cuxhaven ( , ; ) is an independent town and seat of cuxhaven, in lower saxony, germany. the town includes the northernmost point of lower saxony. it is on the shore of the north sea at the mouth of the elbe river. cuxhaven has a footprint of (east–west) by (north–south). its town quarters duhnen, döse and sahlenburg are popular vacation spots on the north sea and home to about 52,000 residents.