Bremerhaven between Harbor, History and Culture

Bremerhaven brings maritime history and the present to life in a variety of ways: in museums, aboard historic ships, with views of the harbor or on a walk along the Weser dyke. Climate and migration are also among the topics you can discover here. This variety offers different points of interest for trips together—from a journey through climate zones to the history of harbor work and fishing.

A Journey Along the 8th Meridian

At the Klimahaus, the journey along the 8th meridian passes through five continents and nine locations. This immersive science center explores climate, climate change and weather. It offers a distinct theme within a stay in Bremerhaven: those interested in the relationship between weather and climate will find a different way to experience the city here than at the maritime museums.

Shipping, Migration and City History

The Historical Museum Bremerhaven tells the story of Bremerhaven and the region in six sections of its permanent exhibition. Historic tools, documents and ship models illustrate work in the harbor and at a shipyard. The “Deep-Sea Fishing and Fish Industry” section focuses on the development of fishing trawlers, their fishing grounds and different methods of fish processing. Alongside the ships, the focus is also on working practices and the economic history of fishing.

At the German Emigration Center, you can encounter reconstructed settings and real family stories relating to the history of migration. The German Maritime Museum, meanwhile, explores the relationship between people and the sea. Highlights to explore there include the restored wreck of a cog dating from 1380, the permanent “Worlds of Ships” exhibition and the museum harbor, with an ocean-going salvage tug, a lightship and a harbor tug. The Wilhelm Bauer submarine offers a special insight into the history of submarines: it is the last surviving Type XXI submarine and can be visited inside.

The Fishing Harbor and Harbor Views

At the Schaufenster Fischereihafen, fishing history meets an ever-changing array of impressions. Fischkai57 regularly hosts changing art exhibitions in a renovated industrial hall covering almost 1,000 square meters; works on display include painting, photography, design and sculpture. Fischbahnhof 360° presents a 360° multimedia show about the history of fishing in Bremerhaven, from its beginnings in the late 19th century to today’s fishing and processing technology. Guided tours take visitors through part of the historic fishing harbor, which is more than 100 years old.

The Schaufenster Fischereihafen offers a varied year-round program of events, with culinary offerings centered on fish and the sea, music events, markets and family activities. If you’d rather focus on the harbor as it is today, you can take the HafenBus. It travels through Bremerhaven’s overseas ports, passing container terminals, car terminals and large cargo ships, and offers a glimpse into an area of the harbor that is normally inaccessible. The High Swing is 86 meters above ground and offers views over Bremerhaven and the Weser. For a more peaceful way to enjoy the maritime atmosphere, take a walk along the Weser dyke. Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven adds a North Sea aquarium with nine tanks to the range of attractions.

Experiences to Help Plan Your Holiday

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which aspects of Bremerhaven you want to shape your stay: exhibitions and city history, fishing and harbor operations, or views and outdoor activities. If you arrive by train, there’s a direct bus connection from Bremerhaven Central Station: lines 502, 505, 506, 508 and 509 go to the Hochschule Bremerhaven/Stadttheater stop. From there, the museum harbor and the Wilhelm Bauer submarine are within walking distance. You can include your interests in your daily plans using this connection described here.

Bremerhaven can be explored through a wide range of themes: a journey through climate zones offers a different focus from a shipwreck, fishing history or a view of the overseas ports. Choose accommodation to suit the experiences that interest you most during your stay. On the same level, you’ll also find the city page for Bremen.

Go to the main travel overview: Bremen.