A stay in Winsen (Luhe) can range from urban history to a cycling tour: at the Marstall, the permanent exhibition spans the period from the Stone Age to the present, while the castle tower houses an exhibition on the Reformation and the Wars of Religion. The Luhe Gardens offer a different focus from the museums; the Luhe Cycle Route adds a longer ride to the mix. Plan your visit according to whether you are most interested in historical topics, a recreational area or cycling.

Urban history at the Marstall and the castle tower

The historic Marstall was built around 1600 as a half-timbered building. Today, it houses the tourist information office and the permanent exhibition on the history of the region and the town of Winsen. The exhibition covers the period from the Stone Age to the present. In one exhibition, you can explore both the region’s long history and topics relating to Winsen and its surroundings.

Regional highlights of the exhibition include fine embroideries and inlay work from the Winsener Marsch. The embroideries and inlay work give the crafts on display a specific focus. Interactive exhibits and activity stations add hands-on elements to the exhibition. This means you can include these stations in your museum visit alongside the exhibits.

Readings and concerts take place in the hall of the historic Marstall. If you would like to combine your visit with an event, check the dates for your preferred time. This lets you distinguish a cultural history visit to the permanent exhibition from an evening of readings or a concert.

The tower of Winsen Castle is used as an outpost of the museum. It houses an exhibition on the Reformation and the Wars of Religion. Compared with the permanent exhibition at the Marstall, which covers a broad span of time, the castle tower has a narrower thematic focus. If you are interested in the history of religion, you can add this focus to your choice of cultural topics alongside local and regional history.

The Luhe Gardens and cycling routes

Winsen’s Luhe Gardens are a popular recreational area close to both the town and nature. They have been open to residents and visitors since the 2006 State Garden Show. They offer a different focus from the exhibitions: here, the emphasis is on recreation, while the Marstall and castle tower cover specific historical topics. You can weigh up these different interests when planning your trip; not every activity has to have the same character.

The Luhe Cycle Route runs right alongside the Luhe Canal to the outskirts of Winsen (Luhe). It is about 60 kilometres long and has no significant climbs. Its approximate total length and the information about climbs give you two points to consider when choosing a route. The cycle route continues to Elbuferstraße, where it meets the Elbe Cycle Route.

The Elbe Cycle Route, other river cycle routes and regional circular routes also pass through the town of Winsen. These add to the range of options offered by the Luhe Cycle Route, with other routes that also run through the town. The meeting point with the Elbe Cycle Route on Elbuferstraße is a specific landmark; the other river cycle routes and circular routes offer further ways to choose a route based on the kind of ride you want.

A stroll around town and finding a place to stay

Winsen (Luhe)’s pedestrian zone has small shops and cafés. A stroll through the pedestrian zone adds another way to spend time in town to the museum and cycling options. The tourist information office is in the Marstall, making the building a useful landmark in Winsen as well as home to an exhibition.

Consider which of these topics you would like to shape your stay, and select Winsen as your hotel search location if the offerings described suit your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Brackel, Undeloh, Salzhausen, Gödenstorf, Stelle, Wenzendorf, Wulfsen, Garlstorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Harburg.