Havel and Elbe Highlights

Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, is the state’s most populous city with approximately 180,000 residents. Above all, however, Potsdam stands out for its many worthwhile attractions, some of which are even designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After all, the city was added to the so-called List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites as early as 1990, as it is home to the largest concentration of World Heritage sites in Germany. Since 2019, the Brandenburg city has also been designated a UNESCO Film City. Among its best-known and most important attractions are undoubtedly the famous Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful palace gardens, as well as the Potsdam Film Museum and the Mill Museum in the historic mill.

Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, is the state’s most populous city with approximately 180,000 residents. Above all, however, Potsdam stands out for its many worthwhile attractions, some of which are even designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After all, the city was added to the so-called List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites as early as 1990, as it is home to the largest concentration of World Heritage sites in Germany. Since 2019, the Brandenburg city has also been designated a UNESCO Film City. Among its best-known and most important attractions are undoubtedly the famous Sanssouci Palace with its beautiful palace gardens, as well as the Potsdam Film Museum and the Mill Museum in the historic mill.

Burg near Magdeburg is the self-proclaimed “City of Towers.” To the northeast of the state capital, the Elbe River marks the city limits as it flows through the area. The medieval walls and towers are visible even from a distance. The Hexenturm has towered over the town for more than 300 years. The Old Town district has a cozy atmosphere, where small cafés invite you to take a break after strolling through the narrow streets of the Old Town. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days in the streets of downtown. In addition to regional vendors, the shops and boutiques are also a draw—and restaurants and cafés in the lively center of this city of towers are there to satisfy your hunger. The churches—most notably the Romanesque St. Nicolai Church and the 13th-century St. Petri Church—are fascinating destinations not just for worshippers. After a short stroll through town, the giant, shady trees in Goethe Park offer welcome relief from the heat.

Burg near Magdeburg is the self-proclaimed “City of Towers.” To the northeast of the state capital, the Elbe River marks the city limits as it flows through the area. The medieval walls and towers are visible even from a distance. The Hexenturm has towered over the town for more than 300 years. The Old Town district has a cozy atmosphere, where small cafés invite you to take a break after strolling through the narrow streets of the Old Town. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days in the streets of downtown. In addition to regional vendors, the shops and boutiques are also a draw—and restaurants and cafés in the lively center of this city of towers are there to satisfy your hunger. The churches—most notably the Romanesque St. Nicolai Church and the 13th-century St. Petri Church—are fascinating destinations not just for worshippers. After a short stroll through town, the giant, shady trees in Goethe Park offer welcome relief from the heat.

The city of Wolfsburg is located in Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany. It is best known as an “Autostadt” (car city) because it is home to a large Volkswagen plant. In addition, there is a large Volkswagen museum and an amusement park in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Visitors to Wolfsburg can also explore the “Science Center Phaeno,” which impresses with its unique architecture on the outside and its fascinating exhibits on science and technology on the inside. The center introduces visitors to over 350 scientific phenomena. The city also boasts an art museum, a planetarium, and designer outlet stores.

Welcome to Braunschweig! This beautiful city in the heart of Germany is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. The city’s long history and cultural diversity make it an interesting and exciting place to visit. Braunschweig’s Old Town is one-of-a-kind and offers a wealth of sights and activities. Dankwarderode Castle is a must-see for any visitor to Braunschweig and offers an impressive view of the entire city. Braunschweig Castle is also a popular destination for tourists. This imposing building houses the Braunschweig State Theater and is a true gem of the city. The city also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. In the numerous restaurants, cafés, and snack bars in the city center, you can fill your stomach and unwind. From Asian dishes to Italian pizza to German schnitzel, there’s something for everyone. Those who prefer a romantic atmosphere can enjoy a candlelit dinner at one of the restaurants on Burgplatz.

Our insider tip: Hanover! Let yourself be enchanted by Hanover’s charm and laid-back atmosphere! Stroll through the markets and the alleys of the Old Town, and recharge your batteries in nature—for example, around the Maschsee or in the Eilenriede City Forest. Hannover is a city where everything is close by—why not rent a bike and leisurely ride from one neighborhood to the next? Along the Ihme River, an idyllic bike path connects the Maschsee to the trendy Linden neighborhood, with its popular Saturday market, many small, unique shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.

Our insider tip: Hanover! Let yourself be enchanted by Hanover’s charm and laid-back atmosphere! Stroll through the markets and the alleys of the Old Town, and recharge your batteries in nature—for example, around the Maschsee or in the Eilenriede City Forest. Hannover is a city where everything is close by—why not rent a bike and leisurely ride from one neighborhood to the next? Along the Ihme River, an idyllic bike path connects the Maschsee to the trendy Linden neighborhood, with its popular Saturday market, many small, unique shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.

Uelzen is a Hanseatic city in Lower Saxony and was formerly known as Löwenwalde. Today, Uelzen is best known for its Hundertwasser train station. Even if you’re arriving by boat rather than by train, you shouldn’t miss this impressive structure. From here, the “Path of Stones” leads into the city center. The twenty stone sculptures were created by artist Dagmar Glemme and are colorful eye-catchers throughout the city. In the center of Uelzen, Lower Saxony, buildings such as the Old City Hall, the Imperial Post Office, and the New City Hall are worth seeing. St. Mary’s Church, built in 1270, is also an important landmark. Inside is the so-called “Golden Ship,” which, along with the Hundertwasser Train Station, is a city landmark. The pedestrian zone in Uelzen, located in the area around Lüneburger Strasse and Gudesstrasse, features a variety of shops and dining options.

Hamburg is a port city on the Alster, a tributary of the Elbe. It is also one of the three new federal states that were established following Germany’s reunification. The Hamburg Fish Market is a popular tourist attraction. The Reeperbahn is one of the city’s most visited attractions. At the Panoptikum, a wax museum, visitors can get up close to their favorite celebrities. The Speicherstadt offers cafés, museums, and small canals, and the Elbphilharmonie, located on the banks of the Elbe, is considered a “cultural landmark for everyone.”

Hamburg is a port city on the Alster, a tributary of the Elbe. It is also one of the three new federal states that were established following Germany’s reunification. The Hamburg Fish Market is a popular tourist attraction. The Reeperbahn is one of the city’s most visited attractions. At the Panoptikum, a wax museum, visitors can get up close to their favorite celebrities. The Speicherstadt offers cafés, museums, and small canals, and the Elbphilharmonie, located on the banks of the Elbe, is considered a “cultural landmark for everyone.”