Discover Numerous Attractions in the Harz
The Harz has a lot to offer in terms of attractions. Explore the idyllic nature, historical buildings, and legendary places. Take a trip from your vacation apartment to the Brocken, the Rosstrappe, or the Okertal. The European long-distance hiking trails E6 and E11, which lead from Scandinavia to Turkey and from the Netherlands to Poland respectively, run through the Harz. The long-distance hiking trails Kaiserweg, Karstwanderweg, Selketalstieg, Harzer Hexenstieg, and Via Romea crisscross the Harz area. A novelty is Germany's first official nudist hiking trail. The "Harzer Naturistenstieg" is located in the Lower Harz. On the trails through mountains and forests, you will encounter many rare plants and animals. In the core area, strict nature conservation applies. It's best to keep your dog on a leash in these areas or leave it at home for a day. The unique climate and abundant rainfall create a unique flora. Breathe in the fresh forest air deeply during your hikes and enjoy a natural oxygen shower firsthand.
Explore the wonderful towns of the region during your vacation in the Harz, such as Altenau with its historical buildings. Wernigerode is known as the colorful town on the Harz. Its town center with numerous half-timbered houses offers a unique sight. Wernigerode Castle is built in the neo-Gothic style. It majestically sits on a hill and can be seen from a distance. Below the castle in Wernigerode is the Christianenthal wildlife park with native animals. Here, you can comfortably observe the European lynx up close. On a tour of the Planet Trail, you will learn interesting facts about our solar system. The house with the Harz Planetarium is a fitting conclusion to this tour. Other interesting towns in the Harz include Bad Harzburg, Quedlinburg, Thale, and Blankenburg. Each place has its own charm to discover. Bad Sachsa and Bad Harzburg are recognized brine spas. On the Wurmberg near Braunlage, there are ski jumping hills, toboggan and ski slopes, the Wurmberg cable car, and several lifts. Remember to rent a vacation house or apartment nearby if you prefer short distances from the apartment to the slope.
The Harz has a centuries-long tradition in mining. In the tunnels and mines, silver, iron ore, lead, and zinc were mined. Some of these mining sites are now open for tours. Visit the Rammelsberg ore mine near Goslar and Clausthal-Zellerfeld with its attached mining museum during your vacation. The Roter Bär and Samson mines in Sankt Andreasberg are also interesting. The typical geology of the low mountain range with gypsum, dolomite, and limestone has promoted the formation of natural caves and enchanting dripstone formations. The most beautiful caves are accessible to visitors. Start from your vacation apartment for a tour of the Baumannshöhle, the Iberger Dripstone Cave, the Hermannshöhle, or the Heimkehle. In the Heimkehle, there is a huge natural dome and several underground lakes. Access to the caves is not possible all year round. Depending on the weather, the path may be temporarily closed to ensure the safety of visitors. Check the current opening hours before starting your underground tour from your vacation home.
You Must Experience This
Start from your vacation apartment with a fireplace on a trip to Quedlinburg to admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Its historic old town is one of the most extensive area monuments in Germany. Visit the numerous monasteries and churches in the Harz from your vacation apartment if you are interested in sacred buildings. The most beautiful sights can be found in the monasteries of Wöltingerode, Drübeck, Ilsenburg, Haus Walkenried, and Michaelstein. Castles and palaces such as Falkenstein Castle, Hohnstein Castle, Plaessenburg, Herzberg Castle, and Stolberg Castle are also worth a trip.
If you plan your vacation in a vacation house in the Harz National Park, you should definitely take a trip to the Brocken with the Brocken Railway. Of course, experienced hikers can also conquer the mountain on a hike. The Brocken impresses with a height of 1141 meters and is the highest mountain in all of Northern Germany. It is also called Blocksberg and is said to serve as a meeting place for witches and spirits according to legend. A special experience are the Walpurgis Night celebrations that take place here annually. On the Brocken and the surrounding peaks, large fires are lit on the so-called Hexentanzplatz on the last night of April. People dance, eat, drink, and celebrate the end of winter. Many visitors come in imaginative costumes and disguises. Don't miss this spectacle!
Excursions and Activities for Families
Rent a comfortable vacation apartment or house from a friendly landlord if you want to vacation with the whole family. A vacation rental is ideal for spending a great time with children and dogs. Book an apartment in a quiet location to relax extensively after excursions. In a guesthouse, you can receive accommodation and, if desired, meals in the house. A vacation house with a sauna, fireplace, or conservatory is great. The private atmosphere allows you to move around freely with the whole family and thoroughly recover from everyday stress. Many vacation rentals are equipped with Wi-Fi and TV. For a favorable booking, it is worth looking for last-minute offers for vacation houses or apartments.
