Buxtehude, officially known as the Hanseatic City of Buxtehude, is a medium-sized town located in Northern Germany. It is situated on the Este River within the district of Stade in the state of Lower Saxony. The town serves as the second largest municipality in the Stade district and is part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region.
Geographically, Buxtehude lies on the southern border of the Altes Land region and is located in close proximity to the city-state of Hamburg. It is connected to the city's S-Bahn rapid transit network. The surrounding area includes the towns of Horneburg and Stade to the west, while the south features several incorporated villages, such as Ottensen and Apensen, which primarily consist of upscale housing.