Petkum – ferry, foreland of the dike and culture on the Lower Ems

Petkum combines the landscape of the Lower Ems with a special ferry connection, historic architecture and a variety of opportunities for cycling and day trips. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Petkum can consider the village as a starting point for nature experiences, a ferry ride to Ditzum and discoveries in Petkum Church. It is worth tailoring your travel plans to your own interests: landscape, routes, culture and travel arrangements can all be given different priorities.

Foreland of the dike and Unterems nature reserve

The 200-hectare Petkum foreland of the dike stretches along the Lower Ems from Jarßum to Gandersum. Together with adjacent areas in the district of Leer, it was combined into the “Unterems” nature reserve by the ordinance of 30 May 2017. This landscape shapes the character of Petkum and can make landscape and nature the focus of your travel plans.

For cyclists, the seasonal opening of the path is important: the cycle path in the Petkum foreland of the dike, known as the Teekabfuhrweg, is open from 1 July to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 June, the alternative route runs on the inland side of the dike. Those planning a longer tour can also consider the 32.2-kilometre “Ditzum & Emden” alternative route of the International Dollard Route. It passes through Petkum and Ditzum. Another option is the “Around the Ems and Dollard” tour, which leads from Leer through the Rheiderland region, across the Ems, via Petkum and Kloster Thedinga, and back to Leer.

By ferry between Petkum and Ditzum

The motor ferry between Ditzum and Petkum connects the two villages in around 20 minutes. It carries pedestrians, cyclists and up to three cars. For arrival and day-trip planning, there are car parks at the Petkum ferry landing; the nearest bus stop is about a ten-minute walk away. Depending on your travel plans, the ferry connection can therefore be considered as an excursion in its own right, as part of a cycling tour or as a link between two destinations.

The waiting shelter at the Petkum/Ditzum ferry port is also one of the noteworthy details on site. It is located near the Unterems nature reserve and displays the coats of arms of both villages, the region’s endangered bird species—the redshank and the avocet—as well as motifs of the surrounding landscape. There is also another characteristic motif at the old Petkum sluice: the old Petkum sluice was turned into a decorative feature.

Church, organ and historic details

Petkum Church dates essentially from the 13th century. Between 1470 and 1480, a late Gothic polygonal choir was added to the east, and around 1750 the church was renovated. The interior contains a Bentheim-type baptismal font from the first half of the 13th century and a sandstone relief from the late 15th century known as the “Epitaph of Petkum”. St. Antonius Church in Emden-Petkum is also home to the Grotian organ, an instrument from the 17th century.

These historical details give a stay in Petkum a cultural dimension that combines well with planning a landscape excursion or ferry trip. If you would like to take different interests within your travel group into account, you can devote one day more to the foreland of the dike and the route, and another to the church and local details. When choosing a holiday apartment, the desired focus of your stay is therefore particularly important: nature, cycling routes, a ferry ride or culture can each be the main priority.

Further pages for orientation

For further travel planning, you can also visit Twixlum, Jarßum, Siedlung Hilmarsum, Emden, Logumer Vorwerk and Wybelsum. This allows you to continue your search for a suitable holiday destination with additional places and different travel ideas.

To the higher-level travel overview: Emden.