Wolfsburg, a city in Germany, has a fascinating history and an abundance of unusual attractions. It also has several curious features that continue to amaze tourists who visit the city.
General information
Wolfsburg, founded in 1938, is a district city in Germany and a major administrative center in Lower Saxony. Tourists often associate its name with two things. One is the football club of the same name, and the other is the Volkswagen brand. While the locals may not care much about football, they owe their jobs and high standard of living to the world-renowned automotive corporation.
Few people know that Wolfsburg was originally a small town built for the employees of a car factory. The only thing that set it apart from other similar settlements was the Volkswagen Beetle car, which was produced under the direct supervision of the Führer. As the Beetle gained popularity among the ruling elite of the Third Reich, Wolfsburg became a major automotive manufacturing center and one of the largest cities in Germany. As of 2016, the city had a population of 124,000.
Wolsburg has no old cobblestone streets, medieval churches, or any other elements of Old Europe. Instead, it boasts modern museums, urban landscapes, huge amusement parks, and other modern attractions. It is also home to the headquarters of Volkswagen, which has played a key role in the city’s history.
Wolfsburg attractions
The sights of Wolfsburg include a variety of cultural, spiritual, and historical sites. Today, we will focus on the ones that are of particular interest to modern tourists.
Autoshadt-Wolfsburg
The car city, built in 2000 by the famous Volkswagen company, is located in close proximity to its founder’s headquarters. This car Disneyland, which covers over 20 hectares of land, features a variety of attractions, including a shopping mall, a theme park, an entertainment center, a hotel, a museum, cinemas, and more.
Among them, special attention should be paid to the Tower of Time, a modern 5-storey building that houses an exhibition of historic cars from not only the famous German manufacturer, but also other European brands. Here, you can see a 1939 Beetle convertible, take a few photos in an expensive Bugatti, and even sit in a 1950s racing car. It is customary to start exploring the tower from the upper floors, gradually moving down to the souvenir shop located at the entrance.
Among the important sights of Autostadt in Germany are also themed pavilions, decorated in one or another style: Bentley – aristocratic, Skoda – refined, modest, Lamborghini – in the form of a cube. There are also children’s areas in the Autogorod, where you can play computer games, ride cars, consider made of glass engines and just have fun.
While the children are busy with their own activities, adults can listen to the story of the legendary Beetle, go through an obstacle course, or take a boat tour on the Adler River. If you’re lucky, you can watch the cars being lowered from the twin towers, which are located at a height of 60 meters.
- Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00
- Ticket prices: from 6 to 35€, depending on the desired sightseeing program. Details can be found on the official website autostadt.regiondo.com.
Volkswagen Museum
The AutoMuseum Volkswagen, which was opened in the mid-1980s, is located in a former clothing factory at 35 Dieselstraße. Its exhibition is a living history of the creation and development of the famous automobile manufacturer. The museum’s exhibition area, which spans several thousand square meters, features over a hundred unique exhibits. These include both modern models and rare specimens that are sure to impress not only car enthusiasts but also casual visitors.
What is the legendary “Beetle”, which became the ancestor of all subsequent cars of the brand, or the “See Golf”, which has a built-in mechanism for overcoming water obstacles, worth? This list continues with the original “Herbie”, which appeared in the movie “Crazy Race”, the sawn-off minibus that traveled across Germany in the mid-20th century, and the limited-edition exhibits that adorn the collections of world-renowned celebrities and politicians.
- Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
- Ticket prices: 6€ for adults, 3€ for children.
Phaeno Science Center
The Fayeno Science and Entertainment Center, one of the most visited attractions in Wolfsburg, Germany, was opened in November 2005. The building, designed by renowned British architect Zaha Hadid, houses up to 300 experimental units.
The introduction takes the form of a game, during which visitors are explained complex technological principles and scientific phenomena in simple terms.
Not only that, but in this center you can independently conduct various experiments, allowing you to check the action of the well-known laws of physics. For example, with the help of the “Run straight into the wall” stand, you will be able to measure the power of the impact caused to the body by a certain obstacle. At the next exposure, you will find tricks with magnetic fields – in front of your eyes, steel sawdust will first turn into “hedgehogs” and then start dancing. Or maybe you want to try the power of thought? In the Phaeno science center, this can also be done! It is impossible not to mention the Hurricane Fire Tornado simulator. Despite the fact that the show lasts only 3 minutes, the experience is quite realistic.
