Glückstadt
Glückstadt Hafen · Glückstadt (Holstein) · Neustadt Gleichen
53°47.3'N 09°25.5'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for the Glückstadt outer anchorage; 50m inside the tidal harbour lock. Outside, the ebb current requires full tidal protocol. Inside the harbour, completely sheltered — reduce alarm to 40m if berthed at pontoon.
About This Anchorage
Glückstadt ('Lucky City') was founded in 1617 by King Christian IV of Denmark as a rival to Hamburg — one of the most ambitious town-planning projects of the 17th century. The hexagonal street plan, the Dutch-baroque Stadtkirche (1618), and the Detlefsen Museum (maritime history) make it one of the most historically interesting stops on the lower Elbe. The town is famous for its Matjes herring tradition — the Glückstädter Matjes Festival (June) celebrates the season's first pickled herring in a centuries-old ceremony. The inner harbour has a tidal lock (enters 2h either side of HW) providing complete shelter. The outer anchorage on the Elbe is exposed to current and wash.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (outer Elbe anchorage); harbour lock fee approx €12–18/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: NO anchoring in Fahrwasser; inner harbour tidal lock: approach 2h before HW; VHF Ch 73 Elbe Traffic; tidal range 3–3.5m.
Hazards
- !Tidal range 3–3.5m at Glückstadt — inner harbour lock approach: 2h either side of HW only
- !Strong ebb current 2–3kt — set anchor at HW slack
- !Commercial shipping wash on outer Elbe anchorage
- !VHF Ch 73 Elbe Traffic mandatory
Skipper's Tips
- →Time arrival for the tidal lock opening (2h before HW) — the inner harbour is completely sheltered and one of the most pleasant stopovers on the lower Elbe
- →The Matjes Festival (June) — Glückstadt's biggest event; the town fills with herring vendors, folk music, and the ceremonial tasting of the first Matjes of the season
- →The hexagonal town plan (1617) is best appreciated from the church tower — remarkable example of 17th-century Dutch urban planning in northern Germany
Facilities
Glückstadt old town: restaurants, cafes, bakeries, supermarket. Famous Matjes herring from local smokehouses — try the Matjes Brötchen at the harbour kiosk.
Nearest provisions: Glückstadt Marktplatz (10 min walk) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. The inner harbour is comfortable year-round for well-found boats. The Matjes Festival in June is the best time to visit.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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