Duhner Strandpromenade Live Cam

The Origins

Nestled along the German North Sea coast, the Duhner Strandpromenade stretches gracefully across the shores of Cuxhaven’s Duhnen district. Originally a modest wooden walkway built in the early 20th century, the promenade was envisioned as a gateway for seaside tourism. Its construction coincided with the rise of coastal health resorts in Germany, when physicians began prescribing sea air and saltwater treatments for respiratory and rheumatic ailments. The first iteration featured simple benches and wooden railings, allowing visitors to admire the vast Wadden Sea while enjoying the therapeutic breeze. Over the decades, local authorities expanded the promenade into a more sophisticated structure, incorporating durable materials like reinforced concrete and natural stone to withstand the powerful tides and shifting sands.

Architectural Evolution and Technical Aspects

By the 1950s, the Duhner Strandpromenade had evolved into a robust coastal engineering project. Marine engineers employed innovative wave attenuation techniques to protect the shoreline from erosion. Breakwaters of gabion baskets and embedded timber piles were strategically placed offshore, reducing the impact of storm surges and winter gales. The walkway itself was raised on steel pilings driven deep into the seabed, ensuring stability even during high tides and storm floods. Today’s promenade spans over 600 meters, featuring a widened deck of weather-resistant hardwood, stainless-steel balustrades, and LED lighting powered by an energy-efficient grid connected to local wind turbines—a testament to modern sustainable coastal design.

Integration with Coastal Defense Systems

The promenade is an integral component of Cuxhaven’s comprehensive coastal defense system. Rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity have necessitated regular reinforcement. Engineers utilize cutting-edge geomorphological surveys and digital twin modeling to predict shoreline changes. Sand replenishment programs, conducted annually, ensure a buffer between the sea and the promenade. The dunes behind the walkway are stabilized with Ammophila arenaria (marram grass), whose deep roots consolidate the sand and reduce wind erosion. Visitors can witness these natural dunes, a hallmark of the German Wadden Sea landscape, safeguarded by a synergy of ecological restoration and civil engineering.

Historical Highlights and Local Heritage

The origins of Duhnen as a seaside resort date back to the mid-19th century when the affluent from Hamburg and Bremen traveled by horse-drawn carriages to experience the healing qualities of the North Sea. Early postcards from the 1870s depict the first wooden bathing huts lining the beach, where guests changed into woolen bathing costumes before venturing into the choppy waters. These huts evolved into colorful beach cabins, reflecting the era’s penchant for seaside leisure and photography—an emerging trend driven by Kodak’s introduction of pocket cameras in 1888.

Maritime Traditions and Fishing Heritage

Beyond tourism, Duhnen’s history is inextricably linked to maritime trades. The nearby fishing port of Cuxhaven has served as a crucial North Sea harbor since medieval times. Cod, herring, and plaice were once hauled ashore by wooden sailboats, their catches filling local smokehouses. Visitors strolling along the promenade can often spot traditional fishing vessels—referred to as Kutter—anchored offshore, their overturned hulls and net-casting cranes evoking a bygone era of artisanal fishing. The annual Fischmarkt (fish market) at Cuxhaven’s harbor showcases this living heritage, where freshly smoked eel and North Sea shrimp are local delicacies.

Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009, the Wadden Sea represents one of the world’s largest tidal flats. The Duhner Strandpromenade offers unparalleled access to guided mudflat hiking tours, where licensed guides lead participants across the glistening mudflats exposed during low tide. This ecosystem is a critical stopover for millions of migratory birds, including the red knot and bar-tailed godwit. Interpretive panels along the promenade explain the unique intertidal zones—ranging from submerged sandbanks to salt marshes—and the specialized fauna, such as lugworms and razor clams, that inhabit them.

Surrounding Attractions and Activities

The promenade serves as a starting point for a wealth of recreational pursuits. To the east lies the expansive Duhnen Beach, renowned for its fine, golden sand and gentle slope into the sea—ideal for families and water sports enthusiasts. Wind surfers and kitesurfers exploit the steady offshore breezes, while stand-up paddleboarders glide across the calm waters near the pier. Beach volleyball courts, accessible directly from the walkway, host amateur tournaments throughout the summer. For those seeking tranquility, numerous benches and viewing platforms provide vantage points to observe the distant Elbe estuary and the silhouette of Heligoland on clear days.

