Holiday in Goslar
City in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪
Country
Germany
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to October (16-26 °C, ideal for old town and Harz hikes). December for the Christmas market in front of the Kaiserpfalz. April for Walpurgis.
Budget/day
60-120 €
Getting there from Germany
RE to Goslar (1.5 h from Hanover, 45 min from Braunschweig). By car via A7/A395 from Hanover or Braunschweig. Nearest airport is Hanover (HAJ, 1.5 h).
Deals for Goslar:
What makes Goslar special as a destination?
Goslar on the northwestern edge of the Harz Mountains is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany and a triple UNESCO World Heritage site: the old town, the Rammelsberg mine, and the Upper Harz water management system are all protected by the World Heritage organization. No other place in Lower Saxony combines so much World Heritage in such a small area. The Kaiserpfalz, built in the 11th century under Heinrich III, is the largest and best-preserved secular building from the Salian period. Over 20 imperial diets convened here, and emperors and kings resided in Goslar — the city was at times the center of the Holy Roman Empire. The monumental historical paintings in the Reichssaal (1879-1897) depict German imperial history over more than 700 square meters. The Rammelsberg mine is the only mine in the world that operated continuously for over 1,000 years (968-1988). Underground, visitors can experience the history of ore mining in original tunnels, from medieval waterwheels to industrial extraction in the 20th century. The old town enchants with over 1,500 half-timbered houses, the marketplace with the carillon at the Kaiserringhaus (which shows scenes from Rammelsberg mining four times daily), the Große Heilige Kreuz (a pilgrim hostel from the 13th century), and the quiet streets of the Frankenberger district. Goslar is also the gateway to the Harz — Germany's northernmost low mountain range with the legendary Brocken (1,141 m) as its highest peak.
What are the top highlights in Goslar?
The top highlights in Goslar include Kaiserpfalz, Erzbergwerk Rammelsberg (UNESCO), Marktplatz & Glockenspiel, Old Town with 1,500 Half-Timbered Houses, Upper Harz Water Management (UNESCO).
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Kaiserpfalz
Largest secular building from the Salian period from the 11th century: Reichssaal with monumental historical paintings covering 700 m² of wall space.
Erzbergwerk Rammelsberg (UNESCO)
1,000 years of uninterrupted mining (968-1988): underground tours through original tunnels with medieval waterwheels.
Marktplatz & Glockenspiel
Medieval marketplace with the Kaiserringhaus carillon: daily four times scenes of mining with moving figures.
Old Town with 1,500 Half-Timbered Houses
UNESCO-protected half-timbered splendor: Brusttuch, Siemenshaus, and Frankenberger district showcase centuries of architectural art.
Upper Harz Water Management (UNESCO)
Medieval water management system for mining: 107 historical ponds and 310 km of water ditches in the Harz.
Hotels in Goslar
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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Goslar?
The best time to visit Goslar is May to October (16-26 °C, ideal for old town and Harz hikes). December for the Christmas market in front of the Kaiserpfalz. April for Walpurgis.. 16-25 °C, pleasantly warm, located at the edge of the Harz with fresh air In winter: -2 to 4 °C, snow in the Harz is common, foggy days possible
Recommended travel time
May to October (16-26 °C, ideal for old town and Harz hikes). December for the Christmas market in front of the Kaiserpfalz. April for Walpurgis.
Summer
16-25 °C, pleasantly warm, located at the edge of the Harz with fresh air
Winter
-2 to 4 °C, snow in the Harz is common, foggy days possible
How much does a holiday in Goslar cost?
Budget travellers: 30-55 €/day, mid-range: 60-120 €/day, luxury: 130-280 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-55 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
130-280 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Goslar?
RE to Goslar (1.5 h from Hanover, 45 min from Braunschweig). By car via A7/A395 from Hanover or Braunschweig. Nearest airport is Hanover (HAJ, 1.5 h).
Book a package holiday to Goslar
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Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Goslar?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Book a Rammelsberg tour in advance — the underground tour is the highlight, lasting about 1.5 hours. Bring a warm jacket (12 °C underground year-round).
Visit the Kaiserpfalz in the morning — the Reichssaal is particularly impressive in the morning light. Admission costs about €7.50 including the exhibition.
Note the carillon times — at the marketplace at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00. The short performance is charming and free.
Hike to the Brocken — from Goslar via Torfhaus to the Brocken summit (about 4-5 h one way). Alternatively, take the Brockenbahn from Wernigerode.
Walpurgisnacht on April 30 — a large witch festival throughout the Harz region. Goslar celebrates with live music and fire in the old town.
What should you eat in Goslar?
Typical specialities in Goslar: Harzer Schmorwurst — coarse sausage braised in a pan: a hearty Harz specialty with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes., Ficken — don't worry, this is a Harz herbal liqueur from Goslar: produced since 1827, the name brings smiles everywhere., Brocken-Geist — herbal liqueur made from Harz wild herbs: a traditional digestif, allegedly brewed according to a witch's recipe., Harzer Forelle — fresh trout from the clear Harz streams, either poached or fried: a light dish in the inn., Harzer Rote Grütze — traditional dessert made from forest berries with cream or vanilla sauce: a sweet finale to a Harz meal..
These specialties you must try!
