Hitzacker (Elbe): Old Town, Vineyard and Elbe

Hitzacker (Elbe) lies where the Jeetzel meets the Elbe. The first settlement on the protected historic town island dates back to the late 12th century. The combination of its riverside setting and early urban history shapes how to plan a stay: you can get to know Hitzacker through its old town, museums, hilly landscape or from the water.

Old Town and History

Hitzacker’s old town, with its small lanes and half-timbered houses, invites you to explore on foot. The town itself thus becomes part of the discovery: narrow lanes and half-timbered buildings give a walk a different focus from exploring individual exhibition topics. St. John’s Church in Hitzacker is more than 700 years old and adds another distinct historical landmark.

The Museum in the Old Customs House provides information about the eventful history of the Elbe town and presents various exhibitions on the subject of the border. The Old Customs House has been used as a museum and event venue since 1980. This provides two different ways to explore the town’s history and border-related topics. Individual exhibitions may change; if a particular exhibition is important to you, check the current programme in advance.

The Hitzacker Archaeological Centre uses reconstructed prehistoric buildings to illustrate a settlement history that stretches back up to 4,000 years. In contrast to the Old Customs House, the focus here is on an earlier period: the Old Customs House explores the eventful history of the Elbe town and exhibitions on the subject of the border, while the Archaeological Centre focuses on prehistoric settlement. When planning a culturally focused stay, you can decide which historical perspective interests you most.

Vineyard, Hilly Landscape and Routes

The vineyard rises 40 metres above Hitzacker and is considered a landmark of the town. After tackling the challenging elevation changes, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Elbe glacial valley. If you plan to visit this viewpoint, take the elevation changes into account when planning your day. Hitzacker’s location on a terminal moraine also means that it has wooded, hilly slopes that help shape the character of the landscape.

For planning a trip, you can compare a hiking option and a cycling option. The 26.5-kilometre Klötzie Trail runs around Hitzacker and offers a brief introduction to the hiking region. The 35-kilometre Elbhöhen Tour is a cycling route that starts and ends in Hitzacker. The routes differ not only in length, but also in their described relationship to the town: the Klötzie Trail runs around it, while the Elbhöhen Tour starts and finishes in Hitzacker. Check the signs and route details for the Elbhöhen Tour before setting off.

Experience the Elbe and Plan Your Stay

You can explore the Elbe near Hitzacker on a boat trip aboard the “Herzogin Dorothea” sofa raft. Unlike a walk through the old town or a trip through the hilly landscape, the focus here is on the river. If you plan to take the boat trip, check the current booking conditions in advance.

Then check the details for each hotel offer to see which information about location, price and amenities is relevant to your decision.

Discover more destinations: Schnega, Jameln, Waddeweitz, Göhrde, Küsten, Trebel, Gorleben, Bergen (Dumme)

View the regional travel overview: Lüchow-Dannenberg.