Duhnen Mudflat Race
Since 1902 a unique horse race has been held once a year on the exposed seabed in the mudflats off Cuxhaven-Duhnen. Behind the dike there is a festival mile with food offerings and tents.
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Cuxhaven
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ℹ️Practical info — Cuxhaven
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Always check the official tide tables (Tidekalender) before walking on the mudflats (Wattenmeer) to ensure you return safely before high tide.
- Be prepared to pay a visitor's tax (Kurbeitrag) to access the main beaches. Keep your guest card handy.
- The North Sea breeze can be strong; a windbreaker is essential even on sunny summer days.
- Rent a bicycle to ride along the dikes; it's the most efficient and scenic way to explore the coastline.
- Visit the 'Alte Liebe' viewing platform to watch large ships passing by on their way to or from the Elbe River.
🍽 Food
🍽
Krabbenbrötchen
A fresh North Sea shrimp roll. Best enjoyed straight from a vendor at the old harbor or fish market.
🍽
Labskaus
A traditional sailors' dish made of salted meat, potatoes, and beetroot. Try it in maritime-themed restaurants near the waterfront.
🍽
Freshly smoked fish
Pick up smoked eel or mackerel from the stalls around the Kutterhafen.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Nordersteinstraße
The bustling main shopping street in the city center with a variety of shops and cafes.
🛍
Fischmeile
The area around the old fishing port is the best place to buy local seafood delicacies and maritime souvenirs.
🧘
Wernerwald
A unique coastal forest near Sahlenburg where the trees grow right up to the beach.
🧘
Walk to the Kugelbake
Stroll to this iconic wooden landmark at the mouth of the Elbe, especially peaceful during sunset.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Cuxhaven is located at the mouth of the Elbe into the North Sea in Lower Saxony and is one of Germany's most important seaside resorts. The city is characterized by its direct location on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea, which reveals large areas at low tide and allows guided mudflat hikes to the island of Neuwerk. A well-known landmark is the Kugelbake, a wooden navigational aid that marks the geographical point where the Elbe ends and the open North Sea begins. In the city's fishing port, you will find the historic Windstärke 10 Museum, which documents the dangers of seafaring and the history of deep-sea fishing. Tourist-significant districts are Duhnen and Döse with their extensive sandy beaches, as well as the Alte Liebe viewing platform on the Elbe. Economically, in addition to tourism, the port plays a central role, particularly as a base for offshore wind energy and fish processing.
- Location: Bremen, Germany
- Top sights: Joachim-Ringelnatz-Museum · Stadttheater Cuxhaven · Schloss Ritzebüttel
- Nearby: Duhnen (5 km)
- Population: ~52.677
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 81 | 65 | 56 | 41 | 58 | 73 | 87 | 88 | 74 | 85 | 80 | 85 |
Live webcam – Cuxhaven
See what it looks like near Cuxhaven right now.
Cuxhaven: Hamburger Leuchtturm · 2.7 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The Kugelbake is about 28 meters high and has existed since the 18th century.
- The Wadden Sea off Cuxhaven has been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2009.
- Cuxhaven was granted city rights in the year 1907.
- Cuxhaven's fishing port is one of the largest in Germany.
- The city currently has a population of around 48,000 inhabitants.
- The Duhnen district is famous for its annual mudflat races (horse racing).
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:223.4 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Your day starts in Cuxhaven's historic center at Ritzebüttel Castle. After a cultural morning, walk towards the harbor to the famous 'Alte Liebe' pier. Enjoy fresh fish for lunch before exploring the impressive lightship Elbe 1. A relaxed stroll along the harbor promenade perfectly concludes your maritime experience.
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🚶 10'0.35 km
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09:00→16:1416.2 km ride6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 31–41 €Entries 24€ · Transport 12€
This bike tour takes you along the Cuxhaven coast. Start at 'Alte Liebe' and cycle to the historic Fort Kugelbake and the iconic wooden Kugelbake tower. After a break at Duhner Strand, visit the Wadden Sea center before heading back to the castle.
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🚲 22'3.21 km
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09:00→16:0511 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 28€ · Transport 2€
By car, you'll discover Cuxhaven's highlights in clusters. First the historic center (Castle & Museum), then the harbor area (Alte Liebe & Elbe 1), and finally Duhner Strand with the Wadden Sea Center. This way you minimize walking and see everything essential.
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🚗 4'0.35 km
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Sights in the town Cuxhaven (10)
Joachim-Ringelnatz-Museum🏛 museum
A museum in Cuxhaven dedicated to the life and work of the poet and painter Joachim Ringelnatz.
🌐 ringelnatzstiftung.de🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kugelbake?
An old wooden maritime beacon and the landmark of Cuxhaven, marking the mouth of the Elbe river.
What can you experience in the Wadden Sea?
Guided mudflat hikes or a ride in a horse-drawn mudflat carriage to the island of Neuwerk.
What is Alte Liebe?
A former pier and now an observation deck to watch large ships passing by.
Are there beaches in Cuxhaven?
Yes, especially the Duhnen and Döse districts have wide sandy beaches and spa promenades.
Can you see seals?
Yes, boat tours to the seal banks in the Wadden Sea are offered from Cuxhaven.
Cuxhaven: where is it located?
Cuxhaven is located in Bremen, Germany.
Cuxhaven: what is there to see?
Highlights include Joachim-Ringelnatz-Museum, Stadttheater Cuxhaven, Schloss Ritzebüttel.
Cuxhaven: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Cuxhaven: why is it worth visiting?
Cuxhaven is located at the mouth of the Elbe into the North Sea in Lower Saxony and is one of Germany's most important seaside resorts.
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