Things to Do in Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony is the second largest state in Germany, following the landlocked federal state of Bavaria. It’s situated in the north west, bordering the North Sea as well as the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. There’s a lot of places surrounding Lower Saxony (did we mention it also borders the Netherlands?), but it’s what the region itself offers that we love so much. Offering some fantastic real estate opportunities, Lower Saxony is a great place to set up home or run a business. Because of this, we’re looking at some of the best things to do in Lower Saxony, so you can find out everything there is to know about the area before you make the move.

About Lower Saxony

The state of Lower Saxony offers it all, from dreamy castles and busy cities through to rugged landscapes and stunning towns of the Harz Mountains. It stretches from the World Heritage-listed Wattenmeer tidal flats and the East Frisian Islands to Wolfsburg, offering up 47,624 km2 of places to explore. Lower Saxony was established in 1946 by the British military government, merging it’s now capital city of Hanover with the states of Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe.

 

The great North German Plain dominates Lower Saxony’s landscape, with the exception of a small highland area located in the south. There’s a great mix of vibrant small towns and villages that are nestled among forests, farmlands, river plains, heath and moors.

Top-Rated Attractions

If you’re looking for things to do in Lower Saxony, we have you covered! When you’re thinking about moving home and are on the hunt for a property in a particular area - be it a commercial or residential building - we understand that you want to know what’s on offer nearby. Here we’ve listed some of the top-rated things to do in Lower Saxony, from popular tourist attractions to hidden gems. 

Harz National Park

Stretching from Lower Saxony through to the state of Saxony-Anhalt is the Harz National Park. It covers 24,700 hectares, offering an enchanting landscape of mountains, forests and valleys. Everything is connected by a narrow gauge railway network, helping to add a unique charm to the park. If you’re up for a hike, exploring the numerous walking trails can provide you with some truly breathtaking sights.

 

During the winter months, the park is transformed into a picturesque ski resort. There are many slopes that cater for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. The Harz National Park is something that can be enjoyed year-round by those who love an adventure!

Goslar

Goslar is a historic town in Lower Saxony, situated on the northwestern slopes of the Harz mountains. Some of the most popular things to do here include visiting the 12th-century Market Church St. Cosmas and Damian, the 1,000-year-old abandoned copper and silver mines of Rammelsberg Mountain and the Kaiserpfalz Imperial Palace. The Old Town of Goslar and the Mines of Rammelsberg are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

Boasting a medieval town centre, there is a range of half-timbered houses and quaint courtyards to be seen. This helps to add to the character of the town. There’s also an array of attractions in Goslar, making it the perfect day trip for those who live in Lower Saxony.

Lüneburg

Just south of Hamburg is the historic town of Lüneburg. With a 1,000 year-long history, it’s gone from a vibrant trade hub and been transformed into a beautiful medieval town. It is is closely tied with the production of salt, so there’s no surprise that you can go and visit the German Salt Museum which explores the history of salt mining in Lüneburg and the influence it has had on the city and its people.

 

There’s an assortment of shops, cafés, restaurants, boutiques and pubs to be found in Lüneburg. Other things to do include St John’s Church, Lüneburg Heath, Kalkberg chalk hill and Lüne Abbey. There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Lüneburg, so you may find yourself coming here time and time again to explore it in all of its glory.

Celle Castle

In the German town of Celle in Lower Saxony, you’ll find Celle Castle. History states the castle was build around 980 as a fortified tower with the attributes of a water castle. It was previously one of the residencies of the Duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg. These days, it’s a tourist attraction where the historic castle rooms and the castle chapel can be visited as part of a guided tour.

 

The four-wing complex has an array of splendidly decorated rooms as well as the Baroque theatre. It has been lovingly restored over time, helping to transform it into the masterpiece that we say today.

East Frisian Islands

The East Frisian Islands are a string of seven inhabited islands in the North Sea, just off the coast of East Frisia in Lower Saxony. Each of the islands has its own set of characteristics, which lure people away from the mainland to explore what’s on offer. With their long sandy beaches, open spaces and sea air, they’re the perfect way to escape from the buzz of the city!

 

Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge all vary in shape, size and number of inhabitants. They make great trips and are the perfect little getaway.