The town is located on the German Timber-Frame Road and is part of the Samtgemeinde ("collective municipality") of Elbtalaue.

The famous library now in Wolfenbüttel was founded here by Augustus the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (who died in 1666) and was moved to its present location in 1643.

While the so-called Elbe Heights (Elbhöhen, also Klötzie), at the southeastern foot of which Hitzacker lies, belong to the natural region of the Lüneburg Heath (c.f.

the Drawehn), the lowland areas of the old town belong to the Elbe valley water meadows (Elbtalaue).

Its actual foundation as a town took place in 1258, whereupon the castle lost its significance and was allowed to fall into ruins.

[7] In the Polabian ("Wendish") language of the region that died out in the 18th century Hitzacker was called Ljauci (Lgautztgi).

The borough of Hitzacker was created as part of the municipal reform in 1972 from ten hitherto independent parishes.

Many of its hotels offer so-called wellness treatments and there is a spa area with a Kneipp basin and barefoot path.

[13] On the Weinberg, vines have been cultivated for several centuries, and once a year the vintage is celebrated by the officiating wine queen.