Ranging in beautiful landscapes, castles, from lush forests and flowing rivers to busy cities and majestic mountain ranges, Germany is a wonderful place to visit. Visitors can explore the nightlife and boutique shops in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, or enjoy sweeping views of the Rhine River in Cologne. Here are the best cities to visit in Germany.

16 Not to Be Missed Destinations in Germany
   Berlin
   Celle
   Cologne
   Augsburg
   Gorlitz
   Hamburg
   Leipzig
   Lindau
   Meersburg
   Monschau
   Munich
   Quedlinburg
   Rothenburg ob der Tauber
   Rottweil
   Trier
   Dresden

Berlin

Berlin

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Germany's capital, Berlin , is a huge part of the country’s historical and cultural significance. For example, the 18th century Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of reunification and a main landmark for tourists to visit, housing a massive park and parliament nearby.

Visitors will enjoy Museum Island, a complex of five internationally significant museums such as Neues, with Egyptian artwork and prehistoric archeology, and Pergamon with Greek, Roman, and Islamic masterpieces. A must-visit when in Berlin is the Holocaust Memorial and the East Side Gallery which houses a part of the Berlin wall. Kurfurstandamm, Friedrichstrabe, and Bohemian Kreuzberg are ideal for shopping as they have a range of high end boutiques and vintage shops.

Good to know: Best Time to Visit Germany


Celle

Celle

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Celle is situated in Lower Saxony, Germany. Lying on the banks of the River Aller, the city is also the southern gateway to the Lüneburg Heath, which is home to a large and splendid castle known as Schloss Celle. Visitors can explore the castle which is built in a stunning baroque and renaissance style.

The old Ducal town is the epitome of ‘postcard perfection’ as 400 timber-framed homes line the town center creating a remarkable view. Other places of interest include the Bomann Museum which is famed for the way it has captured and displayed the local history of Celle and its folklore to visitors, and the St. Ludwig’s Celle which is a stunning 18th century catholic church.


Cologne

Cologne

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Visitors will love exploring this 2,000 year old city in Western Germany as it has so much to offer. From sweeping views of the Rhine River to stunning birds-eye views from a cable car above the city, the sights alone are worth a visit.

Fun places that the entire family will enjoy visiting include the towering Cologne Cathedral, the Museum Ludwig, the Cologne Zoological Garden, and Imhoff-Schokoladen Museum, a museum dedicated to chocolate! Other must-visit museums are the Fragrance Museum which marks the birthplace of Eau de cologne, and the Roman- German Modern Museum which holds ancient Roman antiquities and mosaics.


Augsburg

Augsburg

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One of the largest and oldest cities in Bavaria, Germany, Augsburg was founded by the Romans in 15th century BC and has been at the heart of European trade ever since. The diverse architecture in the city center tells the story of the city’s importance throughout history. It includes numerous medieval guild houses, the beautiful 11th-century St. Mary's cathedral and the ornate onion-domed Sankt Ulrich und Afra abbey. Some of the most significant Renaissance buildings are the stately Augsburger Town Hall and its Golden Hall. The Fuggerhaüser and the Fuggerei – the banking center and home of the powerful banking family – are witnesses of their wealth. The city is a treasure trove of art and culture, which you can find in the old palaces, churches, and museums.


Gorlitz

Gorlitz

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Often considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Germany, Görlitz is a visual treat for its visitors. There are over 3,500 well-preserved architectural monuments which span over 500 years including fortifications, theaters, and grand old churches. The variety in architectural styles is enough to excite any visitor, but what can be found inside is even more spectacular. For example, the late Gothic church, St. Peters, has two steeples and an 18th century organ, while the Gorlitz Museum of Cultural History has paintings which date back to the 17th century.

