Soltau - town in Heidekreis District, in Lower Saxony, Germany

Soltau is a town on the Lüneburg Heath in North Germany with around 20,000 citizens. It has gained national prominence largely as a result of the attractions such as the Soltau Therme thermal baths and the Heide Park, one of Germany's biggest amusement parks. The large lake of Südsee is also popular with caravanners, campers and day visitors alike.

Understand

The parish of Soltau was founded around 830 by a few farmers, and the first wooden church was built around this time.

Between 1383 and 1388 the village was established, in order to protect against robber barons; this is now the town centre. The castle there was demolished under terms of a treaty. By way of compensation Soltau was given town rights; however, by 1511 the town was completely destroyed by a fire.

The town hall was moved in 1533 and established in an old chapel in Marktstraße. However, by 1567, another fire wiped out the majority of buildings within the town. Much of Soltau was destroyed over the years, especially in the Thirty Years' War, after which all that was left was ruined landscape.

By 1914 Soltau held the largest prisoner-of-war camp in Germany during the First World War. This was the same year that the mining of potassium salts began at Heinrichssegen Shaft, but work was then halted due to the war after having reached a depth of just 6 meters.

Again by April 1945 much of Soltau was destroyed by air raids in which many civilians were killed. Soltau become a British Garrison in 1949 during the Cold War and was home of Headquarters 7th Armoured Brigade. This was handed back in 1993 and is now used for doctors' surgeries and a business centre.

Situated in the heart of the Lüneburg Heath, Soltau is an officially recognized health resort. Here, active hikers and cyclists will find more than 1400 km (875 miles) of well sign-posted trails leading through romantic heath land, peaceful villages, and river valleys.

Get in

By car

Take exit 44 Soltau-Ost on the A7, then merge onto the B209/B71 towards Soltau. Continue along the B209/B71 until you reach Soltau town centre. Soltau is also accessible via two nation highways (B3, B71) and a regional throughway (L 71).

By plane

• Hamburg International Airport, in Hamburg, is north of Soltau and about is about 100 km away (roughly one hour's drive). The airport is approximately 8 km north of Hamburg's city centre and is the fifth busiest airport in Germany. To reach Soltau take the B433, then turn left onto the B432 until you can merge onto the A7. Take exit 44 (Soltau Ost) and carry along the B209/B71 until you hit the centre of Soltau.
• Hanover Airport, in Hanover, is about 70 km south of Soltau (roughly 45 minutes' drive). The airport is in Langenhagen which is 11 km to the north of Hanover centre and has easy access to the autobahn. To get to Soltau from the airport head towards the A352, this will merge onto the A7. Take exit 45 (Soltau Sud) for the B3 towards Soltau, this will take you towards the centre.

By train

• Soltau Station, 52.9831°, 9.82944°. There is only one train station in Soltau proper and it is close to the centre of town which offers Regionalbahn (RB) trains. Trains run from Soltau from roughly 05:00-22:00. It is possible to get to Soltau from Hanover, Bremen and Hamburg. It passes through Bad Fallingbostel, Walsrode, Schwarmstedt, Bennemühlen, and Langenhagen.
• Soltau (Han) Nord station, 53.001506°, 9.861125°.
• Wolterdingen (Han) station, 53.027244°, 9.845208°. Alight here for Heide-Park.

By bus

All major cities offer bus transfers to Soltau such as Berlin, Bremen, Cuxhaven. The buses leave every M, Tu, W, Th and Sa, prices may vary between €22 and €66

Get around

By train

Soltau's station, which is still called Soltau (Hannover) (abbreviated to Soltau [Han]) by the Deutsche Bahn belongs to the Hanover Railway Division and lies on the America Line (KBS 116) from Bremen to Uelzen and on the Heath Railway (Heidebahn) (KBS 123) from Buchholz (Nordheide) to Bennemühlen(-Hanover). There are two other stops - Soltau Nord and Wolterdingen - on the Heath Railway.

By bike

The long distance cycle paths RFW 4 (Leine-Heath Cycle Path) and RFW 15 (Heath Cycle Path or Heide-Radweg) on the Lower Saxon long distance cycle network intersect in Soltau. A has been implemented. The majority of hotels in Soltau offer bike hires.

By taxi

There are taxi companies in town, and there are always taxis outside the railway station willing to pick up fares. Alternatively go to the taxi rank at Drögenheide 4, +49 05191 14084 .

Parking

There are a number of car parks within Soltau with the majority of them being free. There is a car park on the way into Soltau next to the shopping complex with C&A. There are two free car parks next to Soltau Therme which is just on the edge of the town.

