Germany’s top attractions include more than just the big cities. Thanks to its history and its natural beauty, there are plenty of attractions to admire.
Germany is not only one of the leading countries in Europe, but in the world. Its history goes back a long way, symbolising its status as a great power. Many of its buildings and sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its castle and fortress architecture should be highlighted. Its land borders are Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France and the Benelux countries to the west.
Table of Contents
Best places in Germany
Berlin
Berlin is a significant European center of politics, media, culture, and science, no wonder the capital is packed with attractions.
The city’s present is defined by its history: the Brandenburg Gate, a section of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial all recall slices of the past.
Culture is also an integral part of the city. There are numerous museums in Berlin, most of which are on the specially designed Museum Island. Besides the „traditional” ones, several focus on the last hundred years, such as the Stasi Museum or the GDR Museum.
Black Forest
Located in southwestern Germany, it’s the country’s most important tourist region and most popular resort area. The Danube River also originates from here.
The name probably makes many think. The mountain range got its name from the dark color of the numerous coniferous trees found here.
There are countless waterfalls, gorges, and hiking trails in this area, making it a perfect spot for those who enjoy active excursions.
Munich
The capital of Bavaria is one of the world’s most livable cities. It’s best known for Oktoberfest and the Bayern Munich football team.
Besides its charming city center, the Nymphenburg Palace attracts tourists. Built in the 17th century in Baroque style, both the building and its park are must-see sights in the city.
The aforementioned Oktoberfest is one of the world’s largest folk festivals, held since 1810. For this occasion, breweries brew special beers, which should be consumed cautiously due to their high alcohol content. After consuming two one-liter beers, I felt quite good. 🙂
Neuschwanstein Castle
Who hasn’t seen this wonderful castle in pictures! The 19th-century Bavarian castle is among the world’s most famous.
The building, located in the southern part of Germany in the municipality of Schwangau on a rock in the Pöllat Gorge, was commissioned by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, to realize his childhood dreams. Due to his admiration and respect for Richard Wagner, some rooms and decorations in the castle are themed after the characters in Wagner’s operas.
Neuschwanstein inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, Los Angeles, and was the basis for the castle in the Cinderella animated film.
Saxon Switzerland National Park
The name might be misleading, as the park is not in Switzerland but on the border with the Czech Republic. It got its name because Swiss painters traveled here and named the region.
Its most famous natural formations are the sandstone table mountains. Among these, the most famous is Bastei, which rises about 200 meters above the Elbe. We can admire the rocks closely from a bridge.
Dresden
The city is often called the Florence of the Elbe, originally due to its art collections, Baroque and Mediterranean architecture, and its picturesque and climatically favorable location.
Dresden is internationally known as a cultural city, with numerous important buildings like the Baroque Zwinger, outstanding museums, and famous orchestras like the Saxon State Orchestra or the Kreuzchor.
Most of the city center we know today is reconstructed and renovated. This is due to the bombing of Dresden, which resulted in the complete destruction of the city center.
In 1434, one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, the Dresdener Striezelmarkt, was established here.
Moritzburg Castle
If we’re in Dresden, we must not miss the castle 13 km away. It’s a Baroque hunting lodge built on an artificial island. A beautiful example of medieval castle architecture.
Prince Moritz of Saxony had it built in the 16th century. The castle was continuously beautified, and its park and several surrounding lakes were created in the first half of the 18th century. The main function of the castle was the nobility’s hunting, and we can still admire its splendor today.
There are more than 100 rooms, with a special feature being the leather wallpaper covering about 60 rooms. Both the castle and the park are open to visitors.
Königssee
Possibly Germany’s most beautiful lake, near the German-Austrian border. Known not only for its beauty but also for the echo that forms on the lake.
Electric boats operate on the lake, docking at two places. One of these is the St. Bartholomew’s Church, named after the saint with a special onion dome, beautifully situated on the lakeshore.
Cologne
Situated along the Rhine, Cologne, with its history spanning over 2000 years, is one of Germany’s oldest cities. This is reflected in the city’s beauty.
The city’s symbol is, of course, the Gothic cathedral, the Cologne Cathedral. A World Heritage site, it was built over a long period, from 1248 to 1880. Its towers are over 150 meters tall, and with its spires, it reaches a height of 157 meters, making it the second tallest church in Germany and the third tallest in the world.
Another distinctive religious building is the Great St. Martin Church. Its unique feature is a tower much taller than usual, significantly increasing the building’s overall height.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Located in Bavaria, near Nuremberg, in the valley of the Tauber River, this wonderful small town is part of the World Heritage.
Rothenburg is considered one of Germany’s most beautiful towns, thanks to its medieval old town. It is surrounded by a high, well-preserved medieval wall. You can walk along this wall for about 4 kilometers. Every building in the old town splendidly displays its medieval grandeur, beautifully restored.
Sanssouci Park, Potsdam
Located 40 km west of Berlin, in the city of Potsdam, this was a former Prussian royal palace complex.
