17 Things to do in Quedlinburg + Tips for a Day Trip from Berlin

Quedlinburg is a beautiful medieval town only a few hours from Berlin, and it’s one of those places where you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. There are lots of things to do in Quedlinburg, and if you’re ambitious, you could take a day trip from Berlin to Quedlinburg.

Even if you feel like it’s a bit too far for a day trip, you could also plan a weekend trip from Berlin to Quedlinburg. Located at the edge of the Harz Mountains, it’s definitely a nice change of scenery.

Let’s take a look at what to do in Quedlinburg, how to get there, and more helpful info about this well preserved town in Germany.

Why you should visit Quedlinburg, Germany

If you’re looking for that picture perfect German village, the kind that looks like you’ve stepped back in time, Quedlinburg is the place to go. This town dates back to the 900s, and it should be on everyone’s Germany bucket list, it’s that pretty.

Old Town Quedlinburg is so well preserved, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The UNESCO designation includes the old town, the castle, and the church. Go for a stroll to enjoy the beautiful cobbled streets and rustic timber-framed houses.

You’ll see many preserved old buildings here, but in particular, you should see the Fachwerkmuseum in Ständerbau, built around 1310. This ancient half-timbered house is one of the oldest in Germany.

Quedlinburg is part of the Romanesque Road, a tourist trail of Romanesque monuments in the Saxony-Anhalt state. The stunning Rathaus in Quedlinburg is one of the more well known landmarks in Germany.

The impressive Schloss Quedlinburg (Quedlinburg Castle) and Church of St. Servatius loom over the town. Also pay a visit to Marktkirche St. Benedikti, which houses artworks and an ancient Gothic alter of St. Mary.

There are several towers you can climb in Quedlinburg which provide sweeping views of the town and the surrounding areas. Marktplatz, the town’s main square, is also a perfect place to visit for some great photos of Quedlinburg.

And if you visit for a weekend, Quedlinburg is a good base for checking out another town or two up in the mountains. You can also take a historic steam train for some sightseeing in the Harz Mountains.

>>Read: 101 Fun and Essential Things to do in Berlin

Hotels in Quedlinburg

If you’re looking for ideas for weekend trips from Berlin, Quedlinburg is an excellent choice. Spend your time exploring the Altstadt Quedlinburg, see the castle, check out some viewpoints, and maybe even visit a nearby town in the mountains.

How to get from Berlin to Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg is about 220km (137 miles) southwest of Berlin, and driving will take you about 3 hours or so if there is no traffic. The best route is using the A2.

It’s also easy to get from Berlin to Quedlinburg by train. I think traveling by train in Germany is a great way to go.

Berlin Quedlinburg train

To get from Berlin to Quedlinburg by train, you will most likely have to make one switch along the way. Most routes involve taking the RE1 to Magdeburg, and then switching to the RE11 from Magdeburg to Quedlinburg. It’s an easy train station for switches.

The entire journey takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes from Berlin Hbf to Quedlinburg. Check schedules and prices on Deutsche Bahn

If you’re traveling on the weekend, you might be able to get the Harz-Berlin Express. This train runs from several train stations in Berlin, through Potsdam and several other cities before arriving in Quedlinburg and later Thale.

The benefit of this option is that you don’t have to switch trains anywhere. It leaves early in the morning – a little past 7am from Ostbahnhof, a bit later from Berlin Hbf – and the return journey leaves Quedlinburg around 5:30pm.

The Harz-Berlin Express train takes about 3 hours or so from Berlin Hbf to Quedlinburg. You can take this train from Berlin to Quedlinburg in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays, and from Quedlinburg to Berlin in late afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays.

The odd thing about the express train is that Deutsche Bahn can only sell you a partial fare. For the section of the route they can’t sell to you (which is oddly from Berlin to a town called Genthin) you will have to purchase on the train.

Berlin Quedlinburg bus

I have seen buses from Berlin to Quedlinburg in the past, but when I look now as I write this, I’m not seeing any connections. It’s possible they’re seasonal or the schedule adjusts when there’s more demand.

If the bus interests you, check FlixBus for options. And if you’re visiting one of the nearby towns, I did see a few options to Wernigerode, but even those involved switching with a long wait.

Chances are the train will be a better option for getting to Quedlinburg from Berlin.

How to take a day trip from Berlin to Quedlinburg

Since it takes 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes to get from Berlin to Quedlinburg, it can be a very long day. But it is possible to do a day trip from Berlin to Quedlinburg if you’re willing to get up early and get back to Berlin late.

I recommend taking the earliest train you can manage. If you can do your day trip on Saturday or Sunday, the Harz-Berlin Express train is a good option.

There’s plenty of things to do in Quedlinburg in one day, but you can get a good feel for the town in that time. Check out my list of what to do in Quedlinburg, and choose the sights and activities that interest you the most.

The downside is simply that it’s kind of far, and 6-7 hours round trip of transport time might be a bit much for some people.

>>Read: Best Day Trips From Berlin

Tips for a weekend trip to Quedlinburg

Since Quedlinburg is several hours from Berlin, it could be easier to visit as a weekend trip. I felt like we had seen and done everything we wanted in Quedlinburg in one day, so on our second day, we visited the nearby town of Thale, but another good option is Wernigerode.

There are several cute towns in the area where you can get a better glimpse of the mountains since Quedlinburg is technically on the edge of the mountains. Thale has a cable car that takes you up a mountain and offers wonderful views.

