Soltau Marksmen's Festival
The traditional marksmen's festival of the Soltau Shooting Guild takes place every summer; highlights include the ceremony in front of the Old Town Hall, the grand parade and the festival tent on the shooting grounds.
Plizio Visual Lab
Soltau
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Soltau
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- If you are visiting Heide Park, arrive at least 30 minutes before opening time to secure good parking and beat the main queues.
- Soltau is the heart of the Lüneburg Heath; the best time to see the heather bloom is late summer (August/September).
- Use the local heath shuttle buses (Heide-Shuttle) during summer; they run through the region and often carry bikes for free.
- The Soltau-Therme has evening tickets at a reduced price, a great way to relax after a day of hiking or theme park rides.
- Rent a bike locally to explore the flat, well-paved trails surrounding the town, as cycling is often faster than driving between nature reserves.
🍽 Food
🍽
Heidschnuckenbraten
Roast from the local moorland sheep; try it at traditional German restaurants near the town center.
🍽
Buchweizentorte
Buckwheat cake, a regional heath specialty; best enjoyed in a local cafe on the main street.
🍽
Heath Honey (Heidehonig)
Used in various local desserts and teas; ask for honey-based dishes in downtown eateries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Designer Outlet Soltau
A large outdoor shopping village on the edge of town offering discounted brand name goods.
🛍
Soltau Farmers Market
Great for buying authentic regional products like heath honey and heather tea.
🛍
Local Craft Shops
Look for traditional wooden toys and regional souvenirs in the pedestrian zone.
🧘
Böhmepark
A large, central park with mature trees and the Böhme river flowing through it, well-suited for a quiet stroll.
🧘
Pietzmoor
Located slightly south of Soltau, this raised bog has misty, atmospheric boardwalks that are especially peaceful at dawn.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Soltau is centrally located in the triangle between Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen, in the heart of the Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony. The city has a long history as a trading post, dating back to 936. Today, Soltau is primarily known as a major regional tourism center. The Heide Park Resort, one of Germany's largest theme parks, draws millions of visitors annually. In addition to high-energy thrills, the city gives relaxation at the Soltau-Therme spa, which utilizes local saltwater springs. A cultural gem is the North German Toy Museum, housed in a historic building. The surrounding heathland invites extensive hiking and cycling tours. Economically, Soltau benefits from its position on the A7 motorway, making it a key hub for logistics and retail, including the Designer Outlet Soltau.
- Location: Lower Saxony, Germany
- Top sights: Heide Park Resort · Soltau Toy Museum · Soltau Thermal Bath
- Nearby: Schneverdingen (15 km)
- Population: ~22.040
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 70 | 52 | 51 | 40 | 58 | 66 | 85 | 69 | 56 | 61 | 62 | 69 |
Geography
Facts
- First documented mention in the year 936
- Total municipal area is 203.24 km²
- Heide Park Resort opened in 1978
- Designer Outlet Soltau features over 80 shops
- Situated at an elevation of 57 m
- The river Böhme flows through the town
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Soltau (13)
Heide Park Resort
Northern Germany's largest theme park has over 40 attractions, including the famous Colossos wooden coaster and themed family zones.
Frequently asked questions
What major theme parks are in Soltau?
Soltau is home to the Heide Park Resort, one of Germany's largest theme parks, with numerous roller coasters and attractions for the whole family.
What does the Soltau-Therme offer?
The Soltau-Therme is a saltwater bath with a wellness area, sauna landscape, and a sports pool, good for relaxation after a day of hiking in the heath.
Is the Toy Museum worth a visit?
Yes, the Soltau Toy Museum displays toys from four centuries and is fascinating for both children and adults.
Where is a good place to shop in Soltau?
The Designer Outlet Soltau has many well-known brands at reduced prices on over 13,500 square meters of retail space.
Is Soltau located directly in the Lüneburg Heath?
Yes, Soltau is centrally located in the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park and is a convenient starting point for trips to the purple heath areas.
Soltau: where is it located?
Soltau is located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Soltau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Heide Park Resort, Soltau Toy Museum, Soltau Thermal Bath.
Soltau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Soltau: why is it worth visiting?
Soltau is centrally located in the triangle between Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen, in the heart of the Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →
Nearby cities
Hannover
Hanover is the state capital of Lower Saxony and a major international trade fair city.
Braunschweig
Braunschweig (Brunswick) is the second-largest city in Lower Saxony and looks back on a powerful history.
Osnabrück
Osnabrück is an important city in Lower Saxony and was in 1648, alongside Münster, a negotiation venue for the Peace of Westphalia that e…
Oldenburg
Oldenburg was once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg is the headquarters of the Volkswagen Group and a modern planned city in Lower Saxony.
Göttingen
Göttingen, located in southern Lower Saxony, is a classic German university city.
Salzgitter
Salzgitter is a major center of the German steel industry.
Hildesheim
Hildesheim is a historic city in Lower Saxony featuring Romanesque churches that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wilhelmshaven
Germany's largest naval base and only deep-water port on the North Sea.
Delmenhorst
An independent city between Bremen and Oldenburg with a significant industrial history.
Lüneburg
Lüneburg became very rich through salt mining in the Middle Ages.
Celle
Celle is a historic city in the Lüneburg Heath with a well-preserved half-timbered old town and a residence palace.
Garbsen
Garbsen is a contemporary city in the Hanover region, recognized for its engineering campus and beautiful lake recreational areas.
Hamelin
Famous for the Pied Piper legend, this Weser river city features stunning Weser Renaissance architecture.
Wolfenbüttel
Wolfenbüttel is a former ducal residence on the Oker river, famous for its palace and the world-renowned Herzog August Library.