Duke Friedrich III invited Dutch Remonstrants fleeing religious persecution to build this town in 1621, and its gabled brick houses, tree-lined canals and grid-plan layout still look distinctly Dutch rather than North German. It's one of the few places in Germany where you can walk streets laid out entirely on 17th-century Dutch town-planning principles.
Friedrichstadt was founded in 1621 by Duke Frederick III as a haven for Dutch religious refugees, and its layout and architecture remain distinctly Dutch rather than typically North German, earning it the nickname 'the Dutch town' of Schleswig-Holstein. The old town is threaded by a network of canals crossed by small bridges, with rows of stepped and bell-shaped Dutch gables lining the streets around the central market square. Many of the historic merchant houses retain their original 17th-century facades, and the town's small museum in the former town hall documents the settlement's founding and its religious tolerance for Mennonites, Remonstrants, and other groups excluded elsewhere. From roughly April through October, small boats offer canal tours that give a waterline view of the gabled houses and their reflections, a different perspective than walking the streets above. A walk through the old town takes 1.5 to 2 hours including the market square and a stretch of canal-side streets; adding a boat tour extends this by 30 to 45 minutes. Morning light works best for photographing the gables reflected in the canals, since the town faces mostly south and the light is softer before midday.
| Admission | Adult Free to walk; canal boat tour approx EUR 8 (approx $9.30) · Child Free to walk; reduced boat tour rate |
|---|---|
| Hours | Always open (town); canal boat tours seasonal, roughly Apr-Oct |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2 hours |
| Best time | Morning light on the stepped Dutch gables reflected in the canals |
| Getting there | Regional train to Friedrichstadt station, then a short walk into the old town |
| Address | Am Mittelburgwall, 25840 Friedrichstadt, Germany |
Location
Am Mittelburgwall, 25840 Friedrichstadt, Germany
54.3672, 9.0833 View on map
Highlights
- Dutch-style stepped and bell-shaped gables along the canals
- 17th-century canal network with small footbridges
- Seasonal boat tours giving a waterline view of the historic facades
- Central market square lined with original merchant houses
- Local museum on the town's founding by Dutch religious refugees
Tips for visiting
- Take a canal boat tour between April and October for a waterline view of the gables
- Visit in the morning for the softest light on the canal reflections
- Walk beyond the main market square into the quieter side canals for fewer crowds
- Combine with a stop at the local museum in the former town hall
- Check boat tour schedules in advance, since they run seasonally rather than year-round
When to visit
Morning light gives the best photographs of the Dutch gables reflected in the canals.
Accessibility
Most streets around the market square are level and paved, though some canal-side paths and bridges have uneven cobblestones.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Walking the old town and market square takes 1.5 to 2 hours; adding a canal boat tour extends this by 30 to 45 minutes.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the canals and boat tours make the town an easy, visually engaging stop for families.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, the streets, canals, and market square are open public areas that can be freely photographed.
Is walking the old town free?
Yes, walking the streets and canals is free; only the museum and canal boat tours carry a charge.