Day Trip Destinations Wernigerode

Wernigerode - the 'Colorful City' on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains - is an ideal destination for culture lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and families seeking a relaxing yet exciting short vacation in the Harz region. Documented for the first time in the 11th century, Wernigerode was granted city rights in 1229 by the Count of Wernigerode. Today, the city in the Harz is a popular and diverse travel destination. You can look forward to the historical town center featuring intricately restored half-timbered houses. The numerous hiking trails and ski slopes in the surrounding area also invite exploration. It's no wonder Wernigerode is considered a beloved getaway.

An absolute highlight is Wernigerode Castle, majestically overlooking the city and visible from afar. Let yourself be enchanted by the unique half-timbered charm of Wernigerode, and visit the town hall in the marketplace, the crooked house, the smallest house, and the oldest house dating back to 1546. Other popular attractions in Wernigerode include the town hall in the marketplace with the picturesque Benefactor Fountain, the miniature park featuring the Harz in miniature, the Harz Museum, and the Aviation Museum.

In addition, the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway starts in Wernigerode, taking you over Schierke to the legendary Brocken and other Harz attractions - a truly special experience for the whole family! The beautiful landscape surrounding Wernigerode also invites walking, hiking, biking, and mountain biking. In winter, the snowy landscape offers countless opportunities for winter sports.

Throughout the year, there are also numerous highlights and events that attract visitors to the city. These include:

Feeling like a trip to the Colorful City on the Harz? Here we present the most beautiful and popular day trip destinations in Wernigerode. Get a glimpse of the city and look forward to a variety of attractions.

The Wernigerode Town Hall was first documented in 1277 and is a half-timbered building of late Gothic origin. As one of the city's most famous structures, the town hall, located right in the marketplace, is a popular photo motif. The town hall impresses not only with its successful half-timbered construction but also with its figurative adornments. Saints, craftsmen, and fools carved from wood adorn the building.

Address: Marktplatz 1, 38855 Wernigerode

Originally built in the 12th century as a castle to provide safety for the German emperors, Wernigerode Castle has become a nationally significant historical masterpiece since its redesign in the 19th century. Both outside and inside, the fairy-tale castle, which towers above the Colorful City, is characterized by ornate decorations. Here you can not only dive into the history of the castle but also enjoy the fantastic view over Wernigerode.

Address: Am Schloss 1, 38855 Wernigerode

Opening hours: usually 10:00 AM to at least 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays)

When Count Christian Ernst of Stolberg-Wernigerode laid out the garden in 1713, he envisioned the ideals of Versailles. The orangery, built until 1719, became particularly significant. Today, you can still find features from the Baroque garden, including the Lion Gate, several sandstone figures, and the orangery, which now houses a state archive.

Address: Am Lustgarten, 38855 Wernigerode

Opening hours: open around the clock

Citizen Park was created in 2006 in conjunction with the State Garden Show. Visitors can enjoy play and recreation areas, over 80 themed gardens, a mineral gorge, several biotopes, and the miniature park "Little Harz". The play areas with climbing rocks, sand playgrounds, and slides are the perfect destination for families with children. The viewing platform offers a wonderful view over the park and into the Harz foothills.

Address: Dornbergsweg 27, 38855 Wernigerode

Opening hours: April: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; May to September: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM; October: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Miniature Park "Little Harz" is adjacent to Citizen Park in Wernigerode and features more than 60 attractions from the Harz in a scale of 1:25. The miniature landscape is embedded in dwarf shrubs, watercourses, and rock formations. A highlight is the steam train on the route from Wernigerode to Brocken, which allows visitors to travel through the Harz landscape at the push of a button. The models were created at the Oskar Kämmer School in Wernigerode, where they were meticulously crafted.

Address: Dornbergsweg 27, 38855 Wernigerode

Opening hours: April: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; May to September: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM; October: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Smallest House was built in 1792 and is considered a socio-historical cultural monument. Along with the town hall and the castle, it is one of the most famous buildings in the city. It was built in a Baroque half-timbered style, measures 4.20 m to the roof eaves, and is only 2.95 m wide. The ground floor consists of an entrance area and a kitchen, the first floor contains the former 10 m² living room, and the attic housed the former sleeping room. Until 1976, the house was reportedly inhabited by up to 11 people.

Address: Kochstraße 43, 38855 Wernigerode

Opening hours: May to October: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; closed on Mondays in winter