At the northern edge of the Harz range, Goslar looks back on over 1,000 years of history. A blend of impressive buildings like the Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz), narrow cobbled lanes, and over 1,500 half-timbered houses from different epochs imparts a very special atmosphere to the old town. Thanks to its excellent state of preservation, Goslar’s old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the Rammelsberg mine in Goslar can gain interesting insights into the region’s mining history. It’s a significant industrial monument and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hildesheim boasts a rich history and captivates visitors with its unique landmarks. The historic old town, featuring the magnificent Knochenhaueramtshaus, exudes medieval charm. St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcase masterful Romanesque architecture. A special highlight is the Cathedral Treasury, one of Europe’s most significant collections of sacred art. From St. Andrew’s Church tower, the tallest in Niedersachsen, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views. Discover Hildesheim’s fascinating blend of history, culture, and architecture!
Located in southwest Niedersachsen, Osnabrück attracts keen historians and culture aficionados alike. The Peace of Westphalia that sealed the end of the Thirty Years’ War was signed in the Peace Hall of the city hall. Another highlight is the Felix Nussbaum House in the museum quarter, designed by star architect Daniel Libeskind, which is home to works by the famous Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum and offers an in-depth insight into his life and art. The picturesque old town with its historical gabled buildings, independent shops and cosy cafés is perfect for relaxing and treating yourself.
Hamelin is located southwest of Hanover in the heart of the Weser Uplands and is known worldwide primarily for the legend of the Pied Piper. This story is brought to life every summer through open-air performances or guided tours with the Pied Piper. But the town has even more to offer: As a true gem of the Weser Renaissance, the Old Town has an enchanting atmosphere, with its stunning half-timbered houses and charming, narrow streets. Buildings such as the Hochzeitshaus (Marriage House) and the Rattenfängerhaus (Pied Piper House) are prime examples of this unique architectural style.
Celle uniquely combines history, culture, and modern art. The historic Old Town boasts one of the world’s largest ensembles of half-timbered buildings, while the picturesque Welf Castle with its castle theatre stands out as a cultural highlight. But Celle has more to offer: its Bauhaus heritage, shaped by architect Otto Haesler, gives the city a distinctive architectural character. For art lovers, the world’s first 24-hour art museum is a must-see. Here, visitors can experience modern and contemporary art around the clock – from paintings and sculptures by day to captivating light art after dark.
Since it was founded by Henry the Lion, Brunswick’s history has been shaped over the centuries by The Royal House of Hanover and the Hanseatic League. The city’s medieval flair is particularly apparent in the winding alleyways of the Magniviertel district and at Burgplatz with its historical buildings. Today, Niedersachsen’s second largest city is not only an attractive shopping destination, but also a lively cultural centre with lots of museums and galleries. Thanks to its location on the Oker River and the surrounding parks and green spaces, Brunswick offers the perfect combination of city break and nature retreat.
The city of Hanover impresses with its urban flair and is best explored along the “Red Thread”. This 4.2 km route takes you past the city’s most important landmarks, such as the impressive Marktkirche from the 14th century in the Old Town, the “Markthalle” with its culinary delights, the Leine Riverbank with its many cafés, and the New Town Hall, featuring a unique diagonal lift, which takes visitors to the dome, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. Another highlight is the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, one of the most significant Baroque garden ensembles in Europe.
A historic old town and proximity to the sea: the university and Hanseatic town of Greifswald already served as an inspiration for its most famous son, the romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich. Some of his paintings can be seen in the Pomeranian State Museum (Pommersches Landesmuseum). But the museum’s harbour with its more than 50 ships is also worth a visit. Architecturally interesting are especially the buildings of the university, the red town hall, and the brick churches.
In the footsteps of St. Robert Beeker: the Hanseatic city of Wismar impresses with its medieval charm. Patrician houses, warehouses and offices are reminiscent of times gone by. Their layout has remained virtually unchanged for many centuries. Guided tours of the city or boat trips are the best way to explore the historical significance of the city, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
In Stralsund the feeling of the Hanseatic era can be felt at every turn. The so-called “Venice of the North” impresses with its architectural diversity and is also a proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ozeaneum is an attraction for young and old explorers. Located in the city’s harbour, it offers lots of exciting information about the sea, has huge aquariums and even a penguin facility. Stralsund is also an ideal starting point for excursions to the islands of Rügen and Hiddensee or the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula.
Once home to hearts, Schwerin is now the seat of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament. But the state’s oldest city has lost none of its stately splendor. The Schwerin Castle, the city’s landmark, stands in the middle of one of Germany’s largest lakes. Other impressive buildings from different eras are waiting to be discovered in the streets. And the state capital also has plenty to offer culturally.
When music floods through your whole body and takes your breath away, when art transports you beyond your own boundaries, when history becomes tangible and theatre whisks you away to imaginary worlds – that is happiness! In Lübeck, there’s culture on every street corner, behind walls old and new, in hidden locations and public spaces, and it’s a part of everyday life. Lübeck’s historic Old Town identified by UNESCO as a Heritage Site, is a true treasure chest of cultural highlights. Embark on a treasure hunt for your very own cultural happiness!
Bremen, the cosmopolitan city on the river Weser, is steeped in history. The locals are proud of their Hanseatic heritage, but it’s not something they would ever boast about. They enjoy having a coffee on the market square outside the magnificent UNESCO-listed town hall, or a refreshing beer on the bustling Schlachte Embankment. Here, it’s easy to imagine days gone by, when ships from all over the world were docked in the harbour. Even today, you can still see traditional sailing ships here, such as the Alexander von Humboldt. If you walk through the Schnoor quarter, Bremen’s oldest district, or the elegant Böttcherstrasse with its distinctive architecture, you experience history at every turn.
Hamburg’s historic areas are a major tourist attraction. Iconic landmarks include the Chilehaus and the Kontorhäuser on Burchardplatz, while other architectural highlights include the Sprinkenhof, Mohlenhof and Meßberghof. The Old Elbe Tunnel is also a must-see and continues to captivate visitors with its unique charm. Don’t miss Hamburg’s historic streets, such as Deichstraße with its beautifully preserved 17th and 18th century townhouses, which offer a glimpse of the city’s maritime past. The best way to experience the Old Town is on foot. Numerous daily guided tours offer fascinating insights into the historical heritage of this Hanseatic city from a variety of perspectives.
About 50 kilometres south-east of Hamburg in the middle of the Lüneburg Heath lies the old Hanseatic city of Lüneburg, a popular university town. Around the town’s oldest square, which owes its name “Am Sande” to a goods handling area strewn with sand, there is still a uniquely beautiful medieval ensemble of houses. It is the centre of numerous festivals in the salt and Hanseatic city and invites you to visit the old town with its cosy restaurants and shops.
