Lüneburg Heath
What do you first think of when you hear about the Lüneburg Heath region? Wide purple heathlands, silver-white birch trees, green junipers and pines, shepherds and sheep, or thatched houses? Not a bad start! However, the Lüneburg Heath represents so much more. This region, located between Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen, is primarily characterized by its stunning landscape, which is among the most interesting in Europe. Natural beauties like Totengrund or Wilseder Berg, enchanting heath landscapes that are found in this size only in the Lüneburg Heath, idyllic villages, impressive cities, a wealth of cultural treasures, and plenty of recreational opportunities make this region a unique vacation destination. Join us in exploring one of the most exciting regions of Germany!
Don't miss it! Top Hotels in Lüneburg Heath
Key Facts
The largest cities in the Lüneburg Heath are Celle, Lüneburg, Uelzen, Soltau, and Harburg.
- The largest cities in the Lüneburg Heath are Celle, Lüneburg, Uelzen, Soltau, and Harburg.
- The Lüneburg Heath covers an area of approximately 7,400 km².
- Around 835,000 people live in this charming vacation region.
- The region has two beautiful nature parks - Lüneburg Heath Nature Park and South Heath Nature Park.
- The Lüneburg Heath is the epitome of vast heaths and is regarded as the largest attraction in the North German Plain.
- It is an already 5,000-year-old cultural landscape.
- Wilseder Berg is the highest point in the Lüneburg Heath at 169 m.
Attractions and Popular Travel Destinations
Copyright: Lüneburger Heide GmbH
Diversity, diversity, and more diversity. That's exactly what the Lüneburg Heath offers you during your vacation. Whether you long for peace and relaxation, want to consciously experience nature, are on the lookout for cultural treasures, or are starting an exciting activity vacation - in the Lüneburg Heath in northeastern Lower Saxony, there is an attraction and experience program for every taste. Allow us to inspire your vacation planning with some attractions of the Lüneburg Heath:
- A unique experience: Let yourself be enchanted by a fragrant purple heath bloom in August and September
- Beautiful: Marvel at Totengrund - the cradle of the Lüneburg Nature Reserve - while hiking and cycling
- Active relaxation on the water: The Aller, Leine, Örtze, and more invite you to canoe and kayak while hiking and biking along the flower-rich wetlands
- Pure peace and relaxation: Discover the mature lake landscape 'Meissendorfer Teiche' on idyllic circular hiking trails
- Thrilling and pure action: Experience fun rides at Heide Park Soltau, Germany's second-largest amusement and theme park
- Enjoy urban flair: Explore the picturesque half-timbered towns of Celle and Lüneburg
- Culture as far as the eye can see: Whether it's the Welfen Castle in Celle, the Salt Museum in Lüneburg, the Toy Museum in Soltau, or the Open-Air Museum at Kiekeberg - experience history, heritage, and culture.
Top Excursion Destinations Lüneburg Heath
The following top destinations received the recommendation seal from Travelcircus in 2016:
Welcome to one of the most significant residence cities in Lower Saxony! Experience in Celle how tradition and modernity combine to create a successful ensemble of art, culture, architecture, and landscape. When you vacation in Celle, you can expect, for example:
- The beautiful Duke's Castle Celle - the oldest building in the city - which combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles
- The largest contiguous ensemble of nearly 500 restored and protected half-timbered houses in all of Europe
- Numerous idyllic rivers like Aller, Lachte, Fuhse, and Ötze, where you can actively relax
- Beautiful gardens and parks like the French Garden, Thaers Garden, or Castle Park, which invite you to linger
- The Celler Bell Tower that chimes several times daily
- Picturesque, dreamy alleyways like Kalandgasse, which is one of the most romantic and beautiful streets in Celle.
The salt and Hanseatic city of Lüneburg is one of the most fascinating cities in northern Germany. Once gaining prestige and wealth in the Middle Ages through its white gold, salt, the city today captivates with its historical architecture, vibrant city life, a diverse culinary scene, and the varied nature that surrounds it. What can you marvel at? Among other things:
- The medieval old town center with its small alleys, brick houses, and historical sights
- The German Salt Museum, which presents the 'salty' past and the city's close connection to 'white gold' in an illustrative manner
- A fantastic view over the entire city from the viewing platform of the New Water Tower at 56 m height
- Marvel at the Lüne Monastery, located amidst beautiful green spaces and orchards
- Stroll along Stintmarkt in the old harbor district - Lüneburg's bar street
- Explore the diverse surroundings of Lüneburg with its vast heathlands, marshes, lush meadows, streams, and rivers - whether by bike, on foot, or on horseback.
Relaxation, experience, and pure nature - this is precisely what you can perfectly combine for an exciting vacation in Bispingen. The municipality of Bispingen is idyllically located in the midst of the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park and offers countless leisure activities just for that reason. Whether you want to consciously enjoy nature, are a culture fan, or love thrills, Bispingen promises a vacation with many great facets:
- Discover natural beauties like Totengrund or Wilseder Berg
- Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, or Nordic walking - there are many ways to experience the unique natural setting of the nature park
- Dive into adventure at the SNOW DOM, where countless exciting indoor and outdoor attractions await you
- Get on board, drive off, enjoy: Ride with the Bispinger Heide-Express and experience the charm of small railway travel from the 1950s
- Visit the Heide Castle Iserhatsche, an impressive total work of art consisting of a fascinating hunting villa, baroque garden, Montagnetto, Prussian pavilion, and landscape park.
