Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Bremerhaven, Germany

Historically, Bremerhaven was home to the largest fishing and emigration ports in Europe, thus earning the designation of “Seestadt” (Sea City). This harbor city is an enclave within the Free City of Bremen, positioned 60 kilometers up the River Weser.

In Bremerhaven, most experiences relate to the sea; visitors may tour a historic U-Boat or fishing trawler, or enjoy time at the old fishing harbor, characterized by the evocative aromas of salt water and smoked fish.

Over the past two decades, the port areas have undergone significant revitalization through the “Havenwelten” project, introducing state-of-the-art attractions, hotels, shopping centers, and pedestrian zones.

Now, let’s delve into the top attractions in Bremerhaven:

1. Klimahaus Bremerhaven

Inaugurated in 2009, Klimahaus offers a distinctive concept that takes visitors through various climate zones and cultural experiences along the 8th meridian east, which runs just west of Bremerhaven.

This line of longitude extends across multiple continents, including regions in Africa and the Mediterranean, ultimately encircling both poles.

Patrons will experience temperature variations, ranging from the moderate climate of the German North Sea Coast to the humid rainforests of tropical Cameroon, in a multisensory presentation featuring sounds, scents, and visuals.

The theme of climate change emerges frequently, with insights into how rising temperatures have affected lifestyles in various regions, notably within the Swiss zone.

2. German Emigration Center

The sole museum in Germany focused on migration, the German Emigration Center explores the journey of Germans to the New World.

Between 1830 and 1974, seven million emigrants departed from Bremerhaven, which served as their primary embarkation point.

The remarkable aspect is that records of all emigrants’ names and destinations during this period are preserved, with many individuals traveling from across the Atlantic to trace their ancestry.

Exhibits feature poignant narratives of life aboard ships, scale models of various cabin types, interactive displays, and a wealth of original artifacts.

Additionally, the center provides a broader perspective on migration through the ages, from the Huguenots in the 17th century to modern refugees from conflicts like the Syrian Civil War.

3. German Maritime Museum

Situated on the Weser Dyke, the German Maritime Museum presents a comprehensive history of maritime activities in Germany.

The museum showcases an array of model ships, nautical artifacts, and archaeological finds, alongside ten historic vessels available for exploration.

One of the foremost highlights is the Bremer Kogge, a 14th-century merchant ship wreck discovered in the Weser in 1962. The museum’s exhibits also cover topics such as whaling, polar exploration, container shipping, fishing, and the German navy.

Visitors should seek out the mechanical tide calculator that operated in Hamburg from 1919 to 1935. Outside, guests can board the historic RAU IX whaling steamer and the Seute Deern, a barque launched in 1919.

4. U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer

Although it never engaged in combat, the U-Boat Wilhelm Bauer, moored outside the Maritime Museum, possesses a fascinating operational history.

This unique Type XXI U-Boat was commissioned in February 1945 and scuttled at war’s end without having completed a patrol mission.

Rescued in 1957, it was re-commissioned for the West German navy and, in 1984, converted into a museum ship. Visitors can explore this revolutionary submarine design, which significantly influenced post-war submarine construction.

Information plaques in both German and English detail the functions of each compartment aboard and describe the crew’s close-quarter living conditions.

5. Schaufenster Fischereihafen

Bremerhaven’s historic fishing harbor has been revitalized, featuring a variety of restaurants, cafes, pubs, maritime shops, and attractions within an enchanting environment.

Weekends at the Schaufenster Fischereihafen are filled with vibrant activities, such as live music during summer, outdoor movie screenings, and exhibitions.

Visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls along the docks while admiring the ships, including the FMS GERA, which will be discussed later.

For dining options, Packhalle IV, a former fish packing hall, presents an array of fish restaurants infused with the scent of smoked halibut.

6. Look-Out-Platform SAIL City

Standing at over 140 meters, the sail-shaped Atlantic Hotel Sail City is one of the tallest edifices along Germany’s North Sea coast.

Weather permitting, two observation platforms at 86 and 95 meters are available to the public for a nominal fee of €3.00, with the upper platform being an open-air experience.

For those venturing outside, it’s essential to be prepared for gusty winds, even on clear days.

Alternatively, visitors can relish the views of the port and the Weser Estuary from the indoor lookout area.

7. Zoo am Meer

Situated a short distance from the Maritime Museum, Zoo am Meer focuses on marine and polar species.

This zoological park has evolved since 1913, undergoing comprehensive renovations in the early 2000s before reopening in 2004. It features polar bears, seals, gannets, and Humboldt penguins, alongside primates like chimpanzees, reflecting the zoo’s deep-rooted connection to the community.