Culinary Delights and Seaside Dining

Walking along the promenade, one encounters an array of seaside cafés and restaurants offering regional specialties. Smoky flavors dominate the menu, with the Graved Lachs (cured salmon) and Matjes (young herring) served on traditional buttered rye bread. The Strandkorb (wicker beach chair) seating areas allow guests to savor a glass of Kieler Sekt while watching the tide roll in. For a heartier meal, local gastropubs feature Frisian lamb stew and North Sea cod au gratin, often accompanied by a side of tangy headcheese—a cultural relic of resourceful coastal cuisine.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Children delight in the adventure playgrounds adjacent to the promenade, which incorporate maritime-themed structures such as sliding “ship decks” and climbing nets resembling rigging. A miniature railway—modelled after historic steam engines—runs parallel to the promenade, offering scenic rides from Duhnen to the neighboring Sahlenburg district. Additionally, the Familienlagune Perlebucht, a protected lagoon lagoon just inland, boasts shallow waters warmed by natural springs, making it suitable for young swimmers and model boating.

Seasonal Events and Cultural Festivals

Throughout the year, Duhner Strandpromenade transforms with seasonal festivities. In spring, the Blütenfest (blossom festival) celebrates the flowering of sea buckthorn shrubs, whose bright orange berries are harvested for vitamin-rich jams and liqueurs. Summer brings the Musik in den Dünen open-air concert series, where chamber ensembles perform on an amphitheater platform built into the dunes. Come autumn, the promenade hosts the Sandkünstler-Festival, showcasing towering sand sculptures crafted by international artists, while winter heralds the enchanting Nordsee-Weihnachtsmarkt (North Sea Christmas Market) with its artisanal crafts and mulled wine stalls.

Nighttime Ambiance and Coastal Stargazing

After sunset, the promenade takes on a serene luminosity. Soft, nautical-style lanterns guide evening walkers, and reflective glass panels embedded into the deck mimic tidal puddles, refracting the path’s lighting. On clear nights, astrophotographers set up telescopes to capture the Milky Way arching above the horizon, unobscured by urban light pollution. The low-lying coastal marshes offer an uninterrupted view of the southern constellation Orion during winter months, and the auroral oval occasionally paints ethereal green bands in the northern sky.

Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Tourism

Local authorities and conservation groups collaborate to preserve the fragile coastal ecosystem. Plastic-free initiatives ban single-use plastics along the promenade, and waste stations feature clear signage for recycling glass, metal, and organic matter. Educational kiosks explain the importance of dune restoration and the role of tidal dynamics in nutrient cycling. Each year, volunteers participate in beach clean-up days, systematically removing debris before it can harm marine wildlife.

Accessibility and Visitor Information

Accessibility improvements ensure that visitors of all abilities can enjoy the promenade. Wheelchair ramps lead from adjacent car parks onto the deck, and tactile guidance strips assist visually impaired guests. Nearby bus stops connect Duhnen to Cuxhaven Hauptbahnhof, providing seamless regional rail links to Hamburg and Bremen. Seasonal shuttle services operate between Duhnen and Sahlenburg, facilitating access to inland forest trails and the recuperative centers of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park.

New Tip for Travelers

For an unforgettable experience, plan your visit during low tide—approximately two hours before and after—so you can embark on a guided mudflat hiking tour. Remember to wear sturdy, waterproof boots and bring a waterproof jacket; tide schedules can change rapidly, and sudden weather shifts are common along the German North Sea coast.

Interesting Fact

Did you know that the Duhner Strandpromenade was once a filming location for the classic 1970s German crime series “Tatort”? The iconic bicycle scene in episode 57 was shot on the original wooden walkway, capturing the misty early morning light that still characterizes the promenade today.

Duhnen Strand - Wadden Sea

The large double rooms and penthouse or junior suites with balconies, facing the ocean, and also the single rooms, with an ocean view, offer not only a fantastic view of the beach, the tidelands, the island of Neuwerk and the shipping lanes. The friendly brightness and comfortable furnishings also contribute to your sense of well-being. All of our rooms are provided with a minibar, direct-dialing telephone, internet access, radio, hair dryer, bathrobes and a safe.

The generous wellness area of our hotel offers an indoor pool (13 x 6 m, 28 °C), a whirlpool (35 °C), sauna, steambath, solarium and a sunbathing terrace (6th floor). You can exercise free of charge under professional guidance using state of the art equipment or enjoy a variety of courses such as Step-Aerobics, Indoor-Cycling; Aqua- or Back-training, Yoga, etc., in "Ballance", the fitness center opened in 2000 and located in "ahoi!", the aquadome 500 m from the hotel. For your soothing bodily relaxation, we now offer whole body, back/neck or anti-stress massages!

Via Bremen: Take the A27 to Cuxhaven, exit at Altenwalde, turn right to the health resort areas/Duhnen, left at next traffic light, about 7 km to center of Duhnen (village fountain).

Via Hamburg: Take the B73 to Cuxhaven circular exit, direction of health resort areas/ Duhnen about 8 km through Cuxhaven urban area to Duhnen (village fount).

At the village fountain: Turn right into the pedestrian zone, second entrance to the left, arrival area behind Strandhotel Duhnen/Aparthotel Kamp.

