Nestled at the foot of the Harz Mountains, Goslar sits just an hour south-east of Hanover. A fascinating small city with a well-preserved medieval heart, it’s a wonderful destination for heritage aficionados as well as outdoorsy explorers eager to immerse themselves in the magic of the mountains. Accommodation options tend to be characterful, intimate and traditional: this is certainly the case for our pick of the best places to stay in Goslar.

Amble around the medieval old town on foot to admire ancient stone walls, beautiful half-timbered houses with cheeky carvings, arched gates and imposing churches. Home to a POW hospital during the Second World War, much of the city survived the conflict with minimal damage, and has since been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. The murals which decorate the 11th-century Imperial Palace are not to be missed; nor are medieval Rathaus or the Kaiserpfalz, where German Emperors held court for centuries.

Venture beyond the town to follow myriad hiking, bird watching and mountain biking trails through the forested foothills of the Harz Mountains. The thousand-year-old silver and copper mines hidden in Rammelsberg Mountain are preserved through the Rammelsberg Mining Museum, which commemorates the town’s importance across Europe during the Middle Ages. Return to the best place to stay in Goslar for cosy evenings by the fire, and dinners of seasonal delights.