See

• Böhme Park, 52.98925°, 9.84182°. This park has the river Böhme running straight through it. There is a lovely café in the park where you can have coffee and cake whilst you take in the scenery.
• Breidings Garten, Breidingsgarten 5, 52.97773°, 9.84169°, +49 5191 2620. This English-style garden is on the outskirts of town. The complex includes moorland just as decorative ponds, orchards and giant rhododendrons, an imposing villa garden as an artificial ruin. The garden is owned by a charitable foundation, and always open to the public. Free guided visits will be held monthly.
• Municipal Mill (Ratsmühle), 52.98345°, 9.84057°. This listed building has been around since 1384 and is on the river Böhme and was owned by the city until 1817 which is why it was known as the Ratsmühle. The mill was eventually shut down in 1963 and has been empty ever since; however, they wish to turn it into a museum.
• HeideWitzka, Gottfried-von-Cramm-Straße 1, 52.98180°, 9.86441°, +49 5191 13056. M-F 14:00-19:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00. This is of fun for big and small children, with trampolines, a go-kart track, climbing the volcano and many more attractions. The indoor bistro offers a delicious variety of food for the all family. Children under 2 are free, children over 2 €6.90, adult €4.90
• Toy Museum, Poststraße 7, 52.98684°, 9.83844°, +49 5191 82182, info@spielmuseum-soltau.de. Daily 10:00-18:00. The museum exhibits toys from over four centuries. There are many different toys to see from doll's houses, railways, wooden toys and a wide range of teddy bears and stuffed toys. You may also get the chance to play with some of the toys. A good day out for all the family. Adult €4, child €2
• Holy Spirit Church in Wolterdingen (Heilig-Geist-Kirche), 53.03103°, 9.83158°. Apr-Oct: daily 10:00-18:00. Outside these hours you can get the key from a nearby rectory. A small Gothic church (begun in 1396) constructed of brick with a detached wooden bell tower with very old bells (the oldest one dates back to 1350). In 1925 another Art Nouveau aisle was added to the church. The church was reconstructed between 1998 and 2001.

Do

Theme parks

• Heide Park, Heidepark 1, 53.02515°, 9.87909°, +49 180 5919101. Daily 10:00-18:00. The Heide Park is the largest theme park in northern Germany with over 50 attractions. This park holds the record for the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Europe complete with a 61° drop. Offers a great day out for all the family. Adults €37, children (4-11) €30, under 4's are free, €5 parking

Sport and wellness

• Soltau Therme, Mühlenweg 17, 52.99213°, 9.84102°, +49 5191 84481. M 10:00-22:00, Tu-Su 10:00-22:00. Fun for all ages from babies through to seniors, there is something for everyone. There are three pools, one for children, salt water and an outside pool. There is plenty of space to relax next to the pools or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre. There is an onsite restaurant where you can indulge in a snack. There is plenty of free parking close to the Therme. Adult €4-16, child €1.50-11
• Südsee Camp, Südsee camp 1, Wietzendorf (along A7, exit 45 Soltau Sud, towards Celle for 4 km, past the 2nd bridge turn right, at the top turn right, go straight for about 4 km), 52.93427°, 9.9678°, +49 5196 980116. Daily 08:00-22:00. A five-star campsite where you can pitch your tent, or rent a Swedish cottage, modern chalet or premium caravan. There is plenty to do from swimming in the outside lake or the indoor pool to jungle golf and entertainment. There are many restaurants on site. Also great for a day trip out.. Variety of prices for camping and swimming
• Soltau Golf Club (Golfanlage Hof Loh), Hof Loh 7, 52.96043°, 9.83375°, +49 5191 9676333. 50-minute training session for two €45.
• Soltau Bowling Centre (Bowling-Center Soltau), Lüneburger Straße 103, 52.98803°, 9.86062°, +49 5191 5050. Tu-F 17:00-24:00, Sa 15:00-24:00, Su 15:00-22:00. The bowling centre has 12 modern and fully automatic lanes with computer supported screens which show all the results. Play pool, darts or table football or have a meal in the on-site bistro where you can watch the action of the game. Experience moonlight-bowling every Friday from 22:00-24:00 with lights, music and bowling all fused together.
• Skate Park, Vor dem Weiherbusch, 52.97360°, 9.85204°. Test out your skills on your skates or skate board at the park where jumps and ramps are provided.

