Petkum – Wadden Sea foreland, ferry and church art

Petkum brings together several distinct travel themes: the motor ferry to Ditzum, the Wadden Sea foreland along the Lower Ems, seasonal cycling routes and historical details in the church. There are also tours with different routes.

Ferry and getting around

The motor ferry connects Ditzum and Petkum in about 20 minutes. It carries pedestrians, cyclists and up to three cars. If you include the crossing in your travel plans, take the approximate journey time and car capacity into account; check the timetable in advance.

There is car parking at the Petkum ferry landing; the nearest bus stop is about a ten-minute walk away. If you plan to continue by bus, you can factor in the approximate walk to the stop.

Wadden Sea foreland and seasonal cycling routes

The 200-hectare Petkum Wadden Sea foreland stretches along the Lower Ems from Jarßum to Gandersum. Under the ordinance of 30 May 2017, it was incorporated together with adjoining areas in the district of Leer into the “Lower Ems” nature reserve.

Cyclists follow a seasonal route: the cycle path through the Petkum Wadden Sea foreland, known as the Teekabfuhrweg, is open from 1 July to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 June, the alternative route runs along the inland side of the dike. Check which of the two routes applies on your travel date.

Tours and sights at the ferry port

The “Ditzum & Emden” option on the International Dollard Route is 32.2 kilometres long and passes through Petkum and Ditzum. The “Around the Ems and Dollart” tour runs from Leer through the Rheiderland region, across the Ems, through Petkum and past Kloster Thedinga, before returning to Leer. While a distance is given for the first route, the second can be identified as a circular route from its start and return to Leer.

The shelter at the Petkum/Ditzum ferry port is near the Lower Ems nature reserve. It features the coats of arms of both towns, the threatened regional bird species redshank and pied avocet, and motifs of the surrounding landscape.

Church and historical details

The core of Petkum Church dates back to the 13th century. A Late Gothic polygonal choir was added at the eastern end between 1470 and 1480; the church was renovated around 1750. These dates distinguish the medieval core from later structural changes.

The church houses a Bentheim-type baptismal font from the first half of the 13th century and a late 15th-century sandstone relief known as the “Petkum Epitaph.” The Grotian organ in St Anthony’s Church in Emden-Petkum is a 17th-century instrument. The old Petkum sluice has also become a decorative feature.

Culture in the wider destination of Emden

In Emden, the Kunsthalle primarily presents art from the Classical Modern period and has an affiliated painting school. The Emden Bunker Museum is located in an authentic bunker on Holzsägerstraße and traces the period from the beginning of National Socialism through the Second World War to Emden’s reconstruction in the postwar period.

The East Frisian State Museum in Emden displays an art and cultural history collection considered unique in northwestern Germany. Across around 2,600 square metres, visitors can explore art and history. The museum also includes the Emden Armoury, with 400-year-old swords, matchlock muskets and suits of armour that reflect the city’s former weaponry.

Discover more destinations: Emden, Jarßum, Hilmarsum Settlement, Logumer Vorwerk, Wybelsum, Twixlum

Go to the wider travel overview: Emden.