This North Sea port city, established in 1827, sits at the Weser River mouth. Its world-class Emigration Museum documents the stories of millions who left Europe through its harbor.
Bremerhaven stretches along the Weser River as Germany's second-largest port city. You can walk through different climate zones at the Climate House, step aboard historic ships at the Maritime Museum, or trace emigration stories at the German Emigration Center. The city's working harbor continues to buzz with container ships and fishing vessels, while restaurants in the old fishing port serve fresh North Sea catch straight from the boats.
Interactive Museums Along the Harbor
At the Climate House, you'll walk through replicas of places along the 8th degree of longitude - from the Swiss Alps to the Sahara Desert and Antarctic ice. The German Maritime Museum lets you explore historic vessels, including a Hanseatic trading ship and a U-boat from World War II. At the German Emigration Center, digital ID cards help you follow real emigrant stories as you walk through recreated ship cabins and Ellis Island arrival halls.
Fresh Seafood at the Old Fishing Port
In the Schaufenster Fischereihafen district, you can buy fresh fish directly from returning fishing boats or eat at waterfront restaurants specializing in North Sea fish. The "Gera" museum trawler shows you how commercial fishing worked in the 1960s, from the captain's bridge to the fish processing deck.
Exploring the Harbor
Take the harbor bus through the working port to see container ships being loaded and unloaded. The viewing platform at Atlantic Hotel Sail City, 86 meters above ground, gives you clear views across the container terminals, car yards, and North Sea coast. You might spot one of the massive car carriers that transport thousands of vehicles.
Zoo by the Sea
Bremerhaven Zoo specializes in cold-climate animals. You can watch polar bears swim underwater through glass panels, see penguins waddle on artificial ice, and observe seals diving in their pools. The North Sea aquarium section contains local fish species and explains the ecosystem of the Wadden Sea.
Shopping Districts
The "Bürger" pedestrian zone runs for nearly a kilometer through the city center, with German department stores and international fashion brands. Near the waterfront, the Mediterraneo Shopping Centre's glass-and-steel architecture houses additional shops and cafes.
Getting Around
Bremerhaven grew from three separate settlements: medieval Lehe, the 1827 port of Bremerhaven, and Geestemünde from 1845. Today, buses connect all parts of the city, and water taxis run along the waterfront between the main attractions. The central station has regular connections to Bremen and Hamburg.
