Flensburg: Old Town, Harbour and Routes

Explore Flensburg through its maritime heritage, historic lanes and routes through the city and its surrounding area.

Maritime History and Architecture

Oluf-Samson-Gang connects Norderstraße with Schiffbrücke. Its picturesque half-timbered houses date from the 17th century. The Kompagnietor is one of Flensburg’s oldest buildings. It was built between 1602 and 1604 by the association of Flensburg fishermen, the Flensburger Schiffergelag.

The Flensburg Rum & Sugar Mile traces the city’s connections to voyages to the Danish West Indies and brings to light the architectural heritage of Flensburg merchant families, sugar refineries and rum houses. At the Flensburg Maritime Museum, the city’s maritime history and that of its partly German, partly Danish region are presented through atmospheric displays and interactive activities. Historic traditional and commercial sailing ships are moored at the museum harbour in Flensburg’s Old Town.

Explore the City on Foot

The St. Jürgen steps in central Flensburg form part of the E1 European long-distance path and lead to panoramic views over the city and harbour. Another way to explore the city is the accessible city tour: it is about 3.5 km long, takes around two hours and includes stops at Rote Straße, Südermarkt, St. Nicholas’ Church, Hafenspitze and Nordermarkt.

For a route focused on maritime heritage, the Captains Route starts at the Flensburg Maritime Museum. It is marked by ground markers and information signs about maritime history. The steps, the city tour and this signposted route offer different highlights: views, a tour with a stated distance and named stops, and information about maritime heritage along the way.

Cycling and the Surrounding Landscape

RadRundUm Flensburg comprises three themed cycle routes around Flensburg and extends into the surrounding municipalities of Harrislee, Handewitt, Tastrup, Wees and Glücksburg. At prominent locations, themed stations provide information about nature, ecology, history and culture. The routes combine cycling with themed orientation and cover both nature and history.

The landscape around Flensburg is shaped by steep coasts, forests, hedgerows, semi-open grazing land, rolling terminal moraines and flat geest. This adds varied landscape perspectives to the urban routes; the three cycle routes also lead into surrounding municipalities.

Beach, Harbour and Seasonal Events

Solitüde beach on Flensburg’s east coast offers a wide, white sandy beach and space for picnics, volleyball and flying kites. Hafenspitze has space for games, concerts, small markets and even an ice rink by the harbour and fjord. Some events are seasonal. If you would like to plan your visit around a concert or market, check the dates in advance.

During the Museum Harbour’s apple cruise, the apple festival begins at the Bohlwerk. Apples, regional vegetables and smoked fish are sold from historic ships. The specific dates are seasonal here too; check them if you would like to plan your stay around the festival.

Discover more destinations: Mürwik

See the broader travel guide: Schleswig-Holstein.