Harz

Drive to the Harz - all year round

Pack your car and go on a family self-drive holiday to the Harz Mountains. The high mountains, beautiful scenery and many attractions of the Harz are only a short drive away. Located in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the Harz Mountains have long been a favourite self-drive destination for holidaying Europeans, and not without good reason. In addition to unparalleled scenery, the Harz also hides a wealth of exciting history, idyllic towns and plenty of opportunities for family fun. The green landscape is also home to Germany's highest mountains and the famous Bloksberg. Suitable for both summer and winter holidays, the Harz offers many adventures whatever the season. Visit the fairytale town of Goslar with its well-built half-timbered houses and beautiful location. Take a stroll through the narrow streets that ooze history and stop by Schreiberstrasse where you can discover houses from the Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque and Romantic periods. The city was also the residence of several Holy Roman emperors and later became a prosperous trading town thanks to the nearby Rammelsberg silver mine. Visit the mining museum just outside town and take a trip down into the over 1,000-year-old mine, on foot or by underground mine train. Also visit the Kaiserpfalz, or Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built almost 1,000 years ago. Also visit the charming town of Bad Lauterberg, which has a historic centre with cafés and shops.

Being in your own car is a unique opportunity to go on an adventure, and a visit to the medieval town of Quedlinburg, in the eastern Harz, is just one of those experiences. Also known as the capital of half-timbered houses, it has over 1300 half-timbered houses built in varying styles over a period of just over half a century. The town's historic heritage is blue-stamped by UNESCO, which is certainly no surprise, just take a look at the Town Hall in Quedlinburg, which dates back to the 14th century. In summer, flowers decorate all the balcony boxes and inside the large banqueting hall, the walls are adorned with paintings telling the story of the town. Remember to charge your camera when you visit Quedlinburg. Also try the ride on the steam locomotive from 1897 from Quedlinburg to the station on the Brocken, which is about 1,000 metres above sea level. Take the cable car to Thale, where it is said that witches and wizards alike make a guest appearance on 'Walpurgisnacht', Walpurgis Eve, which is the night before 1 May.

Children are also guaranteed plenty of entertainment at the Vitamar water park, which has water slides, a wave pool and an outdoor pool, and in fact it's not just the kids who can have fun in the water. There's plenty of room for the older generations too, so remember to bring your swimwear on your trip. But the Harz is certainly more than just charming half-timbered houses and idyllic towns. If you plan to combine your holiday with outdoor activities, lace up your hiking boots and discover Germany's most beautiful hiking trails in the Harz National Park. Or try mountain biking on some of the challenging trails in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, plus there are over 300km of different hiking trails, so there's plenty to choose from. In winter, hiking boots can be swapped for skis. Drive yourself to ski resorts like Alternau, Bad Sachsa, Braunlage or Hahnenklee and St. Andreasberg which offer great opportunities to try out the many delights that the snow in the Harz has to offer. There are many more places where you can go skiing, which is why the Harz is also a popular destination for a self-drive winter holiday and skiing holiday. Since the talk is now of winter, Christmas is something very special in the Harz. Most towns in the Harz have their own Christmas market, where the lovely smell of warm Glühwein mingles with roasted almonds, chestnuts and Christmas baking. The Christmas stalls sell everything from handicrafts to homemade cakes and Glühwein to warm you up. Often there is live music with Christmas carols and it has to be said that south of the border they really know how to spread a good Christmas spirit and the Harz is certainly no exception. In Goslar and Wernigerode there are major Christmas markets that are definitely worth a visit, an experience that goes down a treat. Indeed, there is something for everyone, even if you need to find a few Christmas gifts to take home.

Just 435 km from the Danish border, there's a lot to see and do, so pack up your car and have a great self-drive holiday in the beautiful Harz Mountains. Here you can combine an active holiday in the unique nature with experiences for all ages. The Harz is the perfect place for an active and adventurous holiday.