Unsurprisingly, Görlitz is a favorite filming location amongst movie directors who are drawn to the various beautiful backgrounds. Film-buff visitors will love visiting the shooting sites of famous movies such as Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. Castles in Germany


Hamburg

Hamburg

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The culture and atmosphere of the major port city, Hamburg, is incomparable to any other place in Northern Germany. Many of the waterside hotels offer amazing views of the North Sea, but visitors who are looking to do rather than see will love the bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightlife that’s offered here.

Foodies will love indulging the various cuisine offered, from the ocean-fresh oysters and other seafood to dishes such as the famed aalsuppe. Visitors who enjoy art and theatre can explore Hamburgische Staatsopper, the Hamburg State Opera, or the Hamburg Ballet theatre. The Colonnaden is one of the oldest pedestrian streets in Hamburg and is lined with several stores for travelers looking to shop.


Leipzig

Leipzig

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Leipzig is the largest and the 14th most populous city in the federal state of Saxony, and has become a major urban center after the World War. It has been a trade city since the times of the Roman Empire because it's placed on the crossroads of two important medieval trade routes, known as Via Regia. The town also merges with the White Elster, Pleisse, and Parthe rivers at the end of the north German plains.

Leipzig is famed for two famous trades, both of which visitors are bound to come across during their visit: Music and publishing. Visitors will enjoy exploring the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Applied Arts, and the Ethnography Museum, all located in a complex called Grassi Museum. Iconic landmarks include the art in the giant glass cube at Leipzig's Museum of Fine Arts, and the 91 m high Monument to the Battle of the Nations.


Lindau

Lindau

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Lindau is a beautiful location on Lake Constance, also known as Bodensee, in Bavaria. The city's old town is located on a lovely island, making it a must-see location for those visiting Germany. Lindau is also the starting point for many cruises over the Bodensee, giving the waterside a great touristy feel with knick knack shops, and bars and restaurants serving local cuisine.

Other than the stunning images of the harbor, lakes, and the majestic mountains, the architecture found in the old town will mesmerize visitors. Landmarks and attractions such as the Bavarian lion statue at the harbor, the towering stone Lindau Lighthouse, and the St. Peter’s Church are not to be missed. More places to explore near Stuttgart, Germany


Meersburg

Meersburg

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Located in Baden Wurttemberg in southwest Germany, Meersburg is a celebrated medieval city that is unique due to the town being separated into two parts, a lower and upper town, connected by a steep staircase. The main attraction when visiting Meersburg is the Burg Meersburg, a 12th century castle beside Lake Constance.

Visitors love exploring the many rooms and their decor, the architecture, museums, and cafe that is now found in the baroque hall. The museum houses a reconstruction of a Stone Age village that is interesting to visitors of all ages.


Monschau

Monschau

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A small resort town in the Eifel region of West Germany, Monschau is home to the High Fens, which was declared a nature reserve in 1957. Exploring it is a fun way for the entire family to spend the day together. There are numerous tours that take visitors through the great outdoors and near the Belgium-German border in which the 11,000-acre nature reserve lies.

The town played an important role in Germany’s history during both World War I and World War II, as its location was vital in the Battle of the Bulge. The Red House Open Museum has an amazing collection of fine art.


Munich

Munich

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Bavaria's capital and the third-largest city in Germany, Munich is filled with art, culture, technology, education, and tourism. There is so much for visitors to do here, especially for those who enjoy visiting museums, centuries-old churches and great restaurants.

There are several iconic churches such as St. Peter’s, and the Frauenkirche Cathedral, important art galleries such as Museum Brandhorst, and the Neue Pinakothek, and museums such as the German Museum. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the clubs of professional football teams or having a go at river surfing, which Munich is reputed for. Let’s not forget the event that attracts people from all around the world; Munich’s annual Oktoberfest celebration, and the famed Hofbrauhaus beer hall is a must visit.

More ideas: Munich Hotels


Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg

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The first capital of Germany, Quedlinburg is a storehouse of German history from past eras. The old town, the renaissance-style castle, and the stunning Romanesque church were all designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994. Visitors will love exploring the cobblestone streets of the old town, the 1,000-year-old church situated atop a sandstone cliff, and the stunning castle along the scenic Romanesque Road.

