German Submarine U-995
Strandstraße 92, Laboe, Germany
A submarine from the Nazi era, this piece of history has been given a permanent resting place on the Baltic Sea Coast in the resort town of Laboe. It’s part of the Laboe Naval Memorial complex, a coastal landmark paying tribute to all lives lost at sea. Visitors can board the structure, which now sits aboveground on the sandy beach.
The German Submarine U-995 is typically visited alongside the Laboe Naval Memorial—you can buy combination tickets. The memorial is home to a museum that commemorates the wartime deaths of seafarers (both Germans and opponents) and gives an overview of technical information related to naval innovations—a bonus for submarine buffs. The site can easily be visited independently, while self-guided audio tours are a great option for anyone seeking a narrated experience.
Those who suffer from claustrophobia may want to avoid entering the German Submarine U-995 as conditions onboard are extremely cramped, a feeling exacerbated when it gets crowded.
Don’t miss climbing Laboe Naval Memorial’s flame-shaped tower, which allows you to see as far as Denmark on clear days.
The observation deck is accessible by elevator for visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
The memorial complex is equipped with restrooms.
Laboe Naval Memorial is typically visited as a day trip from Kiel or Hamburg. From Kiel, it can be reached in about 30 minutes by private vehicle or taxi. Anyone without their own transportation can take the bus or ferry. While the ferry takes longer (an hour-long ride to Laboe Harbor, followed by a 20-minute walk), the Black Sea views make the trip worthwhile.
If you plan to combine your trip to the German Submarine U-995 with swimming or sunbathing, come in summer. That’s when this Black Sea resort town comes alive, and bathers crowd the sandy coastline. If you can bear the cold, you’ll find plenty of discounts in the quieter winter months, which have their own stark charm.
There’s a reason the Laboe Naval Memorial reserves sympathy for seafarers: working onboard a German U-boat marine was one of the toughest gigs around. Not only was the casualty rate a whopping 75 percent for all submariners (the highest in the German military force), but a crew of more than 50 men squeezed into a claustrophobic space that seems designed to hold many fewer. Visiting the submarine gives visitors an intimate peek into their hardships.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!