Discover Steinburg

Landscape between the Elbe and the Auenland

The varied landscape of the Steinburg district stretches from the Elbe to the Holstein Auenland. The Wilstermarsch, one of Schleswig-Holstein’s oldest landscapes, is a notable geographical landmark: Germany’s lowest point on land is located here, at 3.54 metres below sea level. A free parking and rest area with an information board provides orientation at the site. This makes it easy to include a stop during your visit, without turning the unusual elevation into a longer hike.

Cycling routes for different time frames

Those who want to explore Steinburg by bike will find two options described in different ways. The Elbe Cycle Route is one of five long-distance cycling routes that pass through the Steinburg district; check the latest route conditions before setting off. One tour with a clearly stated length and duration is the 15-kilometre Schloss-Tour: it is described as an easy, one-hour cycling tour along Breitenburg Castle. The castle it is named after is considered a historic centre of the Stör landscape and has shaped the region for centuries. The Schloss-Tour therefore gives you a concrete indication of duration and distance for planning, while the Elbe Cycle Route places Steinburg within a larger network of long-distance cycling routes.

Events and special places to visit

Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s largest heavy metal festivals, takes place every year at the festival site in Wacken. Dates and admission details vary from year to year and should be checked before your trip. If you visit Steinburg during this time, you can make the event a focal point of your plans.

The Elbe Ice Stadium in Brokdorf also offers a range of activities: ice skating, ice hockey, curling and an ice disco are among the attractions, as are children’s birthday parties. As it is a seasonal offering, check the current operating season before your visit.

Museums and culture in Itzehoe and Glückstadt

In Itzehoe, the Kreismuseum Prinzeßhof focuses on the history and cultural history of the Steinburg district in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is housed in the city’s oldest secular building. The Wenzel-Hablik-Museum offers a different perspective on art history: the artist’s estate includes paintings, drawings and designs for utopian space settlements, as well as furniture, textiles and collections of shell and metal figures. The two museums offer distinct focuses, from district history to a diverse artistic estate.

In Glückstadt, the Detlefsen-Museum provides a comprehensive picture of the city and the Holstein Elbe marshes, past and present. Glückstadt’s town church is another historic landmark: it was built as the first Protestant church in the duchies of Holstein and Schleswig. You can encounter contemporary art at the Palais für aktuelle Kunst, which presents it in a Renaissance setting.

In Kellinghusen, the Museum Betont’s cultural programme is complemented by concerts featuring historic instruments and workshops focusing on individual instruments. If you would like to include this in your plans, check the current events programme.

Regional cuisine and mill history

During the Steinburg Game Weeks, which run from mid-September to the end of October, chefs from Steinburg prepare traditional and inventive dishes featuring hare, roe deer, wild boar and wild duck. As the dates and participating establishments are important for planning your trip, it is worth checking in advance.

The mill in Rumfleth today dates from 1872. It was built as a single-storey gallery Dutch windmill with a fantail and louvred sails, is fully operational and has been a listed monument since 1981. Groups who book in advance can enjoy coffee and cake in the granary: groups of 10 to 40 people can be accommodated there, while smaller groups of up to 20 people can also be served inside the windmill itself. Visits and catering should be arranged in advance.

Choose the right base for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Steinburg, it helps to decide what you would like to focus on during your stay first: cycling, museums, an event or regional cuisine each raise different planning questions. For a seasonal trip, the dates of the Game Weeks or the ice stadium’s operating season are especially relevant; for cycling tours, check the route conditions.

Discover more destinations:

Stördorf, Moorhusen, Kellinghusen, Wilster, Nortorf, Hennstedt, Itzehoe, Wrist, Dägeling, Holstenniendorf, Horst, Wewelsfleth, Puls, Glückstadt, Horst-Herzhorn, Willenscharen, Wulfsmoor, Altenmoor, Kollmar, Hohenlockstedt, Elskop, Hodorf, Wacken, Krempermoor, Kaaks, Breitenburg, Heiligenstedten, Krempe, Borsfleth, Sarlhusen, Sankt Margarethen, Hohenaspe, Rethwisch, Lägerdorf, Poyenberg, Brokdorf, Engelbrechtsche Wildnis, Bokelrehm and Neuendorf-Sachsenbande.

For the main travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.