What to do in Quedlinburg, Germany? This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its abbey church, castle and old town. An amazingly beautiful and charming city! Here are our top tips for things to see and do!
Table of contents
Quedlinburg in Germany
Quedlinburg is on the UNESCO list because of an 'unusual example of a medieval European town'. The town has around 1300 half-timbered houses, and is therefore also located along the German holiday route "Korsvirkesvägen”.
Quedlinburg is located in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, about 20 miles south-west of Magdeburg.
What to do in Quedlinburg?
So what can you see and do in Quedlinburg? First and foremost, you can stroll through the charming half-timbered houses, but there is much more to see and discover. We've put together a list of our top tips here.
1. Stroll among half-timbered houses
What comes naturally in Quedlinburg, and is impossible to miss, is strolling through the half-timbered idyll. Just about everywhere in the city you will find charming, beautiful and imaginative half-timbered houses. Almost like a fairy tale!
Every house is different, and it's a joy to look up at every facade.
Don't miss out on the beautiful signage. Above shops, hotels and restaurants, you'll see signs with text explaining the business, but also with all kinds of creative figures to make things clearer.
2. Visit the Corsica Museum in Ständerbau
The Ständerbau is the very oldest half-timbered building, dating from the first half of the 14th century. It is now home to a half-timbered museum that tells the story of half-timbered architecture from the 14th to the 19th century.
3. Climb the Castle Hill in Quedlinburg.
The castle hill is an important part of Quedlinburg and even if you have to walk a bit uphill, it is well worth the walk up here. The castle is currently being renovated (2022) and therefore unfortunately cannot be visited right now, but probably in a year or so. Until then, you will have to make do with the beautiful castle garden, views, restaurant and the possibility to visit the church.
The view of the city from here is very nice. You can look out over the low half-timbered houses and the church tops that stand out here and there.
4. Take a look inside the St Servatius Collegiate Church.
At the top of the Castle Hill sits the Collegiate Church of St Servatius, one of the most important German buildings from the Romanesque period. The church was consecrated in 1129 and is currently (2022) undergoing restoration.
The interior of the church can be visited for a fee. It displays a collection of Quedlinburg's church treasures, and Henry I of Saxony and his wife Mathilde are buried in the crypt.
5. Admire the town hall in Quedlinburg
One of the places you don't want to miss in Quedlinburg is the Market Square, which is a lively square surrounded by beautiful houses and cafés. Here you will also find tourist information.
Perhaps the most beautiful building on the square is the Town Hall. Don't miss the Roland statue that stands in front of the building, symbolising freedom and rights.
6. Coffee in cosy cafés
Quedlinsburg is the city of cosy cafes. Whether you want to sit outside or inside, on the bustling square or on a quieter street, you'll find a place that suits you.
7. Shopping for crafts and delicacies
If you like shopping for crafts and delicacies in cosy shops, you've found heaven. There are lots of small shops selling honey, mustard, whiskey, venison sausages and all kinds of crafts. Each shop is more cosy than the next.
8. See the view from the Münzenberg
Just outside the centre of Quedlinburg is the built-up Münzenberg hill. Here, among other things, are the remains of the Marienkloster (Mary's Monastery) where Benedictine nuns lived until the unrest of the Peasants' War in 1525. Later, the hill was settled by the poor, musicians, multitaskers and sax grinders ...
Today, Münzenberg is a charming place where the fine residential buildings are densely packed and the alleys wind back and forth.
The hill overlooks the centre of Quedlinburg, with the Castle Hill, and in the evenings you can get great photos from here, although there is currently scaffolding around the castle.
9. Step down into the St Wiperti crypt
Just outside the very centre of Quedlinburg is St Wipertikirche, famous for its crypt. The crypt was built around the year 1000, into the structure that already existed, a church built in the 10th century. The church and crypt were unfortunately not open when we were here, but it was also nice to stroll around the historic cemetery.
10. See art at Lyonel-Feininger-Galerie
The Lyonel-Feininger-Galeri is a museum of graphic art, located at Schlossberg 11 in the centre of Quedlinburg. Lyonel Feininger was a German-American painter, printmaker and cartoonist who was born in New York and later moved to Germany.
11. Visit the Klopstockhaus
Klopstockhaus is the birthplace of poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock. The house, built around 1560, is beautiful and located on a nice square surrounded by several other beautiful houses. Today the house serves as a biographical and literary history museum.
