Halberstadt will surprise you, in the best possible way. It’s not a big town (only about 40,000 people), but offers outsized beauty, culture, and attractions. Being located right next to Germany’s underrated Harz Mountains, it also offers plenty of outdoor activities – and some incredible leaf-peeping in the autumn. Best of all, the town feels kind of like a secret. Which makes it ideal for travelers, whether you’re new to Germany or you’ve been here a while.
Where to Begin: Halberstadt Old Town
There is a lot to love about Halberstadt’s Old Town. For starters, it offers some of the most beautifully preserved half-timbered houses and winding alleys in Germany – which is saying something, especially since so much of the city was destroyed during the second world war. Compared to larger cities, there are fewer shops, cafés, and restaurants: there are also fewer tourists.
Bernd Meissner / Shutterstock.com Halberstadt also offers an excellent farmer’s market, which is held Tuesdays and Fridays (with the occasional Thursday tossed in) through the beginning of November. Never fear, though. Halberstadt’s incredibly charming Christmas market begins in late November (the 25th this year) and runs through December 23.
The Old Town also holds Halberstadt’s cant-miss Cathedral, which is (rightfully) considered one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the country. Simply touring the interior of this nearly 800-year-old cathedral offers a humbling and sublime experience. A visit to the cathedral’s treasury, which holds more than a thousand mostly medieval relics, tapestries, and other treasures, is highly recommended.
Halberstadt’s Great Outdoor Opportunities
One of Halberstadt’s claims to fame is as a gateway to the Harz Mountains. Often overlooked in favor of the Alps, the Harz is a heavily wooded, ancient mountain range that offers some incredible exploring opportunities, as well as some of Germany’s most gorgeous autumn scenery. Plenty of beautiful routes are available in the forested hills just south of Halberstadt. Many trails are accessible by foot from the city.
Edgar G Biehle / Shutterstock.com One of the coolest outdoor adventures involves a trip to the Sandhölen, which are kind of what they sound like – sand caves. The Große Sandhöhlen (which is the big sand cave) is not to be missed. It is like a giant outdoor wonderland for basically everyone. Sand to play in, rocks to scramble on, caves to explore – and all set in the middle of a lovely forest.
As a bonus, the sand caves are just a quick hike away from Regenstein Castle, which is imposing, explorable, and overall worth a visit.
Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / Shutterstock A Fun Bonus: Oldest Giant Wine Barrel in the World
Okay, so Germany is no stranger to wine barrels, or even to giant wine barrels (see Bad Dürkheim or Heidelberg Castle, for example). But, man, if you have the chance to see a giant wine barrel, you shouldn’t miss it!
Halberstadt’s version does not disappoint: it holds 144,000 liters, which is the equivalent to 192,000 bottles of normal wine. And it is old, having been brought to life in 1594. Despite its massive size, finding the barrel requires a bit of an adventure. It lives in the cellar of the restaurant Jagdschloss, which is located in Halberstadt’s lovely Spiegelsberge Landscape Park.
Getting to Halberstadt
By car, Halberstadt is 4.5 hours from Kaiserslautern, 3.5 hours from Wiesbaden, and 5 hours from Stuttgart. Check with Deutsche Bahn for train options.
Featured image by Sina Ettmer Photography / Shutterstock.com
