Emden between Harbor, Museums and Waterways

Emden offers a variety of ways to plan a stay: waterways and a harbor, museums and historic buildings, as well as protected landscapes. Activities also vary considerably in terms of time and format—from a harbor cruise on the Atlantis to trails through nature reserves.

Waterways and Protected Landscapes

The “Ostfriesische Meere” nature reserve covers 490 hectares within the city limits of Emden and is part of the Natura 2000 network. A hiking and cycling trail about two kilometers long runs along the Larrelter Tief and the former Constantia sleeping dike through the “Schlafdeich Constantia” nature reserve. Wetland habitats, ponds and small bodies of water are part of this landscape.

The “Krummhörn” nature reserve stretches from Emden to Greetsiel. It is of great importance as a resting and wintering area for northern geese, ducks and waders. In and around Emden, visitors can explore both a specific trail through wetlands and a protected area that is important for migratory and wintering birds.

Harbor, Canals and Boat Trips

Within the city limits, you can travel about 20 kilometers of waterways by rowboat. Day trips in all four directions start at the Emden Rowing Club boathouse. Emden’s canals can also be explored by canoe or pedal boat. A boat and canoe rental shop at the water tower rents canoes, kayaks and pedal boats by the hour or day.

The Atlantis harbor cruise lasts just over two and a half hours and takes you through Emden’s inland harbor and, depending on the route, through either the Nesserlander Lock or the Great Sea Lock. Emden is also the hub of the International Dollard Route. From Emden, you can take the passenger ship “Dollard” to Ditzum or Delfzijl. AG Ems ships depart daily from Emden’s outer harbor for the island of Borkum. If you plan to take one of these boat services, check the timetable or current sailing dates before your trip.

Museums, Ships and Architectural History

The Bunker Museum is a regional museum covering the period from 1933 to 1948 in Emden and East Frisia. It is housed in an authentic World War II bunker. Group tours are available by arrangement. The logger “AE 7-Stadt Emden” has been moored at the Emder Ratsdelft as a museum ship since spring 1995. The museum lightship “Amrumbank Deutsche Bucht” has been there since August 2, 1984, and is now a maritime history museum. Its notable features include the oldest intact lightship engine installation.

The Kunsthalle Emden presents changing exhibitions of 20th- and 21st-century art across around 1,700 square meters. During opening hours, ten free bicycle lockers for charging e-bikes are available behind the Kunsthalle. The East Frisian State Museum Emden showcases an art and cultural history collection that is unique in northwest Germany. Directly below the tower’s carillon, an observation platform at a height of 38 meters offers views across the city and surrounding countryside.

The Vrouw-Johanna Mill was built in 1804 and remained in operation until 1956. Its miller’s house is home to the Emden Art Association, an open meeting place for visual artists; regular special exhibitions are also held there. The Protestant Reformed New Church in Emden was built between 1643 and 1648 as the first Reformed preaching church in northern Germany. Its acoustics are the reason numerous concerts are held there.

The Johannes a Lasco Library was founded in the Reformed congregation in 1559 and is the oldest library in East Frisia. It preserves a historical book collection, an encyclopedic collection and the Emden Bible. Conferences are held there regularly, alongside concerts. Dat Otto Huus is a museum dedicated to comedian Otto; the Otto cinema screens sketches from stage shows, excerpts from television programs and films.

Culture, Traditions and Relaxation

The International Emden-Norderney Film Festival is held every June. Check the current program and dates before your trip. The annual Emden Matjes Days are a recurring culinary tradition. For a break, the Friesentherme Emden offers six saunas at different temperatures and a natural swimming pond in the sauna garden.

When planning your day, it is worth keeping the different lengths and scales of activities in mind: The Atlantis cruise lasts just over two and a half hours, while the trail through the nature reserve is about two kilometers long. The approximately 20 kilometers of waterways available to rowboats represent yet another kind of activity.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Emden, Logumer Vorwerk, Twixlum, Wybelsum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Petkum, Jarßum, Rotenburg.

Go to the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.