This northern German city near Denmark has a charming old town and harbor. It hosts the annual Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival and houses museums on art and local history.
Flensburg, Germany's northernmost city, sits at the tip of a fjord just 7 km from the Danish border. This port town reflects its unique location through bilingual street signs, a mix of German and Danish cuisine, and architecture that spans centuries. In Flensburg, you can wander through the Old Town's narrow streets lined with merchant houses from the 12th century, sip locally brewed Flensburger beer at harborside pubs, or set sail on the Baltic Sea for a day trip.
Exploring Flensburg's Old Town
Flensburg's Old Town packs centuries of history into its compact, walkable streets. Begin your journey at the Nordertor, a 16th-century city gate marking the northern edge of the historic center. As you stroll south along Norderstraße, you'll pass colorful half-timbered houses and former merchants' homes with detailed facades.
Make a stop at St. Nicholas Church, a Gothic brick structure built in 1390, recognizable by its green copper spire. Continue to Südermarkt square, where the Renaissance-style Alte Post building stands out. To delve into Flensburg's past, visit the Schifffahrtsmuseum (Maritime Museum) in a former customs house on the harbor. Here, you'll find exhibits detailing the city's seafaring history and its once-thriving rum trade with the Caribbean.
Danish-German Cultural Mix
Flensburg's location near Denmark creates a unique cultural atmosphere. About 2,500 of the city's 90,000 residents are Danish, forming the largest Danish minority in Germany. You'll see bilingual street signs throughout town, and you might overhear conversations in both German and Danish.
This cultural blend extends to Flensburg's food scene. Try local dishes like "Flensburger Backfisch" (fried fish) or "Rote Grütze" (red berry pudding) at restaurants around town. For a taste of both cultures, visit Hansens Brauerei near the harbor, where you can pair German beers with Danish-inspired dishes.
Maritime Heritage and Harbor Area
The sea has shaped Flensburg's identity throughout its history. Today, the city's harbor serves as a popular area for walking and dining. Stroll along the Schiffbrücke, where old warehouses have been transformed into restaurants and shops.
At the Museumswerft, an open-air shipyard museum, you can watch craftsmen build and restore traditional wooden boats. For a different view of the city, take a summer cruise on the Dampfer Alexandra, a restored 1908 steamship that tours the Flensburg Fjord.
Local Specialties: Beer and Rum
Flensburg's name is synonymous with beer in Germany, particularly the Flensburger Pilsener or "Flens" as locals call it. You can tour the Flensburger Brauerei to learn about the brewing process and taste different varieties.
The city also has a past connected to rum. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Flensburg was a major importer of rum from the Danish West Indies. While this trade has declined, you can still find local rum producers. Visit the Rum-Museum Flensburg to learn about this history and sample local varieties.