In the heart of the Lüneburg Heath lies another popular vacation destination: Soltau. Numerous tourist attractions like Germany's second-largest amusement park or Soltau Therme have made the city famous alongside its beautiful natural surroundings. Why is a vacation in Soltau worthwhile? For instance, because of:
- 1,400 km of cycling and hiking trails provide the perfect conditions to get to know the diverse landscape of the Lüneburg Heath
- Thrilling and pure action: Experience thrilling adventures and pure fun rides at Heide Park Resort Soltau
- There are many toy museums - but in Soltau, you will find one of the best and most diverse toy collections in the world
- Relaxation at its finest: Unwind in Soltau Therme with warm salt water and enjoy a wide range of wellness offerings.
Step away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and simply unwind and find peace and relaxation. It's quite easy to do in the small idyllic heath village of Undeloh. Undeloh is located in the heart of nature in the Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve, just on the outskirts of the metropolis of Hamburg. Here, you can consciously experience nature, recharge your batteries for everyday life, and head out to numerous tourist attractions. In the immediate vicinity, you can marvel at, for example:
- The Heide Experience Center, where you will find the most modern exhibition on the cultural landscape of the heath
- Experience the heath landscape up close on a thrilling hike through the Undeloher Heide nature reserve
- Hummingbird, Harpy Eagle, Snow Crane - visit the largest bird park in the world in Walsrode, home to over 4,000 birds
- Explore Wilseder Berg - the highest point in the Lüneburg Heath - and the picturesque Totengrund and Steingrund around Wilsede.
Do you want to know more about Undeloh? For more information, visit: http://www.undeloh.de/
If you embark on a vacation in the Lüneburg Heath, there is one place you should not miss: Uelzen. The city is characterized by its enchanting half-timbered architecture and several impressive buildings in the style of brick Gothic. There is so much to discover in Uelzen - whether it's the artistic train station, the market streets, the numerous medieval churches and chapels, one of the exciting museums, or the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding nature. Look forward to:
- The fascinating Hundertwasser Train Station, which received an artistic face during the EXPO 2000
- Discover the historic town center, which also features Lüneburg Street with its magnificent half-timbered buildings
- Take the Way of Stones, which takes you past 21 cheerful and colorful sculptures from the train station to the city center
- Hop on your bike in the Uelzen cycling region and explore the heath landscape on a route network of about 1,000 km
- Claim Uelzen's landmark: St. Mary's Church with the 'Golden Ship', the largest organ in the Lüneburg Heath, and numerous sacred artworks.
Are you longing for a bit of peace and want to consciously enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the big city? Then it's time to go to Wietzendorf in the Lüneburg Heath! Why, for instance, because of:
- Hike on the extensive network of hiking trails through the beautiful nature surrounding Wietzendorf - e.g., on the Heidschnuckenweg
- Try the many delicious honey products that Wietzendorf owes to its approximately 300 bee colonies
- Experience a tropical climate, palm trees, and pure bathing fun at the Südsee-Camp
- Cycling is healthy - especially in such a beautiful landscape as the Lüneburg Heath - numerous cycling paths invite you to enjoy biking, such as on the Höfe Tour through the Upper Örtzetal or around the Great Moor at Becklingen.
Do you want to learn more about Wietzendorf? For more information, visit: www.wietzendorf.de
Events
Are you looking for relaxation in the Lüneburg Heath, want to experience something, and get to know the region with its many different facets? Numerous events ranging from large city festivals and music festivals to Heather Blossom Festivals and markets to Explorer Days offer the best opportunities for that:
- Uelzen Open R - Summer Festival from 03.-05.06.16 with performances by John Elton, Mark Forster, Namika, and Roland Kaiser among others
- Lüneburg City Festival from 17.-19.06.16 with music, dance, and sports shows
- Celle Wine Market from 27.-31.07.16 featuring wines from classic German and international growing regions
- Discover Germany's only magic theme park! A multitude of attractions, shows, and magic await you in Germany's only magic park. Experience magical moments for the whole family at Magic Park Verden!
- Heather Blossom Festival in Amelinghausen with fireworks, beach party at Lopausee, selection of the heath queen, and a parade from 13.-21.08.16
- Explorer Day of Hanover region on 04.09.16 with about 35 destinations to discover and learn about
- Elbspectaculum in Stove on 24th + 25th September - Medieval festival with lantern parade
- Christmas markets in Celle and Lüneburg from 27.11.16
Map
Hamburg - Lüneburg Heath By train, it takes just under 2 hours from Hamburg to the Lüneburg Heath. If you drive via the A1 and A7, you'll reach your destination in about 30 minutes.
Lübeck - Lüneburg Heath If you drive via the A1, you'll arrive in the Lüneburg Heath after 1 hour and 15 minutes. By train, it takes about 3.5 hours.
Bremen - Lüneburg Heath If you're starting in Bremen, plan for about 1 hour and 15 minutes via the A1. If you take the train, the journey will take approximately 2.5 hours.