After visiting Wittenberg, we took a three-hour train ride from Berlin to Quedlinburg. When we arrived, we noticed a charming station sign “Quedlinburg.” As we were taking family photos in front of it, a friendly station staff came over with a smile and offered to take a picture of all of us together. It felt like a warm welcome to the town, and such a lovely way to start our trip. Her smile is something I will never forget.🥰It made the start of our trip truly special.😊
🏰A Town Steeped in History
This charming town in the Harz region is like stepping into a medieval storybook. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Quedlinburg is now one of Germany’s most beloved destinations.
But this picture-perfect town hasn’t always looked this way. After World War II, when Quedlinburg became part of East Germany, restoration projects stalled. Many of the timber-framed houses fell into disrepair, and the entire town was sometimes referred to as a “forgotten place.”
Following reunification, an enormous restoration effort brought more than 1,000 houses back to life. Even today, you’ll see scaffolding and craftsmen at work, proof that this is not just a preserved relic of the past, but a “living town” being passed on to the future.
🚶♀️Wandering the Streets
Cobblestone lanes wind past rows of colorful half-timbered houses, each decorated with flower boxes and sometimes completely covered in ivy. The whole town feels so pretty that it’s hard not to believe you’ve stepped right into a fairytale. Every café and restaurant seems to have its own unique charm, and my husband couldn’t resist stopping again and again to take photos, so many, in fact, that I couldn’t possibly fit them all into one post!😄 The Market Square with its historic Town Hall is especially breathtaking. Whether in the bright light of day or softly lit in the evening, it’s one of those spots where every angle could be a postcard.
🐷Little Discoveries😺
One of my favorite moments was stumbling upon a playful pig-shaped door handle on an old building. Finding that touch of humor hidden in such a historic setting made us smile.
We also met a friendly cat 🐈lounging in a quiet corner. Of course we stopped to sit with it for a while.
And then there were the cheesecake shops. Quedlinburg is known for them, and every time we passed by a display case, my eyes lit up. Sadly, after enjoying beer at lunch, I was far too full to try a slice this time. A true regret!😢
🍺Beer and Burgers🍔
No trip to Germany feels complete without beer. While Quedlinburg doesn’t have its own famous brew, we enjoyed northern German beers along the way. At lunch, we sat on a castle-side terrace with sweeping views and a glass of refreshing Störtebeker, crisp and slightly bitter—the perfect reward after walking all morning. Later that evening, we ended the day at a cozy burger restaurant. The staff greeted us with big smiles, and we paired juicy burgers with Duckstein, another northern beer with a deeper, malty flavor. It felt like the perfect way to close out a day of exploring medieval streets.
🩷Epilogue: An Unexpected Encounter in Magdeburg
On our way back, our train was delayed in Magdeburg, giving us two unexpected hours of free time. We wandered near the station and suddenly found ourselves staring at a surreal pink building with golden onion-shaped domes and rooftop greenery.
Later we learned it was the Green Citadel (Grüne Zitadelle), designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. With its wavy pink façade and whimsical details, it couldn’t have been more different from Quedlinburg’s medieval character. Yet it was such a striking, joyful surprise—an unplanned highlight at the end of our trip.
🍃Looking Back
Quedlinburg is more than a preserved relic…it’s a “living World Heritage town” that has risen from neglect to become a place full of life, charm, and stories. Walking its streets feels like walking into history, while still being part of the present. And thanks to a train delay, we even ended our day with a dose of modern art in Magdeburg.😅Next time, I’ll make sure to save room for cheesecake! ✨And since two members of our family are serious burger lovers, we couldn’t resist finding one here—but back home, my homemade burgers are just as popular. If you’d like to bring a little taste of our trip into your kitchen, why not try making one yourself? ❤️
👉 Bismarck-Style Burger with Fried Egg – Easy & Authentic
