October 1, 2025, 4:56 am | Read time: 5 minutes

The North Sea island of Neuwerk is about 100 kilometers from the center of Hamburg and only 14 kilometers from Cuxhaven. Together with the neighboring islands of Nigehörn and Scharhörn, it belongs to the Hamburg-Mitte district—and could not be further from the everyday life of this vibrant Hamburg district. Meadows, mudflats, and tranquility instead of architectural icons, concrete blocks, traffic, and bustling city life are the order of the day in this part of the Hanseatic city.

Especially those seeking peace come to the island, which has only about 20 permanent residents. The approximately 100,000 annual visitors spend nature vacations there, hike in the mudflats, enjoy the fresh breeze, and marvel at the historic lighthouse and the variety of birds. For now. Because Neuwerk’s tourism is on the brink.

Concerns About Neuwerk’s Tourism

The Hamburg district in the Wadden Sea has just four hotel and restaurant businesses, along with a few other accommodation options. The two largest, Hotel Nigehus and Alte Fischerhaus, were recently on the verge of closing. While one family wants to sell their business due to age, the other is moving on to a new phase in their lives. The problem: No one wanted to buy the hotels. The closure of Neuwerk’s two largest tourism facilities would have caused significant damage to the tourism of the roughly three-square-kilometer North Sea island, as reported by the “NDR.”

The rescue now comes from the city itself: Hamburg is set to become the owner of both Hotel Nigehus and Alte Fischerhaus. According to the “NDR,” the purchase price has not yet been determined but will be drawn from a 40 million euro package for Neuwerk’s development. The plan for the businesses: Both are to be leased starting next season.

Hamburg’s District Neuwerk Is an Island for Those Seeking Peace

And what do tourists do in Hamburg’s most remote district? Some travel for just a day to breathe fresh air, hike, and take a short break. Others stay longer and enjoy nature vacations with long mudflat hikes or walks along the dike. The island itself can be circled in about an hour. The Wadden Sea around the island is part of the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bird enthusiasts will also find joy here, especially in spring and fall. According to Hamburg’s info page, hamburg.de, flocks of Eurasian wigeons, brent geese, and barnacle geese rest on the small island during this time. Additionally, oystercatchers and avocets can be observed, as well as terns, gulls, and ducks.

Many visitors are also drawn to the 45-meter-high Neuwerk lighthouse—incidentally, Hamburg’s oldest structure. The tower was initially built as a fortress tower in 1310 to deter pirates from coming to the island. In 1644, it was converted into a lighthouse and guided ships through the Elbe estuary. Today, the historic lighthouse is primarily a landmark that can be climbed via 138 steps, offering a beautiful view over the island from its visitor platform. You can also stay overnight in the historic lighthouse. Ships are now guided by a white radar tower.

More on the topic

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The Neighboring Islands Nigehörn and Scharhörn

Like Neuwerk, the neighboring islands Nigehörn and Scharhörn are part of Hamburg’s most remote district. Both are located in the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park and are subject to strict regulations. Nigehörn, for example, cannot be entered at all. Those wishing to visit Scharhörn must register with the bird warden beforehand. If approved, the journey involves a seven-kilometer walk through the mudflats. According to Hamburg’s info page, there is no other way to reach the island.

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How to Get to Neuwerk

The route to Neuwerk leads through the Wadden Sea. One option, which, according to hamburg.de, is particularly popular, is traveling by horse-drawn carriage. From the North Sea resorts of Duhnen and Sahlenburg, it takes about an hour to reach Neuwerk. You can also walk from the mainland to the North Sea island, but be sure to check the tide times or go with a mudflat guide. The hike takes about two and a half hours over 11 kilometers. A third option is traveling by ship, which operates regularly only during the summer season.