Summary of Top Activities in Flensburg
Nestled in the inner section of Schleswig-Holstein’s Flensburg Fjord lies a Baltic Sea port rich in maritime traditions and steeped in over 800 years of history. The quay on the west side of the fjord offers a nautical journey of discovery, featuring charming taverns on one side and traditional sailboats gently bobbing in the water on the other.
For a significant duration of its history, Flensburg was part of Denmark. Numerous monuments in Flensburg display the royal coat of arms of Danish royalty, and today, the city retains a vibrant Danish community and culture. The evolution of trade has profoundly influenced Flensburg, fostering prosperity that led to exquisite monuments from the Early Modern Age and cultivating an appreciation for rum since the 1700s.
Let us delve into the premier activities and attractions in Flensburg:
1. Historischer Hafen
Situated on the west side of the Flensburg Fjord, the historic harbour is particularly vibrant during the summer months, attracting visitors who enjoy strolling along the boardwalk while admiring the sailboats dotting the water and the lovely houses lining the shore.
The streets in this district bear evocative maritime names such as Schiffbrücke (ship pier) and Segelmacherstraße (sail-makers’ street), alongside an old customs house that now houses the maritime museum and inns that once bustled with sailors and shipwrights.
Vendors along the quay offer delightful fish rolls (Fischbrötchen). Floating in the fjord are vessels such as the Dagmar Aaen, which was launched in 1931 and is the only sailboat known to have traversed both the Northeast and Northwest Passages.
Additionally, the “Krahn” harbour crane serves as a monument to Flensburg’s shipyard, which has existed in some form since 1726.
2. Flensburg Fjord
If you have long aspired to acquire sailing skills, Flensburg is among the premier destinations in the Baltic Sea to make that aspiration a reality.
The waters of the fjord are gently sheltered, making it a serene environment, yet the consistent breezes ensure an enjoyable experience.
Throughout the fjord, tourist marinas can be found at regular intervals, and the competitive nature of these facilities helps maintain reasonable prices.
In summer, a variety of water sports are accessible, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or even renting a motorboat for a scenic tour of the fjord.
North of Flensburg, the shoreline is dotted with tranquil coves, which invite exploration and discovery.
3. Nikolaikirche
Located at Südermarkt, Nikolaikirche is the largest church in Flensburg, extending over 50 meters in length.
This classic Gothic hall church, which began construction in 1390, features aisles that share the same width as the central nave and are divided by six pairs of robust round brick pillars.
The altar, dating from 1749, is distinctive for its transitional design from Baroque to Rococo, displaying an illustration of the Resurrection flanked by life-sized representations of the Virtues (faith and hope). Furthermore, the renowned “double organ,” commissioned by King Christian IV during the early 17th century, stands out as a unique instrument without an equal globally.
The ornate casing of this organ features an image of the resurrected Christ and the royal coat of arms.
4. Museumsberg Flensburg
Situated atop the harbour to the west, this attraction incorporates two museum buildings, Heinrich-Sauermann-Haus and Hans-Christiansen-Haus, along with the Alter Friedhof cemetery and Christiansen Park.
The splendidly gabled Heinrich-Sauermann-Haus focuses on the art and culture of the Schleswig region.
Within its 25 rooms, visitors can view entire home interiors from the 1600s and 1700s, a stunning 16th-century altar sourced from a church in Hütten, and the Viöler Madonna, an exquisite Gothic Marian sculpture from the late 13th century.
Conversely, the Hans-Christiansen-Haus, which was previously a school, features lavish Art Nouveau interiors adorned with regional art from the 19th and 20th centuries, showcasing works from Naturalist Carl Ludwig Jessen and landscape painter Louis Gurlitt.
5. Phänomenta
This interactive science museum invites children to learn concepts in mathematics, physics, and technology through play, interaction, and experimentation.
Featuring over 200 cleverly designed, multi-sensory exhibits spread across four floors, Phänomenta provides a stimulating learning experience.
Visitors are free to explore the museum without a defined path or formal explanations, allowing them to engage with the displays at their own pace.
Children can float in a simulated space environment, experience the sensations of blindness in the Tunnel of Darkness, and explore sight, sound, smell, and touch in the House of the Senses.
Add to that an opportunity to become an electricity conductor, create architecturally challenging structures that defy gravity, and engage with captivating optical illusions.
6. Museumswerft Flensburg
This museum shipyard, established in 1996 next to the harbour, aims to preserve traditional shipbuilding techniques, employing age-old methods to construct seaworthy sailboats and restore historical vessels.
Within these workshops, visitors can gain insights into the diverse skills involved in 18th and 19th-century shipbuilding, as well as the life of a worker in Flensburg’s shipyard 150 years ago.
For those interested in hands-on experience, practical courses are available utilizing tools that have been part of Flensburg’s shipbuilding legacy for centuries.
7. Flensburger Löwe
This memorial has undergone a remarkable journey since its initial establishment in 1862 at the Alter Friedhof cemetery.
Commissioned by the Danes to honor their victory over Schleswig-Holstein at the Battle of Isted in 1850, the Flensburger Löwe was unveiled in 1862 in the presence of noted storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Following Schleswig-Holstein’s transition to Prussian control in 1864, the statue faced damage, disassembly, and relocation to Berlin until it was gifted back to Denmark by the Americans in 1945.
