Things to do in Hildesheim – 15 tips for UNESCO World Heritage sites, half-timbered houses and roses

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Perhaps one of Germany's most underrated small towns, Hildesheim is located in Lower Saxony, about 30 minutes south of Hanover. The city is best known for its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, its half-timbered houses, and its long history spanning over a thousand years.

Hildesheim

Founded in 815, Hildesheim today has around 100,000 inhabitants and more than 40 churches. The city was an important religious center during the Middle Ages and is still marked by its ecclesiastical history.

During World War II, large parts of the city center were destroyed, but many historic buildings have been restored or rebuilt with great care. We were very impressed with this charming little gem, which we recently visited by train.

15 things to see and do in Hildesheim

Hildesheim is a fantastically beautiful and picturesque city, with several interesting sights. Here you will find our best tips.

1. Experience the historic market square

Hildesheim's Marktplatz is the obvious heart of the city. Here you are surrounded by impressive half-timbered houses, colorful facades and buildings that give you the feeling of stepping straight into the Middle Ages.

The square was almost completely destroyed during the bombings of 1945, and when it was rebuilt, it was initially done in a modern style. A little later, they changed their mind and had several of the old buildings reconstructed based on original drawings and old photographs.

The most striking building is the famous Knochenhauer-Amtshaus from 1529, known for its richly decorated wooden facades, carved figures and inscriptions. The square also houses the historic town hall and the Tempelhaus, which together create an almost fairytale-like atmosphere.

2. Check out the decorations at the Knochenhauer-Amtshaus

The Knochenhauer-Amtshaus is one of the world's most ornate half-timbered houses and the most photographed building in Hildesheim. The facade is full of details, ornaments and inscriptions that tell the story of life in the past. The decorations on the front of the house are recreated from the photos and drawings that showed how the house once looked.

Don't miss checking out the side of the house either! There were no photos showing what the decorations looked like originally, so instead they brought in modern artists who were allowed to create artwork that also tells the story of the city and country's history, but in a more modern way.

3. Follow the Rose Trail

The Rosenleden is a cleverly marked walking trail through the city's most important sights. The red line in the ground makes it easy to discover Hildesheim on foot.

4. Climb the observation tower of St. Andrew's Church

St. Andrew's Church has the tallest church tower in Northern Germany at 114.5 meters. After a steep climb, a fantastic panoramic view of the city's rooftops awaits.

5. Visit St. Michael's Church

St. Michael's Church in Hildesheim is one of Germany's most important churches and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The church was built between 1010 and 1033 under Bishop Bernward and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is particularly significant because its symmetrical building style became a style-defining feature for later church architecture in Europe.

Inside, the church surprises in several ways. Since the church was largely destroyed during the war, much of the colorful interior is the result of later restorations, and the red and white interior made us think of the Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba.

However, there are many historical treasures that have been preserved in their original form. The famous decorated wooden ceiling from the 13th century was dismantled, plank by plank, to protect it from the bombs, and is now back in place.

6. Be fascinated by the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary

Hildesheim Cathedral, also known as the Mariendom, is the city's most iconic building and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 815, the cathedral has been the city's religious center for over a thousand years. Although much of it has been restored over the centuries, much of its original history remains.

Here are some of Hildesheim's greatest art treasures, including the monumental Bernward Column and the famous Bernward Doors from 1015 – gigantic bronze doors with detailed biblical scenes.

Don't miss the thousand-year-old rose bush either – according to legend, Hildesheim will last as long as the rose bush blooms.

7. Learn more at the Hildesheim Cathedral Museum

Right next to the Mariendom is the city's impressive Cathedral Museum, which houses one of Europe's most important collections of medieval ecclesiastical art. Here you can gain a deeper understanding of Hildesheim's importance as a religious center during the Holy Roman Empire.

It's fascinating that there are so many incredible treasures in this small town: precious reliquaries, goldsmiths, and works of art that are over a thousand years old.

8. Admire the Godahart Church

The slightly lesser-known Godehart Church is a beautiful Romanesque church that is often overshadowed by the city's larger attractions. It is often quieter and more peaceful here.

9. Stroll in Neustadt – the new old town

Neustadt is perhaps Hildesheim's most charming district. The district is called Neustadt (the new town) because it is newer than the oldest district – which was bombed. Now it is here that you will find the city's oldest buildings, in the form of houses and streets that survived the destruction of the war.

This part of the city became a favorite for us. Truly so incredibly charming and picturesque.

If you visit the city when the roses are in bloom, you can also enjoy the scent of roses on every street corner.

10. Discover the city's street art

If you're looking for some modern art, check out Hildesheim's street art. There are some murals in the most central areas, and even more in the district across the railway. You can pick up a map from the local tourist office to find the artworks, and to learn a little more about them.

11. Have lunch or coffee at the cozy Villa Café

Villa Café is located in the middle of the city center, and we had lunch here one day. What an incredibly cozy place! This is a cafe and interior design store in one, with a very relaxed atmosphere. We had a fresh bowl of chicken and it was very, very tasty. If you prefer coffee, there is a large selection of cakes and pastries.

12. Enjoy dinner at the fine Gildehaus

For a more classic and elegant dinner, Gildehaus is a good option. We had dinner here one evening and we were very happy with both the starter and the main course. Also, good service and nice environment!

13. Visit the Magdalene Garden

If you haven't had enough of roses, then you can visit Magdelenengarten, which is one of the city's oldest Baroque gardens. Here you can stroll around and discover the rosary, which has been renovated according to plans from the Baroque era.

14. Shop along Hoher Weg

Hildesheim's main shopping street is called Hoher Weg and may not be as charming as the picturesque half-timbered alleys, but if you want to take a break for shopping, you will find several shops here.

15. Take a day trip to Hanover

Thanks to the short distance, it is easy to combine Hildesheim with a day in Hanover – the largest city in Lower Saxony. In Hannover you can discover the historic city centre, check out the new town hall (Neues Rathaus) or perhaps visit the beautiful Herrenhausen Gardens, which is located just outside the city.

Where to stay in Hildesheim?

Where should you stay in Hildesheim? Here are a few different suggestions, depending on how you travel.

Different areas to live in

• Altstadt (Old Town) – Perfect for those who want to stay close to the sights and feel the city's historic charm.
• Neustadt – A little quieter and more local, but still central.
• Near the central station – Practical if you are travelling further by train or making shorter stops.

We stayed one night at Hotel van der Valk which we can highly recommend. This hotel has a completely perfect location, right at the Marktplatz. The rooms are very nice, with comfortable beds and good showers.

We were also incredibly delighted with the decor in our room, which followed a certain theme as you can see... Stylish and lovely!

Pitches and campsites

There are two simple parking lots that are well located for visiting Hildesheim.

• Parking space at the Honsensee is a simple campsite, by a lake, without service,
• Wohnmobilstellplats am Berliner Kreisel is a simple place on hard ground, without service, near a road.

More cities in Lower Saxony

There are of course many more beautiful cities to experience in Lower Saxony. You can find more information about 9 cities +2 in Lower Saxony here, and below you will find more city guides:

• Things to do in Hannover
• Things to do in Hamelin
• Things to do in Goettingen
• Things to do in Celle
• Things to do in Goslar
• Things to do in Einbeck