From idyllic harbours, matjes and shopping trips

20.07.2021 - The town of 11,000 people attracts people from all over Germany with its maritime flair. As the largest company in the small town, we know what makes Glückstadt attractive to tourists and residents alike.

"Dat schall glücken und dat mutt glücken, und dann schall se ok Glückstadt heten", Danish King Christian IV once proclaimed when he had the first foundation stone laid for Glückstadt in 1617 in order to create a new harbour town as a counterpoint to the growing metropolis of Hamburg. The hopeful name Glückstadt and the Fortuna in the coat of arms symbolise this plan. Incidentally, Glückstadt is the only town in Schleswig-Holstein to have been founded by a king. More than 400 years later, it is now a small town with a population of 11,000 that attracts people from all over Germany with its maritime flair. Steinbeis Papier is the largest company in Glückstadt. Inspired by our employees, we have put together seven things that make this small harbour town special and attractive - both as a travel destination and as a place to work.

Tip 1: A walk around the harbour

Winding alleyways and cobblestones meet old, crooked houses in the idyllic harbour of Glückstadt. From the street Am Hafen, you can see the harbour basin on one side and a colourful row of houses on the other, which might remind some people of Nyhavn in Copenhagen. "During my lunch break on sunny days, I like to sit on the wooden steps by the harbour, which are just a five-minute walk away. It feels like a short holiday there," says Alina Stolz, who works in Sales Controlling at the company. Marvin Trampenau, Head of Customer Service, also has a tip: the lantern festival at the inland harbour. "The sailing association's lantern festival in autumn is spectacular, both from the water and on land," he says. Before the coronavirus pandemic, visitors could look forward to a festival with lanterns, illuminated water features and fireworks.

Tip 2: Eat at the restaurant "Der kleine Heinrich"

The restaurant "Der kleine Heinrich", which is popular with Steinbeis employees, is located on the market square. "Not only is the lunch there sensational, but the staff, the boss and the customers are also unique," says Jan Bergmann, Key Account Manager Retail + New Products. The cosy restaurant takes its name from the barque "Der Kleine Heinrich", which the people of Glückstadt used to go whaling off Greenland until the 1860s. "You should definitely try the fried matjes with sour cream as a starter and the best Labskaus in northern Germany with marinated red wine fillet, fried eggs and beetroot as a main course," suggests Bergmann. In the rustic-maritime ambience with local cuisine, Katrin van Weelden, owner of "Kleiner Heinrich", is committed to Slow Food, a European movement that promotes conscious and regional eating.

Tip 3: The capital of matjes

Speaking of food: If there's one thing that spontaneously springs to mind when you think of Glückstadt, it's matjes. The herring fish matured in brine has characterised the life and image of the town for almost a century. Today, the culinary speciality is served in different variations. In the many restaurants around the market square and at the harbour, locals and tourists alike enjoy matjes in all its variety. The people of Glückstadt love matjes so much that they dedicate an entire festival to it: the Matjeswochen. "It's the highlight of the year and always worth a visit," says Marvin Trampenau. The popular summer festival on the Elbe takes place every year at the start of the matjes season in June. But there are also various tours outside of the season with city guides who tell the story of logger herring fishing and the associated traditions of matjes.

Tip 4: Play tennis during your lunch break

Glückstadt offers a wide range of sports activities. Steinbeis employee Alina Stolz has an insider tip: the tennis club Fortuna Glückstadt e.V. "Many colleagues are already active members of the club and play tennis. Steinbeis provides all employees with ten-player cards, which we can use to play tennis for free during our lunch break or after work," says Alina Stolz. The club is located at Nordmarkstraße 26.

Tip 5: Moonlight swimming until midnight

Swimming late into the night on a hot summer evening is possible at Fortuna-Bad. On certain days in summer, the pool opens its doors until midnight. From May to August, there is a giant slide, a torrent, fun and diving pools, paddling and swimming pools, massage jets and bubble loungers. The moonlight swim is highly recommended.

Tip 6: Shopping tour with the Glückstalers

The street Am Fleth runs through Glückstadt from the north to the harbour in the south. Numerous shops there invite you to go on a shopping tour. There are handmade goods, decoration shops, bicycle shops, boutiques and bookshops. Another place to stroll and shop is Große Kremper Straße. Here, too, one shop follows the next. Interesting fact: Glückstadt has its own currency, the Glückstaler. These are available as vouchers for family, friends, colleagues etc. Glückstaler can be used to pay for purchases in around 50 participating shops. Information is available here.

Tip 7: Explore the city with an app

"Experience Glückstadt" is the name of the app that is available in both the Google Play Store and the App Store. It enables an audio tour through the maritime city monument Glückstadt and the Detlefsen Museum. The app includes a city map with route planning and an overview of all audio stations. This allows you to plan your trip to Glückstadt from home. The audio walk rounds off your stay in Glückstadt in an exciting way.