Camping Cuxhaven: North Sea beach, mudflat hike directly at the campsite

Cuxhaven – Discover small sea creatures and collect shells with the children on a mudflat hike, or take a long walk through the dunes with your dog.
Cuxhaven allows you to do both, especially as a camper.
This town at the mouth of the Elbe to the German North Sea is a popular place for sea lovers who want to bask in the sun during the summer months.
Located in the northernmost part of Lower Saxony, Cuxhaven attracts a particularly large number of tourists.
Campers are particularly fond of this place, also thanks to the beautiful campsites here (more on this later).
Whether with a roof tent, trailer or classic trekking tent, the town enchants with its charm and beautiful beaches.
It is one of the largest cities on the North Sea, right after Bremerhaven and Emden.
You can reach Bremerhaven within 30 minutes by car from Cuxhaven.
If you have a little more time, it is also worth visiting the town of St. Peter Ording, 100 kilometers away.

Camping Ratgeber:

Pure relaxation: North Sea family vacation in Cuxhaven

Around 100 kilometers north of Bremen, the seaside town of Cuxhaven beckons with a variety of attractions.
Sunbathe on the beach, swim in the sea or simply relax with your loved ones and, of course, your little four-legged friend.
After the gray workday, this is finally the well-deserved relaxation you’ve been waiting for.
But what would a family vacation be without a few excursions?
A mudflat hike is definitely recommended here.
Being up to your knees in mud can be a fun family experience.
All you need is suitable footwear and you’re ready to go.
Another thing you definitely shouldn’t miss are the cute seal pups.
The seal station delights young and old alike, which is understandable with these adorable googly eyes.
This is how beautiful the beach in the Duhnen district of Cuxhaven is:

Map: Between Elbe & North Sea

Cuxhaven is a small town at the mouth of the River Elbe on the North Sea.
It is located in beautiful Lower Saxony and is surrounded by many other tourist hotspots.
It is the ideal starting point for a ferry trip to Büsum or St. Peter-Ording, but it is also a short drive to Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.
The district of Duhnen with its famous Duhnen beach is particularly popular.

Cuxhaven: Beach vacation on the beach of Duhnen

Cuxhaven is an ideal place to relax by the North Sea.
Here you can relax in a beach chair while seagulls fly overhead and you can smell the fresh sea breeze in your nose.
A walk on the beach or a dip in the refreshing Atlantic Ocean will quickly wake you up again.
There is something for everyone here.
The spa town offers plenty of opportunities to relax your body, or would you prefer a hike through the mudflats?
Airship fans in particular will get their money’s worth here, as one of the only three airship and naval aviation museums is located right here.
And if one visit is not enough, you can sleep in a “sleep cube”, a small square tent with an ideal view.

Children’s play world & more North Sea stands

If that’s not enough for you, then take a look at our checklist of attractions.
Here you will find a children’s paradise that will keep the little bundles of energy busy all day long.
A play world in the whale allows them to feel like Pinocchio.
Wrapped around a whale, you will find everything a child’s heart desires in the play world, from trampolines to climbing castles.
Still not sure where exactly to go?
Then read more here about the camping tour along the North Sea and the top beaches on the North Sea.
Otherwise, here is some general information about Cuxhaven before we get to the insider tips.

What to do in Cuxhaven?
Beach & City

You’ve just arrived in Cuxhaven, your stomach is growling from the long drive and you want to explore the city as quickly as possible.
It’s worth picking up a fresh fish at the fish market when you first arrive.
The salty smell, the call of a market crier and the cheerful atmosphere ensure that you quickly lose track of time.
It’s worth trying out a quick recipe on the gas stove and enjoying it in the comfort of your camping chairs.
If you’re already at the North Sea, then you also have to try the typical food.
A city is only appealing enough if you can discover enough in addition to relaxing by the sea.
Cuxhaven combines these two aspects and creates a good balance with exciting museums, indoor playgrounds and guided tours of the mudflats.
Here you can learn something for life at the same time.

