It is situated on the left bank of the Elbe River, approximately seven kilometres west of Havelberg.

The town's official name is Hansestadt Werben (Elbe), referring to its status as a former member of the Hanseatic League.

Werben was first documented in 1005 and placed an influential role during the medieval wars between the Saxons and Polabian Slavs; its name is of Slavic origin.

Several historical buildings in Werben were built of bricks like in Lübeck, the capital of the Hanseatic League.

Another historical building built of bricks is Heilig-Geist-Kapelle, a gothic chapel dating from 1313 which was transformed into a salt store in the 15th century.