Papenburg

Welcome aboard your voyage to Papenburg! This could very well be the beginning of your adventure, because Papenburg is renowned as the home of cruise ship giants. These ocean liners are constructed right here in one of the world’s largest covered dry docks. Papenburg is, therefore, the ultimate destination for cruise enthusiasts eager to get a behind-the-scenes look. As the northernmost town in the Emsland region, Germany’s southernmost seaport, and the longest fen colony in the country, Papenburg is a town of superlatives. With its windmills, docked ships and an array of drawbridges and swing bridges, the townscape hints at its proximity to the Netherlands. And fittingly for a hub of ocean giants, Papenburg is best admired from the water. 

On one Saturday each month, the Maritime Meile (Maritime Mile) along Papenburg’s main canal comes alive with food, drink and colourful entertainment. Each month from May to September features a unique theme, making it an ideal outing that can easily be combined with a shopping spree. During the festive season, Papenburg is transformed into a cosy winter wonderland. The Christmas market, filled with the scent of seasonal treats, offers a warm and inviting way to celebrate the year’s end.