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City and urban agglomeration in Lower Saxony, Germany
Photo: Brunswyk, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Brunswick (German: Braunschweig) is a city of around 252,000 people (2024) in the federal-state of Lower Saxony, Germany. It is north of the Harz mountains at the farthest navigable point of the Oker river, which connects to the North Sea via the rivers Aller and Weser.
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It is the best-known landmark in the city of Brunswick. It stands on the Burgplatz square in front of Dankwarderode Castle and Brunswick Cathedral. Within Brunswick it is thus commonly known as the "castle lion" (Burglöwe), giving the city its moniker Lion City (Die Löwenstadt). It was built by Henry the Lion in 1166, and was by a replica in 1980 due to damages to the original caused by air pollution. The original can be found inside Dankwarderode Castle.
Built in the 12th century as the palace of Henry the Lion, this neo-Romanesque castle houses the medieval collection of the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum. Highlights include the lavishly restored Knights' Hall and the original bronze Brunswick Lion in the basement museum.
Braunschweiger Schloss or Braunschweiger Residenzschloss
It was rebuilt in 2007 after having been bombed out in World War II and torn down in the years to follow. Now merely the façade of the former castle with a shopping mall on the inside. The quadriga Brunonia (the allegorical deity of the old duchy, the free state, and the city of Brunsick) is by far Germany's largest (making it de facto the largest in the world). It is possible to climb to the top of the Schloss and see the statue from up close) The building also hosts the Braunschweig public library. Two equestrian statues are placed in front of the castle, one featuring Duke Karl II. Wilhelm Ferdinand of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, founder of the Braunschweig Technical University, under whose reign Braunschweig for a brief period of time turned into the German centre of Enlightenment, and Duke Friedrich Wilhelm von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, one of the most renowned German military leaders during the Napoleonic Wars.
Raabe-Haus
It is a historical building in which German author Wilhelm Raabe lived from 1901 until his death in 1910. The house now functions as a museum, centre for literature and research, and venue for literary events.
Colorful office building designed by New Yorker pop-artist James Rizzi, next to the Schlossarkaden.
A historic district often referred to by locals as the "Gurke" (gherkin or cucumber). Documented as a center of prostitution as early as 1594, it is considered one of the oldest such districts in Germany. The area is closed to the public and off-limits to minors, but the well-preserved medieval timber-framed houses can be viewed from outside the gates.
Second-oldest museum in the world (after the British Museum in London) (in German).
(BLM)
part of the BLM
The world's oldest Jewish museum.
Museum of Photography
Museum of Natural History.
Landtechnikmuseum Gut Steinhof
Braunschweiger Dom
A nice park, where many people barbecue in the summer
Enjoy a tour with "Hugo the Nightwatchman" through medieval Brunswick. Other tours offered are "Carl-Friedrich Gauss" (sights related Germany's famous mathematician) and "Count Hugo" (Renaissance Brunswick). Phone ahead for tours in English.
This is an annual classical music festival held in and in the area around Brunswick. The main concert season is from May to June and consists of more than 60 concerts and events, and concerts are presented throughout the year.
previously Nord LB Open
This is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It is part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger Tour. It is held annually at the Braunschweiger Tennis und Hockey Club in Brunswick.
The takes place in November. Arthouse and independent films are shown in cinemas all over town. Prizes, such as the Heinrich and the Europa are awarded to independent movies, actors, and directors.
Brunswick Christmas Market
The opens its gates during the week before the first Sunday of Advent (usually late November), and closes the week after Christmas (end of December). It is one of the most picturesque in Germany and is voted the most beautiful in Northern Germany on a regular basis. Typical beverages served include Glühwein (a mulled wine), Feuerzangenbowle (literally translates as fire-tongs punch - a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugar loaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine), Met (German mead), and Mummebier. Various specialties such as Braunkohl, Meterbratwurst (One-meter-long bratwurst), Heideschinken (baked ham in a rye bun), shashlik, baked camembert, etc. are also offered by numerous vendors on and around the castle square, along with sweets such as sugar-coated almonds and apples, Schmalzgreben (yeast dough squares seethed in oil) and Brunswick specialty Prillecken. Market booths open around 10:00 and close at 21:00. Do not miss it, should you happen to be in the area in December.
Some of the best Italian ice creams north of the Alps. They serve their home-made ice cream at three parlors in Braunschweig. Their branch at Schlossarkaden also serves Italian food and wine.
A very traditional pizza parlor
This pizza parlour consists of only one room (hence the name), in which the owner and chef toils away while making pizzas to order or to go. Recommended: Pizza Montaverde.
Asian eatery, very popular with the nightlife crowd. Usually packed on the weekends, they serve their meals to go.
A somewhat bohemian restaurant and bar, in keeping with its neighbourhood Östliches Ringgebiet with a very mixed local crowd. Nice and laid-back atmosphere and a kitchen that stays open till past midnight make this venue a (hidden) gem.
Offers a rustic interior and inexpensive German cuisine.
Very typical Braunschweig cuisine. English menus are available. Smoking is permitted in this restaurant. In order to avoid the smoke, ask for a seat in their beer garden (all the way through the restaurant, and then to the left).
