Discover Elmshorn: City History and the Krückau

Elmshorn brings together historic architecture, city history, public art and the Krückau with its connection to the harbor. These themes offer different ways to shape a stay in Elmshorn: church architecture, industrial history, remembrance and activities on the water or along walking and cycling routes. If you are looking for a hotel, one simple question can help with your planning: Which of these themes would you like to focus on during your stay? The following places and routes show how many different ways there are to explore Elmshorn.

Church Architecture, Industrial History and Remembrance

St. Nikolai is in the center of Elmshorn and is the city’s oldest church building. The Gothic hall church has Baroque furnishings, bringing together different periods of architectural and interior design. It is regularly open to visitors. The Elmshorn Industrial Museum offers a different focus: across four floors, it presents the development of industry, technology, work and everyday life in Schleswig-Holstein. The museum is housed in a listed warehouse, and multilingual audio guides complement the visit. The two places therefore offer different perspectives: a single church building and a broad history of industry and everyday life.

Elmshorn’s water tower began operating in 1902. Following its renovation, it is open to the public; check the current visiting arrangements before your trip. An exhibition in the Taharahaus at Elmshorn’s Jewish cemetery focuses on the city’s Jewish residents and their persecution during the Nazi era. The Konrad-Struve-Haus displays everyday objects, as well as typical and unusual items from Elmshorn’s history, in a modern exhibition and a reconstructed living room. The visit takes you through an accessible repository of Elmshorn’s history.

Art, Harbor and the Krückau

The sculpture garden in the city center presents twelve traditional and contemporary works along the Krückau. The Krückauhafen is Elmshorn’s maritime center. The historic Ewer GLORIA is moored there and offers seasonal sailing and motorboat trips on the Krückau, the Elbe and their tributaries. Check current departure times before your trip.

The Krückau itself also offers a variety of things to discover: its landscape changes with the ebb and flow of the tide. The river provides habitat for brook lampreys and kingfishers and is part of the designated FFH sites “Obere Krückau” and “Schleswig-Holsteinisches Elbästuar und angrenzende Flächen.” Nature and the harbor’s maritime character therefore come together along the river.

Routes and Activities for Your Stay

The Krückau walking route starts at Mühlendamm and runs through Krückaupark. For cycling, the Ochsenweg and the Elbe Cycle Route offer ways to explore Elmshorn and the surrounding area; the Elbe Cycle Route passes through Elmshorn. Guided city tours cover historic buildings, the harbor and notable people from Elmshorn. Check current dates and booking options in advance.

Badepark Elmshorn combines a 25-meter pool, a 110-meter water slide, a climbing wall, a children’s area, a sauna area and water-based classes. Facilities and classes may change; check current availability. Badepark can be reached by bicycle, bus or car. Whether you are mainly interested in city history, the harbor and river, or routes and other activities, choose your focus and plan your stay accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Hetlingen, Tornesch, Westerhorn, Groß Offenseth-Aspern, Lutzhorn, Seeth-Ekholt, Moorrege, Groß Nordende.

Back to the regional travel guide: Pinneberg.