This wooded, mountainous region in central Germany has inspired many eerie legends and folktales. There are several towns and small villages that could be combined for a nice two- or three-day tour.
Goslar, about 45 mi/72 km southeast of Hannover, is home to the Kaiserpfalz, which was an emperor's residence—a tour of the structure takes about an hour. Goslar also has many medieval timbered homes that are still standing. Near Goslar is the town of
Clausthal-Zellerfeld, which has the largest wooden church in Germany.
Wernigerode has a castle, narrow streets, nice views and interesting frame houses. The medieval city of
Quedlinburg is a must-see for architecture lovers. The roofs of the city's 1,000 half-timbered houses are best seen from the Schlossberg.
Although predominantly an industrial city,
Magdeburg has an interesting history and is worth a short stopover if you're in the area. Visit Germany's earliest Gothic cathedral, Kloster Unserer Lieben Frauen (the former convent), and the town hall. The composer Georg Phillipp Telemann was born in Magdeburg.
Also in the area is the town of Eisleben, where Martin Luther was born. Be sure to visit his parents' home. The town can be toured in a couple of hours. The Harz Mountains are 120 mi/195 km southwest of Berlin.
