Once a remote fishing village, Duhnen is a popular beachside resort on Germany’s north-west coast. It serves as a base for exploring the coastal heathland of Cuxhaven and the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kick back on the gently sloping sands of Duhnen Beach, from where you can swim in the refreshing waters of the North Sea. It’s backed by a breezy promenade lined with alfresco cafes and seafood restaurants and is home to a mud-flat horse racing track that is exposed at low tide.
A short drive west of Duhnen is the Wadden Sea Visitor Center, which showcases the flora and fauna of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. Nearby is the Duhner Heide Platform, from where you can enjoy magnificent views across the surrounding mudflats. It can be accessed along the Discovery Trail, which is dotted with ecological signboards.
Getting there
Duhnen is around 10 minutes’ drive from Cuxhaven and 1.5 hours from Bremen Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Cuxhaven railway station, from where buses continue to Duhnen. The village is small enough to explore on foot.