Discover Sarstedt: cycling route, lake and architecture

Discover Sarstedt through three distinct themes: the Innerste Cycle Route, Giftener See in the local recreation area, and historic buildings. Sarstedt’s places and experiences offer specific points of interest, while the wider destination of Hildesheim adds further, distinct themes.

Cycling route and recreation area

The 105-kilometre Innerste Cycle Route can be followed downstream from the municipality of Holle to Sarstedt. Its overall length makes cycling a distinct focus when planning a trip. Giftener See is located in Sarstedt’s local recreation area and offers a different emphasis. This lets you choose between a trip centred on a cycling route and one focused on the lake, rather than combining both themes into a single outing. This comparison can also help with shared travel plans: consider which focus better suits your group and choose your base accordingly.

Half-timbering, church windows and a remnant of the town wall

Sarstedt’s old town hall dates from 1799. Its blue half-timbering and broad outside staircase give the building distinctive architectural details. Visitors can see stained-glass windows with Christian symbolism in the Church of the Holy Spirit, built in 1913. A small remnant of the old town wall also survives at the former Ostertor gate. The three examples offer different points of interest: half-timbering and a staircase at the town hall, stained glass in the church, and a small preserved section of the town wall. Those interested in historic places will therefore find more than just one type of building here.

Further highlights in the wider destination of Hildesheim

The Hildesheim region lies between the Hildesheim Börde, the Leine Uplands and the foothills of the Harz Mountains. Its cultural offerings also vary considerably. In Alfeld, the Fagus Factory is considered the first truly modern building and a seminal work of modern industrial architecture. It houses a UNESCO visitor centre with interactive stations on the history of the World Heritage site and the core principles of the World Heritage Convention.

In Hildesheim itself, the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Michael’s Church offer different architectural and art-historical experiences. St. Michael’s is a three-aisled basilica in the Ottonian, pre-Romanesque or early Romanesque style. Its monumental 13th-century ceiling painting depicts the genealogy of Christ on 1,300 oak boards. The Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Michael’s Church were jointly inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The Cathedral of St. Mary is also home to the Bernward Doors, a masterpiece of bronze casting; the 1,000-year-old rosebush is another of the cathedral’s special features.

For an interactive museum experience, another option is the Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim. It houses the world’s second-largest Egyptian collection. Since December 2025, visitors have been able to explore objects from 4,000 years of ancient Egyptian culture in the newly opened permanent Egyptian exhibition, using multimedia displays and hands-on stations. The exhibition is designed to be family-friendly, giving it a different focus from church art or architecture.

Nature and outdoor activities are also part of the wider destination of Hildesheim. More than 300 animals live in the approximately six-hectare Wildgatter nature park; the number of animals may change over time. In Bad Salzdetfurth, the Bike and Outdoor Park has been open for general use since 2014. Its practice course helps beginners improve their control of a mountain bike before tackling more challenging trails. Training features also include ramps, North Shore elements and singletrack trails. Check whether the park is currently open for use before visiting. Comparing the museum, nature park and mountain biking facilities shows how varied a stay in the wider destination can be.

Discover more destinations: Freden, Winzenburg, Bockenem, Rheden, Alfeld, Söhlde, Giesen, Burgstemmen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hildesheim.