Saale-Unstrut Travel Guide: 9 Best Things To Do & See in the German Wine Region

Why visit Saale-Unstrut?

Saale-Unstrut offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history and exceptional wine culture.

With its sunny climate and charming towns, Saale-Unstrut provides the perfect setting for exploring diverse nature and immersing yourself in the fascinating heritage.

The region is located in the lower part of Saxony-Anhalt in Central Germany and it’s one of Germany’s northernmost wine regions. It’s especially renowned for producing high-quality wines, thanks to its favourable weather and unique soil composition.

Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or not, you’ll be sure to love the idyllic countryside with its rivers and rolling hills – as well as the generally relaxed pace of life here. We sure did!

In this travel guide to Saale-Unstrut, we share the best things to do and see, where to stay, how to get around, when to visit, tips on what to bring and much more.

Our time in Saale-Unstrut and Saxony-Anhalt

We were invited by Tysk Turist Information (the Danish branch of the German National Tourist Board) and spent 4 full days in Saxony-Anhalt at the end of May and the beginning of June.

The first two days were spent in and around Düben Heath where we enjoyed the calm nature, enchanting forests, shimmering lakes and beautiful park areas.

You can read all about our trip to Düben Heath in this travel guide.

Afterwards, we drove south to Saale-Unstrut where the landscapes were hilly and full of vineyards.

Scroll a little further down in the guide to get to the best things to do and see in Saale-Unstrut!

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Saale-Unstrut is a region known for German-quality wine and is located in the southern part of Saxony-Anhalt in the middle of Germany.

The 9 best things to do and see in Saale-Unstrut in Saxony-Anhalt

Saale-Unstrut is known as Germany’s northernmost wine-producing area.

The climate here is particularly mild and the south-facing slopes have been producing grapes for more than 1,000 years.

Even if you are not a huge wine drinker, there are plenty of experiences to be had in beautiful Saale-Unstrut.

Get ready for the best things to do and see!

• 1. Wild horses in Tote Täler
• 2. Canoeing on the Unstrut River
• 3. The historic town of Naumburg
• 4. Naumburg Cathedral
• 5. Wenzelskirche and the Market Square
• 6. Nietzsche-Haus
• 7. Freyburg – “Tuscany of the North”
• 8. Experience Germany’s northernmost wine-production
• 9. Walk along the Naumburg flower ground

1. Wild horses in Tote Täler

Our favourite experience in Saale-Unstrut was undoubtedly to see the wild horses in the nature reserve Tote Täler.

After a semi-steep hike up to the area (where we first took a detour…), we walked for quite a long time looking for the horses.

As it slowly started to rain and the sun was also going down, our motivation started to drop. But we met a woman who told us that the horses were only five minutes away – and sure enough, they came running towards us just a few minutes later!

Just as quickly as they had arrived, they disappeared again.

The rain increased but now we knew they were there. Fortunately, we found them again only a few hundred metres away at their “water hole” where they also hid a little from the rain.

The horses descend from Europe’s last wild horses and it was an extraordinary experience to see them up close.

Notice: It’s important to keep a distance from the horses; 25 metres is the recommendation. Needless to say, you shouldn’t feed them either.

2. Canoeing on the Unstrut River

The Unstrut River meanders beautifully through the landscape and it’s possible to rent a canoe or a kayak and head out on the water.

We sailed down the river from the cosy spot at Outtour.de and we were picked up by car a few hours later so we didn’t have to sail back upstream.

From the river, the landscape looks different than from land and you get to experience much of the wildlife up close.

We saw lots of birds, dragonflies, butterflies and even a tortoise who was sunbathing on a tree stump in the water.

Trips on the river can last anything from a few hours to several days.

Tip: Book well in advance if you want to rent a canoe or kayak in the high season, on public holidays or at the weekend.

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3. The historic town of Naumburg

Naumburg is located in the heart of the Saale-Unstrut region and the picturesque town is known for its rich history, architectural gems and the Naumburg Cathedral.

Take a stroll through Naumburg’s charming Old Town and immerse yourself in its medieval atmosphere and more than 1,000 years of history.

We really liked the well-preserved half-timbered houses, narrow cobblestone streets, the Town Hall and the rest of the Market Square (Marktplatz Naumburg).

We had two delicious (albeit very different!) meals in Naumburg.

The first was at our hotel Gasthof Zufriedenheit (adlink) which can be described as modern gastronomy with a focus on beautiful presentation and special techniques – and the other in the small restaurant Việt Koch which served cheap and tasty Vietnamese dishes that were easy to make vegan.

4. Naumburg Cathedral

A visit to Naumburg is incomplete without exploring the magnificent Naumburg Cathedral (also called St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral).

This Late-Romanesque/Gothic masterpiece dates back to the 13th century and it is famous for its stunning medieval art, including the famous Naumburg Cathedral sculptures, known as the “Naumburg Masterpieces”.

In 2018, the cathedral was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Wenzelskirche and the Market Square

As mentioned above, the Market Square was one of our favourite spots in Naumburg.

The vibrant heart of the town with its Baroque and Renaissance buildings is so charming!

