Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Germany’s premier naval port is situated on the western edge of the Jade Bight, a picturesque natural harbor on the North Sea. Wilhelmshaven was established by Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1869 and continues to hold the distinction of being the country’s largest naval base.

The historical military legacy of Germany remains captivating; therefore, visitors may explore the German Navy Museum or participate in a guided harbor tour. Additionally, Wilhelmshaven serves as a summer resort, boasting the unique advantage of Germany’s only south-facing beach.

For those seeking expansive skies and opportunities for wildlife observation, Wilhelmshaven is the principal access point to the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea National Park.

Here is an overview of the top attractions in Wilhelmshaven:

1. Maritime Meile

Commencing at the Bontekai on the city’s waterfront, the Maritime Meile is a 1.8-kilometer tourist path linking visitors to all maritime-themed attractions in Wilhelmshaven.

A comprehensive list of museums and landmarks along the route is provided below, collectively illustrating the essence of Wilhelmshaven’s maritime culture and traditions.

Additionally, visitors may consider embarking on the MS Harle Kurier cruise boat, stationed near the German Navy Museum, which offers tours of the Grosser Hafen (Great Harbour) and the newly developed JadeWeserPort.

Excursions for seal spotting in the Wadden Sea National Park are also available from this quay.

2. Deutsches Marine Museum

The German Naval Museum is a military museum chronicling the 170-year history of the German Navy.

Its fitting location is in a historical building within the former imperial shipyard.

Inside, visitors can trace the narrative of the German Navy from political, social, and cultural perspectives through an array of black and white photographs, maps, flags, paintings, ships’ bells, uniforms, navigational equipment, and various military artifacts.

Notable at the entrance is a meticulously restored miniature Seehund U-Boat, which was operated by a two-man crew in extremely challenging conditions.

The outdoor exhibition features substantial military hardware, including a Libelle torpedo boat from the GDR, an F-104 Starfighter, a Type 205 submarine, and the Mölders German destroyer, launched in 1965.

3. Küstenmuseum Wilhelmshaven

The coastal museum is located at a historic navy parade ground near the Großer Hafen, featuring contemporary exhibits that explore the North German coast from various perspectives.

Among the most compelling topics is the new deepwater JadeWeserPort and the extensive planning and statistics associated with this significant project (46 million cubic meters of sand were dredged). Interactive touch screens also allow visitors to track the transformations of the North German coastline since the last Ice Age and understand the formation of Wilhelmshaven’s Jade Bight.

Insights into the lives of early coastal settlers and a comprehensive account of Wilhelmshaven’s development as a naval base over 150 years ago are also presented.

4. Südstrand

Unique to Germany, the Südstrand features a south-facing beach.

The distinctive geography of the Jade Bight ensures that the beach receives sunlight throughout the day, complemented by a nearly Mediterranean promenade which fills with visitors in the summer.

During this season, the beach and promenade are adorned with colorful Strandkörbe, hooded beach chairs designed to shield from the wind, available for rent by the day, week, or season.

On the promenade, bicycles can be rented from May to September, ideal for exploring the various ice cream shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way.

5. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Brücke

The iconic structure of Wilhelmshaven is the metallic Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge, spanning the Großer Hafen.

At 159 meters in length, it was the longest swing bridge in Europe when it opened in 1907. The bridge connects the city to the Südstrand and provides a mesmerizing view as it opens to allow tall-masted ships to pass.

This captivating display remains a highlight, even over a century after the bridge was inaugurated, making the brief wait to observe it worthwhile.

During renovations completed in 2013, the bridge underwent a thorough restoration, receiving a fresh coat of paint, 50,000 new steel rivets, and modern LED lighting.

6. UNESCO-Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer Besucherzentrum Wilhelmshaven

The Wadden Sea adjacent to Wilhelmshaven is characterized as an intertidal zone, forming the southeastern portion of the North Sea.

This ecosystem has been significantly influenced by human activity through the development of dikes and causeways and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Adjacent to the Marinemuseum, a visitor center provides comprehensive information regarding this unique habitat.

Visitors can observe the migratory routes of birds and the tools used to monitor storms affecting the North Sea.

A centerpiece of the exhibition is the 14-meter skeleton of a sperm whale, suspended from the ceiling.

This specimen, which perished near the island of Baltrum in 1994, has undergone “plastination” by Gunther von Hagens, known for the Body Worlds exhibitions.

Visitors will learn about the evolutionary history of whales, including their adaptation of fins 50 million years ago, their dietary habits, and the sounds they produce.

7. Rosarium Wilhelmshaven

Situated in the eastern section of the Stadtpark, this exquisite rose garden operates from Mother’s Day (mid-May in Germany) through October.

The Rosarium delights visitors with over 5,000 rosebushes representing 500 varieties across diverse habitats. Highlights include an English rose garden, a wild rose canyon, a Rococo garden, a historical “Gloria Dei” monastic garden, and more.

