Harz Townhouse

Reviewed by Emily McDonnell

Cosy townhouse, perfect to curl up in after a day in the surrounding mountains, with modern interiors and a fireplace

Type:

Self-catering apartment

Costs:

From €100

Sleeps:

Up to 6

Where?

Halberstadt, 2.5 hours from central Berlin

What?

Built in 1908, this proud townhouse stands at the edge of one the Harz’s charming Altstadt that is full of half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and museums and galleries. Within the house lies a stunning holiday apartment owned by Franziska and Julius (who live upstairs!). After years of living in Dresden and Berlin, the two grew tired of city life and decided to return to their Heimat of Halberstadt, opting to create a space where others could come and experience the natural beauty and relaxing energy of the region.

Their careful renovation has resulted in a bright space with high ceilings and original wooden floors, that is warm and welcoming. Art hangs on the walls throughout, plants help to calm you, and there’s mix of modern and antique furniture. The fireplace commands you to curl up in front of it with a glass of wine, while the garden beckons you outside to explore nature. For fun you can indulge in Kaffee und Kuchen at one of the many fairytale castles or go hiking through mountain-side forests. Harz Townhouse provides, in every sense of the meaning, the best of both worlds.

Why?

I fell in love because...

The Harz is a beautiful-but-underrated area and Harz Townhouse is the cosiest base from which to explore
Franziska and Julius’ love for the town and region radiates, and all they want is for you to have a wonderful time here

You must...

You’re in the middle of the Harz Mountains National Park - you have to explore the beautiful nature on your doorstep (Franziska and Julius can recommend specific trails)
Visit Schloss Wernigerode, a medieval castle that looks like it’s straight out of a Disney movie

You might dislike...

It’s an old townhouse, which means creaking floorboards and one or two spiders come as standard
You’re in the middle of town, but you can reach everything the Harz has to offer within 30 minutes

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Franziska and Julius

Who?

Introducing Franziska and Julius!

“We love the Harz so much, and simply want to share its beauty with as many people as possible!”

They love…

“To relax in the garden as the sun goes down with a glass of sparkling wine. It tastes even better after a long day walking in the mountains.”

Franziska and Julius’s insider tips

To us, there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting by the fireplace with a book after a long day out in the fresh air
Take a long walk in the beautiful Spiegelsberge forest, which is near the house; in amongst the trees is an old castle and a tower (Belvedereturm)
The Baroque Synagogue of Halberstadt is simply stunning! You must visit for the architecture alone. Inside is also a museum that gives a really interesting insight into the Jewish community in the area since the 1600s
If you want to venture further afield, we love the cities of Wernigerode with its beautiful old town and market square, and World Heritage-listed Quedlinburg with it’s 1400-strong centuries-old half-timbered houses

What people
are saying.

"Very nicely decorated house in a quiet street. It has everything you need, and the living room is spacious. Franzi and Julius are great hosts."

Arianda

"We stayed in this beautiful cosy flat as 3 adults and a toddler. We spent a weekend there and were thrilled by the size and the tasteful furnishings."

Darja

The essentials.

Sleeping arrangements: There are two bedrooms, one with a king-sized bed and one with bunk beds, there’s a double sofa bed, too.
Bathroom set up: The bathroom has a separate bath and shower, and there’s a separate toilet.
Food: The kitchen is fully equipped (oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher) and there are basic ingredients available - salt, pepper, oil, tea and coffee - as well as washing-up liquid. There are a supermarket and a bakery 500m away, and there are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Franziska and Julius recommend Cafe Hirsch, Sommerbad, and Ristorante ROMA.
For families: The Harz Townhouse is very family-friendly. There are bunk beds, and a baby bed (cot) can be provided, as can a highchair.
On-site equipment: There are board games and books which you can borrow.
‍Help: Franziska and Julius live in the townhouse, so are on hand (via phone) if you need anything.
Remember to pack: A bottle opener, firelighters and wine, as well as shampoo and shower gel.
Pets: Not allowed.
Sustainability: All utilities are provided by an ecological supplier (via the municipality) and there are numerous sustainable choices that have been made throughout the apartment, such as multiple recycling bins and the use of recycled toilet paper (Goldeimer).‍
To note: There’s a minimum stay of 4 nights.

Where?

Harz Townhouse is in Halberstadt in Sachsen-Anhalt.

From central Berlin, it’s a 2.5-hour drive, and you can park directly in front of the house.

It’s easy getting there with public transport: catch the train to Halberstadt central station (which has connections from Halle and Magdeburg), and from here, you can walk (30 minutes) or catch a connecting train to Halberstadt-Spiegelsberge.