Braunschweig (Brunswick) rose to prominence under Henry the Lion in the 12th century, and his bronze lion still guards the atmospheric Burgplatz. The city blends medieval bones with modern flourishes—from the reconstructed ducal palace façade at Schloss Arkaden to the bright, pop-art “Happy Rizzi House.” It’s compact, walkable, and threaded by the Oker river, which forms a green ring around the center.

Art and history buffs come for the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum’s European masterworks and the castle-museum combo of Dankwarderode and the Romanesque Brunswick Cathedral (Dom St. Blasii). Food-wise, look for Braunschweiger Mumme, a malty local specialty used in sauces and stews, and sample regional beers from Hofbrauhaus Wolters. The Magniviertel’s half-timbered lanes hide cafés, pubs, and cozy restaurants.

Practical note: High-speed and regional trains make day trips painless—Wolfsburg in ~20 minutes, Goslar in ~60 minutes, Hannover in ~50 minutes. In warm months, Oker boat rides are a treat; in winter, the Christmas Market turns Altstadt squares into fairy-tale scenes. Use Omio for flights and Omio for trains and buses within Europe; for long-haul flights from outside Europe, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Braunschweig

Once a Hanseatic trading hub, Braunschweig charms with cobbles, gables, and the buzzing Burgplatz. The Magniviertel’s half-timbered houses and the candy-colored Happy Rizzi House show the city’s playful side, while the Oker’s willow-lined banks invite slow strolls and bike rides.

• Top sights: Burgplatz with Brunswick Lion, Dankwarderode Castle, Dom St. Blasii, Altstadtrathaus, Magniviertel, Schloss Arkaden, Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum (HAUM), Botanischer Garten (TU), Oker river circuit.
• Good to know: Look for dishes refined with Braunschweiger Mumme, and local Wolters beer on tap. Staatstheater Braunschweig stages opera, drama, and dance.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Braunschweig or compare hotels on Hotels.com Braunschweig.

Getting there: Fly into Hannover (HAJ), Berlin (BER), or Frankfurt (FRA). For intra‑Europe options, check Omio flights; then ride a train to Braunschweig (HAJ ~1h, BER ~1.5–2.5h, FRA ~3–3.5h) via Omio trains. From outside Europe, compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Wolfsburg

Just up the line, Wolfsburg is Volkswagen’s company town turned sleek design campus. The Autostadt’s pavilions, concept cars, and lakeside paths pair well with phaeno science center’s hands-on exhibits.

• Highlights: Autostadt, phaeno, Designer Outlets, Schloss Wolfsburg parklands.

Stay (optional): VRBO Wolfsburg | Hotels.com Wolfsburg

Getting there: Train from Braunschweig ~20–25 minutes, ~€9–15 each way via Omio.

Goslar (Harz)

UNESCO-listed Goslar is a half-timbered jewel at the foot of the Harz Mountains. Its market square, slate-roofed houses, and imperial echoes reward slow wandering.

• Highlights: Marktplatz, Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace), timbered lanes, Rammelsberg mining museum (UNESCO).

Stay (optional): VRBO Goslar | Hotels.com Goslar

Getting there: Train from Braunschweig ~55–70 minutes, ~€18–25 each way on Omio.

Hannover

Hannover surprises with royal gardens, a sparkling lakefront, and a creative food scene. Follow the “Red Thread” route across city highlights, then unwind in Linden’s street art and cafés.

• Highlights: Herrenhäuser Gärten, Neues Rathaus dome views, Maschsee promenade, Old Town timbered corners.

Stay (optional): VRBO Hannover | Hotels.com Hannover

Getting there: Train from Braunschweig ~50–60 minutes, ~€15–22 each way via Omio.

Day 1: Arrive in Braunschweig, Burgplatz Beginnings

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Start at Burgplatz: meet the famous Brunswick Lion, step into Dankwarderode Castle’s halls, and peek inside the Romanesque Dom St. Blasii. For a restorative coffee and cake, try the cathedral-area cafés or the HAUM museum café if you continue onward.

Evening: Stroll the Magniviertel’s timbered lanes toward the playful Happy Rizzi House for golden-hour photos. Dinner at Mutter Habenicht (traditional German fare; ask for a dish refined with local Mumme) and a Wolters beer. If you’re up for a nightcap, choose a cozy pub in the Magniviertel.

Day 2: Art, Palaces, and the Oker River

Morning: Light breakfast at a local bakery such as Steinecke, then tour the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum—Rembrandt, Rubens, and European decorative arts shine here. Pop into the adjacent park for a breather.

Afternoon: Cross to Schloss Arkaden: the shopping galleries sit behind a reconstructed palace façade—good for lunch (quick options and Italian spots are on-site). Walk the Oker ring on foot or by bike; in season, look for Oker boat rides for a leafy city panorama.

Evening: Catch a performance at Staatstheater Braunschweig (opera or drama). Post-show, choose a relaxed bistro near Altstadtmarkt for flammkuchen or schnitzel and a glass of Riesling.

