Top 10 Places to Visit in Germany
From cosmopolitan cities to fairy tale towns, and rolling valleys to scenic lake resorts, here are the top 10 places to visit in Germany.
With such a diverse range of places to visit in Germany, choosing where to spend your next vacation is no small feat. The country boasts everything from fairy tale castles and enchanting forests to bustling cities and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So, to help you narrow down your options, here are just a few of the best places to visit in Germany.
1. Berlin
Exciting and vibrant, Germany’s capital is the centre for all that is hip in the worlds of art, fashion, music, and design. The city is teeming with amazing architecture and there are plenty of fun things to do in Berlin. Whether you fancy getting a culture fix at the numerous museums and art galleries, haggling at the various flea markets, or delving into the city’s trendy restaurant and bar scene, you won’t be short of options. Of course, Berlin is also home to several important historical sites and landmarks. These include the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Jewish Museum.
2. The Black Forest
Growing up, you most likely heard a Brothers Grimm fairy tale or two. Well, why not visit the magical land that supposedly inspired such stories as Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty. Bordering France in the southwest of Germany, the Black Forest covers 11,100 square kilometers of breathtaking natural landscape. Known for its dense, evergreen forests, and beautiful lakes and waterfalls, it’s the ideal place to get back to nature; be it by foot, bike, or horseback.
3. Neuschwanstein
Germany is also home to the breathtakingly beautiful castle that inspired Walt Disney’s version of the palace at Disneyland. Nestled in the mountains in the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Neuschwanstein is the crown jewel of Europe’s fairy tale castles and one of the most popular places to visit in Germany. The stunning palace, which was commissioned entirely for pleasure by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, is famous for its elegant spires that jut up from the treetops.
However old you are, your imagination will likely run wild as you explore the exquisite castle; especially when you discover a magical grotto and a throne room featuring a giant crown-shaped chandelier. And the good news is that if you don’t fancy hauling yourself uphill for 30 minutes to get there, you can always hop on a charming horse-drawn carriage and ride to the top. Now, how’s that for the royal treatment! King Ludwig’s other Bavarian castles include the grand Schloss Hohenschwangau, Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee, and the Schloss Linderhof; all of which you can visit.
4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
You might feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of your favorite childhood fairy tale when you visit the dreamy German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Located in the Franconia region of Bavaria, on the popular Romantic Road, the town is famous for its stunning medieval architecture. Half-timbered houses line the cobblestone streets of the old town which overlooks the Tauber River. While strolling through this charming setting and along the town walls, you will discover several preserved gatehouses and towers, old medieval museums, and churches.
5. The Zugspitze
If you want to know what it feels like to be on top of the world – or at least Germany – then a journey to the majestic peak of the Zugspitze will surely do it. Straddling the frontier between Germany and Austria, this is Germany’s tallest mountain with a summit of 2,962 meters. Surrounded by steep valleys, the view from the top encompasses more than 400 mountains spreading across the countries. Needless to say, venturing up the mountain is well worth the effort and fortunately, there are two ways to do this.
You can either hop inside one of three cable cars or take the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn mountain railway. The latter begins its journey at the Garmisch Zugspitzbahnhof and ends at the Zugspitzplatt glacier station; stopping at intermediate stations along the way. Meanwhile, the world record-breaking cable car brings visitors to the summit in just 10 minutes. Once at the top, you can enjoy jaw-dropping 360-degree views and dine at one of the three restaurants located at different stops. With a plethora of ski resorts located nearby, Zugspitze is also a great option if you fancy a winter vacation and some action on the slopes.
6. Munich
One of the most cosmopolitan German cities to visit is undoubtedly Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Munich is filled with bars, numerous museums, restaurants, churches, and, of course, beer gardens. But what really puts the city on the map is the world’s biggest beer festival, Oktoberfest, which takes place there every autumn. The 16- to 18-day extravaganza attracts more than six million people from around the world and brings a jam-packed schedule of live music, amusement rides, games, and, of course, lederhosen to Munich. Given the immense popularity of the festival, however, booking early is essential as Munich becomes one of the most popular places to visit in Germany during this time.
7. Lake Constance
Bordering Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Lake Constance remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany – and for good reason. Its special attraction lies in its versatility, which offers something to suit all tastes. Nature lovers will find plenty of diversity on the islands and in the nature reserves. Those interested in culture, meanwhile, will discover numerous sites to explore in the lake’s cities of Konstanz, Lindau, Überlingen, and Friedrichshafen.
8. Rhine Valley
Extending across France, Germany, and Switzerland, the Upper Rhine Valley showcases the very best these three countries have to offer. Scattered with stunning hilltop castles, quaint historic towns, and picturesque terraced vineyards, it’s no wonder part of the region was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2002. The natural landscapes along the River Rhine have inspired many poets, painters, and composers over the past two centuries – and it’s not hard to see why.
9. Cologne
The epitome of Gothic architecture, the famous Cologne Cathedral dominates the city’s skyline. The towering UNESCO World Heritage Site also houses the Ottonian Gero Cross; the oldest large sculpture of the crucified Christ, north of the Alps. But beyond this epic landmark, the city is full of great museums, restaurants, bars, and most importantly, chocolate. If you have a serious sweet tooth, you will no doubt love visiting the Chocolate Museum Cologne. This 4,000-square-meter chocolate wonderland features nine exhibition areas that teach you all about the culture and history of chocolate; dating back 3,000 years to the Mayans and Aztecs.
10. Bayreuth
Every year, the northern Bavarian town of Bayreuth hosts the world-famous Richard Wagner Festival. The popular event, which celebrates the German-born composer, transforms the town into a hotspot for opera aficionados. But even if you’re not an opera fan, you won’t fail to be blown away by the extravagant interior of the 18th-century Margravial Opera House. This UNESCO World Heritage building is a masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture. It seats 500 guests who often come to experience authentic Baroque court opera. Aside from this stunning landmark, Bayreuth boasts a rich culture and heritage. This can be seen in its diverse collection of cultural attractions. These include more than two dozen museums and institutions, as well as several sites of grand historical structures and castles associated with the Margraves of Bayreuth.
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