhaven U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer: Exploring Submarine Innovation
Uncover the secrets of submarine technology at U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer, a remarkable museum boat docked outside the German Maritime Museum.
For a fascinating glimpse into the life of submariners and the technological advancements that shaped naval history, step aboard this diesel-electric Type XXI U-Boat, the only remaining model of its kind, and immerse yourself in its history.
Commissioned in 1945 but never seeing action, the Wilhelm Bauer was salvaged in 1957 and served in the West German Navy before being converted into a museum boat.
Go onboard and explore the compartments where the crew worked, slept, and ate, and gain insight into the advances in submarine design that revolutionized naval warfare after World War II.
Bremerhaven U-Boat – Submarine Torpedo Tubes
Bremerhaven U-Boat Submarine Controls
Bremerhaven U-Boat Submarine Bulkhead Hatch
Bremerhaven U-Boat – Showing U-Boat Submarine Escape. The exit tube, which was sealed and then flooded enabled the frogmen to leave the submarine down to 20 metres of water through the escape hatch and return the same way. The exit tube was also equipped with a voice transmitting system which enabled communication between the boat’s crew and the frogmen divers.
Bremerhaven U-Boat Submarine Guns and Periscope
5: Visit Bremerhaven Zoo at the Sea (Bremerhaven Zoo am Meer)
The Bremerhaven Zoo at the Sea at the Havenwelten has 1,100 animals covering 120 species. See favourite animals including the chimpanzee troop, polar bear twins Anna and Elsa, seals, penguins, otters, and cougars.
There are floor-to-ceiling glass panes so you are up close and personal and face-to-face with the animals and also at the Bremerhaven Zoo at the Sea, there are nine aquariums showing the underwater world including hunting cat sharks, sea wolves, seahorses and octopuses.
6: Visit Bremerhaven Radar Tower
The prominent and unmissable Bremerhaven Radar Toweris a 106-metre reinforced concrete tower. The radar tower, which was constructed between 1962 and 1965, accommodates numerous transmitters for maritime radio purposes, in addition to its radar equipment.
The Bremerhaven Radar Tower belongs to the Bremerhaven Water and Shipping department and has a viewing platform situated at the 60-metre level which is accessible to the public.
The Bremerhaven Radar Tower Location Coordinates of 53 32.31 N; 8 34,82 E are shown on the Radar Tower’s base reception window whose latitude is approximately the same as the vibrant historical town of Halifax in Yorkshire, England – is also a great place for a weekend away, located in the Calderdale Pennine Hills between Leeds and Manchester.
7: Visit Bremerhaven Atlantic Hotel Sail City
Bremerhaven Atlantic Hotel Sail City has 120 bedrooms, and innovative gastronomy in the STROM restaurant on the first floor. The Bremerhaven Atlantic Hotel Sail City and Conference Centre has meeting and entertaining rooms for a total of 1,000 people, making it the largest events hotel in the region.
There are panoramic waterside views from the Atlantic Hotel Sail City observation deck and rooms
Bremerhaven Atlantic Hotel Sail City Entrance and Conference Centre
8: Bremerhaven Mein Outlet and Shopping Centre
The popular Bremerhaven Mein Italian-inspired shopping and outlet centre has an attractive airy domed area
10: Visit Bremerhaven Historical Museum Bremerhaven (Historisches Museum Bremerhaven)
Located on the river Geeste, a short distance from Havenwelten, the award-winning museum showcases the history, art and culture of Bremerhaven and its region. In the exhibition halls covering 3,300sqm, you take an exciting journey through time that starts from the earliest traces of human beings in the Elbe-Weser triangle.
There is a complete historical shipyard with a shipbuilding yard and a shipyard workers’ house, scenes of dock labour, a walk-in harbour pub, a fishmonger’s shop and a machine hall with working steam and refrigeration machines for ice production are just a few examples of the living and working environments.
Since the first Bremerhaven harbour basin was put into operation in 1830, Bremerhaven has developed into the largest emigration port in continental Europe and over 7.2 million people have embarked in Bremerhaven to start a new life overseas.
At Bremerhaven Historical Museum, a new databank is under construction called the Deutsche Auswander Datenbank (German Emigrant Database) For further details of the Deutsche Auswander Datenbank call 0049471308160
11. Visit Bremerhaven Schaufenster Fischereihafen: Vibrant Restaurant, Cultural Centre and Music Venue
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Schaufenster Fischereihafen, Bremerhaven’s century-old fishing harbour. This revitalized area has a large piazza that offers a range of attractions, including restaurants, cafes, pubs, and maritime-themed shops.
Visit Bremerhaven Craft Market at Schaufenster Fischereihafen
Take a leisurely stroll along the dock, marvel at the impressive ships, and soak in the maritime ambiance.
On weekends, the Schaufenster Fischereihafen Fishing Harbour comes alive with outdoor movie screenings, cooking shows, markets, and exhibitions. Open all week, don’t miss the opportunity to savour the fresh flavours of the sea at Packhalle IV, a former fish packing hall transformed into a line of fish restaurants.