Tours

• Railcar 'Anteater', Soltau Train station, platform 5, 52.98272°, 9.83222°, +49 5191 828282. Every Sunday from July to September 10:00. Provides tourist trips on a railcar from 1937 through Luneburg Heide, from Soltau - Luhegrund - Bispingen - Döhle and back again. There is a three-hour stop over in Döhle for people to get off and stretch their legs whilst looking around. Adult €15, child €7.50, bicycle €3

Events

• Schützenfest, Mühlenweg 17, 52.99034°, 9.83783°, +49 5191 17554. Four days between June/July. This annual four-day festival offers plenty of drink and Bratwurst stands.
• Backofenfest, Breidingsgarten, 52.97905°, 9.84145°. Takes place in July and August for two days. This festival allows different regional gastronomic specialties that are served directly from a stone oven. This is a very social event with a folklore programme.
• Soltauer Sommer, Hagen 6, 52.98488°, 9.83899°, +49 5191 82197. August. This takes place throughout August and offers a series of cultural open-air events such as poetry-reading, series of lectures, great small-scale performing arts and concerts.

Buy

There are a wide variety of shops from clothes, pets, electronics and homeware. Although the town is only small there is something for everyone. Majority of the shops are half-timbered and it is quite enjoyable to sit and watch the world go by in the town square. The shops are open M-F until 18:00, Sa until roughly 17:00 and they are all closed on Sun.

Just on the outskirts of Soltau is an industrial estate where you can find electrical shops, there is also a small shopping centre with a few shops that include furniture, clothes, pets and a food shop. In the centre of Soltau is another small shopping complex with a C&A and shoe shop.

• Soltau Farmers Market, Georges-Lemoine-Platz, 52.98410°, 9.83881°. This takes place every Saturday and sells fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.
• Tee in Soltau, Hagen 18, 52.98506°, 9.83939°, +49 5191 70910. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00. This small shop sells a number of different types of tea and liquor. There is also the chance to purchase different types of mugs and candles. Price varies
• Cheese and Wine - H.D Beddies, Burg 8, 52.98387°, 9.84014°, +49 5191 14494. Su-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 07:30-13:30. This small shop specialises in different cheeses around Europe. There is also the opportunity to purchase different wines, cognac and whiskey. There is also a little bistro on site. Price varies
• Designer Outlet Soltau, Rahrsberg 7, 52.98307°, 9.92568°, +49 5191 60280, info@designeroutletsoltau.com. M-Sa 10:00-20:00. Open in 2012, over 60 designer brands at 13,500 m². Special features include half-timbered houses with thatched roofs.

Eat

Soltau is in the Luneburg Heide region where the Heideschnucke (moorland sheep) is bred on the moors where they feast on heather and birch tree shoots. It is often found on many of the restaurant menus and has a gamey flavour to it, it is often compared to venison.

Budget

• Café Chocolat, Bornemann Str. 7, 52.98932°, 9.84344°, +49 5191 975313. 24 hours. This modern café is on the outskirts of Böhme park. It has a wide variety of chocolate and coffee drinks on offer, with snacks and cakes. Low
• Miss Peppers, Am Hanfberg 7 - Wietzendorf (exit 45 on the A7), 52.94536°, 9.88053°, +49 5191 979301. 24 hours. Authentic American cuisine set in a 1950s style diner. Popular truckers' stop. low
• Ninis Café, Poststraße 8, 52.98706°, 9.83896°, +49 5191 939476, info@niniscafe.de. Daily 09:00-18:00. This is a small modern café with a wide variety of different teas, coffees and hot chocolates. Homemade cakes or pies from black forest cake, chocolate cream, marzipan cake or fresh fruit cake. A delicious breakfast buffet is very popular and is available daily from 09:00 to 13:00 which includes fresh bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, salmon and ham, homemade fruit salad and cottage cheese, jams, cereals, cheese and yogurt. Breakfast from €7-9
• Pascha-imbiß III, Georges-Lemoine-Platz 13, 52.98380°, 9.83844°, +49 5091 2332. Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00, Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 10:30-22:00. There is a choice of different kebab meat that you can have with salad and sauces, or have a curry-wurst and chips which is equally as nice.
• Stadt Cafe, Georges-Lemoine-Platz 5, 52.98382°, 9.83886°, +49 5191 12711. Daily 09:00-18:00. This friendly café can be found in the centre of Soltau. €3-8

