Saxony-Anhalt

Winding alleyways with more than 2,000 half-timbered houses, overlooked by the Romanesque collegiate church of St. Servatius: Quedlinburg's extremely well preserved historic old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Stroll from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and straight on to modernity: the Museum Lyonel Feininger showcases works by Kandinsky, Klee and Nolde alongside paintings by the Bauhaus artist himself. The museum was founded while Germany was still divided and has been greatly expanded since then.

Getting there: 3 hours 22 minutes by train from Berlin.

Back in the 13th century, Magdeburg was way ahead of its time and built the first Gothic cathedral in Germany. Today, the cathedral is one of the most important sights in the Old Town, the history of which is vividly illustrated by the Cultural Historic Museum just a stone's throw away. The city's modern buildings prove that this spirit of innovation is still going strong today: the Green Citadel by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the Millennium Tower and the longest navigable aqueduct in the world, which connects East and West German waterways, to name a few. For today's creative minds, the city even provides temporary studios as spaces for work and inspiration.

Getting there: 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Quedlinburg.

A milestone in architectural history: the Bauhaus building in Dessau, designed by Walter Gropius and opened in 1926, epitomises the Bauhaus principles of functionality and simplicity. With its innovative use of glass and steel, this World Heritage Site, extensive restored after reunification, continues to inspire architects and designers to this day. By the way, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bauhaus also includes the Masters' Houses right next door, as well as other sites in Dessau, Weimar and Bernau.

Getting there: 2 hours 30 minutes by train from Magdeburg to Dessau.

Spanning more than 140 square kilometres along the Elbe, the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz includes numerous castles, parks and churches. An outstanding example of landscape planning and design from the Age of Enlightenment, this unique, harmonious complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000 and has since undergone extensive restoration. Discover the beauty of this cultural landscape, which is still considered a masterpiece of garden art today.

Getting there: 40 minutes on the Dessau-Wörlitz railway from Dessau Hauptbahnhof (end of March to beginning of November). Bicycles can be taken on board.

Stretching across 1,260 square kilometres, the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve is almost one and a half times the size of Berlin – making it the largest of the 18 UNESCO protected natural and cultural landscapes in Germany. Go in search of beavers in one of the last conservation-focussed floodplains in Central Europe and immerse yourself in the idyllic natural surroundings! The imperial and Hanseatic town of Tangermünde lies nestled in the centre of the reserve. Its historic centre was extensively renovated after reunification and now boasts impressive Brick Gothic architecture and medieval charm.

Getting there: 20 minutes on the Dessau-Wörlitz railway from Dessau Hauptbahnhof (end of March to beginning of November). Bicycles can be taken on board.

The Saale-Unstrut region around the wine-growing town of Freyburg (Unstrut) is Germany's northernmost wine-growing region and produces some of Germany's best wines. Its picturesque steep terraces and numerous vineyard cottages from different periods fascinate visitors. Wander through the region and sample wines full of flavour in ancient vineyards. Naumburg is also worth a visit, with its historic cathedral which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018.

Getting there: 2 hours by train from Dessau to Naumburg.