12. Have dinner at Word-Haus
We had dinner at the restaurant Word-Haus, and we can highly recommend a visit here. Here we sat cosily in the garden, and everything we ate was very good and well prepared. Helena ordered white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, salmon and truffle gnocchi, and Peter went for lamb fillet with rosemary potatoes and green beans.
Here we also decided to try a German dessert each. For Peter it was apfelstrudel with ice cream and cream, while Helena ordered a "windbeutel" (large petit-chou filled with cream and jam). Delicious!
More things to do in Quedlinburg for culture and history lovers?
Want to experience even more in this lovely city? Here you will find more suggestions for things to do in Quedlinburg, for those interested in culture and history.
- Cultural Church of St Blasii is a church offering concerts and exhibitions. (Blasiistrasse 6)
- St Benedict's Market Church is a church with Gothic architecture (Marktkirchhof 1).
- castle museum tells the history of the city and the development of the castle (Schlossberg 1).
- Sternkicker tower is a tower with a view (Weingarten 1).
- St Nicholas Church has 72 metre high towers (Neustädter Kirchhof 23).
More things to do in Quedlinburg for nature lovers
Here are also some more suggestions for things to do in Quedlinburg for nature lovers.
- The cliffs of the castle hill are protected as a geopark.
- Parks Brühl is a green park near the city (Brühlstrasse).
More to do in Quedlinburg for those travelling with kids or teens
Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find some more tips for things to do in Quedlinburg here.
- Glass are available in many 'ice cream parlours'.
- Harz narrow gauge railway has a stop in Quedlinburg.
- Little train drive through Quedlinburg.
Where can you live or stay with your campervan?
There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Quedlinburg to choose from. We visited the city by motorhome and stayed at the car park Castle car park on Schenkgasse. This place has very great location for visiting the city and most of the services you need are available here.
The site looks more or less like a normal car park, and normal cars are also parked here, but there are also toilets, rubbish collection, the possibility of emptying the toilet cassette and the possibility of filling fresh water and connecting electricity. If you want electricity, you have to go across the street to the bowling alley and buy tokens. Please note that you will need to purchase the "kurtaxe" (currently €3/person) to stay in the town, which you can pay at the tourist office.
What to do in Quedlinburg - on film
More things to see and do around Quedlinburg
There is of course more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Quedlinburg. We can recommend nice places like Wernigerode, Blankenburg and Goslar. You also have the opportunity to experience fantastic nature in the Harz region, for example in Thale or at Germany's longest suspension bridge. The interesting city of Magdeburg is not too far away either.
Gifts in Germany - 12 must-haves to bring home
What to look for when shopping for gifts in Germany? We present 12 tips...
Travelling by motorhome in Germany - all you need to know
What is it like travelling by motorhome in Germany? We have travelled many times by motorhome...
Bad Segeberg - Karl May Spiele and bat cave
Bad Segeberg inland, where we travelled to visit the "Karl May Spiele" ...
Thale in the Harz - among witches and devil walls
Thale in the German Harz Mountains - you come here to experience dramatic scenery, mixed with...
Medieval and Christmas spirit in Nuremberg
We've been treated to both medieval and Christmas spirit in Nuremberg, this German city has...
Beer in Germany - 6 German experiences with a beer theme
What is the best way to experience beer in Germany? Germany has a strong beer culture and it...
The half-timbered road in Germany - a cosy holiday route
The half-timbered road in Germany is a wonderfully cosy holiday route. This is a perfect route to follow for...
Neuzelle Abbey in eastern Germany - stunning baroque architecture
We have now visited the monastery of Neuzelle in eastern Germany. You don't have to be interested in churches...
By ferry to Germany - at the coast
Yesterday morning we left Trelleborg and Sweden and rolled aboard a ferry to Germany, more...
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg - concert hall and landmark building
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is a concert hall, but also a landmark. This year, the concert hall is 5 years old,...
Holiday routes in northern Germany - 6 great themed roads
There are plenty of holiday routes in northern Germany. When the borders reopen, it might be easiest to...
Things to do in Magdeburg - 12 tips for the Ottostadt in Germany
What to do in Magdeburg, Germany? This city, sometimes referred to as the 'Ottostadt', has a...
Pierdrei hotels in Hamburg - stay in a room or caravan
The Pierdrei hotel in Hamburg is a sleek and modern hotel that is perfectly located when...
