Sehnde(Germany) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Sondershausen, the Historic Hotel Alte Mühle stands out, housed in a 17th-century mill near the Saale River. Its original stone walls and timbered ceilings blend perfectly with modern comforts. Guests enjoy panoramic views of the Sondershausen Castle from the breakfast terrace. Another gem is Gasthaus zum Ritter, a former knight’s inn offering authentic Thuringian cuisine in a candlelit dining room. Both properties reflect the region’s rich heritage.

The Old Town (Altstadt) is ideal for first-time visitors, where cobblestone streets lead to key landmarks like St. Nicholas Church, the Town Hall, and the Heritage Market Square. This compact area offers easy walking access to restaurants, shops, and guided tours. For a quieter stay, consider the Lake District, just a 10-minute walk from the center, perfect for peaceful mornings by Sondershausen Lake with scenic views and birdwatching opportunities.

Tourists can participate in the Thuringian Folk Festival, held annually in July, featuring traditional bunraku dances, folk music ensembles, and craft demonstrations of wood carving and pottery. The Sondershausen Craft Workshop offers hands-on sessions to create handmade wooden toys or natural dyes using local plants. Don’t miss the Castle Clock Tour, which reveals how the 15th-century clock mechanism once regulated daily life in the town.

The Sondershausen Castle is the city’s crown jewel, a Renaissance fortress with a striking red-tiled roof and a museum showcasing royal artifacts. Nearby, the St. Nicholas Church boasts one of the tallest spires in Thuringia, dating back to the 14th century. The Local History Museum displays rare agricultural tools and textiles from the 1800s, offering deep insight into rural life. The Old Bridge over the Saale River connects districts and is a favorite photo spot at sunset.

Yes, Sondershausen is highly family-friendly. The Sondershausen Kids’ Adventure Park features a mini-zoo with goats and rabbits, a climbing wall, and a nature trail with interactive learning stations. Families can rent paddleboats on Sondershausen Lake or join weekend nature scavenger hunts. Weekly craft workshops let kids make clay animals or paint traditional Thuringian patterns, fostering creativity and cultural awareness.

Must-try dishes include Thuringian Rostbrätel (grilled pork sausages), Knödel (potato dumplings), and Sauerkraut with smoked ham. At Gasthaus zum Ritter, the signature Sondershausen Beef Stew simmers for hours with regional herbs. Morning visitors should sample Black Forest cake rolls sold at the Market Square Bakery, served warm with local honey—a sweet treat that captures the region’s rustic charm.

The closest airport is Erfurt-Weimar Airport (ERF), about 70 km away. Take the Regional Bus 750 to Sondershausen, which runs hourly and takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, Deutsche Bahn trains connect Erfurt Hauptbahnhof to Sondershausen station in under an hour. Within the town, buses run frequently, and cycling is encouraged—rent a bike at the City Bike Hub to explore the scenic Saale River path.

The best time to visit is between May and September, when the weather is mild and outdoor events flourish. Summer brings the Folk Festival and open-air concerts at the Castle Garden. Autumn offers stunning foliage along the Saale River Trail, perfect for photography. Winter sees the charming Christmas Market at Town Hall Square, where vendors sell mulled wine, handmade ornaments, and traditional gingerbread.

Capture the golden hour at Old Bridge as sunlight reflects off the Saale River, creating a mirror-like effect. The Castle Tower offers a sweeping view of the entire town and surrounding hills—ideal for wide-angle shots. In autumn, the Maple Path along the Lake turns fiery red and orange, making it a dreamy backdrop for portrait photography. Bring a tripod for long-exposure night shots of the illuminated Church Spire.

Evenings come alive at Café Schlosswinkel, a cozy bar beneath the castle ruins, hosting live folk music every Friday. The Riverfront Lantern Walk illuminates the Saale River path after dark, with storytelling projections on the bridge walls. For something quieter, try Brauerei Roter Hahn, a microbrewery where locals gather to sip handcrafted beer while chatting over board games and regional trivia.