Places of interest: Checklist

These are the top highlights in Cuxhaven:

Duhnen Beach Cuxhaven
Fat Bertha: Lighthouse
Tidal flat tours with family and dog
Friedrichskoog seal sanctuary
Play world in the whale: children’s paradise
Wreck and Fishing Museum: Wind force 10
Kugelbake: the sea mark
North Sea spa: a health resort for body & soul
Bederkesa Castle: Archaeological Museum
German Airship and Naval Aviation Museum

Duhnen Strand Cuxhaven: Bathing fun on the North Sea

The North Sea feeling awaits you on Duhnen beach.
The yellow beach chairs stand out in the fields of beach chairs, which are divided off by pricks, next to the fine white sand.
The promenade is very lively and invites you to take a stroll.
You can stop off at a number of restaurants and try one of the delicious crab sandwiches.
And a simple stroll on Duhnen beach is not like everywhere else.
Here you have several options for walking without missing out on the view of the sea.
You can either walk along the water’s edge or the edge of the mudflats, where the sand is pleasantly firm, or if you want to walk for free, then on the dyke.
If you want to walk your dog, it’s worth going to the sandy beach at the Kugelbake or the green beach at the Kugelbake.
Here, the little four-legged friends can run free without a lead and without large crowds.
These are the most important beaches in Cuxhaven:

Walks along the edge of the mudflats
Entrance to the beach at Duhnen Strand
Dog beaches at the Kugelbake

Here you will find the Duhnen beach:

Tidal flat tours with family and dog

A guided tour of the mudflats is as much a part of the North Sea program as the fish stall by the sea.
With the old sailing shoes through the mud, so that you are almost knee-deep in mud.
And there’s plenty to discover too!
Whether it’s jellyfish, crabs or pipefish, you’ll come across all kinds of small animals here.
But be careful, a tour of the mudflats should be well thought out and accompanied by a professional guide.
Otherwise the change from low tide to high tide could take you by surprise.
Why a mudflat hike is worthwhile:

Discover marine animals
Walking knee-deep through the mud
Watching the ebb and flow of the tide

Fat Bertha: The lighthouse as a city symbol

The Fat Bertha is the trademark of the town of Cuxhaven.
You can only find a lighthouse like this on the coast.
That’s why for many, the visit is the first time they have seen a real lighthouse.
It is definitely worth going to the top.
From there you have a view over Cuxhaven and the beautiful wide sea like nowhere else.
Feel like one of the flying seagulls as you look out over the entire city from above.
Why you should visit the Dicke Bertha:

Super view over the city
Trademark of the city

You can take a look at Fat Bertha in advance here:

Seal station Friedrichskoog: Cute baby seals

A seal sanctuary is fun for the whole family.
Little seal orphans are cared for and raised in the seal sanctuaries until they are fit and independent enough for a life in the sea.
There are exactly two seal stations, one in Friedrichskoog and one in Norddeich.
A trip there is always worthwhile when you see the cute little eyes of the baby seals.
The first howls of the little pups are also very cute.
Each of them has its own name, from Max to Frodo, the little darlings enchant all visitors.
Friedrichskoog seal sanctuary:

Orphaned seal pups
Cute moments for the family

Play world in the whale: fun for the little ones

Feel like Pinocchio and be swallowed by a whale.
This is possible in the play paradise “Spielwelt im Wal”.
Here you can visit a wide variety of attractions in a building shaped like a whale.
Whether on the trampoline, on the climbing castle, go-karting or on the inflatable bouncy castles, fun and games are guaranteed.
And if it happens to be your child’s birthday on vacation, then it’s twice as worthwhile.
Birthday children get in for free and there is also a little surprise for them.
So the next children’s birthday party will be a real success.
Highlights for children:

Trampoline
Climbing castle
Go karting
Inflated bouncy castles
Birth children: free of charge