When on a family vacation with children in a vacation house, excursion destinations with swimming opportunities are always popular. Enjoy the healing thermal springs in Bad Sachsa or Bad Harzberg. In Bad Lauterberg and Bad Grund, you will find a recognized healing climate and healing tunnels that have a soothing effect on respiratory and skin diseases. In the summer, many outdoor and adventure pools invite you to frolic in the cool water. Also, visit the summer toboggan run. Forest swimming pools are available, for example, in Elend, Hohegeiß, Hasselfelde, and Gernrode. When on a vacation with a dog in a vacation house, you can even bring the animal onto the premises in some baths. Special swimming areas for the dog are designated there.
What would the Harz be without its wealth of legends and fairy tales? Stories of dwarves, the devil, and witches encounter visitors at every turn. Visit the fairy tale forest in Bad Harzburg, the fairy tale and animal garden in Bernburg, or the witch's house in Thale. On the fairy tale trail "White Deer," the path to the Brocken is lined with interesting 3D viewing glasses. The circular path of songs and rhymes starts at Altenbrak and encourages singing beautiful folk songs. Those seeking action will find it in the climbing forests in Thale and Blankenburg. In Thale, there is also the fun park of the cable cars, the Bauspielhaus, and the witch's house. On rainy days, children can let off steam in the indoor play hall in Halberstadt.
Recommendations for Food and Drink
If you rent accommodation in a vacation house or apartment, you can comfortably provide yourself with food and drinks in private. Get the delicious regional products and cook to your heart's content in the apartment. Fine cheese, Thuringian sausage, and fresh fruits and vegetables are available at the weekly markets or in the farm shops of local farmers. Make sure your vacation rental has a kitchen or kitchenette if you like to prepare your meals yourself. For gourmets and for outings, it is recommended to dine in local restaurants. You can also prepare a snack in the apartment and take it with you on the tour.
Use your vacation in the vacation house to get to know the rustic civic cuisine of the area. Excursion restaurants can be found in all towns and at the main excursion destinations. Visit the Waldgasthaus Chirstianental in Wernigerode or the Brockenherberge in Schierke. International cuisine awaits you at the restaurant "Die Stuben" in the Travel Charme Gotisches Haus in Wernigerode. In the town, you will also find Italian ice cream parlors, pizzerias, a Greek tavern, and Chinese restaurants. The Erlebnisrestaurant Grüne Tanne***S in Mandelholz entices with a successful mix of Harz specialties with Mediterranean flair, as well as cakes and pastries made in-house. For a cozy evening in your vacation apartment, get the fine liqueur or herbal schnapps specialties like Schierker Feuerstein, beer from the Lüdde Brewery in Goslar, and the spirits from the Hammerschmiede Manufactory.
Art and Culture in the Harz
Art and culture in the Harz are shaped by significant historical personalities, unique architecture, and the customs of this area. Follow the Romanesque Road, explore the World Heritage Sites at the Rammelsberg ore mine, the old town of Goslar, and the Upper Harz Water Management System. Visit the numerous exhibitions on history, nature, and technology from your vacation apartment. The Aviation Museum in Wernigerode displays airplanes and space technology. The Smelting Museum in Thale presents historical technology for steel production and processing, as well as a number of old steam engines. At the Museum Bad Herzberg, you can learn about the history of the Welfs in Herzberg, as well as organ building and the artisanal production of rifles.
The Gleimhaus in Halberstadt houses the originally private collection of the poet Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim. He gathered a large number of portraits and manuscripts of significant poets of the 18th century. The exhibition includes portraits and writings by Herder, Klopstock, Lessing, Elisa von der Recke, and Jean Paul, among others. In Quedlinburg, the Lyonel Feininger Gallery presents works by the famous graphic artist. The Film Museum in Schloss Ballenstedt displays exhibits from over 100 years of film history. If you are interested in theater and music, the stages in Ballenstedt, Osterode, and Nordhausen offer a wide range of different events. Experience classical and modern concerts in the town hall of Osterode. Visit the Westerburg Water Castle to listen to medieval sounds or dance. In the summer, the open-air stages in Altenbrak and Benneckenstein lure you out of your vacation apartment into the open air.
How to Travel to Your Vacation Apartment in the Harz Mountains
The Harz Mountains stretch across several federal states, partially located in Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Lower Saxony. Its central location and fantastic nature make this holiday area a popular destination. You can reach the Harz via several highways. To the north runs the A2, to the south the A38. In the west, you can quickly reach your destination via the A7, and in the east via the A9 and A14. The highway connections are well-developed and lead directly to the cities of Braunlage, Blankenburg, Wernigerode, or Goslar. Within the nature park, you will have to make do with regular roads.
If you prefer to travel by train to your vacation apartment, this mode of transportation will take you to many places on the edge of the Harz. From there, you can continue with one of the bus connections or by taxi. A special experience is traveling with one of the Harz narrow-gauge railways. There is a connection between Nordhausen and Wernigerode, known as the Harzquerbahn. From Eisfelder Talmühle, the Selketalbahn heads towards Quedlinburg. With the Brockenbahn, an old steam locomotive, you can reach the highest peak in the Harz. If arriving by plane, Leipzig-Halle Airport or Paderborn Airport are recommended.