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When you think of a vacation in Lower Saxony, the first thing that comes to mind is the North Sea, and no wonder. There are the most beautiful beaches here, whether on the gorgeous islands or on the mainland. But for real water nymphs, the state offers a lot more - sports on rivers and lakes, for example, or exploring cities from completely different perspectives. We present five beautiful water activities in Lower Saxony. 

1

Enjoy the most beautiful beaches

Finest sand and space without end - the beach of the island of Juist © Dietmar Scherf
Finest sand and space without end - the beach of the island of Juist © Dietmar Scherf

So who is the most beautiful in the country? The beaches on Lower Saxony's seacoast all have their own unique charm. The choice is huge, for example on the East Frisian Islands. There is the 17 kilometer long, fine sandy beach of Juist with its beach volleyball courts and secluded spots. Or Borkum with no less than four guarded bathing beaches as well as surf school, cafés and an area for young people where cool beach parties don't bother anyone. The bathing and castle beach of Wangerooge, where the whole family can relax while the grown-ups have fun on the beach for surfers. The 15 kilometer long shores on Spiekeroog including an extra area for the four-legged friend. And and and ...

But no one has to go to one of the beautiful islands to have fun swimming in Lower Saxony. The mainland coast also has a lot to offer. In Dornumerland, for example, colorful beach chairs are waiting wherever the eye can see (incidentally, they can also be booked online in advance). If you've had enough of sand between your toes, choose a green beach like the one at Horumersiel. The many playground equipment on the beach of Norddeich make every child's heart beat faster, and in Wilhelmshaven strolling along the beach promenade is one of the most beautiful vacation pleasures. Whether you're a family, an adventurer, a nature lover or a seeker of peace and quiet - everyone gets their money's worth on Lower Saxony's beaches.
Everything else about the most beautiful beaches of the North Sea you will find here.

This is how you get to Spiekeroog by train and ship: Plan arrival.

2

Kitesurfing really exhausting

Pure action - kitesurfing on the North Sea, here off Baltrum © Kurverwaltung Baltrum - Roman Mensing
Pure action - kitesurfing on the North Sea, here off Baltrum © Kurverwaltung Baltrum - Roman Mensing

They whiz across the water as fast as an arrow, make the most daring aerial leaps, and the pros seem to be fused to their board - kitesurfers find ideal conditions on the North Sea. The still relatively young sport has been booming without end for some time. The board is propelled by a stunt kite that develops a decent pull - this not only gives the kiter a lot of speed on the water, but also lets him take off and perform the most amazing tricks in the air, to the delight of spectators on the beach.

Kiting is considered easier to learn than windsurfing, for example. Along the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, there are plenty of schools that offer courses of varying difficulty. For reasons of animal protection, kiting is not allowed everywhere, but on the islands and on the mainland coast there are enough permitted zones. Off Baltrum, Hooksiel, Norddeich & Co it's then just - up on the board, off onto the water and high into the air.
All information about kite schools and areas you will find here.

How to get to Baltrum by train, bus and boat: Plan arrival.

3

Relaxing while Stand Up Paddling

A question of balance - Stand Up Paddling can be done at any age © Sanchik - shutterstock
A question of balance - Stand Up Paddling can be done at any age © Sanchik - shutterstock

If you want to do a trendy water sport, you don't necessarily have to go to the sea for it. Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is very fashionable in Germany and can be practiced on almost any body of water in the travel destination of Lower Saxony. Whether on the wide expanse of water of the Lake Dümmer or of the Steinhude Sea, on rivers like Oker, Leine and Hunte or in the Weserbergland, everywhere the sport originating from Polynesia is huge fun.

Standing on a surfboard, you glide along smoothly with the help of a paddle, training your muscles and sense of balance. And once you have found the right balance on the board, you can even relax wonderfully. For beginners, there are numerous schools that also rent equipment. And if you've had enough practice and are fit enough, you should take a look at what the SUPSCOUTS community has to offer - they describe great SUP day trips of up to 50 kilometers in length. You can find SUP schools and offers here.

This is how you get to Steinhuder Meer by train and bus: Plan arrival.

4

Just look in peace thick pots

Good place for ship spotters - beach with Kugelbake in Cuxhaven © Dieter Schinner
Good place for ship spotters - beach with Kugelbake in Cuxhaven © Dieter Schinner

The Elbe is getting wider and wider here, and in the middle of the mighty stream a large freighter is just gliding past, on its way from the port of Hamburg toward the open North Sea. The North Sea resort of Otterndorf is one of many places where we can excellently observe ships. Whether it's during a bike ride along the river, from one of the beautiful RV sites on the banks of the Elbe, or just walking from a bench on top of the green dike.

A particularly good place for "ship spotters" is the beautiful North Sea resort Cuxhaven with its countless bathing spots. The best views of container giants and the like can be had from the Grimmeshorn beach section and from the famous Kugelbake in Döse, which marks the transition of the Elbe into the North Sea. The curious can get even closer in Papenburg, near the border with Holland, when a brand-new cruise liner is unveiled from the Meyer Werft pushes through the eye of a needle in the narrow Ems toward the North Sea, the spectators on the shore are literally breathless.

How to get to the North Sea resort Otterndorf by train: Plan arrival.

5

Explore the cities by canoe

From the canoe you experience cities in a whole new way, here in Hanover © fra - stock.adobe.com
From the canoe you experience cities in a whole new way, here in Hanover © fra - stock.adobe.com

The hardest decision is often which side of the river to admire first. On the right, the most beautiful villas and Wilhelminian-style buildings glide by, while on the left a cozy beer garden and well-tended gardens and parks make you completely forget that you are just paddling a canoe through the middle of a town in Lower Saxony. In the process, new, unexpected perspectives open up that even the inhabitants are unfamiliar with.

You can rent the small boats in many places and off you go. On the Oker around and through the Lion City Braunschweig for example. The Hunte flows directly through the heart Oldenburg's with beautiful harbor. In Hanover the new city hall and into the trendy Linden district. Those who love a lot of variety will enjoy East Frisia's 20 "Paddle and pedal" stations you'll find what you're looking for. There you can rent kayaks as well as bicycles or e-bikes and start with them to big day trips, motto: Start by canoe and then switch to the bike, or vice versa. Our little video shows that you can make great canoe trips in Lower Saxony even outside the cities:

How to get to Braunschweig by train: Plan arrival.

Cover photo: In Lower Saxony you can experience magical moments by the water © Janis Meyer