Mid-range

• Brauhaus Joh. Albrecht, Winsener Straße 34d, 52.99138°, 9.84808°, +49 5191 976313, soltau@brauhaus-joh-albrecht.de. Open daily from 12:00. The Brauhaus is in the old 7th Armoured Brigade Officers Mess with a warm atmosphere. They serve traditional German food and serve a wonderful brunch on a Sunday. Mains €5-19, Sunday brunch €15.50

• Campo Grande, Am Alten Stadtgraben 1, 52.98663°, 9.83830°, +49 5191 939003. Daily 12:00-15:00, 17:00-23:00. This restaurant specialises in South American cuisine where you can find ribs, salads, steaks and some vegetarian options. The Rodizio offers you different types of meat cooked slowly on skewers over a fire, and the meat is cut at your table directly onto your plate. Mains €3-19, Rodizio €19.50

• Dolce Vita, Burg 1, 52.98415°, 9.84048°, +49 5191 978278. Daily 11:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00. A lovely Italian restaurant with an outside eating area where you can watch the rest of the world go by in the square of Soltau. Mains €5-18

• La Mamma, Unter den Linden 15, 52.98994°, 9.83598°, +49 5191 975570. Daily 11:30-14:30, 17:30-23:00. Italian restaurant serving great food! Mains €5-19

• Landhaus Eden, An der Bundesstraße 4, 52.99124°, 9.90669°, +49 5191 602890. Daily 12:00-22:00. This is a typical German restaurant that sells trout as a delicacy that is bred from the pond behind the hotel. You can also try the XXL challenge whereby you have to eat 1000 g of meat as well as chips in an hour and a half, the meat consist of Schnitzel, currywurst and a 30-cm burger. If you manage to eat all of the food in the time given you will get your meal for free. Mains €4-13, XL€10-17, XXL €17-20

• Im Rehwinkel, Woltem 2, Soltau-Woltem (10 km west), 52.96043°, 9.71271°, +49 5197 203, im-rehwinkel@t-online.de. Tu-Sa from 17:00, Su from 12:00. Local dishes with moorland sheep (Heidschnucke) and venison. €12.50 for mains

Splurge

• Restaurant Amadeus, Soltauer Hof, Winsener St. 109, 53.00007°, 9.85757°, +49 5191 9660. Daily 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-22:00. This is a formal restaurant that serves many local dishes and a variety of fish and meat dishes. Mains €10-25
• Buffalo Steakhouse, Mühlenweg 7, 52.99096°, 9.84041°, +49 5191 978615. Daily 12:00-23:00. There is an indoor and outdoor area and serves a variety of steaks and other dishes. Mains €3-€28

Drink

Cafe

• Arko Café, Marktstraße 8, 52.98581°, 9.83945°, +49 5191 13771. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-13:00. This is a small confectionary shop where you can purchase hot drinks. There is an outside seating area. There is a large selection of sweets and chocolate available for purchase.
• City Café, Marktstraße 17, 52.98522°, 9.84010°. Su-F 08:00-18:00, Sa 07:00-14:00. This is a modern cafe with different types of coffee, chocolate and tea. They offer cakes and made-to-order rolls. There is an outside seating area. Price varies

Bars

• Alexanders, Wilhelmstraße 2, 52.98653°, 9.83994°. A small bistro and bar in the centre of Soltau that stocks a variety of drinks.
• Brauhaus Joh. Albrecht, Winsener Straße 34d, 52.99160°, 9.84803°, +49 5191 976313. There is the chance to see the home-brewed beers being produced in the centre of the room. They serve a number of home brews such as the Malty dark and the hoppy bitterness. The staff are quite happy to show you how the beer is brewed.
• Café Babylon, Lüneburger Straße 39, 52.98715°, 9.85128°, +49 5191 973737. A small cocktail bar situated on the outskirts of Soltau.
• Calouba, Wilhelmstraße 25, 52.98699°, 9.84436°, +49 5191 80393. Shisha Happy hour 13:00-15:00, Happy hour 18:00-21:00. This is a fairly small bar with a large selection of drinks available. There is also the opportunity to try shisha (water pipes).
• Bierhaus Milljö, Georges-Lemoine-Platz 1, 52.98359°, 9.83898°, +49 5191 13449. Su-F from 16:00, Sa from 11:00. A small German bar selling a selection of beer, hot drinks and fruit juices. There is a small area to sit outside.