The foundation of the palace and the accompanying park was laid down by Frederick the Great in 1744. Compared to contemporary European courts, it is a modest late Baroque or Rococo palace, regarded as a major work of Knobelsdorff, and was completed in two years. This residence and its gardens, often referred to as the „Prussian Versailles” were declared a part of the world’s cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1990.
The palace was smaller during Frederick the Great’s time and was gradually expanded with new parts. This was when the Peace Temple, the Orangery, and the Marly Garden were built in the garden.
If you are in Berlin and have a free day, it’s definitely worth taking a train to visit this place!
Mainau
A small island in the northern basin of Lake Constance, it is a botanical garden, a historical castle park, and a cultural center. It’s one of Germany’s most attractive tourist facilities.
The 45-hectare area is almost entirely filled with thousands of flowers, and the flowers in the park are arranged so that their wilting is not noticeable.
Another attraction is the butterfly house. Numerous colorful butterflies flutter in the air. Interestingly, the butterflies are extremely gentle and friendly.
Lake Constance and surroundings attractions, programs
Bamberg
Located not far from Nuremberg, the town’s historical center is the largest intact city core in Germany. It has been on the UNESCO German World Heritage list since 1993.
In the old town, numerous monuments can be seen. Among these, the most famous is the old town hall, which stands on a small island, providing a splendid sight. It currently houses a porcelain museum.
The cathedral is also worth mentioning. In the 13th-century church, there is the Bamberg Horseman statue and the marble tomb of Henry II.
Marburg
Officially known as Marburg an der Lahn, it is located halfway between Frankfurt and Kassel.
A charming town dominated by churches and a castle on a hillside, full of Gothic and Renaissance architectural memories. The preservation of the old monuments is due to the city’s decline between 1600 and 1850.
The counts’ castle was built on a 287-meter high hill and is visible from almost everywhere. It was the first residence of the counts of Hesse. It houses some of the largest Gothic halls in Central Europe in secular (non-ecclesiastical) architecture.
Famous for its medieval churches. Particularly worth mentioning is the Elisabeth Church, Germany’s oldest purely Gothic building and a symbol of the city. Here lies the final resting place of Paul von Hindenburg, the post-World War I president.
Schwerin Castle
Located in the center of Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on one of the islands of Lake Schwerin. The castle is also referred to as the „Neuschwanstein of the North”.
The building, which also houses the state parliament, operates as a museum and was previously the seat of the Obotrites (a Western Slavic tribe) for centuries. Among more than 2000 castles and manors in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the castle is considered the most famous and magnificent.
It is one of Europe’s most significant romantic historicizing buildings, gaining its current form during multiple reconstructions and renovations between 1845 and 1857.
Zugspitze
At 2962 meters above sea level, it is Germany’s highest peak and also borders Austria.
The peak can be climbed from several directions, but due to storms, it’s not easy to conquer. The peak is accessible by two types of vehicles: a cogwheel train (Bavarian Zugspitze) or a cable car (Eibseeseilbahn).
Heidelberg
The town, located in the Neckar River valley, is famous for its old town, university, and the castle towering above the city.
Its old town is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Its most beautiful sight is the church on Marktplatz, founded by Emperor Ruprecht in 1400. The tomb of the emperor and his wife can be seen in the church.
Near the city, on an extension of the Geisberg, stands the castle, most of which was destroyed in the 18th century. It has been gradually renovated since then, but a part is still in ruins. However, the view of the city is magnificent, and the castle is an imposing sight from below.
Hohenzollern Castle
Located 50 km south of Stuttgart, atop Hohenzollern Mountain at an elevation of 855 meters.
Originally built in the 11th century, it was destroyed in the 15th century. The castle gained its current form in the 19th century when it was rebuilt by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in an English neo-Gothic and Loire castle style. The last Prussian Crown Prince, William, was the only one to reside here. He and his wife, Crown Princess Cecilia, are still laid to rest here.
Not only its exterior but also its interior spaces are impressive. It has 140 rooms where you can admire golden chandeliers, sculptures, and cathedral-like ceilings.
Rakotzbrücke
This unusual bridge stands near the Polish border, in the vicinity of the town of Gablenz.
Known also as the Devil’s Bridge, it was built by the then-owner of the park, Friedrich Hermann Rötschke. The bridge is made of basalt, and its foundations resemble basalt columns.
The stone bridge spanning over Rakotzsee becomes a true Instagram spot under the right natural conditions. The nearly semi-circular bridge, reflecting on the water surface, appears to form a complete circle. It is forbidden to walk on the bridge, but this is not a big issue since the view from the side is truly spectacular.
Moselle Valley and its two most beautiful sights
The Moselle River, meandering between the Luxembourg border and Koblenz, is one of the most beautiful regions in Germany.
The most beautiful part of this hilly landscape is Cochem Castle (Reichsburg Cochem). In the town of the same name, the Moselle makes a 180-degree turn, where the castle rises above the town. Its interior is very beautiful, but its location and exterior are the real tourist attractions.
Another notable sight not far from the castle is Eltz Castle. Considered one of Germany’s most beautiful castles, it stands almost in its original state, as it was unaffected by any wars. The castle has been in the same family for 800 years, but today it is open to visitors.
