Hitzacker (Elbe): Town Island, Vineyard and Elbe

At the confluence of the Jeetzel and Elbe rivers lies Hitzacker (Elbe), with a listed town island, a half-timbered old town and the distinctive vineyard. The first settlement was established on the town island at the end of the 12th century. Here, river landscape and early settlement history come together.

Experience river landscapes and heights

The vineyard rises 40 metres above Hitzacker and is considered a landmark of the town. After tackling the challenging changes in elevation, it offers a magnificent view of the Elbe glacial valley. If you plan to include this viewpoint, be sure to take the changes in elevation into account. Hitzacker’s location on a terminal moraine also means wooded, hilly slopes. This gives the landscape a different character from the town island and its setting by the water.

For a walking tour, the 26.5-kilometre Klötzie-Stieg trail runs around Hitzacker and offers a brief introduction to the hiking region. The 35-kilometre Elbhöhen tour starts and ends in Hitzacker. Check its route and signage before setting off. On the water, you can explore the Elbe near Hitzacker on a boat trip aboard the “Herzogin Dorothea” sofa raft. These activities offer different perspectives: a route around Hitzacker, a bike tour starting and ending in town, or a trip on the Elbe.

Town history and museums

The old town’s small lanes and half-timbered houses invite you to stroll. The Hitzacker Archaeological Centre uses reconstructed prehistoric buildings to convey a settlement history stretching back up to 4,000 years. This takes you from the town’s lanes to a much earlier history of settlement.

St. John’s Church is also among the historic sites: it is more than 700 years old. The museum in the Old Customs House provides information about the eventful history of the Elbe town of Hitzacker and hosts 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, while the town’s history and border themes provide a focus for a cultural visit.

More discoveries in Lüchow-Dannenberg

In the wider Lüchow-Dannenberg travel destination, the Wendland Rundling Museum broadens the perspective on rural building and craft history. In the Rundling village of Lübeln, it features a farmstead as an open-air museum. Traditional crafts are brought to life in the pottery, forge, bakehouse and wheelwright’s workshop. The Waldemarturm Dannenberg offers a different museum perspective: across several floors, it displays finds and exhibits from the town’s early history, changing art exhibitions and a permanent exhibition on flooding.

Landscape and nature experiences also shape the wider Lüchow-Dannenberg travel destination. Göhrde is the largest contiguous mixed forest area in northern Germany. Its numerous protected areas provide habitats for rare and endangered species. On request, Naturum Göhrde offers forest experience programmes and guided forest walks on a range of topics. If you are interested in art and regional culture, the Kulturelle Landpartie offers another perspective: since 1989, artists and craftspeople have presented their work each year for twelve days between Ascension Day and Pentecost, opening their farm gates and studios to visitors. The exact dates vary each year. During the event, visitors can follow suggested cycling tours to reach numerous exhibitions and theatre performances directly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Schnega, Dannenberg, Prezelle, Damnatz, Zernien, Schnackenburg, Neu Darchau, Luckau

Back to the wider travel overview: Lüchow-Dannenberg.