The collegiate church of St. Servatius, a well-known cathedral treasure, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Wiperti, and the remains of the Marian monastery well-preserve Germany’s history. Other activities include exploring the 1,300 timber houses which date back to the 8th century, canoeing on the Concordiasee, or hiking in Selketal-stieg.

More ideas: Bamberg


Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most attractive towns in Germany and is located on the steep banks of river Tauber. It is truly amazing how the old buildings, narrow streets, and soaring towers reflect how the olden days have remained untouched since the war.

Attractions such as the Master Builder's house with its spectacular courtyard and wooden balustrades, the Burggarten, or the castle garden and its stunning flower beds must all be visited when in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Other unique points of interest are the 700-year-old stained glass at St. Jacob’s church, and the Medieval Crime Museum which has artifacts on crime and punishment dating back to over a thousand years ago.

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Rottweil

Rottweil

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The town of Rottweil is situated between the Black Forest and Swabian Alps and is very famous for three different types of festivals held annually. One is the Rottweiler Festival where hundreds of Rottweiler dogs come together from around the world.

Second is a festival dedicated to a summer jazz festival, and third is an old town carnival celebrating German culture. There are many other festivals and markets held throughout the year as well so visitors are bound to come across one event or the other. Other points of interest include museums dedicated to medieval sculptures, Roman mosaics, salt production, and local dolls and toys.


Trier

Trier

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Trier was conquered by the Romans in the late 1st century, which is why visitors will find many sites and attractions which reflect that in this wine region town. The remains of the Porta Nigra, the largest Roman city gate to date, and the ruins of Roman baths are some of the most visited sites in Trier.

Visitors also enjoy crossing the stone bridge over the Moselle River and exploring Eltz Castle and the nearby amphitheater. Trier is also home to one of the oldest cathedrals in Germany, the Cathedral of St. Peter. St. Paulinus’ Church is also highly visited for the famed painting found on its ceiling.


Dresden

Dresden

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Dresden, the capital of East Germany, was initially completed in 1743 but rebuilt again after it was destroyed during the World War. The Dresden Cathedral and Semperoper Opera House can be found within the vicinity of Dresden Castle and are part of a museum complex which houses Neues Grunes Gewolbe - a place for visitors to explore the amazing artwork and jewelry of the 1500s.

Other places of interest in Dresden include the Albertinum Museum which displays fine art from the 19th and 20th century, Pillnitz Castle which was once the royal residence, and the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister which houses major Renaissance works such as Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, Vermeer’s The Procuress, and Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus. More places to explore in Germany


Attraction Spotlight: Burg Rheinstein

Burg Rheinstein is located on top of a rocky ridge, rising around two hundred and seventy feet in the Loreley Valley above the Rhine River. The castle was built originally back around the year 900 A.D. with the intention of it being a customs post of the German Empire, and referred to as the Feitsburg or the Vogtsburg. From the year 1282 up until 1286, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph von Habsburg used the castle as his home. Within the castle, the Emperor passed judgement upon the unruly robber knights of Burg Ehrenfels, Burg Sooneck, and Burg Reichenstein. Rudolph von Habsburg also established the Noble Knighthood, as well as renamed the castle as Konigstein.

From the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century, the Archbishops of Mainz leased the castle. The building started to fall into disrepair, however, after the year 1572. The castle became unprofitable for the Chamberlain in Mainz, Anton von Wiltberg, to maintain the upkeep. In the year 1823, the castle ruins, along with the foundation stone, were bought by the Royal Prince of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig, nephew of King Friedrich Wilhelm II.

After being purchased by Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig, the castle underwent reconstruction under the supervision of Claudius von Lassaulx, the famous castle architect. After being rebuilt, the castle became known as Burg Rheinstein because of the imposing rocky location of the building above the Rhine River. The castle has been owned privately since 1975 by the Hecher family. The family restored and repaired Burg Rheinstein throughout a time period of nineteen years to return the castle its former glory of days gone by.

