Emden

Emden is primarily known in Germany as the "capital" of the region East Frisia and for its most famous son, comedian Otto Waalke, who frequently alludes to his East Frisian heritage. While Emden does have a somewhat important harbor, it is a rather small city in a mostly rural area and has struggled economically in recent years. Besides the harbor and a big Volkswagen car plant the main economic draws in the area are tourists who pass through on their way to Borkum and the production and sale of windmills for the generation of energy.

By train

Emden sees regular hourly train service from Bremen. There is also Inter-City service from further away with direct service to/from Cologne and Leipzig among others.

• Emden HauptbahnhofThe main station, for easy access to the city

• Bahnhof Emden AußenhafenRight next to the harbor where ships for Borkum leave

By car

A31 connects the city to the German Autobahn network.

By plane

• Flugpatz EmdenA tiny general aviation airstrip. OFD flies to Borkum.

If you are arriving from farther away, Bremen (BRE), Groningen (GRQ) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) are your best bet.

By boat

AG EMS runs ferries to Borkum and a couple of other places. The ferry to Borkum is able to carry cars.

• Dat Otto Huus

  phone: +49 4921 22121
  address: Große Straße 1
  Shop and museum of the German actor and comedian Otto Waalkes.

• Leaning Tower of SuurhusenThe village church steeple in Suurhusen was a previous Guiness World Record holder for having the largest angle of unintentional tilt. It beat the Leaning Tower of Pisa by over a degree.

• VW factory

  phone: +49 4921 86 23 90
  You can tour the local Volkswagen factory (prior advance notice necessary) at every weekday when it produces

• Hafenhaus

  phone: +49 4921 689 56 90
  address: Promenade am alten Binnenhafen 8

• Heerens Hotel

  phone: +49 4921 23740
  address: Friedrich Ebert Straße 67
  Free Wifi for guests

• Aurich
• Norden Norddeich
• Leer
• Delfzijl (Netherlands)
• Groningen (Netherlands)
• Many visitors to Emden only pass through on their way to Borkum, the largest by area of the East Frisian islands