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Celle is a charming medieval town situated along the Aller River in Lower Saxony. It is a noteworthy stop on Germany’s Timber-Frame Road, but beyond its iconic timber-frame houses, Celle offers a variety of enjoyable activities for travelers.
On our visit, we explored the castle grounds and its stunning chapel, sampled a potent liqueur brewed from a secret family recipe, wandered through a vibrant Bauhaus neighborhood, and even tried a local meat dish served raw!
Sometimes, lesser-known places reveal surprising treasures, and our experience in Germany confirmed this once again.
Without further delay, here are some recommended activities to enjoy during your visit to Celle.
Things to Do in Celle
Visit Celle Castle
Our first destination was Celle Castle, a major attraction in the town. This medieval fortress, transformed into a castle, is nestled on an island surrounded by a moat.
A fortified tower was originally constructed around the year 980, laying the foundation for Celle Castle, which was first documented in 1315. Over the centuries, the castle underwent various transformations and renovations, ultimately showcasing a blend of Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.
During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle suffered extensive damage but has since been restored. Today, visitors can delve into its history through exhibitions featuring Renaissance and Baroque furniture, artwork, and various historic artifacts.
I was particularly amused that we had to wear slippers in certain rooms during our visit!
We joined a guided tour to access special areas of the castle, including the breathtaking chapel.
The chapel is particularly unique as it is the only religious building north of the Alps boasting entirely preserved Renaissance interiors. Viewing is restricted to behind a glass barrier to protect its beauty, making it a highlight worth the visit.
Explore Celle’s Half-Timbered Houses
After the castle, we headed towards the old town, famous for its medieval timbered houses.
Celle boasts the highest density of these charming structures in Germany, creating an enchanting landscape of closely grouped timbered buildings without gaps.
Strolling through Celle’s old town feels like walking into a fairy tale. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture tell a rich history.
At the heart of the town stands the 14th-century St. Mary’s Church, or Stadtkirche St. Marien, showcasing exquisite North German brick Gothic architecture.
Many houses feature narrow alleyways leading to quaint courtyards, reminiscent of secret gardens.
You could easily spend hours admiring the architecture and exploring charming cafes and specialty shops in the old town.
Find the Hoppener Haus
If there’s one building to visit in Celle’s old town, it’s the Hoppener Haus, the town’s most renowned half-timbered house.
Dating back to 1532, it boasts six stories, each one slightly larger than the one below, adorned with various mythological figures.
On a guided walking tour, we learned that the ground floor dimensions were kept small to reduce tax costs, with each subsequent level expanded as a clever workaround.
Drink at an Historic Pharmacy
We made a stop at Alter Provisor, a former 17th-century pharmacy now transformed into a charming gift shop.
The beautiful half-timbered facade and historic charm remain, offering a nostalgic experience.
Alter Provisor is famous for its herbal liqueur, which has been produced for over a century using a closely-guarded family recipe.
No one outside a select few knows the exact ingredients, but its spicy herbal schnapps has hints of ginger, honey, and cinnamon, along with possibly other unique herbs.
A small courtyard at the back invites guests to relax with a cocktail or hot drink, all infused with a touch of Alter Provisor! We enjoyed a delightful tasting session; although the drink was sweet, it also had a spicy kick. This was a fun experience in Celle that I highly recommend attempting.
Tour a Bauhaus Neighborhood
The Italian Garden is somewhat misleading, as it is less of a garden and more of a residential community.
These Bauhaus-style buildings were designed by architect Otto Haesler and constructed between 1924 and 1926, aimed at providing affordable housing for workers.
Haesler’s innovative designs emphasized natural light and ventilation, featuring large windows and open floor plans for versatile use of space.
The buildings sport a modern aesthetic with vibrant accents of red and blue that highlight their cube-like shapes, offering a fascinating contrast to the town’s historical structures. One moment you could be traversing narrow paths flanked by timber-frame houses, and just a few streets away, you find yourself in a Bauhaus marvel.
If you’re passionate about Bauhaus architecture, you can also visit the Otto Haesler Museum nearby.
Traditional German Lunch at Ratskeller
For lunch, we opted for Ratskeller, a historic restaurant nestled within the Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, right in the heart of Celle’s old town.
The building, originally from the 13th century, has been used for various functions over the years, including serving as a wine cellar.
Access to the restaurant is via a staircase leading down to the basement, creating a cozy dining atmosphere where traditional German dishes shine.
I enjoyed venison stew accompanied by cabbage, puff pastry, and pear-cranberry sauce, while Sam opted for Currywurst, a popular fast food dish featuring a steamed and fried sausage seasoned with curry ketchup and served with fries.
For dessert, we indulged in panna cotta paired with wild berries. The meal was delightful, enhanced by the warm, dimly-lit ambiance.
Stroll Through the Französischer Garten
The Französischer Garten, or French Garden, is a picturesque park situated in the heart of the city. Its history dates back to the 17th century when it was initially created as a private garden for Duke Georg Wilhelm.
Featuring a meticulously maintained landscape inspired by classic French design principles, the garden showcases symmetrical paths.
The fountain, surrounded by benches and shaded by trees, provides an ideal spot for relaxation and enjoyment of the garden’s beauty.
Visit the First 24-Hour Museum
An unmissable attraction in Celle is the Kunstmuseum, the world’s first 24-hour museum!
The museum is designed to showcase something at all hours, changing its exterior appearance twice daily as the doors open and close.
Inside, you’ll find modern and contemporary art from the Robert Simon Collection, available both day and night.
Try Raw Roulade
You can’t leave Celle without experiencing the local dish. That evening, we dined at Thaers, a combination restaurant and sports bar, which serves one of the town’s specialities: roulade!
Typically, roulade consists of a slice of meat rolled with herbs, spices, and vegetables, then cooked. However, in Celle, this dish is served raw!
They take a thick slice of raw beef, stuff it with onions, gherkins, and mustard, roll it up, and serve it with a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. The meat was surprisingly tender, similar in texture to smoked salmon. It wasn’t something I expected to enjoy, but it pleasantly surprised me, and I recommend giving it a try!
Stay at Althoff Hotel Fürstenhof Celle
You can opt for a day trip to Celle or stay overnight to explore more thoroughly. During our stay, we resided at the Althoff Hotel Fürstenhof Celle, a luxurious five-star hotel situated in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the historic old town.
The hotel itself is nestled in a stunning neo-Renaissance building that dates back to the late 19th century, beautifully restored to its original glory.
This should give you a good idea of activities to experience in Celle, Northern Germany during your visit!
If this destination intrigues you, consider also visiting Lüneburg for its medieval allure, exploring Saale-Unstrut, Germany’s northernmost wine region, or taking a scenic road trip through the Black Forest.