Aparthotel Kamp, completed in 1998, consists of 19 vacation apartments facing the ocean, and all having an impressive view of the tidelands. It is directly connected with the Strandhotel Duhnen, enabling you use of all facilities and their advantages (incl. our wellness area). It has its own elevator, washing machine and dryer (basement). Our "Bistro Strandhörn", a lively alternative to our "Vier Jahreszeiten" restaurant, is on the ground floor.

The majority of the comfortably furnished apartments (32 - 65 sq.m., in part for the handicapped) have kitchenettes, which can be completely closed off and a room safe. Floorplans for apartments 1 to 4 are identical.

Hike through the wide wadden landscape! Dream on the golden sandy beach! Stroll along the spa promenade! Stay a day, a weekend or longer! Of course we would be happy to advise you on "matters relating to holidays".

Stadt Cuxhaven

The Cuxhaven National Park Center is an information and educational facility for the "Lower Saxony Wadden Sea" National Park sponsored by the City of Cuxhaven and funded by the State of Lower Saxony. The visit is free.

The fact that the city of Cuxhaven has succeeded in bringing the Wadden Sea and the protection of this unique natural landscape into the focus of the public with the National Park Center is illustrated by the annual visitor numbers (around 60,000).

A natural history museum and ecological station at the same time. Here, the various landscape forms of the coastal region and the flora and fauna found in them are shown in a permanent exhibition. Ecological nature trails with their observation stations give an insight into the flora and fauna behind the dike.

Seehafen Cuxhaven

Located at the mouth of the Elbe and opposite the western entrance to the Kiel Canal on the world's busiest shipping route (approx. 50,000 ships per year), Cuxhaven, as a seaport, is an ideal starting point for maritime traffic to Great Britain, Scandinavia and the other Baltic Sea states. Time-consuming trips to the area are no longer necessary; the fairway conditions are ideal and allow even the largest ships to call at Cuxhaven. There is also a connection to the hinterland via the motorway and railroad.

Since the beginning of this century, Cuxhaven has been Germany's largest fishing port after Bremerhaven. After the withdrawal of the navy and the end of liner traffic to New York in the 1960s, only fishing and processing were the main points of the port scene in Cuxhaven. Unfortunately, fish landings in Cuxhaven have also been steadily decreasing since the beginning of the 1970s. In this situation, the beginning of the 1980s, RoRo handling brought new impetus to the port of Cuxhaven. With the construction of a modern RoRo facility, the most modern in Northern Europe, Cuxhaven took the decisive step away from the monostructured port, which almost exclusively depended on fish, towards the so-called multi-purpose port.

Since the new RoRo terminal soon reached its capacity limits due to the considerable increase in handling, the state of Lower Saxony decided to build a new multi-purpose handling facility in the area of ​​the former America port. After Hamburg handed over the Amerikahafen, which he owned, to Lower Saxony in 1993 after long and tough negotiations, construction of the new port facility could begin. The state of Lower Saxony invested around 280 million DM in the construction of this new port, which went into operation on October 1, 1997.

According to information from the Hafenwirtschaftsgemeinschaft Cuxhaven e.V., the pure construction time of the facility took three years - without any preparatory and planning work. This construction measure not only included flushing, dredging and embankment work, but also various nature compensation and replacement measures. The new EuropaKai on the Elbe is 1095 m long and has three berths for seagoing vessels. According to the port management association, every two berths are equipped with RoRo bridges or for crane handling. The water depth is max.Kn - 15.80 m.

On the west side - towards the Amerikahafen - an inland quay ("Humbertkai") was built, which went into operation in 1996. The entire transshipment facility covers an area of ​​43 hectares. The motorway slip road and the newly laid railroad tracks lead directly to the storage areas, halls and quays. A transshipment station with a 2,500 square meter roof was built. The railway ramp of the port complex also has a 2,500 square meter roof. The entire track system was designed in such a way that so-called "block trains" can be formed. The main route to the Maschen marshalling yard begins directly at the terminal. The motorway distribution network to Hamburg and Bremen is only 650 m away from the terminal.

Many ships for which Cuxhaven is "on the way" can easily unload or pick up their cargo here without a time-consuming journey through the area. Efficient transshipment facilities at Europakai and Humberkai ensure that ships can be loaded and unloaded quickly using cranes, as well as problem-free ro-ro transshipment via stern or bow ramps and side gates.

All of this leads us to expect very good handling figures for the new port. The city of Cuxhaven has also taken care of this. that there is sufficient space for industrial and commercial facilities in the immediate vicinity of the new port.

The quay structure was carried out on behalf of the State of Lower Saxony by the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Elbkai Cuxhaven", in which six North German construction companies with many years of experience in civil engineering and hydraulic engineering had come together. Data. The new EuropaKai on the Elbe is 1,025 m long and has three Berths for seagoing vessels.