Interested in castles, culture, and cutting-edge cities? Head to Germany! This central European powerhouse blends medieval towns, fairytale castles, Alpine peaks, and modern innovation. Whether you want to explore Berlin’s creative energy, sip wine along the Rhine, or tour Bavarian villages, Germany offers something for every traveler—year-round.
Germany Highlights:
- For Castle Lovers: Visit Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany’s iconic cliffside castle inspired Disney’s Cinderella and offers sweeping views of Bavaria.
- For City Explorers: Discover Berlin’s Historic and Modern Sides – Explore the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, and cutting-edge street art and nightlife.
- For Nature Lovers: Hike in the Black Forest – Walk scenic trails past cuckoo clock villages and forested peaks in southwestern Germany.
- For Wine Enthusiasts: Cruise the Rhine Valley – Visit hilltop castles and terraced vineyards in Germany’s most romantic river region.
- For History Buffs: Explore Munich and Dachau – Discover Bavarian culture, beer gardens, and sobering WWII history at the Dachau Memorial Site.
Best Time to Visit Germany
The best time to visit Germany is from May to October, when weather is mild and ideal for sightseeing, festivals, and nature. December is also magical thanks to festive Christmas markets. Ski season runs from December to March in the Alps and southern regions.
How to Get to Germany
- By Plane: Major international airports include Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Berlin (BER), and Düsseldorf (DUS).
- By Train: Germany is well-connected to neighboring countries via high-speed trains like ICE, TGV, and EuroCity.
- By Car: The autobahn network links Germany’s cities, towns, and countryside, with no speed limit on many stretches.
Where to Stay in Germany
- Recommended for Families: Hotel Adlon Kempinski (Berlin) – Luxury meets family comfort near major sights like the Brandenburg Gate.
- For Couples: Hotel Bayerischer Hof (Munich) – Historic and romantic, this hotel has a spa, rooftop lounge, and central location.
- For Budget Travelers: Meininger Hotels (Various Cities) – Affordable, modern, and centrally located across major German cities.
Best Things to Do in Germany
1. Admire the Brandenburg Gate
Rating: ★★★★★
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is a resplendent 18th-century Neo-classical monument in the western part of Berlin’s city center in the neighborhood of Mitte, and it is one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks.
Built on the site of what was once the city gate that marked the beginning of the road from Berlin to Brandenburg an der Havel, the Brandenburg Gate stands as a grand entry to Unter den Linden, the famous boulevard lined with Linden trees that led directly to the royal City Palace of the Prussian Monarchs.
The Brandenburg Gate has been used as a site for major historical events throughout its existence and is considered today as both a symbol of the turbulent history of Europe and Germany, as well as one of peace and unity in Europe.
Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany
2. See the scenic Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace near Füssen in southwest Bavaria.
Located on a rugged hill overlooking the picturesque village of Hohenschwangau, the castle was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria in honor of Richard Wagner and was opened to the public after his death in 1886.
Erected in the contemporary architectural style known as Castle Romanticism, Neuschwanstein Castle features only fifteen rooms and halls, boasting breathtaking interiors such as the Hall of the Singers and the Throne Hall.
The castle has also appeared prominently in several notable movies, including The Great Escape and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
One of Germany’s most visited attractions, Neuschwanstein Castle sees as many as 6,000 visitors a day in the summer so be prepared for some crowds.
Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany, Phone: +49-83-62-93-98-80
3. Tour Heidelberg Castle
Tucked into the forest-covered Königstuhl hillside above the city of Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberger) is a breathtakingly beautiful castle with a history almost as old as the city itself.
Comprised of several buildings surrounding an inner courtyard, with each building highlighting a different period of German architecture, Heidelberg Castle was the residence for most of the Prince Electors until lightning permanently destroyed it in 1764.
Among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, Heidelberg Castle stands today as an iconic symbol of the city and boasts spectacular views of the Neckar River, the city of Heidelberg, and the Neckar Valley far into the Rhine plain.
Address: Schlosshof 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany , Phone: +49-62-21-65-88-80
I stayed overnight at Hotel zum Pfalzgrafen which had small, clean rooms.
