Seven hundred meters of Elbe beach. That’s Stover Strand. Imagine the Bronze Age people who first settled here. They saw the same river. They felt the same sand between their toes. Stover Strand boasts a history stretching back to the Bronze Age. The name Stove first appears in records in 1162. Back then it belonged to the parish of Bergedorf.
The Elbe River changed course around 1200. This reshaped the landscape of Stover Strand forever. Before World War II the area was farmland. Quiet peaceful fields. After the war everything changed. Stover Strand became a haven for Hamburg residents. They crossed the Elbe on a ferry from Altengamme. The ferry ran until 1965.
Tourism blossomed from around 1950. At first people camped on the Elbe meadows. They set up tents near the Schützenhaus or on the Stover racecourse. Later they camped behind the dyke too. A proper campsite grew up. Stover Strand became a well known destination. The 1960s saw the area divided into different sections. The dyke was built in 1980 and 1981 for flood protection. A vital project protecting Stover Strand and its visitors.
Today Stover Strand is a lively place. A family friendly campsite offers various accommodation options. There are motorhome pitches. There are nature pitches closer to the Elbe. There are even charming Swedish style holiday cottages. Beach Campers and shepherd’s wagons add to the unique charm of Stover Strand.
You can spend a summer’s day here swimming. You can walk along the beach. You can watch the ships go by. You can camp under the stars. Stover Strand combines history nature and modern facilities. It’s a special place to experience the beauty of the Elbe. A place where past and present meet. A place I highly recommend you explore further.