The castle features a working portcullis and drawbridge, which acts a great example to illustrate the medieval defense and construction. Upon entering Burg Rheinstein, visitors can walk past the castle’s gift shop and down to an opening located on the left to explore the courtyard and its amazing views of the Rhine River. The courtyard of the castle is called the Burgunder-Garden. The name is inspired by the Burgundy grape vine that grows in the courtyard. This vine is around five hundred years old and still produces grapes.

Visitors can head down the steps from the garden to the castle’s chapel. A wood carving that depicts Jesus at the Last Supper is situated in the center of the chapel’s Gothic altarpiece. Between the chapel and the rock, more steps lead visitors down to royal crypt of the family of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig. Another set of stair lead up to the Burgunder-Garden and to main part of Burg Rheinstein.

The most impressive and largest room of the castle is situated to the left upon entering Burg Rheinstein, at the top of a stairway. Called the “Knight’s Hall” or “Rittersaal,” the room features stunning stained-glass windows and three dimensional paintings. The castle is also home to a cafe, as well as a gift shop that offers handmade miniature wooden treasure chests, along with many other traditional souvenir items like guidebooks and postcards for visitors to purchase.

Burg Rheinstein, 55413 Trechtingshausen, Germany, Phone: 49-67-21-63-48

More Germany castles

Attraction Spotlight: Burg Eltz

Visitors of all ages are welcome to visit Eltz Castle, also known as Burg Eltz, as well as the surrounding Eltz Forest. Burg Eltz has been around for over eight hundred and fifty years, and dedicated people are working hard and doing everything they can to make sure the castle remains preserved. Guests can come and experience nature and the time of the Middle Ages at Eltz Castle in its purest form. The family and locals take pride in their fairy tale represented in stone, and enjoy sharing it visitors.

Burg Eltz is different than most other castles. The castle ultimately remained consistently unscathed by war. Eltz Castle has been cared for and owned by the same family that owned it from the time it was constructed up through today. The architecture of the castle is unmatched, and much of the building’s original furnishings from over the last eight centuries can still be seen by a tour of the castle.

The Armoury and Treasury inside of Eltz Castle both boast world-class works of art in silver and gold. The somewhat imposing structure towers high upon a massive rock, while still located within the valley. The surrounding Eltz Forest is a natural reserve of tranquil beauty, filled with rare flora and fauna. The forest is located in the heart of an attractive region for hiking. It features the “Eltz Castle Panorama,” an award-winning drema hike, as well as several other hikes for visitors of all fitness levels.

The main attraction of Burg Eltz is its architecture. The eight towers of the castle that soar up to thirty-five meters in height, turrets, timber frame structures, roofs, and oriels all make Eltz Castle “the epitome of a castle,” a castle from a picture book. Hidden within a side valley that branches off from the well-known Moselle Valley, Eltz Castle is situated within a unique setting.

Built upon a large rock measure seventy meters high, the castle is surrounded by the Eltzbach on three of its sides, along with being set in the middle of a natural paradise, Burg Eltz is one of the few castles that evokes a true vision of medieval times. The building’s inner courtyard is reflective of five hundred years of construction activity at a glance. It tells an often complicated and colorful tale of three branches of the Eltz family living in cohabitation within quite a confined space.

A guided tour of Eltz Castle shows visitors the interiors of the castle with its complete and authentic furnishings, as well as the building’s manifold architecture, as part of the Historic Eltz Castle Experience. Guests have the chance to truly experience what life was like during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Ages at the castle. The Treasury and Armoury of Burg Eltz is thought to be one of Europe’s most important collections of its kind. It features precious silver and gold artifacts, along with weapons, coins, ivory, glass, jewelry, porcelain, and curiosities from throughout eight hundred and fifty years of Eltz family history.