Day 3: Lakes, Alpacas, and Garden Time

Morning: Book the delightful Alpaca hike at Richmond Castle (Braunschweig). You’ll meet the colorfully decorated alpacas and walk the lakes near Schloss Richmond—gentle, photogenic, and fun for all ages.

Afternoon: Picnic in the Schloss Richmond grounds or head to the Botanischer Garten of TU Braunschweig to wander among alpine, Mediterranean, and native plantings. Swing back via the Altstadtrathaus to admire its Gothic façade.

Evening: Casual dinner in the Magniviertel—think regional sausages, potato rösti, and seasonal salads. Pair with a local pils or a bock depending on the season.

Day 4: Wolfsburg—Autostadt and Design in Motion

Morning: Train to Wolfsburg (~20–25 minutes, ~€9–15 each way via Omio). Enter the Autostadt: tour brand pavilions, see concept vehicles, and watch car logistics in action. The lakeside paths make it easy to cover ground.

Afternoon: Cross to the striking phaeno science center for hands-on experiments—it’s engaging for adults and families alike. For lunch, Autostadt’s eateries range from fast-casual to refined; if you’re celebrating, the three‑star Restaurant Aqua at The Ritz-Carlton is one of Germany’s culinary temples (advance reservations essential).

Evening: Return to Braunschweig. Grab simple, hearty fare near Burgplatz—spaetzle or roast meats—and an early night, or wind down with a riverside walk along the Oker.

Day 5: UNESCO Goslar—Timbered Lanes and Market Squares

Morning: Train to Goslar (~55–70 minutes, ~€18–25 via Omio). Join the Goslar City guided tour to decode the half-timbered architecture and imperial history around the market square and Kaiserpfalz.

Afternoon: Lunch at Brauhaus Goslar—try the brewer’s roast or a Harz cheese plate with a house beer. If time allows, taxi or bus to the Rammelsberg mining museum (UNESCO) for the region’s silver-mining story and evocative tunnels.

Evening: Back to Braunschweig for a relaxed dinner near Altstadtmarkt. End with a nightcap in a cozy pub—ask for a Wolters Märzen if available.

Day 6: Hannover—Gardens, Lakes, and a Foodie Foray

Morning: Train to Hannover (~50–60 minutes, ~€15–22 via Omio). Start at the baroque Herrenhäuser Gärten; the great parterre and orangeries are a horticultural high point. Climb the dome of the Neues Rathaus for a sweeping city view (check current hours).

Afternoon: Join the flavor-packed Taste and Travel Odyssey in Hanover to explore the trendy Linden district through bites and local stories—perfect for understanding Hannover beyond the fairgrounds.

Evening: Dinner in Hannover’s Old Town—classic options include Broyhan Haus (regional dishes in a timbered setting) or the lively Brauhaus Ernst August for house-brewed beers. Train back to Braunschweig.

Day 7: Braunschweig Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Make it memorable with the playful Adventure Breakfast and Escape Game in Braunschweig—a hearty breakfast (or bubbly) followed by a puzzle-filled challenge to cap your week.

Afternoon: Last wanders through Altstadtmarkt for souvenirs and a final look at the dom’s quiet nave before you depart. Trains to HAJ, BER, and FRA connect frequently; check Omio for the fastest route and real-time prices.

Evening: Fly home or continue your Germany itinerary. If you’re staying on, consider a half-day in nearby Wolfenbüttel (Lessinghaus and the famed library) on your next visit.

Where to Eat and Drink (Quick Picks by City)

• Braunschweig: Mutter Habenicht (hearty German, try a Mumme-infused dish); cafés around Burgplatz and in the Magniviertel for coffee and cake; brewery-fresh Wolters beers in traditional pubs.
• Wolfsburg: Autostadt dining from casual to fine; Restaurant Aqua (3★ Michelin; reserve early) for a splurge; phaeno café for a quick bite between exhibits.
• Goslar: Brauhaus Goslar (regional classics and house beers) near the square; bakery-cafés around Marktplatz for coffee and kuchen.
• Hannover: Broyhan Haus (timbered ambience, Lower Saxony specialties); Brauhaus Ernst August (lively, beer-forward); cafés and street bites in Linden during the food tour.

How to Book Trains and Flights

• Intra‑Europe trains and buses: Compare routes, times, and prices on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.
• Flights (to/from Europe): Check Omio Flights for intra-European options.
• Long‑haul flights: Compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com.
• Hotels and rentals: See Hotels.com Braunschweig and VRBO Braunschweig (plus the linked pages for Hannover, Goslar, and Wolfsburg above).

In a week, you’ll have traced Braunschweig’s arc from medieval seat to modern cultural city, drifted along the Oker, and sampled Lower Saxony’s best day trips. Expect photographs of castles and timbered squares—and stories flavored with Mumme, mountain air, and a few alpacas.