Do not miss when in Brunswick. Restaurant with German cuisine, famous for their home-brewed beer. A Braunschweig classic.
Features one of the best beer gardens in the city. Enjoy your beers or meals under their chestnut trees (open in summer).
Serves Bavarian cuisine in an old timber frame house with nice dark wood interior. Portions here are generous. May be crowded on occasion, staff is very helpful and friendly.
Serves typical German schnitzel in many variations and sizes. The place has an all-you-can-eat for €9.90 offer on each month's last Friday.
Serves Germany's largest schnitzel. Eat two of those monsters (1.5 kg/3 lbs each) and you plus 20 of your friends eat and drink on the house. It's a little outside the city centre in Timmerlah.
Altewiekring 44, 0531 7071410
A chic somewhat artsy place with a very nice atmosphere, an even nicer staff, and an even more excellent Flammkuchen. The selection of cakes is also worth a shot. Live music on occasion.
Argentinian steak house, and one of the best in town. Try their pepper steak.
An upscale Anatolian restaurant in the building complex 'Artmax', close to the 'Volkswagen Arena'. Among its regulars has been the Turkish ambassador to Germany. Reservations recommended.
Haus zur Hanse
Features an excellent restaurant, which has been remodeled into a top-notch steak house.
Acclaimed, offers a pretty international yet selected menu (bison burger next to Vietnamese duck curry and Southern rumpsteak in peanut sauce). They also serve their own beer Naske Dunkel.
Serves German cuisine in the city's old cloth hall. The restaurant is in Northern Germany's oldest vaulted cellar.
Irish pub and hangout for the English-speaking expat crowd.
Bar and Mexican restaurant (call ahead for reservation).
An artificial beach where you can chill to downtempo or jazz music. Sometimes there are live music events.
Alternative music like Reggae, Drum'n Bass, Electropunk, Funk and so on. Different music on different days.
Quirky mix between bar, cafe, restaurant, and cabaret theater, this place often hosts live bands, readings, and improvs and comedy theater.
This venue attracts an alternative clientele for Punk, Ska, Indie, and Alternative acts.
This B&B hotel offers 78 rooms in a quiet suburb. Whilst the rooms are not that big, and there is no capacity for extra beds or cots for babies, there is free WiFi connection in the public rooms and free parking. There is no restaurant, but a substantial breakfast is included in the price.
Near the city centre, 84 spacious rooms. The building is over 100 years old, but has been tastefully modernised and offers its own Italian style restaurant, Al Duomo, and has a wine bar and terrace that looks out on to the Cathedral Square. Car parking is free.
Small family-run hotel with 23 quiet and cosy rooms. Car parking is free, pets are welcomed on request, and children under 4 are free, but the rooms are not big enough for extra cots. There is a good house restaurant and in summer the garden is used as a beer garden. WiFi is offered free of charge. Although a bit of a hack from the city centre, this hotel offers a quiet respite from a busy day on the tourist or shopping trail of Brunswick.
In a quiet suburb to the south of the city centre. 129 rooms and a small restaurant and breakfast room. Pets are welcomed on request, and there are accompanying charges. Children under 3 are free, and other persons will be charged €30 per night - maximum one per room. The hotel is a former hospital, and this is evident in the structure of the adjoining corridors. This is a no frills hotel.
Another of the many chain hotels on offer. It offers 130 rooms with air conditioning, Internet, a sauna and fitness centre as well as a solarium. There are meeting and banqueting facilities, and for those venturing out into the Harz Mountains for the day, the hotel offers a packed lunch service. Tils Sports Bar is a good meeting place in the evening before venturing out on the town. The hotel is very close to the main railway station, but black out curtains and the air conditioning help for a sleepful night.
A modern 4-star hotel hotel with 139 air-conditioned rooms. Rooms are individually designed and there is a free bottle of water but as with so many hotels in central locations car parking (€11 per day) and WiFi (€5.50 per day) are all extra, as are pets which cost €20 per day. There is a good restaurant and breakfast room service may be ordered. There is a sauna and a small fitness centre in the hotel.
45 rooms, a 24-hour service with bar, a shuttle bus to the main railway station and airport, free WiFi and car parking. The hotel has a wide range of prices for its customers, with some saying that this is the best hotel in Brunswick, but still only at a 4-star rating. The hotel is on the edge of the pedestrian area.
By train
Due to its location in the centre of Germany, Braunschweig Hauptbahnhof is well-served by German national railway company Deutsche Bahn. There are lots of high-speed trains ICE that stop in Brunswick.
By car
Brunswick is served and easily reached by the German Autobahn highway system.
By bus
Brunswick serves as a major stop for bus travel throughout the country and Europe, thanks in large part to its central location. Buses frequent cities in Eastern Europe, especially Poland.
By car
All major car rental companies have branches in Brunswick.
By public transportation
The Braunschweiger Verkehrs-AG serve the city and the district of Braunschweig. Places within city limits are easily reached by public transportation, either bus or tram.
By taxi
Taxis are comparatively expensive in Germany, and Brunswick is no exception.g. the train station.g. in inclement weather).
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