North Sea spa Cuxhaven: a health resort for mind and body

Are you staying longer in Cuxhaven and have plenty of time for wellness?
Cuxhaven is known for being the largest seaside spa in Germany.
Health, cure and relaxation are at the top of the list here!
200 years ago there was just a warm bathhouse and cart bath on the beach, but today thousands of visitors relax here thanks to the wide range of spa treatments.
In addition to a sauna, there are plenty of cosmetic, relaxation and even pedicure offers.
The spa and wellness offerings pamper you with massages and various fitness activities such as water aerobics.
The wellness program at the North Sea spa:

Sauna
Cosmetics
Relaxation offers
Cure

North Sea tour: The most beautiful cities on the coast

You’re at the campsite in Cuxhaven and still have one day left, but you think you’ve already seen everything important in Cuxhaven.
Then you should definitely pay a visit to the surrounding area.
Why should you only discover Cuxhaven when there are so many beautiful places in the immediate vicinity?
You want to go on a little North Sea tour.
It’s hard to keep track when the German North Sea coast is 621 kilometers long and offers enough space for many beautiful beaches, bays and tourist towns.
Here you will not only find the most beautiful places on the North Sea, but also all the important information served up on a silver platter.
Near Cuxhaven:

Excursion destinations nearby: Airship & Fishing Museum

If you’re staying in Cuxhaven for a few more days, there’s plenty to discover nearby.
Especially if you are interested in unusual museums, there is something for you here!
In the airship museum you are high above the clouds, while in the fishing museum you can discover the depths of the seas.
Whether hundreds of meters above or below the sea, there is something for everyone.

German Airship and Naval Aviation Museum Aeronauticum

The Aeronauticum offers interesting insights into the development of airship, sea and naval aviation in the museum hall and on the approximately 36,000 m² outdoor area.
Unique exhibits, impressive models, original aircraft and much more make a visit to the museum an experience not only for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
30,000 visitors a year confirm time and again what an adventure awaits you here.
Directions to the German Airship and Naval Aviation Museum:

Address: Peter-Strasser-Platz 3, 27639 Wurster North Sea coast

Wind force 10: Wreck and fishing museum

This museum is not a boring day trip to look at old relics.
Here the little ones experience the extremes of seafaring with all their senses.
Whether at the numerous films and audio stations or at the “hands-on” areas, history has never been made so tangible.
Realistic staging and impressive lighting technology turn the visit into an experience!
Exciting stories about desperate cries for help from the freighter Luise Leonhardt, stranded in a hurricane, will make children’s eyes light up.
Afterwards, they can let off steam in the children’s play area or look at picture books while snuggled up on the octopus couch.
There is a painting corner for the little artists and a large glass dome and a periscope of a submarine for the adventurers.
Directions to the wreck and fishing museum:

Address: Ohlroggestraße 1, 27472 Cuxhaven

Camping in Cuxhaven: advantages & recommendations

A beautiful warm summer’s day, in the middle of nature, your head feels so free.
What could be nicer than waking up and having a view of the North Sea from the roof tent?
During the night, the sea was still so far away, but the low tide is now over.
And from a safe distance, it feels like you’re swimming.
So that you don’t have to rack your brains before your trip and spend countless hours searching, we have summarized everything here in a compact form.
In Cuxhaven, you can relax at one of the most beautiful health resorts, breathe in the sea breeze and watch the seagulls on the beach.

Campsite recommendations

Cuxhaven already has an ideal location, right by the sea.
And if you can find a campsite where you can pitch your roof tent and enjoy the beautiful view right before your eyes, there’s nothing better.
The following campsites are ideal for a vacation in Cuxhaven:

Camping Seelust

4.3 stars / 8 ratings
Address: Cuxhavener Str. 65-67, 27476 Duhnen
Phone: +49 472 1402504

Camping site Wattenlöper

4.0 stars / 22 ratings
Address: Cuxhavener Str. 57, 27476 Duhnen
Phone: +49 472 1426051

Finck campsite

4.2 stars / 22 ratings
Address: Am Sahlenburger Strand 25, 27476 Sahlenburg
Phone: +49 472 1399930

Weather: temperatures and trend

Cuxhaven is about three meters above sea level.
Accordingly, the climate is classified as warm.
Nevertheless, there is significant rainfall in Cuxhaven throughout the year.
Even in April, the driest month, you can expect a lot of precipitation, which you should bear in mind when planning your trip.
Summer is the month with the worst rainfall.
The average annual temperature in Cuxhaven is 10 °C, while the average water temperature is 11 °C.

