Discover Haren / Ems and find a hotel

Haren / Ems brings together a range of travel interests: water sports, boating, cycling, nature and the history of mills each have their own appeal. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The following places and activities provide practical guidance.

Water and boating

At Dankernsee, you can water-ski, use pedal boats, try stand-up paddleboarding or swim. The options range from activities on the water to swimming. In Haren, passenger boat trips are available on the MS Amisia; you can also take motorboat trips on your own. Check the timetable and availability before making plans.

The Haren-Rütenbrock Canal runs through Haren and connects to the Dutch canal network. North of the Rhine, it is the only navigable connection between Germany and the Netherlands. This makes the canal a point of interest for travelers interested in waterways and their connections.

Cycling and other activities

The Dörfer-Tour starts in Haren and is designated as an easy 38-kilometer cycling route. Its distance and difficulty rating provide two practical details for planning: the length of the route and its stated level of difficulty. Check the route information before setting off.

Schloss Dankern includes the Motorik-Fun Park, the medieval Drago fortress with more than 60 obstacles, and a fire-station-themed playground. For planning your day, there is a designated cycling route as well as several specifically named leisure attractions, offering different types of outings.

Nature in Haren

The 13-hectare Tinner Loh nature reserve is characterized by an old beech forest. The trees are 200 to 500 years old; the area provides a habitat for birds and wood-dwelling insects. When visiting, stay on the paths and keep dogs on a leash. These rules are part of visiting the protected area and distinguish a nature outing from the leisure and water-sports activities.

Mills and architecture

The Haren Mill Museum features the restored Mersmühle, a working cap windmill dating from 1825. With the themes “Sowing, harvesting, milling, baking” and “From grain to bread,” the museum focuses on grain production. These themes trace the process from sowing and harvesting through milling to baking bread. At present, visits are only possible as part of a guided tour, which you must book in advance through the Haren Tourist Information office.

St. Martinus Church was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is often called the “Emsland Cathedral.” The exterior can be viewed at any time; check this visiting option before your visit. Its connection to Rome and its regional nickname give the church a distinctive architectural character.

The wider Emsland region

In the wider travel destination of Emsland, Hümmling Nature Park covers around 580 square kilometers in the northeast of the district. Cycling and hiking trails pass historic sites, megalithic tombs and the Baroque Clemenswerth Palace, with information stations along the way. The Theikenmeer Loop is one of the nature park’s trails that meets the quality criteria of the German Hiking Association. The Crane Trail leads about 2.5 kilometers into the Theikenmeer nature reserve; the return route follows the same path, making the total walking distance about 5 kilometers. A viewing platform offers panoramic views of Lake Theikenmeer and the Wehmer Dose moorland; there is also an observation hut on the lakeshore.

Discover more destinations: Holthausen, Lingen, Düthe, Haselünne, Heede, Niederlangen, Lünne, Lähden

For the overview of the wider travel destination: Emsland.