At the mouth of the Jeetzel River where it flows into the Elbe, Hitzacker (Elbe) is known for its striking riverside setting, old town of half-timbered houses and long history of settlement. When planning your visit, you can choose to focus on local history, trails through the countryside or a boat trip on the Elbe.

Old town and a long history of settlement

The old town of Hitzacker invites you to stroll through its narrow lanes and past its half-timbered houses. The first settlement was established on the historic town island at the end of the 12th century. The Hitzacker Archaeological Center takes you much further back in time: reconstructed prehistoric buildings illustrate a history of settlement dating back as far as 4,000 years.

St. John’s Church also tells the story of Hitzacker’s long history: it is more than 700 years old. The museum in the Old Customs House explores the eventful history of this Elbe town and presents various exhibitions on the subject of the border. The Old Customs House has been used as a museum and event venue since 1980; the specific exhibitions may change. The cultural venues therefore focus on different subjects: the Archaeological Center explores prehistoric settlement history, while the museum in the Old Customs House focuses on Hitzacker’s town history and the subject of the border.

Vineyard, hike, bike ride and the Elbe

The vineyard rises 40 meters above Hitzacker and is considered a landmark of the town. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Elbe glacial valley, but only after tackling some challenging changes in elevation. If you plan to visit the viewpoint, be sure to take these changes in elevation into account. Hitzacker’s location on a terminal moraine also gives the area its wooded, hilly slopes.

The 26.5-kilometer Klötzie-Stieg trail loops around Hitzacker and offers a brief introduction to the hiking region. The 35-kilometer Elbhöhen-Tour starts and ends in Hitzacker; check the signs and route before setting out. The two routes explore the surrounding area in different ways: the Klötzie-Stieg is a hiking trail, while the Elbhöhen-Tour is a cycling route. You can explore the Elbe near Hitzacker on a boat trip aboard the “Herzogin Dorothea” sofa raft. This adds a perspective from the water to exploring on foot and by bike.

More things to discover in the wider Lüchow-Dannenberg destination

The wider Lüchow-Dannenberg destination also offers cultural and nature-related attractions. At the Wendland Round Barn Museum in the round-barn village of Lübeln, you can visit a farmstead set up as an open-air museum. Traditional crafts are brought to life there in the pottery, forge, bakehouse and wheelwright’s workshop. The Göhrde offers a different kind of experience: it is the largest continuous mixed forest in northern Germany. With its protected areas, Göhrde Forest provides a habitat for numerous rare and endangered species. The Göhrde Nature Center offers forest experiences and guided walks on a range of topics upon request.

One seasonal cultural event in the wider destination is the Kulturelle Landpartie. Since 1989, artists and craftspeople have opened their farm gates and studios every year between Ascension Day and Whitsun, presenting their work for twelve days; the exact dates vary from year to year. Suggested cycling routes can take visitors to numerous exhibitions and theater performances. Alongside the museums and nature-related attractions, the event offers another way to discover art and culture in Lüchow-Dannenberg.

Discover more destinations: Trebel, Göhrde, Gorleben, Dangenstorf, Schnega, Gusborn, Lübbow, Küsten.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Lüchow-Dannenberg.