History, art, culture, nature, shopping, leisure, gastronomy, etc. Hamburg offers something for all tastes and budgets, including day and half-day trips that allow you to explore the countless attractions that surround this great German city; places that are well worth a visit, such as Stade, a small Hanseatic pearl.
This picturesque town on the south bank of the Elbe is located about 45 kilometres downstream from Hamburg towards the mouth of the river. Stade was founded at the end of the 8th century and its rich historical heritage still reflects the importance the place has had as a trading port thanks to its connection to the Elbe itself via the river Schwinge; the centre of Stade is about 4 kilometres from the Elbe and the Schwinge is a tributary on the left bank.
In any case, visiting Stade is like taking a trip back in time to explore an extraordinary historic village, surrounded by fruit trees –visiting the orchards of Alte Land in spring is a spectacle– and full of beautiful spots, small shops and cafés; a place full of charm that underlines the thousand wonders that can be found in Hamburg and its surroundings.
- Old town: Hanseatic charm
- Church of St. Cosmas and St. Damian
- Alten Hafen, the old port
- Where to eat in Stade
- Where to stay near Stade
Old town: Hanseatic charm
Situated on a small island formed by the river Schwinge, the old town of Stade is one of the most beautiful in northern Germany. The old Hanseatic port and the fish market square (Fischmarkt), the medieval churches of St. Cosmas and St. Damian (13th-17th c.) and St. Wilhadi (14th c.), the old town hall (Baroque, 17th c.), the mansions and cellars with red brick and wooden beams (17th c., although there are some from the 15th and 16th c.), the historic Swedish warehouse (Schwedenspeicher), the monastery and hospice of St. John, the sturdy medieval bastions, etc., everything there looks like something out of an old Northern European fairy tale.
Stade is, in any case, one of those places that you have to stroll around at your leisure, exploring its small wonders, its cobbled streets, its half-timbered houses, its numerous places of interest and interesting museums… Take a break at any café, enjoy the local cuisine, buy a small souvenir, etc. And, depending on the time of year, you can even enjoy picturesque markets, festivals, fun popular festivities and so many other possibilities that make the historic centre of Stade a wonderful setting. By the way, the themed guided tours are an excellent and fun way to discover Stade.
Church of St. Cosmas and St. Damian
One of the most iconic places in Stade is this church, originally from the 13th century and with important additions in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, especially after the great fire of 1659, as well as major restoration works carried out in the 20th century.
In addition to its characteristic octagonal transept, crowned by a large tower (62 metres high), this church has interesting decorative elements such as the altar of St. Gertrude from the early 16th century, a relief of the Crucifixion from 1580 and a large candelabrum; from the late 18th century is its impressive spire, which today is a symbol of the city, and its exceptional high altar, the work of Christian Precht, from 1677. However, the centrepiece of this beautiful building is none other than its baroque organ. The construction of this extraordinary music instrument began in 1668 under the direction of the master Berendt Huß and was completed in 1675 by one of his most gifted apprentices, Arp Schnitger. Today it is considered one of the finest organs built in the 17th century.
Various guided tours allow you to explore all the treasures of this unique architectural gem and it is even possible to climb the tower to enjoy the incredible views of the old town, the nearby river Elbe and beyond.
Alten Hafen, the old port
Like Hamburg, Stade’s history is closely linked to its old port. In fact, the very name of the town refers to a place whose natural characteristics make it an ideal spot for disembarking; a kind of small port or natural shelter for small boats. However, traces of its long history (more than a thousand years!) can still be seen on both sides of the river Schwinge as it flows through the historic centre of Stade.
The first thing that catches the eye is, of course, its unique collection of old half-timbered houses, many of them former warehouses and merchants’ houses from the 17th century, some even dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The Bürgermeister-Hintze-Haus and the Goeben House are just two of the most emblematic.
The replica of an old wooden crane and the historic fish market square (Fischmarkt), surrounded by cafés, restaurants and bars, mark one end of the port, and on the opposite side is the historic Schwedenspeicher warehouse, a huge building in typical red brick, built during the Swedish rule of Stade (1645 – 1712), which today houses an interesting museum on the city’s history, including a splendid exhibition on the Hanseatic League that is unique in Germany.
In addition, although the Old Port ceased to be navigable in 1968, other facilities near the old town offer a wide range of nautical activities from boat trips, gondola rides, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding along the city’s canals to sailing trips on the Elbe. This is a very authentic way to explore this beautiful place.
Where to eat in Stade
The old town and its surroundings are full of cafés, bars and restaurants, each one more welcoming than the last, but perhaps the busiest area is the old fish market square (Fischmarkt) in the Alten Hafen. LiLA’S Bistro, Die Bohne/Café Petit Filou and the Pannekoken-Hus are just a few good examples of the delights to be enjoyed in the Old Port of Stade.
Outside the port but still in the old town, the Knechthausen, restaurant on Bungenstraße is a classic of exceptional quality; the Barbarrosa on Salzstraße and the Apropos, a little further south on Kleine Schmiedestraße, are also good options to enjoy the typical dishes of this picturesque Hanseatic town.
Where to stay near Stade
After visiting the picturesque Stade, there is nothing like returning to Hamburg to enjoy a first-class stay at the Barceló Hamburg hotel (https://www.barcelo.com/es-es/barcelo-hamburg). Located near Hamburg town hall, the Kunsthalle and the Binnenalster, this extraordinary 4-star hotel in urban and avant-garde style offers 193 fully equipped rooms and everything you need for an unforgettable stay in the city, whether you are travelling for business or pleasure.
