Hildesheim: UNESCO World Heritage and a wealth of museums

Hildesheim combines UNESCO World Heritage, impressive churches and collections with panoramic views and natural attractions. The Hildesheim region lies between the Hildesheim Börde, the Leine Uplands and the foothills of the Harz Mountains. When planning your trip, you can consider whether architecture and museums, views across the rooftops or outdoor activities should shape your stay.

UNESCO World Heritage and architecture

St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of Hildesheim’s main attractions. It houses the Bernward Doors, a masterpiece of bronze casting. The cathedral also holds unique art treasures and a thousand-year-old rosebush. Together with St. Michael’s Church, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

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 family tree of Christ across 1,300 oak boards. While the cathedral’s art treasures and Bernward Doors take centre stage, St. Michael’s offers its own distinctive features in its architecture and expansive ceiling painting. The Knochenhauer Amtshaus on the historic market square also tells of a former function: the former guildhall is adorned with hundreds of carved and painted works of art.

Egyptian collection and other museum themes

The Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum Hildesheim houses the world’s second-largest Egyptian collection. A newly opened permanent Egyptian exhibition has been on display there since December 2025. Objects spanning 4,000 years of ancient Egyptian culture can be explored at various interactive stations in a multimedia, family-friendly and engaging way.

The museum also features natural history, ethnological and local history collections, as well as a collection of paintings and prints. Its subject matter therefore extends beyond Egypt. When planning your stay, you can make the permanent exhibition your main focus or include other areas of the collection.

City tours and panoramic views

Visitors can climb the 364 steps of St. Andrew’s Church tower to a viewing platform 75 metres high. From the top, enjoy panoramic views over Hildesheim’s rooftops. The Tourist Information Office books city tours and trips around the region and provides information about local sights. It can be reached from the Schuhstraße or Kardinal-Bertram-Straße stops; the main railway station is about a ten-minute walk away. As local transport connections may change, it is advisable to check the details before setting off.

Nature park and mountain biking

The Wildgatter is a nature park covering around six hectares, home to more than 300 animals. The number of animals may change over time. The Wildgatter can be reached by car, with parking available, or by city bus route 5; admission is free. Check current opening and travel information before your visit.

In Bad Salzdetfurth, the Bike and Outdoor Park at Ortberg has been open to the public since 2014. A practice course lets beginners improve their control of a mountain bike before tackling more challenging trails. The park also has ramps, North Shore features and single-track trails for training; individual features may change. Check the park’s current availability before your ride.

Industrial architecture in Alfeld

The Fagus Factory in Alfeld is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered the first truly modern building and the pioneering work of modern industrial architecture. It is also a groundbreaking example of industrial architecture and design, and a precursor to the Bauhaus style. Interactive stations at the UNESCO Visitor Centre introduce the history of the World Heritage site and the key ideas behind the World Heritage Convention.

The Fagus-Gropius exhibition spans 3,000 square metres in the former last-making warehouse. It covers the company’s history, the factory’s architecture and restoration, and a century of footwear fashion trends. If you would like to explore the World Heritage site and production in more depth, you can plan a factory tour.

Find a hotel to suit your stay

Include the specific hotel address in your plans if you are organising your stay around particular places to visit.

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

To the main travel overview: Lower Saxony.