Apart from cute cafés and restaurants, you will also find the Wenzelskirche (also known as St. Wenzel’s Church or St. Wenceslas) here.

The Evangelical Lutheran town church is actually the main church of Naumburg and the beautiful late Gothic building dates back to 1426.

Make sure to check out the stunning stained glass windows and the impressive altarpiece.

6. Nietzsche-Haus

If you are interested in philosophy, make sure to check out the Nietzsche-Haus (Nietzsche house).

The museum is the childhood home of the famous Friedrich Nietzsche and here you can learn more about the German philosopher.

It showcases a diverse range of exhibits and memorabilia related to Nietzsche’s life and works.

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7. Freyburg – “Tuscany of the North”

The wine region around the town of Freyburg is incredibly picturesque and the town itself offers both a lovely city centre and the incredible Neuenburg Castle (Schloss Neuenburg) from the 11th century.

Freyburg has been called the “Tuscany of the North” and it’s easy to see the resemblance between the rolling hills and the pleasant climate.

Visit Freyburg to learn about winemaking traditions, sample local wines and enjoy the scenic views over the surrounding hills.

8. Experience Germany’s northernmost wine-production

It’s difficult to acquire wine from sunny Saale-Unstrut outside of Germany so if you want to taste the precious drops, it’s a good idea to explore the wine-growing region yourself.

Saale-Unstrut is a distinct white wine area and the most common varieties are Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Weissburgunder.

Connoisseurs say the wines have good acidity due to the relatively cool climate as well as a nice concentration of flavour as rainfall is low.

If you have seen pictures of vineyards in Saale-Unstrut, chances are that the wine terraces are the ones at Weinterrasse am Herzoglichen Weinberg.

Here, like most of the other wineries, you can taste the products – usually from April to October.

9. Walk along the Naumburg flower ground

On the Blütengrund road (flower ground) lies countless vineyards side by side on the slopes down towards the Unstrut River and the Saale River, which flow together right here.

There are many lovely gardens to look at and since the road is more or less closed to cars, it’s an obvious route for leisurely walks or bike rides.

More things to do and see in Saxony-Anhalt

Saale-Unstrut is a part of the German region Saxony-Anhalt which is quite large and has a lot to offer.

Here are some of the additional cities and sights that are worth visiting when planning your trip to Saale-Unstrut and Saxony-Anhalt.

Düben Heath

Before coming to Saale-Unstrut, we visited Düben Heath (Dübener Heide in German) in the eastern part of Saxony-Anhalt.

You can read our travel guide to the best things to do and see in Düben Heath here.

It’s a beautiful natural area with meadows, forests, lakes and charming villages. A great destination for outdoor activities!

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Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt’s capital and second-largest city, Magdeburg, lies beautifully on the Elbe River.

Here you can, among other things, experience the first Gothic cathedral in Germany (which is also one of the largest churches in the country), the eye-catching building Grüne Zitadelle (the Green Citadel), museums, parks and the old market square with The Magdeburg Rider and the old town hall.

Halle

In Saxony-Anhalt’s largest city Halle there are similar sights including the beautiful Marktkirche (market church) from the 16th century, the 84-metre high, free-standing Red Tower in the marketplace, a special Renaissance cemetery and a Beatles museum.

The eastern Harz Mountains

Technically, the Harz Mountains in Central Germany span over three German states: Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.

A large part of the eastern Harz lies in western Saxony-Anhalt and whether you are into historic and romantic cities or wild nature, there’s something for everyone here.

We have been there twice so far and loved it; once in autumn weather in November and once in sunny weather in June.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in the eastern Harz Mountains:

• The rock formations along the Teufelsmauer (The Devil’s Wall) are some of the best natural sights in the Harz Mountains in our opinion. The Teufelsmauer hiking trail is 35 kilometres long and along the way, you encounter several unique rock formations, most of which can also be reached individually.
• The suspension bridge Titan-RT is also located in Saxony-Anhalt. The 458-metre-long bridge hangs 100 metres above the water and there are great views from both the bridge and in the area.
• Brocken (sometimes referred to as Bloksberg) is the highest mountain in the Harz region and in Northern Germany with its 1,141 metres and it’s also within the borders of Saxony-Anhalt.
• Quedlinburg and Wernigerode are two charming cities well worth mentioning, too.
• The old medieval town of Quedlinburg is proclaimed as one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and you understand why when you experience the more than 2,000 half-timbered houses along the cobbled streets. Also, remember to visit Schlossberg (the Castle Hill) and enjoy the view over the roofs.
• There are also plenty of half-timbered houses in Wernigerode. The town is especially known for the fairytale-like Wernigerode Castle (Wernigeröder Schloss) and for the station from where the old steam train that takes you all the way to the top of Brocken departs.
• If you are particularly interested in Luther, we can recommend that you visit Martin Luther’s birthplace Lutherstadt Eisleben.

Read more in our travel guide to the Harz Mountain with the best things to do and see in Germany’s adventure wonderland.

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Where to stay in Saale-Unstrut

In Saale-Unstrut we lived in the cosy town of Naumburg which is a great starting point for exploring the area.

We would recommend that you live here during your stay in Saale-Unstrut.