Average annual temperature: 10 °C
Driest month: April
Rainy: summer months

Weather today: Practically on the map

You can view the current weather conditions on this map.

Your first time camping?

You’re thinking about your first camping trip and maybe you want to go to the North Sea.
You can expect more tourists here than in the more rural areas, but it’s definitely worth it.
The sea breeze and the sound of the waves are a tourist magnet, but there are still hidden, quiet spots and beautiful places to camp.
With a roof tent on your car or a tent trailer in the back, you are completely flexible on the road, can drive to and explore several of the picturesque corners and are completely free to plan your day as you wish. Find out here what you need to know about a vacation here, which sights you should definitely visit and what the advantages of camping are! Are you new to camping? Read all about the basics of packing lists, routes, costs, tips etc. here: Camping beginners.

Camping relaxes, makes good sounds and energizes

Advantages of camping – Camping guarantees you the feeling of complete closeness to nature and freedom.
You can sit outside in front of your roof tent until late in the evening and chat with your loved ones about past times or your upcoming vacation plans.
Your itinerary can be planned individually and the next day can be organized spontaneously.
You can get up comfortably with the first rays of sunshine, prepare breakfast in your camping kitchen and start the day in a camping chair or a camping lounger on the campsite.

Cheaper than hotels and flexible

Another advantage of camping is that it is definitely cheaper than staying in a hotel or vacation apartment.
If you want to buy a rooftop tent, you only have to pay for food, activities, fuel and possibly a few campsites along the way.
These are the advantages of a camping vacation:

Cost-effective travel option
Intense time in nature with your loved ones
Sitting together outside until the evening hours
Flexible travel arrangements
Spontaneous and free organization of the day
Comfort and luxury in the roof tent
Space for the whole family
Sleeping place is ready anytime and anywhere

FAQ: Questions about the Cuxhaven

Before you go on vacation, you should clear up any unanswered questions.
You’ll find all the answers to your most pressing questions here!

Where is Cuxhaven most beautiful?

The Duhnen district is ideal for a vacation in Cuxhaven.
It has by far the most beautiful sandy beaches on the coast of Lower Saxony.

What does Cuxhaven offer?

Cuxhaven has a lot to offer.
When it comes to culture and art, you should visit one of the many museums and exhibitions.
For example, the FormArt Gallery and the German Submarine Museum or Penguin Museum are perfect for an exciting excursion.

What can I do with children in Cuxhaven?

Every child loves playgrounds!
And there are plenty of them in Cuxhaven.
With climbing facilities, slides and swings, the little ones will never get bored.

Playground in Duhnen
Climbing park Cuxhaven
Wernerwald playground Cuxhaven-Sahlenburg
Kurpark Döse for children
Playground Viking ship Cuxhaven-Döse
Ahoy bath

Where does the name Cuxhaven come from?

The name Cuxhaven, which was only handed down at a late date, is conventionally attributed to the Low German word koog, meaning “dyked land”.

What can you do in Cuxhaven in bad weather?

When it rains, the resort has to impress with indoor activities.
The choice in Cuxhaven is huge.
How about a trip to the Thalasso Center Ahoi.
Giant slides, surf pools, a thermal bath or sauna await you there.

Until when did Cuxhaven belong to Hamburg?

As part of the Greater Hamburg Act, the Hanseatic city ceded the office to Prussia in 1937 and received Altona, Harburg and Wilhelmsburg in return.
The city has belonged to Lower Saxony since 1946.
However, parts of the port of Cuxhaven remained in Hamburg’s possession until 1993.