As you can see, this science theater has been designed to make learning about science a fun and entertaining experience for both adults and children.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00;
- Sat. – Sun.: 10:00-18:00.
Ticket price:
- Adult – 14€;
- Children (6-17 years old) – 9€;
- Children under 6 years old can visit the attraction for free.
Allerpark
Allerpark is a public recreation park located between several districts of Wolfsburg (Reislingen, Stadtmitte, Nordstadt, and Worsfelde). The main attraction of this place is the Allersee lake, which was created by redirecting the course of the river Aller.
The park, which covers an area of over 130 hectares, features several entertainment venues. The most popular include the Eis Arena Wolfsburg ice rink, the BadeLand Wolfsburg water park, the AOK stadium, a skate park, roller skating tracks, running trails, play areas, and beach volleyball courts.
In addition to its cultural and recreational activities, Allerpark has another important mission. In the 1990s, it transformed the previously unremarkable city of Wolfsburg into a popular tourist destination. Since then, the park has become a symbol of the city. In 2004, Allerpark underwent a renovation to coincide with the German Federal Garden Exhibition. This renovation included the addition of the SoccaFive Arena indoor football hall, the WakePark water skiing center, the Monkeyman cable car, and several restaurants. The park currently hosts frequent fairs, festivals, competitions, and other public events.
Places to stay in Wolfsburg?
The city of Wolfsburg in Germany is famous not only for its interesting sights, but also for its wide range of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. From budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses to luxurious apartments and hotels, Wolfsburg has it all. When it comes to prices,:
- A double room in a 3-star hotel costs 100-170€ per night
- and in a 4-5* hotel, from 140€.
How to get there?
There are 3 airports in the immediate vicinity of Wolfsburg: Braunschweig (26 km), Magdeburg (65 km), and Hanover (74 km).
There are various means of transportation from Hanover to Wolfsburg, but the most convenient option is by train. Trains run regularly from 04:48 to 00:48. All trains, except for those departing at 20:55 and 04:55, are direct. These trains make a connection in Braunschweig. The travel time ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the type of train (standard train or high-speed train). Ticket prices range from 17 to 26 euros.
For your information! Trains to Wolfsburg depart from Hanover Main Station. There are buses and trains from the airport. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs around 4€.
Interesting facts
There are many interesting facts about the city of Wolfsburg in Germany. Here are just a few of them:
- From its founding until 1945, the settlement did not even have a name of its own. At that time, the town’s population consisted of Volkswagen factory workers, who referred to it simply as “Stadt des KdF-Wagen bei Fallersleben.”
- Wolfsburg is one of the youngest cities in Germany, founded by Hitler himself;
- It is the 6th most populous city in Lower Saxony.
- An important difference between the parks, nature reserves, and squares of Wolfsburg is the large population of rabbits, which can be seen at every turn. The animals are so accustomed to people that they have long since stopped being afraid of passersby walking along the alleys. Surprisingly, there are no stray dogs here;
- If you plan to walk a lot, keep in mind that most streets do not have any signs.
- The main feature of the locals is their straightforwardness – they don’t understand hints at all, so it’s best to avoid ambiguity when talking to them;
- Surprises are not welcome here – the native population of Wolfsburg is used to following a clear plan, and surprises, even the most pleasant ones, can throw them off their game for a long time;
- After launching the production of the fifth generation of the Volkswagen Golf, the company’s executives jokingly renamed the city to Golfsburg. Although the name did not last long, it attracted the attention of potential customers.
- Wolfsburg Castle, which has been integrated into the modern buildings, was given to the city for free. It is said that its owners could not stand the proximity of the bustling streets of the metropolis and simply left their family home. Now it houses a museum;
- In Rottenfeld, which was once a separate village and is now one of the city’s districts, you can find a large stone with an inscription about the war against Napoleon.
Wolfsburg, a city in Germany, will be remembered by you not only for its interesting sights, but also for its purely German atmosphere. You should like it here. Have a nice trip and pleasant impressions!
