Timber-framed town of Celle

The royal seat and half-timbered town of Celle with its wonderfully preserved old town and Celle Castle is a real gem. It as a place where fascinating history, such as the connection to the English royal family or the tragic story of the Danish Queen, meets the largest half-timbered ensemble in Europe and make every visit of Celle interesting.

Celle's history is long and the best way to see it is to look at a diagram of the rulers in the castle. The imposing Welfen Castle with the royal museum lies on the edge of the old town and is a must for every Celle visitor. You can also experience the connection to London here: three dukes of Celle became English kings, for nearly three hundred years Celle was permanent residence of the dukes of Braunschweig-Lueneburg.

More interesting buildings and 500 lovingly restored houses await you in the half-timbered old town of Celle. Here, you can settle down comfortably in the evening for a good meal or a glass of wine and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the city. Every year, this wonderful old town is a worthy setting for one of Germany's most beautiful Christmas markets.

The Celle Castle Theatre founded in 1674 is the oldest baroque theater in Europe. The State Stud Farm of Lower Saxony in Celle, where the famous Hanoverian horses are bred, is also very well known. The Celle Stallion Parade attracts numerous spectators every year.

Today, 70,000 inhabitants live in Celle, the city at the centre of the south Lueneburg Heath. One of the biggest industries is the oil drilling industry. The region around Celle has a long tradition as an oil-rich region and is home to the world’s first successful oil bore. Celle has also become known as the location of the crispbread factory of Barilla Wasa in Germany.

Getting there

The journey to Celle is easy: the city has an ICE train station near the town centre on the railway line Hannover-Hamburg. Celle is also easy to reach by car. The nearest international airport is Hannover.

Attractions in Celle

Historic old town, Stadtkirche church with access to the tower, the castle and its unique Renaissance castle chapel, guided city tours, old town hall with Weser renaissance gable, synagogue, magnificent Hoppener-Haus, Kalandgasse, neo-classical  Stechinellihaus, Alter Marstall, New Town Hall, Marienwerder Zimmer, Rosche Villa, French Garden, Lower Saxonian stud farm, orchid centre Wichmann, medicinal herb garden, LAVES - Institute for Apiculture with a bee garden.

Museums in Celle
Residence Museum in Celle Castle, Bomann Museum, Celle Garnisons Museum, bee garden of the LAVES - Institute for apiculture, Haesler Documentation Centre, Schützenmuseum, synagogue, 24-hour art museum.

Theatre and music in Celle
Castle Theatre, Congress Union Celle, Kunst & Bühne caberet.

Things to Do in Celle

Regular city tours, city tours by carriage or with the City Express, church steeple climb, fun pool Celler Badeland with indoor and outdoor area, boat trips on the Aller, cycling and hiking tours in the region, various gastronomy experiences, discos, cinemas, kart track, bowling centre, skittles, tennis, golf course, crazy golf, canoeing on the Aller.

Events in Celle

WASA run, arts and crafts market, jazz street parade, wine market, stallion parade, Christmas market.

Hotels in Celle

Hotels and guest houses in Celle of every category

A special tip: 

You'll find the star-winning restaurant "Endtenfang" at Hotel Fürstenhof Celle