Found in Schleswig Holstein, Elmshorn is a beautifully situated town which offers a variety of choices for leisure and tourism. Close to Hamburg, the area surrounding the city also provides for a series of escapes for nature lovers; there are three major cycling routes close to the city which are the Ox Road, North Sea Cycle and Elbe bike paths. Within Elmshorn town proper, there are also many opportunities for recreation. The Arboretum botanical gardens belongs to the municipality of Elerhoop. A particularly fun highlight is the boat ride visitors can take between Seester and Neuendorf – on board (possibly) the smallest boat in Germany, the Kruckau, which has also been the only hand-operated ferry in Schleswig-Holstein since the early nineteen nineties. Visitors should also be sure to check the Siberia Forest and the Lieth City Park for further city retreats.

More centrally, for shopping you can visit the boutiques at the Market Square; it is also well worth looking at the Elmshorn butter market, which occurs twice weekly in the Market Hall. A perfect contrast of history and country are combined in Elmshorn!