Germany is a diverse and culturally rich country with a wide range of attractions and places to visit. Here are some of the top places to consider when visiting Germany:
- Berlin:
- Germany’s capital is a vibrant city known for its history, art, and culture. Visit the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, and world-class museums like the Pergamon Museum.
- Munich:
- Munich is famous for its beer culture, particularly during Oktoberfest. Explore the historic city center, Marienplatz, and the beautiful Nymphenburg Palace.
- Hamburg:
- As a port city, Hamburg offers a unique maritime atmosphere. Visit the Miniatur Wunderland, Speicherstadt (warehouse district), and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.
- Cologne:
- Cologne is known for its stunning cathedral, the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). The city also has a lively arts scene, beautiful Old Town, and the Cologne Chocolate Museum.
- Dresden:
- Dresden boasts impressive architecture, including the Zwinger Palace and the Frauenkirche. It’s also a city with a rich cultural heritage and a charming Old Town.
- Heidelberg:
- Heidelberg is famous for its romantic ambiance, with a historic castle overlooking the city and a picturesque Old Town. It’s a favorite among tourists and couples.
- Bavarian Alps:
- Explore the stunning Bavarian Alps, including the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, and the picturesque town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- Black Forest:
- The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is known for its dense forests, charming villages, and the famous Black Forest Gateau (cake). It’s a great destination for hiking and relaxation.
- Rhine Valley:
- The Rhine Valley offers picturesque landscapes with vineyards, castles, and charming towns like Rüdesheim and Bacharach.
- Neuschwanstein Castle:
- This fairy-tale castle in Bavaria is one of the most iconic and visited castles in the world, known for inspiring the design of Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
- Nuremberg:
- Nuremberg has a rich history and is known for its medieval Old Town, Nuremberg Castle, and its role in World War II history.
- Frankfurt:
- As a major financial hub, Frankfurt offers a modern skyline contrasted with historic sites such as Römer Square and St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral.
- Leipzig:
- Leipzig is known for its musical heritage, being the home of Johann Sebastian Bach. Visit the St. Thomas Church and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
- Sylt:
- Sylt is a beautiful North Sea island known for its beaches, dunes, and upscale resorts.
- Lake Constance (Bodensee):
- Enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Constance, visit Mainau Island, and explore the charming lakeside towns like Konstanz and Meersburg.
Germany’s attractions cater to a wide range of interests, from history and culture to natural beauty and outdoor activities. Make sure to check the opening hours and any COVID-19-related restrictions before planning your visit to specific attractions or locations.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
More than just a landmark in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is a national symbol. Like no other building, it stands for Germany’s division and reunification. But while everyone recognizes the Brandenburg Gate, hardly anyone knows much about it.
Built in 1793, the Brandenburg Gate received little attention at first. After the charioteer returned to Berlin in 1814, the Brandenburg Gate became a national symbol of triumph.
More than any other German monument, the Brandenburg Gate has been exploited again and again for the politics of power; its symbolism has been reinterpreted numerous times; and it has been used and abused as a backdrop by countless political groups.
Cologne Cathedral – The Skyscraper Of The Past
The towering Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) – the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary – is located on the banks of the Rhine and is undoubtedly Cologne’s most impressive landmark.
Discover the Black Forest with Dhruv Rather
The beautiful Black Forest with its dark, densely-wooded hills is one of the most visited upland regions in all of Europe. Situated in the southwestern corner of Germany and extending 160 kilometers from Pforzheim in the north to Waldshut on the High Rhine in the south, it’s a hiker’s heaven.
On the west side, it descends steeply to the Rhine, crossed by lush valleys, while on the east, it slopes more gently down to the upper Neckar and Danube valleys. Popular spots include Germany’s oldest ski area at Todtnau, the magnificent spa facilities of Baden-Baden, and the attractive resort of Bad Liebenzell.
The Ultimate Fairytale Castle: Neuschwanstein
The quaint old town of Füssen, situated between the Ammergau and Allgäu Alps and a popular alpine resort and winter sports center, is a good base from which to explore nearby Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Europe’s most famous (and picturesque) royal castles.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria built this many-towered and battlement-covered fantasy fortress – the inspiration for Walt Disney’s famous theme park castles – from 1869-86. A variety of tour options are offered, including guided tours of the sumptuous interior taking in the Throne Room, the Singers’ Hall… and some of the country’s most spectacular views.
Miniature Wonderland
In the heart of the historic Port of Hamburg, the magnificent Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, is an attraction that appeals equally to young and old alike. Boasting more than 12,000 meters of track, this massive scale model includes sections dedicated to the USA, England, and Scandinavia (as well as Hamburg) and incorporates 890 trains, more than 300,000 lights, and in excess of 200,000 human figures.
