Best things to do in Cuxhaven

The Kugelbake is a historic aid to navigation in the city of Cuxhaven, Germany, at the northernmost point of Lower Saxony, where the River Elbe flows into the North Sea. In the Low German dialect of the Middle Ages, the term bake referred to all navigational aids – including lighthouses. About 30 meters high and built of wood, the Kugelbake is the principal landmark of Cuxhaven; since 1913, it has been depicted on the city's coat of arms. Large wooden structures guiding mariners have stood on this spot for over 300 years.PositionThe Kugelbake stands at a busy shipping lane in the Cuxhaven borough of Döse and was once a vital nautical landmark. At this point, the estuary is about 18 km wide. Geographically speaking, the Elbe ends here and the North Sea begins. From a nautical point of view, the Kugelbake can be said to separate the Outer and Lower portions of the Elbe. It is also regarded as the symbolic separation between the Elbe and Weser estuaries. Its distinctive design, well known to skippers, is now a popular tourist destination.Height above MHW: 29.63mHistorythumb The first navigational aid was built on this spot around 1703 at the instigation of the Pilot Inspector Paul Allers after an existing bearing, a group of trees, was swept away by a fierce storm surge. It was constructed of wood and had a short service life due to the harsh weather and floods common on the point. It was rebuilt approximately every 30 years, the first reconstruction taking place around 1737.

Sitting next to the river Weser, Zoo am Meer is home mainly to Nordic and aquatic species. Opened in 1928 under the name Tiergrotten, the zoo has expanded greatly over the decades to accommodate a greater variety of animals. Some of the more popular animals here are the polar bears, the South American sea lions, seals, and Humboldt penguins. Look for a number of reptiles and land animals, such as the mountain lion and the chimpanzee. Check for animal feeding times on the zoo's website.

Follow the journey of the 7 million Europeans who left their homeland via the port of Bremerhaven and headed for the New World at Deutsches Auswandererhaus, where you'll experience the process through interactive exhibits. When you enter, you are given an electronic boarding pass, each with the personal story of an individual who either emigrated or found a new home in Germany. Listen to the evolving story you've been assigned to find out what kind of life your person ended up living. Visit the 1950s-style Roxy Cinema to watch short films about immigration in Germany and European emigration to the United States and Argentina. You can even search for your own ancestors using the museum's research facilities. The onsite restaurant blends culinary traditions of the Old and New World. Its large outdoor terrace features views of the harbor.

Heligoland lighthouse is located on Germany's only offshore island, Heligoland. Constructed during World War II as an anti-aircraft tower, it was turned into a lighthouse in 1952. It features the strongest light on the German North Sea coast with a range of 28nmi so that it can be seen as far as on the East Frisian or the North Frisian islands and Halligen. The lighthouse is operated by the Tönning water and shipping authority.HistoryThe first lighthouse on Heligoland was built by Trinity House in 1811, when Heligoland was under British rule. The so-called "English lighthouse" (englischer Leuchtturm) was 67m above mean sea level. It constituted an important aid to navigation in the German Bight because its light was visible roughly twice as far as that of Cuxhaven Lighthouse, which had been established a few years before. The English lighthouse was torn down soon after the inauguration of a new building in 1902. The lantern and optics of the English lighthouse were moved to Fehmarn island in the Baltic Sea where they were mounted at Staberhuk lighthouse and are still in use today.The construction of the new lighthouse was ordered by the Prussian administration in 1902. This lighthouse was in service from 1902 until its war-time destruction in 1945. It was built as a round brick tower from the same plans as the Cape Arkona light on Rügen in the Baltic Sea. During a bombing raid on Heligoland on 18 April 1945 by the Royal Air Force this lighthouse was destroyed and the keeper was killed.

War and boat buffs will want to see U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer, an exhibit where you can board and explore a World War II submarine. This craft is the only surviving submarine of the German navy of the time period. Most areas of the sub are open to exploration, and you can experience just how little space the men had here. Descriptions are offered in English. Keep in mind that navigating the small spaces may be difficult for visitors with mobility issues.

Travel the world longitudinally via the eighth meridian and venture into a host of climate zones at Klimahaus Bremerhaven. Nearly 600,000 visitors per year come to experience the climates of Isenthal in Langeness, Germany; Switzerland; Sardinia, Italy; Kanak, Niger; Ikenge, Cameroon; Antarctica; Samoa; and Alaska--and ending right back in Bremerhaven. The exhibit, which spans about 18,800 sq m (4.6 acres), is equal parts educational and artistic.

Originally built in the late 1800s, Schaufenster Fischereihafen served as the largest fishing port in Europe until the 1960s. Still bustling with activity, the restored port now offers a maritime adventure world, boat rides around the harbor, and a look of old fishing boats. A visit to the aquarium and a meal of seafood will make this visit complete.

Watch the hundreds of birds that make their home atop the Lange Anna, the red rock sea stack in the Helgoland archipelago. You can catch a boat to the archipelago, where a cliff-top path offers views of the fingerlike sea stack that rises 47 m (154 ft) above the North Sea. Away from cars and pollution, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a walk in the refreshing sea breeze.