After residing in Copenhagen for approximately six decades, the statue was ultimately returned to Flensburg’s Alter Friedhof to fulfill the wishes of the local Danish minority. A new plaque now proclaims the lion’s reinstatement as a symbol of trust and camaraderie between Danes and Germans.
8. Marienkirche
Positioned by Nordermarkt, the Marienkirche is a Gothic church constructed of brick that dates back to the 1200s.
The original architecture of the nave and choir has remained intact since their expansion in the early 15th century, while the western tower was erected in the early 1730s.
The Marienkirche is notable for its remarkable fittings, which are entirely the result of contributions from Flensburg’s affluent merchants.
The Renaissance altar from 1598 represents the largest of its kind in Schleswig-Holstein, showcasing intricate artworks with numerous painted panels, the largest illustrating the Last Supper, all encased by lavish carvings, marble columns, caryatids, and embellished with portraits of the altar’s benefactors.
Additionally, visitors can admire 15th-century frescoes in the vaulting, a bronze baptismal font from 1591, the pulpit from 1579, and elegant Renaissance tomb monuments adorning the nave walls.
9. Schifffahrtsmuseum Flensburg
The customs house located by the harbor was constructed in 1843 and was utilized to store duty-sealed goods, including rum, until 1972. Supporting the lower floors are cast iron columns from Flensburg’s pioneering iron industry.
A maritime museum opened its doors in this location in 1984, receiving a modern update in 2012. The museum serves as a treasure trove of seafaring memorabilia, including gear from expeditions to Greenland, artefacts from Flensburg’s medieval harbour, shipbuilding instruments, nautical tools, and folk art tied to North Frisian sailors.
As a customs house, visitors can learn about the New World products that would have been stored and processed here, such as coffee, cane sugar, rum, and exotic timber.
10. Rote Straße
This pedestrian thoroughfare leading south from Südermarkt historically served as a marketplace for merchants, artisans, and innkeepers during medieval times and the Early Modern Age.
The well-preserved buildings along this street reflect centuries of history, with the tower of Nikolaikirche to the north providing an enchanting backdrop.
Many of the facades open into elegant courtyards, so visitors should take the time to explore these intriguing entrances.
While a few older inns remain, Rote Straße is now predominantly occupied by design and specialty shops.
These establishments hark back to Flensburg’s trading legacy, offering a variety of tea, wine, and rum.
11. Norderstraße
Situated between the Marienkirche and the Nordertor gate, this extensive street is well-known for its youthful vibrancy, eclectic charm, artistic flair, fashion, and progressive community.
Since 2005, Norderstraße has been home to one of Flensburg’s unofficial landmarks: an art project dubbed “Shoefiti,” where pairs of old shoes dangle from wires strung across the street.
The atmosphere of Norderstraße is remarkably cosmopolitan, featuring tattoo parlors, Italian gelato shops, tea boutiques, antique stores, and vintage clothing shops.
Visitors will also encounter elements of Flensburg’s Danish culture, evidenced by the presence of a Danish library, bookstores, a cultural center, and cafés that serve traditional Danish confections.
12. Nordertor
Situated at the northern end of Norderstraße, adjacent to Phänomenta, lies the last remaining city gate.
The Renaissance-style Nordertor, crafted from red brick, dates back to the late 16th century.
Featuring a gabled roof, it serves as a testament to Flensburg’s prosperity during a time when the city was flourishing due to international trade.
Similar in symbolism to the Holstentor in Lübeck, the Nordertor has become an immediate symbol of Flensburg and has been featured on German postage stamps.
Above the entrance to the north, the coats of arms of the reigning Danish King, Christian IV, and the City of Flensburg are displayed proudly.
13. Südermarkt
For a more traditional shopping experience, you should include Südermarkt on your itinerary.
The eastern side features the Flensburg Galerie, which houses over 70 shops, including well-known German retail chains like GameStop and Saturn.
Conversely, the outdoor market (Wochenmarkt) offers a unique charm, having been a fixture in Flensburg for 800 years.
Visiting on Wednesday and Saturday mornings allows you to procure fresh groceries and specialty items from the Schleswig region.
Südermarkt also boasts a picturesque square, framed by gabled houses, including the Nikolai-Apotheke (St Nicholas’ Pharmacy) at no. 12, which dates back to 1490 and is regarded as Flensburg’s oldest secular building.
14. Dampfer Alexandra
No visit to a maritime city like Flensburg would be complete without embarking on a boat trip.
A unique option is to take a journey on the Alexandra, a historic saloon steamer launched in Hamburg at the Janssen & Schmilinsky shipyard in 1908. It was notably used as a regatta escort during the 1936 Olympic Games in Kiel. Throughout the weekends in July and August, the Alexandra departs from the Historischer Hafen for a delightful hour-long cruise around the fjord.
15. Rum
During the 1700s, raw sugar cane juice was transported to Flensburg from the Danish West Indies.
It underwent fermentation, refinement, and blending at the city’s rum distilleries (Rumfabrikanten) before being sold by local merchants.
In that era, Flensburg earned the title “Rumstadt,” boasting over 200 rum houses within its limits.
Today, two are still operational, with the Wein- & Rumhaus Braasch on Rote Straße housing a museum dedicated to Flensburg’s beloved libation.
Additionally, a separate rum museum is located in the maritime museum’s basement, featuring antique barrels and a brief documentary that details Flensburg’s longstanding affinity for rum.
This museum is part of a “Rum & Sugar Mile,” encompassing 20 stations throughout Flensburg.
