That is Celle
A town with Charm and Character
Short breaks, Sightseeing and Travel in the Half-Timbered Town
Celle is one of the highlights of any trip to the Lüneburg Heath area and there are plenty of reasons why: it has the most compact and largest ensemble of half-timbered buildings in the world, alongside modern Bauhaus architecture, the Guelph Palace with its Palace Theatre and museums from classic to modern. Culture in all its facets. Celle offers a varied gastronomy with snug cafes and restaurants that spoil you with regional specialties. Celle will also delight you as a shopping city. Many shops are independent and owner-managed and a relaxed stroll through the town will show you exactly what a difference this makes.
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A smaller town break in Celle is worth it, because....
Celle has the largest, most concentrated collection of half timbered buildings in the world
World history was written in Celle – the Palace is the cradle of the English throne
You can study modern architecture here – Celle stands for bauhaus
Nature, culture and the bustle of town life are all so close to each other
You can experience Celle's cultural diversity in such a wonderfully relaxed way
You can enjoy relaxed shopping at your own pace
Because the most superb horses come from Celle, which you can admire at the annual stallion parade
Celle is the first sustainable town in Northern Germany
Find out more on these pages
Celle is the southern gateway to the Lüneburg Heath
Where is Celle?
The Ducal town of Celle is the picturesque southern gateway to the Lüneburg Heath and has around 70,000 inhabitants.Celle is in the Federal State of Lower Saxony.
Are you travelling from Hamburg, Bremen or Hanover?
Easy to reach from any direction. There are plenty of good, quick connections by train. The high speed inter-city ICE trains, for example, take you from Hanover to the Celle station in around 20 minutes; from Hamburg the journey takes about an hour and from Celle station, the CeBus will take you to the town centre in just under 10 minutes.
Best travel time for Celle
You can enjoy Celle at any time of year
This is thanks to the moderate climate with mild temperatures all year round; however, we also get exceptional Midsummer days at 30 degrees and Siberian-style cold winters.
For anyone who wants to experience glorious nature and appreciate lively Old Town flair with all their senses, the time from May to September is certainly the best: long light evenings, eating and drinking outside, hiking or cycling through the heath, plus the spectacular heather blooms, which reach their peak in August and September.
And not to forget events such as the jazz festival, the stallion parade, the wine market or our annual Celle festival. Spring and summer are just perfect for a short break in Celle, but autumn and winter also have their charms: the play of colours on the river meadows and southern heath, rising mist on the moors, across the heath and along the rivers create a very special atmosphere, secretive and mystical. The festively illuminated Old Town at Christmas and the romantic Christmas market during the Advent season are also highlights not to be missed.
Small town breaks in Celle
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Where can we go in Celle and the surrounding regions?
Just let yourself drift. This works particularly well on the local rivers – the Aller, Lachte, Fuhse or Örtze. Enthusiastic recreational paddlers and experienced canoeists will find the ideal setting for fun, sport and simply unforgettable moments surrounded by unspoilt nature. Or shift down a gear and let yourself be driven through Celle's Old Town in a stylish carriage. The nearby Celle ‘Badeland’ promises you wellness and relaxation.
What to do on a rainy day
- Celler museums
- Current exhibitions
- Pinguin Bowling&Bar™
- Celler Badeland (leisure pool centre)
What sort of sightseeing attractions are there?
Half-timbered architecture – Baroque – Bauhaus: find out more here about Celle’s varied cultural highlights
What’s happening in Celle?
Click here for current events
How can I find out more about Celle Palace?
Webcam of Celle
What’s the weather like in Celle?
How far is Celle from the Southern Heath Nature Park?
The Southern Heath Nature Park lies within the Celle district boundaries. Beauty spots such as the Misselhorne Heath or the Tiefental Valley for example, are just a short 40 minute drive away.
How far is Celle from the Lüneburg Heath?
It takes about 1 hour by car to reach the Luneburg Heath, on the edge of the town of Bispingen.