We’ve already written before about the charming yet underrated city that is Braunschweig. About how it mixes the old with the new, blending history with modernity. About how it strikes a great balance between greenery and great architecture. About how it has the heart of a lion, and the brain of a scientist... ok, that last one was a bit abstract (unless you know a bit about Braunschweig already), but you probably see where we’re going with this. Yep, it’s that time again when we hit you with some reasons about why this city in Lower Saxony should be on your radar for a city break.
Alright, we admit it. We may have been influenced by the first glimpses of sunshine this year when it came to deciding what to write about for our blog this month, but in our defence, it’s the perfect time to get out and take a walk while enjoying some fresh air, and luckily for us, Braunschweig is an amazing place for a wander. It’s really easy to get around and to explore on foot (maybe with a little public transport thrown in if your feet get tired) and there’s plenty to see. Here’s what we think you should get up to:
Naturally, you’ll want to see the big hitters when it comes to Braunschweig’s main sights. These include Dankwarderode Castle on Burgplatz home to the original Braunschweig Lion, Braunschweig Cathedral (home to a replica lion) and the rather colourful Happy Rizzi House. Our tip though, is to ensure you spend some time in Magniviertel. The expression is a little cliché, but the little streets there really are “charming”. Consisting of half-timbered houses with plenty of floral decorations, it is renowned as a student pub district with plenty of quality restaurants, lively pubs and welcoming cafes. If you’re a beer drinker, a glass of the local brew, Wolters should be on your to-do list, and if you’re really brave, we’ve heard about a local tradition known as “Gedeck”, which is a Wolters served with a shot of Jägermeister, which originates from Wolfenbüttel, just a short distance away from Braunschweig.
While spring (aka now!) is a great time to visit Braunschweig, its packed events calendar makes it worth a trip year-round. Of course, we couldn’t possibly make a claim like that without being a bit more specific, so here are some of our highlights:
- Carnival/Schoduvel - Northern Germany's largest carnival procession - has taken place almost every year since 1979. It always takes place on the Sunday before Shrove Monday (usually in February or March).
- Buskers Braunschweig – a truly unique take on a music festival, Buskers sees musicians from multiple countries, backgrounds and genres take to the streets of Braunschweig. No payment needed to attend, other than what you want to donate to the performers.
- Kultur im Zelt – Running for a whole month from August to September, this festival features loads of regional artists, an arts and craft market, and a sustainability fair. If that’s not already enough to convince you, there’s also a great beer garden to soak up the atmosphere in.
- Braunschweig International Film Festival – Once a small festival organized by university students, it has grown into a renowned, internationally recognised event held every November. It's a fantastic opportunity for film fans to enjoy short films, film concerts, documentaries, talks, and many other special events.
- Lower Saxony Day 2026 – For the first time, summer 2026 sees Braunschweig play host to the Day of Lower Saxony. The three-day festival (despite its name) is a celebration of the diversity of the state of Niedersachsen and will see hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive in Braunschweig for a variety of events and activities.
Of course, you’ll need somewhere to stay during your adventure in Braunschweig... Somewhere ideally located, somewhere with big, warm, comfortable beds, somewhere with great people and a great atmosphere... it could only be Pentahotel Braunschweig.
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Picture: People walking near buildings during daytime photo – Free City Image on Unsplash