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Visit Insel Mainau
Insel Mainau is an island on the south shore of the Überlinger See (Lake Constance) near the city of Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg.
Owned by the Lennart Bernadotte-Stiftung, which was established by Prince Lennart Bernadotte, the Count of Wisborg, the island is maintained as a garden island, and it is a model of excellent environmental practices.
The island is home to exquisitely manicured flowering gardens, a greenhouse with tropical climate and thousands of butterflies, and beautiful park landscapes with glorious lake views.
Mainau Bay is also the location of the university sailing club. Insel Mainau is one of Lake Constance’s most popular tourist attractions.
Address: Schönau am Königssee, Bavaria
5. Explore The Island of Rugen
Rugen is a German island located off the Pomeranian coast in the Baltic Sea. I love this popular holiday spot!
Forming part of the Jasmund National Park, which is famous for its white-tailed eagles and primeval beech forests, Rügen is renowned for its beautiful beaches and white chalk cliffs, including the viewing platform known as the King's Chair on the Jasmund peninsula.
In addition to the miles of white sandy beaches, Rügen is also home to several national parks, the popular white cliffs, sleepy fishing villages, and magnificent countryside and coastline that can be explored by hiking, bicycling, or sailing.
Address: Pomeranian coast, Baltic Sea
6. Enjoy the view at Konigssee
The Konigssee is a natural lake within the Berchtesgaden National Park in the southeast Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, and it is also Germany's third deepest lake. Situated within the Berchtesgaden Alps, just south of Berchtesgaden, the Königssee (literally translated as “king’s lake”) was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age and is nearly five miles long and one mile wide.
Similar to a fjord and surrounded by magnificent 8,900-foot mountains, the Königssee is renowned for its picturesque setting, beautiful surroundings, and clear and clean water, which attracts hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and tourists. Swimming in the Königssee is permitted except in the lock area at Seelände.
Address: Schönau am Königssee, Bavaria
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
7. Mannheim Residential Palace
Mannheim Residential Palace is a Baroque palace in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg. Once the principal residence of the Prince-electors of the Electorate of the Palatinate of the House of Wittelsbach and designed to highlight their importance in the Holy Roman Empire, Mannheim Palace is one of the largest palaces in Europe. Boasting five Baroque-style wings, a beautiful 400-meter façade fronting a vast courtyard, and a total floor area of six hectares surrounded by the Mannheimer Quadrate, or Mannheim squares that echo the layout of Mannheim’s city center, the palace has been described as one of the wonders of European architecture.
You can explore the palace on guided tours of the reconstructed and restored Baroque palace, which features period furnishings, large tapestries, artworks, and silverware.
Address: Bismarckstraße, 68161 Mannheim, Germany, Phone: +49-62-12-92-28-91
8. Go on a Mercedes-Benz Factory Plant Tour
The Mercedes-Benz Museum documents the history of one of the world’s most famous automobiles, displaying over 130 years of auto industry history. Spanning nine levels throughout a floor space of over 16,500 square meters, the museum is home to more than 1,500 exhibits with 160 vehicles, ranging from the SLK to the E-Class Coupé.
The museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Germany's most modern car factories and witnesses the production of the SL, SLK, C-Class, E-Class Coupé and the GLK cars close at hand. A variety of guided tours through the various sections of the factory are also offered, including automobile, architectural, and electronic guided tours.
Address: Mercedes-Benz Kundenzentrum, Mercedesstrasse 1 28190 Bremen, Phone: +49-71-11-73-00
9. Get to know Moselle Valley
Hailed as one of the most beautiful valleys in Germany, the Moselle Valley (Moseltal) is a tripartite region in south-western Germany, north-eastern France, and eastern Luxembourg with the Moselle River Valley at its center.
Bordering three countries, the Moselle Valley is a world-renowned white-wine-producing region, having produced high-quality Moselle wine since the 19th century and forming the heart of the Luxembourg wine industry.
Boasting a reputation as a rural idyll and a world-class Riesling producing region, the Moselle Valley has a healthy tourism industry and attracts thousands of visitors every year who want to experience the natural beauty of the area, which includes a myriad of castles towering over romantic wine villages, and outstanding wines of the region.
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