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel am Böhmepark, Bornemannstr. 3, 52.98902°, 9.84406°, +49 5191 9802. The hotel is in the centre of the Böhme park and all rooms have a modern and comfortable finish. €39-42
• Hotel MyLord, Mühlenweg 7, 52.99067°, 9.84087°, +49 5191 978617. Check-in: 15:00-22:00, check-out: 07:30-11:00. This family run hotel is next to the River Bohme and Soltau Therme and is a 5-minute walk to the centre of Soltau town. The hotel is next to the Buffalo steakhouse whose meat comes from the hotel's own farm. €50-75
• Wolterdinger Hof, In der Reith 5, 53.03374°, 9.83250°, +49 5191 14854. Check-in: 15:00-00:00, check-out: 08:00-10:30. This 3-star hotel is in Lüneburger Heide, there is a chance to relax next to the swimming pool or sauna. There is an on-site restaurant where you can have typical German food. €37-€130

Mid-range

• Gasthaus & Pension Heidehof, Brock 8a, Brock (6 km south from the city center, very close to the A7 motorway), 52.93472°, 9.85397°, +49 5191 17275. Check-in: 13:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-10:00. This 3-star hotel is set in a large park and has direct access to the Europa-Wanderweg hiking route. The hotel is family-run and each of the rooms are brightly decorated. €62-124
• Heidehotel Soltauer Hof, Winsener Str. 109, 52.99988°, 9.85753°, +49 5191 9660, info@soltauer-hof.de. Check-in: 15:00-20:00, check-out: 07:00-11:00. This hotel is close to Heide Park. The hotel has a sunbathing area and a bowling alley. There is a restaurant, and the hotel bar has an extensive wine menu. €55-145
• Hotel Park Soltau, Winsener Straße 111, 53.00146°, 9.85956°, +49 5191 6050. Check-in: 15:00-22:30, check-out: 07:00-11:30. This modern hotel is into the centre of Soltau and offers a wide range of leisure activities swimming pool, sauna, biosauna solarium or even try out the bowling alley in the recreational area. There is an on-site restaurant with snacks and an a-la-carte menu. €69-100

Splurge

• Hotel Port Royal, Dittmern, 53.02556°, 9.87486°. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Designed with pirates in mind, it is a family-orientated hotel and was inspired by the Port Royal Caribbean fortress. The hotel is next to Heide Park. Around €158 for a basic room

Camping

• Camping Mühlenbach, Wietzendorfer Straße 2, 52.98679°, 9.91070°, +49 5191 14912. Check-in: Summer 08:00-13:00 15:00-21:00 Winter 08:00-10:00 15:00-18:00, check-out: undefined. Perfect for a short break or a long holiday, they have 80 pitches available to park your tent. There are laundry houses within the immediate vicinity of the pitches containing showers, toilets, washing machines and dryers. There is an onsite shop for you to get you groceries if you run out of food or washing up liquid or even try the restaurant onsite. Pitch €6.50-7.50 per night, each adult €4-4.25 per night, child €3 per night, dog is €2 per night
• Ferienpark Moränasee, Dittmern 9, 53.01726°, 9.92278°, +49 5191 975268. Pitch €6.50-7.50 per night, each adult €3.50-4.50 per night, child €2.50-3.50 per night, dog is €2-3 per night
• Röders Park, Ebsmoor 8, 53.00158°, 9.83476°, +49 5191 2141. Check-in: 07:00-13:00 15:00-22:00, check-out: undefined. The park is on the edge of Ebsmoors, there is an ornamental pond that runs through the entire camp site with trees and hedges. There are 120 pitches to camp on and 2 sanitary blocks, warm water for showers is included in the price. Pitch €12.50 per night, each adult €6.50 per night, child €4 per night, dog is €2 per night
• Camping Scandinavia, An der Bundesstraße 25, 53.00669°, 9.93782°, +49 5191 2293. This campsite has 400 pitches available with sanitary blocks available nearby. There is also an indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness room. If you ever need any supplies you can always run down to the onsite shop for convenience. Pitch €6-€12.50 per night, Each adult €3-€4 per night, child €2.50-€3.50 per night, dog is €2 per night

Connect

• Internet café Webspace, Bahnhofstr. 18, 52.98522°, 9.83126°, +49 5191 929660.

Go next

• Walsrode is a medium-sized town with a large selection of shops. There are many places to visit within Walsrode and on the outskirts, Serengeti Park is worth a visit it is a good day out for all the family.
• Bad Fallingbostel is a small town with a number of little shops and a large selection of restaurants. There is a large park in the centre of the town where you can relax by the stream running through.
• Verden an der Aller is a large town about 40 minutes away from Soltau. There is a large cathedral in the centre of the town which was built in the Gothic style and is an interesting sight to visit.
• German Tank Museum, 52.986944°, 10.110556°.