Castles Along the Rhine River
The Rhine is not only Europe’s most important waterway, it’s also the most beautiful. With a total length of 1,320 kilometers, this magnificent river stretches from Switzerland through Germany all the way to the Netherlands.
While there are many places in Germany to enjoy this majestic river, the lovely Upper Middle Rhine Valley section – designated a UNESCO World heritage Site – is probably the most popular spot for tourists to visit. Here, this often dramatic 65-kilometer stretch of river boasts more than 40 castles and some 60 picturesque medieval towns all just waiting to be explored either by river cruise or by car.
Berlin, Museum Island Germany
Berlin’s world-famous Museumsinsel, or Museum Island, lies between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben, a 400-meter-long canal off the river. This excellent attraction includes many of the city’s oldest and most important museums.
The heart of this pedestrian-friendly district is the Old Museum, constructed in 1830 as a place to exhibit the royal treasures. Soon after, the land behind the museum was set aside for art and the “knowledge of antiquity.”
Munich’s Marienplatz
Germany’s third biggest city, Munich (or München in German) has plenty to offer the adventurous traveller. The capital city of the state of Bavaria can trace its roots all the way back to the 12th century when a monastery was established here, and quickly grew into the region’s most important place of trade and commerce.
Central to this rise was Marienplatz, the large square where traders from across Bavaria would meet to conduct business, and where locals would congregate to shop and watch medieval jousting tournaments. These days, this vast square still draws crowds of people, but for different reasons: they’re here for sightseeing or possibly to enjoy a visit to one of square’s trendy cafés and restaurants, or to shop in its unique boutique stores.
Bamberg and the Bürgerstadt
Located in the valley of the Regnitz, where the river divides into two arms, sits Bamberg. This old imperial city is the most important town in Upper Franconia, and is one of the best preserved of Germany’s many charming old towns. It’s also one of the best to explore on foot.
Your walking tour should begin in its old episcopal quarter, home to the 13th-century cathedral and the old Benedictine abbey of Michaelsberg. It’s between the two river branches that you’ll find spectacular Bürgerstadt, a small borough of Bamberg that contains the Grüner Markt, an excellent pedestrian zone which is home to the 17th-century Baroque church of St. Martin.
Zugspitze Massif
Part of the Wetterstein mountain range, the Zugspitze massif straddles the frontier between Germany and Austria and is surrounded by steep valleys. The eastern summit, at 2,962 meters, is crowned by a gilded cross and can be reached by the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn, a cog railway, or by cable car.
The Island of Rügen
Rügen is the largest and most beautiful of the German Baltic islands. Separated from the rest of Germany by the Strelasund, it’s linked to the mainland town of Stralsund by a causeway. The island’s beauty stems from its diversity of landscape, including everything from flat farmland and forest-covered hills to expansive sandy beaches, lagoons, and lovely peninsulas.
A fun thing to do here, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, is to pay a visit to the Jasmund Peninsula, which in places reaches heights of 161 meters. Here, you’ll find Jasmund National Park, popular among nature lovers for its abundance of wildlife, with notable species found here, including rare white-tailed eagles.
Königssee (King’s Lake)
The lovely Bavarian lake of Königssee is one of the great beauty spots of the region of Germany referred to as Berchtesgadener Land. Also known as the King’s Lake, this area near Salzburg is a hiking (and biking) paradise thanks to its vast network of trails.
One of the most popular things to do is follow the attractive footpath located along the east side of the Königssee to the Malerwinkel. Also known as Painters’ Corner, it’s notable for its superb views over the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Königssee, Germany’s Most Beautiful Lake
Rothenburg ob der tauber
The old Franconian imperial city of Rothenburg is one of the most attractive places to visit on Germany’s famous Romantic Road tourist route. Located on the steep banks of the picturesque River Tauber, it’s notable for its walls and towers, untouched since the Thirty Years War of 1618.
This completely preserved, picture-perfect medieval town offers endless charm. One of the most popular things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is to join a walking tour (or do it yourself); get started by picking up a map from one of the tourism offices located in the town.
Sanssouci Park
Spectacular Sanssouci Park, laid out between 1744 and 1756, is considered the most celebrated example of Potsdam Rococo. Reflecting the personal influence of Frederick the Great, the park includes a lovely Baroque flower garden, more than 3,000 fruit trees, and numerous greenhouses. It’s a pleasure strolling around this huge park, especially the straight-as-an-arrow, two-and-a-half-kilometer-long avenue, shielded on each side by trimmed hedges, perfect lawns, and gorgeous gardens.
