Discover Hildesheim: World Heritage, Museums and Excursions

The Hildesheim region lies between the Hildesheim Börde, the Leine Uplands and the foothills of the Harz Mountains. In Hildesheim itself, UNESCO World Heritage, church art and museums are highlights for visitors; other specific reasons to visit range from modern industrial architecture in Alfeld to outdoor activities in Bad Salzdetfurth. When planning your accommodation, it is therefore helpful to decide first what you want to focus on: city culture, or a stay that also takes in individual destinations elsewhere.

Architecture and World Heritage in Hildesheim

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed St. Mary's Cathedral is one of Hildesheim's main attractions. Among its exceptional artistic treasures is the Bernward Doors, a masterpiece of bronze casting; the cathedral is also home to a rose tree around 1,000 years old. St. Michael's Church was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List alongside St. Mary's Cathedral in 1985. The three-aisled basilica is an example of Ottonian, pre-Romanesque or early Romanesque architecture. Its monumental ceiling painting from the 13th century depicts Christ's family tree on 1,300 oak boards.

On the historic market square, the Butchers' Guildhall recalls its former use as a guild house. Hundreds of carved and painted artworks adorn the building. For a different view of the city, climb the tower of St. Andrew's Church: visitors can ascend 364 steps to the 75-metre-high observation platform and enjoy panoramic views across the rooftops of Hildesheim. The city thus offers a range of cultural perspectives, from ecclesiastical architecture and ornate façades to views from above.

Museums spanning Egypt and local history

The Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum Hildesheim houses the world's second-largest Egyptian collection. Since December 2025, visitors have been able to explore objects spanning 4,000 years of ancient Egyptian culture in the newly opened permanent Egyptian exhibition, using multimedia displays and a variety of interactive stations in a family-friendly, immersive setting. The museum also has natural history, ethnological and local history collections, as well as a collection of paintings and prints. Visitors who want to combine different interests during their stay will find other collection highlights here alongside Egyptology.

Architecture and activity in other places

In Alfeld, the Fagus Factory is regarded as the first truly modern building and as the pioneering work of modern industrial architecture. The UNESCO Visitor Centre uses interactive displays to present the history of the World Heritage site and the core ideas of the World Heritage Convention. This makes it possible to combine an architectural visit with an introduction to World Heritage, without requiring any specialist knowledge of buildings.

Those interested in mountain biking can visit the Bike and Outdoor Park on Ortberg in Bad Salzdetfurth, which has been open for public use since 2014. A practice course gives beginners the opportunity to improve their bike-handling skills before tackling more challenging trails. Training features also include ramps, North Shore elements and singletrack. As individual facilities may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information about access and the park before your visit.

In Derneburg, the Derneburg Castle Sculpture Park brings together works from the collections of Hall and the Hall Art Foundation, and can be visited without a guided tour; individual works may change. The Derneburg Castle Art Museum hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art in a historic setting. In Lamspringe, the abbey building of the monastery, dating from 1731, houses the Hall of the Continents and the historic Abbot's Hall, which can be visited on guided tours. For children, there is a playground or a miniature golf course in the monastery park. These places offer different experiences: art outdoors and in a museum, historic interiors on a guided tour, or an activity in the monastery park.

Nature and practical information

The Wildgatter is a nature park of around six hectares in Hildesheim, home to more than 300 animals; the number of animals may change over time. You can get there by car, with parking available, or take city bus route 5. Admission is free. Before your trip, you can check the latest information on bus services and parking options.

The Hildesheim Tourist Information Office books city tours and regional excursions and provides information about local attractions. It can be reached from the Schuhstraße or Kardinal-Bertram-Straße stops; it is about a ten-minute walk from the main railway station. As local transport connections may change, it is worth checking the latest information if you plan to include a visit there in your travel arrangements.

Choose your accommodation to suit your itinerary

Before you start looking, consider which experiences you want to focus on during your stay. For a culture-focused visit, Hildesheim's churches, market square and museum offer plenty to explore. If you are also planning to visit the bike park, the art venues in Derneburg or the monastery in Lamspringe, factor these destinations into your daily plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hoyershausen, Westfeld, Sarstedt, Nordstemmen, Nettlingen, Hildesheim, Elze, Burgstemmen, Brüggen, Bockenem, Bad Salzdetfurth, Algermissen, Giesen, Despetal, Alfeld, Diekholzen, Holle, Wittenburg, Harsum, Söhlde, Ahrbergen, Marienhagen, Rheden, Freden, Weenzen, Winzenburg.

For the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.