The North Sea Aquarium houses nine tanks with zander, seahorses, eels, and sea trout and includes a designated area for children with rabbits and guinea pigs.

8. Museumsschiff FMS GERA

The FMS GERA stands as a testament to maritime history; this large side-loading trawler was launched in Wolgast, East Germany, in 1961, and was part of Rostock’s deep-sea fishing fleet.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, FMS GERA embarked on perilous missions in the North Atlantic, venturing to destinations including Iceland, Canada, and West Africa.

This museum ship offers an intimate glimpse into the demanding lives of its crew, allowing visitors to examine the fishing deck, cargo holds, washroom, crew quarters, engine room, and galley.

9. Historisches Museum Bremerhaven

On the left bank of the Geeste River stands a well-designed museum detailing the history of Bremerhaven and the adjacent Elbe-Weser Triangle region.

The primary exhibition recounts 120,000 years of history, beginning from the earliest evidence of human habitation up to the 1960s.

Life-sized displays throughout the museum depict dock life, shipbuilding activities, and deep-sea fishing.

Exhibits feature weapons, maps, navigation tools, historical furniture, and everyday items from the 19th century, including bicycles.

Visitors can view artifacts from the immediate post-war era, such as an American Jeep, the interior of a fishmonger’s shop in Bremerhaven, and a replica cinema hall.

10. Simon-Loschen-Leuchtturm

With its design reminiscent of a church tower more than a lighthouse, the elegant Simon-Loschen-Leuchtturm, operational since 1855, is the oldest working lighthouse on Germany’s North Sea coast.

Standing nearly 40 meters high, this Brick Gothic Revival edifice is named after its architect, Simon Loschen, who also designed Bremerhaven’s main church, the Bürgermeister-Smidt-Gedächtniskirche.

Now a protected structure, the tower’s lower hall serves as a venue for wedding ceremonies.

11. Bremerhaven Radar Tower

Rising to 106 meters adjacent to the mouth of the Geeste River, the Bremerhaven Radar Tower, constructed in 1965 from reinforced concrete, serves both as a radar station and a significant maritime radio transmitter.

This tower welcomes visitors, featuring an observation platform at 60 meters that provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Like a sentinel of the past, visitors can survey the sea and observe the winding paths of the Geeste and Weser Rivers.

12. Columbus Center

Both Klimahaus and SAIL CITY showcase maritime-inspired designs; however, the Columbus Center initiated the transformation of Bremerhaven’s skyline in the 1970s.

Located by the old harbor, the Columbus Center features three apartment towers reminiscent of steamship smokestacks and stands as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Below, the shopping mall contains 75 stores, including the notable German department store Karstadt.

Since 2009, a glass pedestrian bridge has connected the mall with Klimahaus, offering stunning vistas of the old harbor and new Hafenwelten development.

13. Container-Aussichtsturm

Nestled within Bremerhaven’s port, the Container-Aussichtsturm is an unusual viewing tower constructed from 12 stacked shipping containers.

This tower comprises four layers of containers, each displaying various logos, with a platform situated at the top, reaching a height of 15 meters.

The tower is a complimentary attraction, providing a comprehensive view of the Nordschleuse lock, container port cranes, car terminal, and cruise terminal.

Visitors can utilize maps to orient themselves and access binoculars for closer inspection of ships entering and departing the harbor.

14. HafenBus

For those proficient in German, a guided two-hour bus tour, organized by Bremerhaven’s tourist office, presents an excellent opportunity to explore the region.

The HafenBus is particularly useful, given the expansive area of Bremerhaven and its modern container port, where navigating alone may be impractical.

This bus also provides access to locations typically unreachable by visitors.

The container port stands out for its towering cranes and its designation as the world’s longest quay, extending 4,680 meters with 14 berths.

Aboard the bus, participants learn about various goods arriving here, from coffee to heavy machinery, along with insights into Bremerhaven’s shipbuilding, fishing, and emigration history.

15. Mediterraneo

A key component of Hafenwelten, Mediterraneo is a Mediterranean-themed shopping mall situated on the south side of Klimahaus.

Resembling an attraction out of Las Vegas, Mediterraneo fuses elements of a shopping center with the qualities of a free theme park, all within a lively and sunny atmosphere, even on rainy days.

This destination features an arcade garden, a market square, and an Italian-inspired piazza with a Renaissance-style fountain beneath a glass dome modeled after Florence Cathedral.

Mediterraneo offers a selection of mid-range brands, specialty shops, and dining establishments, with complimentary Wi-Fi for guests.