Things to do in Bamberg - 14 tips for a lovely German town
What to see and do in Bamberg, Germany? This fine and delightful German city, whose...
Things to see and do in the Hanseatic City of Wismar
There is much to see and do in the Hanseatic city of Wismar in Germany. We've been here...
Facts about Germany - 30 things you (might) not have known
Facts about Germany and Germany is the second largest country in Europe with 82 per cent of the...
Sailing in Germany - from Krummin to Greifswald
Sailing in Germany can be anything from soaking up the sun on deck to...
Trier in the Moselle Valley - Germany's oldest city
Trier is Germany's oldest city, located in the Moselle Valley (Rhineland-Palatinate), near the border with Luxembourg. This...
Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg - and sandstone caves
Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg is a historic ruined castle in the German Harz region. Here you can...
Excursions among Germany's lakes
The 'Beach Basket Challenge' campervan trip continues, and it was time for the seven campervans on the trip/competition to...
Nude baths in Germany - Friedrichsbad in Baden Baden
Nude swimming in Germany? Yes, why not? Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden is a traditional bath with a long history of...
Fairytale castle in Germany - Neuschwanstein in Bavaria
Fairytale castle in Germany - Neuschwanstein in Germany is located in south-west Bavaria on the border with Austria. Disney designed...
Amusement parks in northern Germany - 6 exciting parks
Have you visited any amusement parks in northern Germany? There are several classic amusement parks with exciting and...
Schwedenfest in Wismar, Germany
Every year on the penultimate weekend of August, the town of Wismar celebrates, with much fanfare, the...
Burg Hohenzollern in Germany - on top of a mountain
Hohenzollern Castle in Germany is located high up on a mountain, and you have to go through...
Things to do in Goslar - 11 tips for a historic town in Germany
What to do in Goslar? This German town is a charming and historic little gem,...
Germany welcomes motorhomes (and Sweden imposes a ban)
During this trip we spent almost two months in Germany with our motorhome. As...
Christmas in Germany - inspired by German Christmas traditions
Christmas in Germany offers everything from tasty pastries and delicious Christmas food to atmospheric Advent music. I...
Visiting Stralsund - a German little gem
Don't miss out on a visit to Stralsund if you're in north-eastern Germany. This pretty little...
Festivals in Germany - now the festival season begins
Curious about festivals in Germany? Germany is the land of festivals, and at this time of year,...
More tips for things to do in Quedlinburg?
Have you been to Quedlinburg? Tell us about your experiences and your relationship with the city! Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in Quedlinburg?
Facts about Quedlinburg
- Country: Germany
- Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony-Anhalt
- Circle: Landkreis Harz
- Residents: Around 24 000 (2019)
- Read more: You can find more information at the city's website.
Travelling to Quedlinburg
- Flight: Fly to Leipzig, Hannover or Berlin and continue by train or car hire.
- Car: You can take the Öresund Bridge and drive to Quedlinburg (less than 8 hours from Malmö). Other options are to take a ferry, such as Finnlines Malmö-Travemünde, Nynäshamn-Rostock, Göteborg-Kiel or Rödby-Puttgarden.
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Thanks for the review of our favourite half-timbered city. Admittedly, we haven't seen them all....
01 June 2022 - 14:40
Helena says:
Isn't it a wonderful city! I understand that you have it as a favourite! This city is on our top list too. although we have seen a few more charming cities.
01 June 2022 - 20:12
BP says:
What a cute little town! The half-timbered houses are like something out of a fairy tale. Not a straight wall/facade as far as the eye can see, I would say. Wouldn't want to live in any of the houses, especially not during the winter, but strolling around there is like a dream.
Question: Did the German tourist office select/recommend the cities you visited to promote them, or did you select them?
01 June 2022 - 20:06
Helena says:
Sure it's a cute city! No idea how it is to live in the houses though 😉 It is Peter who chose the cities we visit. We are collaborating with both the German Tourist Board and Fachwerkstrasse (the half-timbered road) to write a report on the half-timbered road (a sponsored report, coming later), but we have chosen the places ourselves. Peter did some research and settled on a number of cities, and I'm sooo happy with his choice I must say! 🙂
01 June 2022 - 20:17
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
I have completely missed this city!
Thought I had seen most of Germany, but this was clearly wrong. Have been to the towns around the city, but not there.
Very beautiful and interesting.
Take care!
02 June 2022 - 7:47
Helena says:
So glad we could tell you about something "new"! 😀
06 June 2022 - 15:37