Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [566]
Ritz-Carlton ( 607 000; www.ritzcarlton.com; Stadtbrücke; r from €205; ) This is a hard act to beat. Its swimming pool is integrated into the harbour basin of the canal, giving it a lakeside feel, the building forms a stunning arc on one side of Autostadt, and the decor is elegant, inspired and breathes natural tones. A bell hop will meet you and take your luggage as you approach, and once inside, full five-star facilities await, complemented by a Michelin-starred restaurant and numerous bars. Naturally, if you stay here admission to Autostadt is free. You can take high tea overlooking the harbour.
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Eating & Drinking
Aalto Bistro ( 891 689; Porschestrasse 1; mains €6.50-9.50; 11.30am-3pm & 6-11pm Mon-Sat; ) Part of the Kulturhaus designed by star Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, this relaxing place serves pasta and seafood in a modern bistro environment.
Vini D’Italia Marrone ( 154 46; www.viniditalia-marrone.de, in German; Schillerstrasse 25; dishes €9.50-22; 10am-10pm Mon-Wed, 10am-11pm Thu & Fri, 10am-4pm Sat; ) This Italian bottega is a double act, being a wine store but also a small eatery where antipasti and salads cost €5 to €8. You can choose from the main menu, do the daily lunch menu (€9.50), or simply treat yourself to whatever special is on offer that day.
Trattoria Incontri ( 437 254; Goethestrasse 53-55; most dishes €10-12; 11.30am-midnight Mon-Sat, 4pm-midnight Sun; ) While here, explore the handful of other culinary spots on Goethestrasse. Our tip in a town that does some of Germany’s best Italian food is this hugely popular trattoria, but there’s another Mediterranean-inspired one very close by (or grab your German dictionary and check out www.bistronando.de).
Altes Brauhaus ( 053362-3140; Schlossplatz, Fallersleben; mains €7.50-14; from 11am; ) If you’re visiting the Hoffmann Museum in Fallersleben or simply dying for a German beer-hall atmosphere, come here. There’s a good house brew and hearty fare including salads, sausages, potatoes and sauerkraut.
Most of the nine Autostadt restaurants ( 406 100; ) stay open later than the park itself: within two hours of the park’s closing time, you can buy an Abendticket (evening ticket, €7) and your admission fee is credited towards your restaurant meal. The restaurants are all operated by Mövenpick, use mostly organic ingredients, and serve a variety of cuisines. The food hall in the main forum building (right as you enter) does honest chow (steak and chips for €15; you don’t need a ticket to eat here), while Anan in the ‘Zeitreise’ building (ticket required) does fantastic organic Japanese udon, soba and ramen noodle dishes (€8 to €13) in an intriguing ‘plastic’ environment.
Wolfsburgers do much of their drinking in Kaufhof – not the department store, but a small strip of bars, pubs and a few eateries west of Porschestrasse attracting a mostly young crowd. The best thing is to wander along and see what appeals.
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Getting There & Away
Frequent ICE train services go to Berlin (€44, one hour). IC trains to Hanover (€17, 30 minutes) are cheaper and barely slower than the ICE. Frequent ICE trains, including some Berlin and Hanover ones, pass through Braunschweig (€11.50, 16 minutes). Regional trains are better value for Braunschweig (€4.60, 24 minutes).
From Braunschweig, take the A2 east to the A39 north, which brings you right into town. Alternatively, take the B248 north to the A39.
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Getting Around
Single bus tickets, valid for 90 minutes, cost €2.10 and a day pass costs €5.30. The major bus transfer point (ZOB) is at the northern end of Porschestrasse. Buses 206 and 214 go regularly to Fallersleben from here.
Once you leave the pedestrianised centre, distances become difficult to cover easily by foot. In every sense, Wolfsburg was built for cars. The car park behind the Planetarium is free. Vehicles