The best places you must visit in Germany

Germany is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world; in surveys, the Federal Republic regularly ranks first among future vacation destinations. And that’s no wonder, since Germany has everything to offer that a traveler’s heart desires: exciting cities with lots of culture or active vacations in nature, hiking in the mountains or chilling by the lake, carnival in Cologne or Oktoberfest in Munich. Read here which things you should definitely not miss in Germany and which places you absolutely have to explore.

Berlin: City of Superlatives

The best club in Europe, the most multicultural street festival in Germany, the most exciting political scene, the most unusual museums and definitely the best kebab in the world – clearly, Berlin is a city of superlatives and the city you absolutely cannot miss on your trip to Germany. Take a spin in the dome of the Reichstag, feast in the sphere of the TV tower, share your ice cream with the baboons at the zoo, stroll through the Tiergarten, swim in the Wannsee and dance until dawn through the streets of the city that never sleeps.

Spreewald: A boat trip that is fun

About an hour’s drive southeast of the German capital, the depths of Brandenburg hide an even more magical region that fascinates young and old and provides respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city. In the Spreewald, hundreds of small and tiny waterways branch out under a deep green canopy of foliage to create a landscape reminiscent of a wild, unspoiled Venice. Grab a paddleboat, weigh anchor and immerse yourself in a world of green caves, babbling brooks and peaceful dragonflies. Attention: Do not forget mosquito spray!

Leipzig: In the clutches of the WGT

Cooler than Berlin, livelier than Munich and warmer than Hamburg – Leipzig is Germany’s trendy city. The young, colorful and dynamic metropolis convinces with a historic city center, exciting culture and in the surrounding area with a great lake landscape in a renaturalized brown coal open pit mine. Discover Auerbach’s cellar, where Martin Luther and the studious Goethe already went in and out, the creative scene around the old cotton mill or the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. An absolute must for all music fans is a visit to Leipzig on the Whitsun weekend. Then the city sinks into a sea of black frills and gloomy sounds for the WGT, the Wave-Gotik-Treffen.

Harz: To the witches’ Sabbath

On the border of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia lies the Harz National Park. Almost 25,000 hectares of unspoiled nature, shady beech and spruce forests and relaxing hiking trails. A special highlight is a ride on the Brockenbahn, a narrow-gauge railroad that runs once across the Harz Mountains. Of course, you must not miss a trip to the Brocken, with 1141 m North Germany’s highest elevation. Perhaps you will come to Walpurgis Night on the mountain popularly known as Blocksberg. Because then the witches are loose here.

Dresden: The Christ Child feasts here

Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Semperoper – sure, Dresden convinces with fascinating architecture. But thanks to its vibrant cultural scene, the Saxon capital on the Elbe is also a must for fans of opera and musicals, theater and concerts. Exciting especially for the little ones: the children’s museum “World of the Senses”, where young and old discover the world of the five senses all over again. A crowd puller every year in the run-up to Christmas is once again the Striezelmarkt, the oldest Christmas market in Germany, where you can enjoy a piece of delicious Dresden Stollen with your mulled wine.

Elberadweg: Not only for professionals

You like to cycle? Then how about a bike tour – for example along the Elbe cycle path. It takes you 1280 km from the Czech Špindlerův Mlýn (Spindlermühle) in the Krkonoše Mountains through Saxon Switzerland and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, past Dresden through Lutherstadt Wittenberg into the Fläming, to the Havel and on to the Prignitz, the Hanseatic city of Hamburg and past the Alte Land to the mouth of the Elbe into the North Sea at Cuxhaven. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of great destinations for a short or even longer stop.

Nuremberg: A whole lot of history

Nuremberg will be steeped in history. With its castle and city wall, the medieval old town is one of the most beautiful, still preserved historic city centers in Germany. In summer, countless large and, above all, romantically hidden little beer gardens invite you to get together and enjoy a freshly tapped Hellen beer. History fans in particular should not miss the Germanic National Museum and the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where sad history was made during the Nazi regime. The Nuremberg Trials Memorial, on the other hand, commemorates the process of coming to terms with National Socialism after the end of World War II.