Visit Bremerhaven Bremmerhavener Musiksommer – Bremerhaven Music Summer
On Thursday nights from early June to mid-September, there are the Bremerhavener Musiksommer live gigs providing world-class tribute band entertainment 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
Bremerhaven Music Summer events have thrilled Bremerhaven audiences since 2009 with live music at its best. Around 200 concerts have been held under the motto “Really Good – as Good as Real.”
Bremerhaven Schaufenster Fischereihafen Hotels and Accomodation
Directly on the Schaufenster Fischereihafen waterside, there are two hotels. The first is the Best Western Plus Hotel on the Fish Market Harbourside.
Outside the Best Western Plus Hotel on the Fish Market Harbour is a houseboat called Hausboot Lobster. To enquire about staying on this call Dieter and Katja Reichelt at 00491704380901 or ask at the Best Western Plus Hotel reception or at the welcoming Alberts am Platz bar further up the quayside.
We stayed at the Nordsee Hotel. Again, it is located on the harbourside and it also is next to a health club and gym
Visit Bremerhaven: The Nordsee Hotel Schaufenster Fischereihafen Tel 004947193200
Nordsee Hotel at Schaufenster Fischereihafen: bedroom window view
Visit Bremerhaven: Albert am Platz Restaurant and Bar
Enjoy your harbourside drink in a unique, historical ambiance – that is “Alberts am Platz”. Everyone can be seen to meet there – from young to old, from dock workers to business people.
Bremerhaven Alberts am Platz at Night, located by the Schaufenster Fischereihafen Best Western Plus Hotel and Hausboot Lobster
The successful combination of modern elements and their historical building simply creates a unique feel-good atmosphere. Albert am Platz Restaurant and Bar has 45 wines, 22 gins, and good beer!
Albert am Platz Restaurant and Bar April – October Opening Times Monday – Friday: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m
Albert am Platz Restaurant and Bar November – March Opening Times Monday – Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m
Albert am Platz Kitchen is open until 9:00om
12. Visit Bremerhaven Seaport: A Gateway to Adventure
Directly at the mouth of the river Weser where the water is deep enough for sea-going ships, Bremerhaven’s seaport is not just a bustling hub of commerce but also a gateway to thrilling adventures. As you explore the port, you’ll be amazed by the vastness of the facilities and the constant movement of goods and ships and it is a mesmerising sight. Bremerhaven is the leading distribution centre for temperature-controlled cargo in Germany. Bremerhaven is one of the biggest container terminals in the world, is one of Europe’s leading car hubs and is also turning into a key port for the offshore wind industry.
Take a harbour tour and discover the shipyards, research institutes, and wind energy industry that thrive in this maritime hub. Marvel at the impressive vessels that call this port home and gain insight into the intricacies of port life. Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast or simply curious about the inner workings of a seaport, Bremerhaven’s seaport promises an unforgettable experience. , Bremerhaven offers ideal conditions for handling containers.
Bremerhaven Harbour Bus – Der HafenBus
The Bremerhaven Harbour Bus starts at the Schaufenster Fischereihafen Nordsee Hotel / Tourist Information shop and heads through the city past the Harbour Worlds buildings and into Bremerhaven’s international harbours. The Bremerhaven Harbour Bus – Der HafenBus is the only bus allowed to enter the sealed container terminal where you can marvel at the port’s operations as the containers and vehicles are lifted, moved, and loaded.
Visit Bremerhaven: The German Greeting of “Moin” Explained
When in Bremerhaven or Hamburg you may hear “Moin.”There is a “Moin-Grenze”, a border that divides the German population according to how they say “hello.”
“Moin” is a common greeting in northern Germany, primarily used in parts of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lower Saxony, as well as in Bremen, Bremerhaven and Hamburg.
Travel below that line and you’re more likely to hear other common greetings like “Hallo” and “Guten Tag” – and travel further still, and you’ll run into “Servus” and “Grüß Gott” greeting areas.
However, unlike these words, “moin” can be used to mean pretty much anything from “hello” and “good morning” to “goodbye” and “goodnight” – anywhere, and at any time of day, so long as it’s used as a greeting. You’ll probably also hear it said twice in a row as in “Moin moin!” Some people believe saying “Moin moin” is more polite, while others say it simply shows you’re in a good mood.
While Bremerhaven offers a wealth of attractions, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the surrounding region. Embark on hiking or cycling adventures to discover the hidden gems that await. From picturesque landscapes to charming villages, the region surrounding Bremerhaven offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Cycle along the shore promenades, explore the marshland to the south or visit the tiny seaside resorts to the north. Nature lovers will be captivated by the stunning scenery, while history enthusiasts can uncover the region’s rich cultural heritage. Take the road less traveled and uncover the treasures that await beyond Bremerhaven’s city limits.
Bremerhaven, with its maritime charm, captivating museums, and delectable seafood cuisine, offers a unique adventure for every traveller. Whether you’re exploring the immersive exhibits at Klimahaus, tracing your ancestral roots at the German Emigration Centre, or simply strolling along the vibrant harbour, you’ll be captivated by the city’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere.
So pack your bags, set sail visit Bremerhaven, and embark on a maritime journey you’ll never forget.
Visit Bremerhaven Tourist Map – Best of Bremerhaven