Visitors will encounter serene ponds, trellises, pergolas, and a charming pavilion for various events.

The Rosenbühne (rose stage) serves as a venue for concerts and theatrical performances and is central to the Rosenfest, celebrated in the Rosarium each June.

8. Aquarium Wilhelmshaven

At the eastern end of the Südstrand promenade, an aquarium showcases over 250 species of marine life.

More than 60 of these species are local, sourced from the North Sea and Wadden Sea.

Common inhabitants include seals, gurnards, flatfish, shore crabs, brown crabs, and hooknose fish. Moreover, the aquarium features exotic species such as 15 types of Antarctic fish that thrive in icy waters at 0°C, possessing antifreeze in their blood.

In addition, visitors can observe penguins underwater, alongside sharks, caimans, and a tropical forest habitat filled with vibrant birdlife.

9. Informationszentrum JadeWeserPort

A few kilometers upstream at the mouth of the Jade Bight, one can gain insights into one of Germany’s most significant recent investment projects.

This deepwater container port, initiated in 2008, became operational in 2012. Following a slow commencement due to the global recession, activity surged in 2015, processing 426,700 twenty-foot equivalent units.

JadeWeserPort is unique in Germany, with a depth of 18 meters, accommodating ships irrespective of tidal effects.

The information center details astonishing statistics related to the project and provides a glimpse into the daily operations of the port.

Interactive displays demonstrate how containers are unloaded and inspected for contraband, allowing visitors to trace a container’s journey from Shanghai to Wilhelmshaven.

10. Rathaus Wilhelmshaven

Completed in 1929, Wilhelmshaven’s imposing town hall exemplifies classic Brick Expressionist architecture.

The design, created by Johann Friedrich Höger, who also constructed the famous Chilehaus in Hamburg, is characterized by its robust appearance, with stark lines and a durable rectangular tower. Consequently, it quickly earned the nickname “Burg am Meer” (Castle on the Sea).

The 50-meter tower served a dual purpose, functioning as a water tower; however, the concrete container is in need of renovation after 90 years, resulting in the closure of the observation deck to visitors since 2017. Nevertheless, the entrance remains noteworthy for its Expressionist brick sculptures of lions adorning the portal.

11. Kulturzentrum Pumpwerk

This vibrant cultural center hosts approximately 160 live music and comedy performances annually.

These events feature both well-known touring bands and local emerging talents.

Established in 1976, the center was born from the restoration of an old industrial sewage pumping station dating back to the early 1900s.

As the oldest venue of its kind in Lower Saxony, it has hosted notable jazz artists, including Chet Baker, Charles Mingus, and Dexter Gordon, in its early years.

12. Freibad Klein Wangerooge

Continuing west from the Südstrand, visitors will discover a leisure area welcoming guests from May to September.

This location, sheltered from the open sea, attracts individuals seeking calm, brackish waters for swimming regardless of tidal conditions on the southern side of the land.

The tranquil waters are also suited for water sports, including kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing, and there is a café with barbecue facilities to satisfy hunger.

It is noteworthy that U-boats were historically berthed in these waters.

13. Kopperhörner Mühle

Located in Wilhelmshaven’s Heppens district is an authentic windmill, originally constructed in 1839 for flour production. The Kopperhörner Mühle serves as a replacement for a mill established in 1547 that was destroyed in a storm in 1689. Although no longer operational by 1922, it has become a cherished local landmark and was acquired by the city.

The interior houses a museum that operates under limited hours; thus, checking Wilhelmshaven’s official website before visiting is advisable.

The grain grinding mechanism remains fully functional, along with a suction gas engine installed in 1908 to complement the wind sails.

14. Störtebeker-Park

This leisure park is perfect for families with young children, offering a space for several hours of enjoyment and physical activity.

Störtebeker-Park was created as part of an employment initiative for unemployed youth in the 1980s.

The park features miniature replicas of notable Wilhelmshaven landmarks such as the town hall and Kopperhörner windmill, alongside vegetable and flower gardens, a cable car, adventure playgrounds, and a café.

A popular attraction among children is the Sibetsburg, a reconstruction of a 14th-century castle built by the local pirate chieftain, Edo Wiemken the Elder.

15. Labskaus

To blend in at a restaurant in Wilhelmshaven, consider ordering Labskaus, a quintessential North German dish.

This dish features cured beef, simmered in broth and then combined with onions, potatoes, beetroot, and herring, subsequently fried in lard reminiscent of a German-style hash.

Typically, it is served with a fried egg on top, accompanied by rollmops (pickled herring fillets filled with gherkin or olive). While the dish may not present elegantly, it compensates with robust flavor, historically serving as a significant protein source for seafarers.

For the past 18 years, Wilhelmshaven has hosted the world’s largest Labskaus eating event (Labskausessen) each year in mid-July. During this occasion, restaurants set up stalls along Marktstraße and Bahnhofstraße, serving up to 7,000 portions within a few short hours.