Burg Eltz 1, 56294 Wierschem, Germany, Phone: 49-26-72-95-05-00

Attraction Spotlight: Wartburg

The Wartburg Castle, the first to in Germany to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooks the town of Eisenach and represents over 1,000 years of German history. The castle is lauded as one of the best representations of central Europe’s feudal period, although the medieval architecture has been supplemented by 19th century renovations, which are equally celebrated.

The main castle’s ceremonial hall is the structure’s best example of 19th century aesthetic.

The castle is home to an art collection, which began 200 years ago at the suggestion of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The art collection emphasizes European history and focuses on the historical periods most relevant to the Wartburg Castle. Today’s collection surpasses 9,000 objects. Highlights from the Middle Ages include a Romanesque aquamanile in the shape of a lion, as well as other pouring vessels and daily objects. Furnishings and textiles date as far back as a 15th century tapestry depicting the life of St. Elisabeth. Renaissance and Reformation period collections include several objects of furniture, and a unique cabinet carved with a Dürer style relief. Paintings include works by Lucas Cranach the Elder, including wedding portraits of Martin Luther and his bride Katharina von Bora. Historic artifacts from this time period include a Bible with annotations by Martin Luther himself.

History: Legend has it the castle dates back to the year 1067, although the oldest surviving part of the building is from the 12th century. These ruins can be seen within the Romanesque architecture of the great hall.

Throughout the entirety of its history, the castle has been a place of inspiration and celebration of the arts. The site has inspired poems by Wolfram von Eschenbach and music by Walther von der Vogelweide. The castle was the site of Tannhäuser’s Battle of the Bards, as immortalized by the Richard Wagner opera. Wartburg is famous as Martin Luther’s place of refuge while he was in exile, and where he translated the New Testament into German. In 1817, the first Wartburg Festival celebrated Luther’s achievements, the Battle of Leipzig and the Protestant Reformation.

The Hans Lucas von Cranach collection was bequeathed to the Wartburg collection thanks to the descendents of the artist, who became governors of the castle in 1894. The German Renaissance painter was a close friend of Martin Luther and although he began his career painting traditionally Catholic religious imagery, his work changed over time, as he sought new ways of representing Lutheran imagery. Along with his son, Lucas Cranach the Younger, he is considered one of the most influential German painters of all time.

The Wartburg Castle Foundation was established in 1922 to preserve the castle and its art collection. Members of the Foundation’s advisory board include Prince Michael of Saxe-Weimar and Eisenach, who currently heads the Grand Ducal House. Under the Ducal family’s rule the castle was renovated, and much of the art collection was acquired. The castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.

Ongoing Programs and Education: Guided tours include the Great Hall, Luther’s room and the Exhibition Library. The Great Hall may be visited with a tour guide only, while the exhibit areas of the museum and the castle grounds are open for self-guided tours.

Donkey rides have been taking place at the castle and museum for over 150 years, and the tradition continues today. Children under 130 pounds may ride the donkeys from the car park up the steep hill to the castle and museum.

The ceremonial Great Hall serves as the backdrop of today’s famous summer season Wartburg concerts. Live music performances take place weekly and span a wide range of genres, including operas by Tannhauser, Bach’s piano concertos, chamber orchestras and Polish string quartets, to jazz.

An annual Historical Christmas Market takes guests back to the days of traveling merchants and invites craftsmen, artisans, live musicians and food vendors to sell their wares and entertain visitors on the grounds of the castle each weekend throughout the holiday season.

Past and Future Exhibits: The museum at the castle hosts a range of temporary exhibitions. Luther and the German Language was on display through January 2017 and showcased over 300 artifacts from the Wartburg collection as well as private lenders. Items in the show included hand-written manuscripts, paintings and furnishing’s from Luther’s writing room that follow 500 years of German history, including the impact of the Reformation on today’s society.

Wartburg-Stiftung Auf der Wartburg 1 99817 Eisenach, Phone: +49-36-91-25-00

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