10 Best Places to Visit in Germany
People come from all over the world to visit Germany's amazing tourist destinations and attractions. But which architectural wonders and natural beauties are the most popular?
The country is filled with limitless choices, but somehow, Germany is not high on most traveler’s bucket list. From the fairy-tale castles and picture-perfect villages to the stunning Christmas Markets, and the infamous October Fest, Germany is not to be looked over.
10. Frankfurt
Frankfurt is best known for its banks and stock exchange, but there's much more to this city than just that. With a rich history dating back to its days as an imperial city, Frankfurt offers visitors plenty of things to see and do, whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or want to use the city as your basecamp while exploring the German countryside.
Frankfurt is full of modern marvels and is one of Germany's top economic capitals. Its financial sector has enough skyscrapers to earn the city the nickname "Mainhattan.” Frankfurt also boasts numerous outstanding museums in the Museumsufer neighborhood, home to the magnificent Museum of World Cultures and the Museum of Ancient Sculpture. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better spot to visit in Germany.
9. Hamburg
Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany and located in the north, is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in the country. The city has a long and rich history, which witnessed in its museums and historic buildings throughout Hamburg.
If you’re looking for fun and entertainment, Hamburg is home to some of the best nightlife in Europe, including the Reeperbahn district. The city has a great mix of historic and modern attractions that include stunning modern skyscrapers and fascinating historical architecture. The futuristic Hafen City neighborhood is a must-see for anyone with more modern preferences.
Hamburg takes pride in having more parks and open spaces than any other city in the world. The Speicherstadt museum, which has been rec`ognized by UNESCO as the world's largest warehouse district. It is a remarkable collection of Neo-Gothic brick buildings built on oak piles and connected by 100-year-old waterways. With all its rich history, Hamburg is a place that should be on any traveler's list.
8. Nuremberg
Nuremberg was once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the home of several German kings. It is now Bavaria's second-largest city and a major economic, cultural, and social center.
The city's rich and prominent history has always fostered the arts, architecture, and culture. Magnificent museums; beautiful Gothic cathedrals; and a magnificent imperial castle can be found in the historic old town of Nuremberg.
Many people today identify the city with the infamous Nuremberg Trials, yet it is a popular tourist destination due to its rich art and culture, historical sites, outstanding food scene, and nightlife. It also holds Germany's largest Christmas Market, where visitors can purchase gingerbread and local handicrafts, as well as experience traditional sweets and gluhwein.
7. The Black Forest
The Black Forest, aptly named for the dark woods that drape its valleys and summits, is located in southwest Germany. It's also one of the most scenic areas in Germany, with plenty of natural beauty as well as charming towns and villages.
This hidden gem with rushing rivers, sparkling lakes, and colorful meadows is truly remarkable. It's the perfect place for anyone who loves the outdoors, with plenty of hiking trails, cycling lanes, and opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in winter. The hot temperatures in this region of the country lends itself perfectly to outdoor sports. So, if you're looking for a great vacation spot that offers something for everyone, be sure to check out the Black Forest!
6. Romantic Rhine
Nestled between Bingen and Bonn, the Middle Rhine region boasts storybook castles, mesmerizing villages, and enchanting vineyards. Aristocratic tourists visiting in the 19th century gave this area its nickname: The Romantic Rhine. Today, it is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.
The picture-perfect villages along the Rhine Gorge provide excellent sightseeing, cafés, boutiques, and hotels. is the most prominent natural feature of the region, with a huge and hazardous rock that claimed countless boat lives before the 1800s.
Seeing the Romantic Rhine from a riverboat is an experience you'll never forget. Both banks of the river are lined with highways and railroads. Tourists may explore the countryside by walking trails and bike routes. Fussen, which is in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Alps, is the final station on the Romantic Road and is close to Austria’s border. While Fussen itself is worth seeing, most people come to see the three castles located nearby.
5. Dresden
Dresden is an excellent city to start exploring eastern Germany and Eastern Europe. The city was founded because of its fertile lands, beautiful setting, moderate climate, and proximity to important European trade routes. Dresden is in a low-lying area of the upper Elbe valley, just a few miles from Germany's border with the Czech Republic.
Dresden was known as the Jewel Box before it was severely destroyed by World War II bombers because of its magnificent collection of stunning art and architecture. Dresden has since been rebuilt and is now one of the country's leading cultural and entertainment hubs.
The extraordinary tale of rebirth is most evident in the magnificent Frauenkirche, built in 1743 as Dresden's famous cathedral. It was regarded as the finest Baroque church in Europe when it was completed, and it was destroyed during World War II before being rebuilt as it once was in 2005.
4. Rothenburg ob de Tauber
If there is one destination in Germany that best captures everything wonderful about this amazing country, it’s the old town of Rothenburg ab der Tauber. Rothenburg, as it's more commonly known, is situated in the center of lovely Bavaria and is a short drive from some major cities like Frankfurt. It offers excellent photo opportunities everywhere you turn.
Rothenburg, a popular destination along Germany's Romantic Road, is known for its stunning medieval old town, well-preserved architecture, and charming cobbled alleyways. Rothenburg is especially well-known for its stores that sell Christmas items year-round and for hosting an amazing Christmas market every December. During WWII, it was Rothenburg's great beauty that saved much of the town from destruction.
3. Cologne
Cologne is a lovely European city break, with all of the culture, entertainment, and thermal baths you could desire. It is host to one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals, a flourishing arts scene, and some of Germany's most vibrant people. It is Germany's fourth-largest city and Berlin's partner in libertinism.
The Hohenzollern Bridge, known for its love padlocks, the Altstadt (Old Town), with its lovely historical buildings and monuments, as well as the fashionable areas of Agnesviertel and the Belgian Quarter, are some of Cologne's most stunning landmarks. , which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is another.
Don't pass up the Cologne Carnival in November if you're visiting there. This celebration is attended by tens of thousands of people every year.
2. Munich
Munich, one of Germany’s most prosperous cities, is a globally recognized research and technology center and is home to many universities, multinational corporations like BMW, and cutting-edge science museums like the Deutsches Museum.
On the other hand, Munich is not only about work. This lively metropolis has one of the finest cultural scenes in Germany with renowned opera houses and theaters such as the National Theater. The city center features a fascinating blend of ancient and modern architecture. Munich also has many verdant parks and is home to the English Garden, one of the largest public gardens in the world.
Every October, the Munich Oktoberfest attracts millions of revelers from around the world to celebrate with beer, food, and games. The festival originated in 1810 and now visitors can enjoy many massive beer tents, delicious Bavarian foods, and live music throughout the event. If you can't make it to Oktoberfest, don't worry! You can enjoy Munich's famous beer gardens any time of year.
1. Berlin
Berlin is one of Europe's most fascinating cities, and it has changed a lot in the last two decades. It was once thought to be synonymous with the Cold War, but it is now Europe's most happening metropolis, with great fashion, design, music, and art.
The cultural capital of Germany is a budget traveler's paradise that is constantly evolving. From the bustling nightlife to more than 170 world-class museums, galleries, and orchestras. It also contains historic relics that document its tortured history as well as the city's aspirations for a bright future.
You can deepen your cultural experience in Berlin by visiting Museum Island on the Spree River and stopping by the world-renowned East Side Gallery. Where you will find artwork on display from artists worldwide on the Berlin Wall. In addition to that, Kurfürstendamm — the city's most famous avenue — is perfect for a shopping spree and Friedrichshain lets you get a real sense of the nightlife scene in this magnificent city.