Munich: O’zapft is

Probably no other city stands for German traditions as much as Munich. Here, people wear traditional costumes – at least on special occasions -, in the beer garden under chestnut trees, you can enjoy a pint of Helles beer with Weißwurst and pretzels, and the typical Bavarian dialect can be heard around every corner. But a successful trip to Munich also includes sightseeing: discover the bustling Viktualienmarkt, the magnificent Nymphenburg, the 100-meter high onion domes of the Frauenkirche or the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich. Relax in the English Garden or on the Isar River. Special highlight: Every year in the second half of September, Munich is transformed into a huge fair. Then the Oktoberfest opens its doors on the Theresienwiese.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Up high

A must for all winter sports fans is a trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the cold season. With the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak at 2962 m, and the Garmisch Classic ski resorts, ski enthusiasts have 60 kilometers of slopes at their disposal. Experienced winter sports enthusiasts venture down the Olympic run and explore the ski area on the Kandahar circuit. If you don’t feel quite confident on the boards yet, then train on one of the easy slopes on the local mountain. But in any case, you will enjoy an incomparable view of over 400 snow-covered mountain peaks glistening in the sun.

Neuschwanstein Castle: Like something out of a fairy tale

In the southeastern Allgäu, above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen, Germany’s most famous fairy-tale castle, Neuschwanstein Castle, is enthroned., above the Alpsee and the Pöllat Gorge. It was built from the year 1869 for the Bavarian King Ludwig II, who wanted to set a monument to the culture and royalty of the Middle Ages with this castle. Today, about 1.5 million people visit this top attraction every year and immerse themselves in an idealized medieval world with magnificent halls and opulent chandeliers, on the walls scenic murals of the Germanic and Nordic sagas.

Black Forest: Enchanted landscapes

With its dark fir forests, misty valleys, clear mountain lakes and picturesque half-timbered houses, the Black Forest is one of the best places to visit in Germany. For example, explore the small town of Triberg with its long-established watchmakers’ guild and outside the Triberg Waterfalls, at 163 m the highest waterfalls in Germany. Glide along the Wutach Gorge on a paraglider, surf over the Schluchsee, stroll through Baden-Baden, hike along the Kandel Heights Trail and above all: enjoy a piece of Black Forest cake.

Cologne: The Jecken are loose

The smallest of Germany’s four megacities is worth a visit at any time of year – but especially during the fifth season between November 11 and mid-February. Because at Carnival, the Jecken take over Cologne and transform the city center into a huge costume party – booze and sweets included. But Cologne also has a lot to offer away from the carnival: Visit one of the numerous museums, party at Brüsseler Platz and climb the 533 steps of the narrow stone staircase of Cologne Cathedral for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Rhine metropolis. Afterwards, relax on the Domplatte and watch the hustle and bustle of street performers and skaters.

Sylt: Walking in the Wadden Sea

Miles of sandy beaches, chic resorts, a stiff breeze and the roaring North Sea – Sylt is probably the most popular of the Frisian islands. Here you can relax and unwind to the sound of the seagulls. Culture lovers visit the Old Frisian House with thatched roof, whose exhibitions show island life before the 20th century, visit a Neolithic megalithic tomb in Denghoog or explore the interactive Experience Center Natural Forces in the north of the island. Special highlight: a mudflat hike through the mudflats. Walk barefoot through the warm sea silt and discover mussels, crabs and lugworms. But be careful: Don’t go off alone, at high tide the tidal flats quickly become dangerous!

Hamburg: The port to the world

You shouldn’t miss a beer on the Reeperbahn at half past midnight on your trip to Hamburg, nor should you miss a tour of the red light district of St. Pauli with Hamburg legend Olivia Jones. On a harbor tour, you’ll sail past huge container ships and even bigger cruise ships and get a whiff of the big wide world. For the Hafengeburtstag in May, the port of Hamburg is transformed into an open-air party mile. Stroll along the chic Alster, stroll through historic alleys in the Speicherstadt, get swept away by the musical performers, visit the Elbphilharmonie and store at the Jungfernstieg.

Rügen: Island feeling at the Baltic Sea

Sunshine and gentle waves await you at the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a popular vacation destination, especially in the summer months – and above all, Germany’s largest island, Rügen, attracts millions of visitors every year. Take a beach chair and enjoy the sun in the Baltic resort of Binz, walk along long white sandy beaches, roam through cool shady beech forests, visit the chalk cliff Königsstuhl in the Jasmund National Park, a true natural wonder and the landmark of this beautiful island, discover Prora, the Nazi resort, or explore the naval submarine HMS Otus in Sassnitz.