Look for the Seilbahnen Thale Erlebniswelt, which is an amusement park at the base of the mountain and has some fun activities for kids. Take the cable car up to the top, and go for a walk to a few different lookout points.

Bonus: If you’re traveling with a dog, you’ll be happy to know the cable car is dog friendly.

This region is great for outdoor enthusiasts since there’s lots of good options for hiking and other outdoor activities. It’s also a great choice for some snowy mountain scenery if you’re traveling to Quedlinburg in the winter.

Things to do in Quedlinburg, Germany

Check out this list of what do to in Quedlinburg, and include these sights and activities on your one day Quedlinburg itinerary or your weekend trip.

Marktplatz

Marktplatz is the main square in Altstadt Quedlinburg, and it’s the beautiful image of the old town that you’ve probably seen most often. That building covered in ivy is the Rathaus, or Town Hall building.

Schlossmuseum Quedlinburg

The Stadtschloss Quedlinburg, the city’s castle, is quite impressive and deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Quedlinburg. It sits on a hill in the southern part of the Old Town, and you can visit the museum in the castle to learn more about its history.

Even if you don’t go inside the castle (or if it’s closed for renovations, like when we visited) it’s still worth going up to the castle grounds. The gardens are lovely, and the vantage point up there gives you some of the best views of Quedlinburg and the surrounding areas.

>>Read: 25 Best Castles in Germany to Visit

Schlossburg defensive wall

Like any good medieval castle, this one had defensive walls built around it for protection. Much of those walls still stand, and you can see them around the perimeter of the hill the castle stands on.

Schloss Tor

Not the most impressive medieval gate I’ve ever seen, but the Schloss Tor marks the entrance to the Quedlinburg Castle complex. And who doesn’t like seeing lots of really old stuff?

>>Read: 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)

Stiftskirche St. Servatius

The big cathedral next to the castle is the Stiftskirche St. Servatius, or sometimes called the Quedlinburg Cathedral. This is a 10th century Romanesque church where you can see impressive paintings, sculptures, and many other relics.

The most important treasures here are called the Domschatz, which is a collection of medieval art dating back to the women’s convent under the Ottonians.

Schenkgasse

For more medieval charm, go for a stroll down this little alleyway. It’s a wall-lined cobblestone street a little west of the castle.

Sternkiekerturm

I love views of cities from high places, so climbing towers is always on my list. Sternkiekerturm is a tower a little north of Marktplatz, and after climbing about 120 stairs, you’ll be rewarded with some fantastic views of Quedlinburg.

It costs 1 euro to climb the tower. At first we thought it was closed, but it’s simply unattended and has a machine to put your coin into (have a 1 euro coin!) and then you can go through the turnstile.

See lots of other towers

Quedlinburg has lots of medieval towers, so if you want to see a bunch of them, you’re in luck. Take a wander to see the Pulverturm, Kruschitzkyturm, Schrekenturm, Schrekenturm, and Kuhhirtenturm. They’re not all open for climbing, so I recommend going to Sternkiekerturm for views.

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Fachwerkmuseum Ständerbau

The Fachwerkmuseum Ständerbau is a museum where you can learn more about Quedlinburg’s half timbered houses. The museum itself is in one of the oldest half timbered houses in the city and dates back to the mid 1300s.

Finkenherd

This cute little half timbered building in Quedlinburg is located near the castle. Even though there are lots of half timbered buildings here, this one’s location makes it look quite unique.

It’s a protected monument dating back to the first half of the 1500s. Supposedly this location is where the Saxon Duke Heinrich was given the crown of Germany.

Münzenberg

Münzenberg is a little area west of the castle where you can see preserved half timber houses. This area was once its own village.

The Münzenberg Museum sits on the ruins of a monastery from the 10th century, and you can see excavations and preserved walls while learning about the history.

Tourist train

City tourist trains are often a bit cheesy, but this is a good option if you’re traveling with kids or if you’re not in the best physical shape. Quedlinburg is a hilly city, and the tourist train can be helpful for avoiding some walking.

Eat at Brewery Lüdde

For some traditional German food and beer, there are lots of restaurants in Quedlinburg, but I recommend Brewery Lüdde. They have a good menu of delicious local food, and they brew their own delicious beer. The restaurant has two levels and a traditional atmosphere.

Get some mustard

This region is a big producer of mustard, and Quedlinburg is a good place to try lots of varieties. You can visit the Quedlinburger Senf-Manufaktur (mustard factory) not far from the train station, or for an easier option, pop into the Quedlinburger Senfladen right near the Finkenherd building and pick up a few types of mustard to take home as souvenirs from Germany.

Take a day trip to Thale

Visiting the town of Thale is too much for a day trip to Quedlinburg from Berlin, but if you’re visiting on a weekend trip, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Quedlinburg to Thale. We really enjoyed walking through town and taking the cable car up the mountain for views.

Steam Train

Again, this isn’t really practical if you’re only in Quedlinburg for one day, but if you’re there for a weekend, take a ride on the historic steam train. This train takes you through several small towns in the Harz Mountains for a scenic and enjoyable journey.

It’s a narrow gauge railway with a few different routes to choose from. The entire network of the narrow gauge railway is roughly 140km (88 miles), and the route you can catch from Quedlinburg is called the Selketalbahn.

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Weihnachtsmarkt in Quedlinburg

If you’re visiting Quedlinburg in winter, specifically in late November or in December, the Quedlinburg Christmas market should not be missed. This preserved medieval old town is the perfect setting for holiday festivities.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of things to do in Quedlinburg and tips for a day trip from Berlin to Quedlinburg are helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!