Discover Buxtehude

When planning your stay in Buxtehude, different interests may shape your choice: the old town defined by the Fleth, St. Petri, the museum, or walking routes, each with its own character. The following places and routes offer concrete starting points for tailoring your time in the city to your interests.

The Fleth and St. Petri: historic landmarks

The Fleth is an inner-city harbor canal and plays a major role in shaping Buxtehude’s historic old town. With its canal-like character, the Fleth complex represents the historic trading center. The Ewer Margareta, the last ship in Buxtehude’s ewer fleet, can also be viewed in the Fleth. The Motormühle on the Fleth dates from 1860, was converted into a hotel, and can be viewed from the outside.

Another landmark is St. Petri Church, a prominent feature of the Buxtehude skyline. Construction of the three-aisled brick basilica began in 1285; inside is a Baroque high altar dating from 1710. The two dates offer different points of reference: the start of the church’s construction and a later example of its furnishings.

Buxtehude Museum: hands-on activities and useful information

At the Buxtehude Museum, exhibitions bring history to life and offer many interactive, hands-on activities for children. There is also the “Little Sunday Workshop”: it takes place on the first Sunday of every month and includes changing creative activities for children aged six and over. If you are planning your visit around it, check the latest program details beforehand.

As part of “Reisen für Alle” (“Travel for All”), the museum has received the “Accessibility Checked” award. If this award is important for your planning, it is worth checking the latest certification details before your trip. The walk from Buxtehude station to the museum takes about 20 minutes. This is a guide for planning your route, not an exact time estimate.

Routes with different points of focus

The Has'- und Igelpfad (Hare and Hedgehog Trail) runs through Buxtehude from Wettloopsweg in the south to Has'- und Igeltwiete in the north. There are 14 hare and hedgehog sculptures along the route. The two endpoints and the sculptures give the trail a clear theme.

The W3 Altstadt–Neukloster hiking trail starts at Gurlittweg in Buxtehude and ends at Neukloster S-Bahn station. It is accessible throughout and features activity stations, including a barefoot path and an opportunity to create a nature picture. A Viverkahn can also be viewed at the W3 starting point on Gurlittweg, near the Westviver. This type of boat was once used to transport goods along the narrow ditches. For your specific trip, it is a good idea to check the latest information about the route’s facilities.

The W5 Deichweg focuses on Buxtehude harbor and the route to Estebrügge: this circular hiking trail starts and ends at the harbor, then heads north along the dyke to Estebrügge. Hikers can experience the tides of the Este along the way. By contrast, the W3 connects the old town and Neukloster and includes activity stations. This makes it easy to distinguish the routes by their stated destinations and features.

Discover more destinations: Sauensiek, Grünendeich, Steinkirchen, Himmelpforten, Engelschoff, Guderhandviertel, Nottensdorf, Großenwörden

View the broader travel overview: Stade.