It’s also possible to spend the night at some of the wineries if you are particularly interested in wine.

Search for the best and cheapest hotels in Naumburg here (adlink).

Gasthof Zufriedenheit

“Zufriedenheit” means satisfaction and we think it’s a modest name for the hotel as it was more than satisfying.

This was where we stayed in Saale-Unstrut.

Gasthof Zufriedenheit is located quietly in the middle of the pedestrian street in Naumburg, close to the cathedral, and it felt well thought-through.

The service was polite, the room was large and more than satisfactory, the breakfast (which we could order completely vegan) tasted great and in general, the hotel was designed beautifully.

Check prices and availability at Gasthof Zufriedenheit (adlink).

Gastwirtschaft & Hotel Hallescher Anger

Gastwirtschaft & Hotel Hallescher Anger lies right next to the Saale River only ~2 kilometres from the centre of Naumburg.

The hotel looks very traditional and the large terrace overlooking the river is a popular place to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

The rooms have private bathrooms, flat screens and free Wi-Fi.

Check prices and availability at Gastwirtschaft & Hotel Hallescher Anger (adlink).

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How to get around Saale-Unstrut

By car

We got around Saale-Unstrut and Saxony-Anhalt by car and it was super convenient to be able to drive to all the attractions and sights.

Parking is generally free and easy to find. However, in some towns, there is paid parking in and near the city centres so remember to always bring euro coins for the machines as credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere.

By public transport

We didn’t use public transportation in Saxony-Anhalt ourselves but it should certainly be possible to get almost anywhere with a combination of local trains and buses.

How to get to Saale-Unstrut

By car

It’s generally easy to reach Germany by car from other countries in Europe as there are lots of motorways connected to neighbouring countries.

As soon as you are in Germany, you can get to Saale-Unstrut and Saxony-Anhalt via Germany’s famous autobahn (motorway).

Be aware that cars on the autobahn generally drive fast – and by fast, we mean up to 200 km/h!

There are several sections with no speed limit at all so it’s important to look thoroughly in the rearview mirror and side mirror before changing lanes and overtaking.

By plane

To get to Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany by plane, you can fly to either Berlin, Hannover, Leipzig or Dresden and take a train or rent a car from there.

Use our adlink below to find the cheapest tickets:

Search for the cheapest flight tickets on Momondo.

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By train

The train network in Germany is large, relatively cheap and very reliable.

There are many connections between most major cities and from there, there are usually connecting trains to smaller towns.

To get to Saxony-Anhalt, you can, for example, take the train to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Magdeburg, Halle or Naumburg. Leipzig is just on the other side of the state border but can also be a good starting point for trips or further journeys in the region.

We have previously used the Deutsche Bahn website to order train tickets.

When to visit Saale-Unstrut

There is really no bad time to visit Saale-Unstrut and the state of Saxony-Anhalt, although there are, of course, noticeable differences between the seasons.

Like almost all tourist destinations in the world, it’s smart to plan your trip around the most common holidays and instead visit in shoulder periods (if that’s a possibility for you).

That way you can avoid the biggest crowds and generally get cheaper accommodation and save on car rentals.

If it’s not possible to travel outside the holidays, fortunately, Saale-Unstrut (and Saxony-Anhalt) doesn’t really get crowded.

Seasons

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Saale-Unstrut and Saxony-Anhalt with relatively warm weather, rushing rivers and blooming flowers. Our visit to the region was from the end of May to the beginning of June.

Summer is of course the hottest season. There are lots of outdoor activities and the sun is usually shining from early morning until very late in the evening. The summer holidays in Germany are spread out between mid-June and mid-September.

Fall is a wonderful time to visit Saxony-Anhalt. The autumn colours paint the landscapes in shades of yellow, orange and red, and if you’re lucky, it can still be relatively warm in Central Germany.

Winter is generally cold but it is popular to visit Saxony-Anhalt for winter sports. Especially around Christmas and New Year, people flock to the mountains in western Saxony-Anhalt (part of the Harz Mountains) to try their hand at skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities.

What to bring to Saale-Unstrut

• Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
• A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
• Sunscreen (adlink). Especially if you visit Saale-Unstrut in the summer. We recommend that you use an organic, vegan sunscreen without oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals.
• Hiking shoes, sneakers or other shoes you can walk in comfortably.
• Swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim in the summer or if you are staying at a hotel with a spa area.
• A refillable water bottle and snacks. You can drink the tap water in Germany.
• Cash for parking and other small purchases, especially 1 and 2-euro coins. Not all places in Germany accept credit cards.

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Minimise your impact

To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:

• Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
• Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
• Dispose of waste properly and do not throw it on the ground.
• Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place.
• Be considerate of other visitors.
• Respect wildlife.

What do you think of Saale-Unstrut?

Thanks for reading our take on the best things to do in Saale-Unstrut!

We hope this travel guide to Saale-Unstrut in Saxony-Anhalt has been useful.

What do you think of the wine region?

If you have been to Saale-Unstrut or Saxony-Anhalt, it would be great to hear about your best experiences.

And if you haven’t been there yet, don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments. We are happy to help!