Northern Hesse

Travel Guide

A large glass conservatory with a central dome and a bell tower.
A historic building with a tower and a pathway surrounded by lush greenery.
A large pavilion covered in colorful postcards.
A historic yellow building with ornate sculptures and a paved walkway lined with trees and planters.
A historic stone building with ivy-covered walls and a stone wall in the foreground.

Peruse art galleries in the towns, discover the legacy of the Brothers Grimm and encounter fairy-tale castles dotted around this hilly area.

Northern Hesse is a scenic region of undulating countryside adorned with quaint villages made up of half-timbered houses. It is a more tranquil and rural area than its southern counterpart and its castles and historic buildings create a fairy-tale setting. Visit the small hamlets and embrace the enchanting ambiance in the one-time home of the Brothers Grimm.

Get a sense of the region’s history and culture in its largest town, Kassel. It is known for its vast green spaces, with the mountainous Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe the crown jewel. Enter the park’s museums and photograph its castles and palaces, such as the Hercules monument and Löwenburg Castle. Wander through the charming town center to see the Town Hall Kassel and the University of Kassel.

Admire the works of art displayed in the Neue Galerie and look around the modern, glassy structure of the Documenta-Halle, which hosts the documenta art exhibition that takes place every five years. Learn about the region that gave birth to dark fairy tales at the Brothers Grimm Museum and explore the rural terrain that provided inspiration.

Head north to the city of Sababurg, famous for the so-called Sleeping Beauty Castle (Dornröschenschloß) that encapsulates the fairy-tale architecture of the region. Stay in the castle’s hotel and hike through the picturesque surrounding forests with your family. Embark on the fairy-tale route from Hanau to Hamelin.

Make your way southwest to the stunning lake of Edersee, where you’ll find Waldeck Castle and the Edersee Dam. Enjoy sailing or canoeing on the water.

The region is in the center of Germany, a little north of Frankfurt and south of Hanover. Fly to the Frankfurt Airport and drive north to reach the Northern Hesse territory. Get around the area via trains and long-haul buses.

Northern Hesse is a hilly terrain rich with castles. Visit to experience the spirit of the Brothers Grimm.

Sunday Hotel Kassel

Sunday Hotel Kassel

Baumbachstraße 2 Kassel HE
$84 nightly
The price is $94 total per night from Dec 6 to Dec 7
$94 total
Dec 6 - Dec 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (987 reviews)
"Clean room with good breakfast provided. Unfortunately we arrived under the heat wave and there was no air-conditioner or fan in the room. (the only place with air-conditioner is the dining room/breakfast place)"

Reviewed on Aug 7, 2026

Sunday Hotel Kassel
Hotel Schweizer Hof Kassel

Hotel Schweizer Hof Kassel

3.5 out of 5
Wilhelmshöher Allee 288 Kassel HE
$106 nightly
The price is $118 total per night from Nov 8 to Nov 9
$118 total
Nov 8 - Nov 9
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Hessencourrier and Weissensteinflügel are ...
Hotel Schweizer Hof Kassel
Wyndham Garden Kassel

Wyndham Garden Kassel

Heiligenroder Strasse 61 Kassel HE
$75 nightly
The price is $84 total per night from Nov 15 to Nov 16
$84 total
Nov 15 - Nov 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The entire place smelled like its septic system had backed up and was that way for days. Nearly bringing you to your knees, The room had been filled with an intense potpourri like smell to try and cover the foul odour. A couple of the doors near ours had been kicked in and broken."

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2026

Wyndham Garden Kassel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Limehome Kassel Wilhelmsstraße

Limehome Kassel Wilhelmsstraße

Wilhelmsstraße 8 Kassel HE
Stay at this aparthotel in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Karlskirche Kassel and Fridericianum are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (58 reviews)
"Perfect location, easy check in, good to have code rather than key. Apartment was very comfortable. Very good amenities and spacious"

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2026

Limehome Kassel Wilhelmsstraße
BoardingHouse - Studios & Apartments

BoardingHouse - Studios & Apartments

Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben-Straße 9 Kassel HE
Stay at this apartment in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Caricatura Museum Kassel and Druselturm are located nearby.
BoardingHouse - Studios & Apartments
Apartmenthaus Wesertor

Apartmenthaus Wesertor

Schützenstraße 23 Kassel HE
Stay at this aparthotel in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Bürgipark and Martinskirche Kassel are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
"Spacious 2 bedroom apartment. Interior and furnishings are dated but OK. No channels ion TV in one of the rooms."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2026

Apartmenthaus Wesertor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Northern Hesse attractions

Cities near Northern Hesse

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