At the heart of Western Europe is Germany, which offers endless fun for travelers.
Planning a trip to Germany can often be a daunting task, as the country has countless diversity including historic yet cutting edge cities, romantic forests and cultural riches. It would take a lifetime to see everything this fascinating country has to offer. So, take your time and start with our guide to the best places to visit in Germany.
1. Middle Rhine (Rhine Valley)
Germany’s second longest river, the Rhine, flows south from Koblenz, cutting its gorge through a breathtaking landscape of vineyards and castles. The area between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, known as the Oberräder-Mittelrheinvalley (Upper Middle Oberräder-Mittelrhein Valley), is so special that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
The Oberles-Mitterrheintal region, bitterly contested for centuries, is home to some magnificent castles, including the Pfalzgrafstein, Rheinstein and Reichenstein castles, as well as the majestic Ehrenbreitstein castle in Koblenz.
Planning tip: Make time to visit one of the many wineries and wine bars here: We recommend Weingut Georg Breuer in Bingen, Alte Weinstube Zum Hubertus in Koblenz, and Zum Grünen Baum in Bacharach.
Visit the 13th-century cathedral Cologne Cathedral, the largest church in Cologne and Germany © Michael Abid / 500px
2. Cologne
Cologne (Köln) is known for its mild climate and many historical sites. Named after the Romans (founded in the 1st century AD as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinencium), the city has been a major centre of German history for centuries.
The most tangible symbol of Cologne’s importance and a must-see attraction is its magnificent 13th-century Gothic cathedral, the largest church in Germany and the tallest building in Europe until it was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. Other must-see historical and cultural attractions include the Romano-Germanic Museum and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Corbeau Foundation’s sublime collection of European art from the 13th to 19th centuries.
Planning tip: Get a KölnCard from the Cologne Tourist Office (next to the cathedral) or from any KVB or DB ticket machine. It’s a personal ticket (9 euros) valid for 24 hours, which gives you unlimited use of public transport and discounts of up to 50% at many cultural sites, restaurants and shops.
Looking for more budget-friendly tips? Check out our Germany travel money saving guide
Admire the dramatic cliffs of Jasmund National Park on the Baltic Sea coast of northern Germany © RicoK69 / Getty Images
3. Baltic coast
North Germany’s Baltic coast represents a side of Germany that many visitors never expect. The southern coast with its Baltic inlets hides vast stretches of pure white sand, whispering pine trees and untouched nature reserves. Highlights include the former Hanseatic powerhouse of Stralsund, its classic red-brick Gothic gabled architecture, the cliffs of Jasmund National Park on the island of Rügen and the birdlife and beauty of the Dars-Zingst peninsula.
Driving in Germany? Check out the best driving routes
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a beautifully preserved medieval village © Michael Abid / Alamy Stock Photo
4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Arguably the most charming village on the 250-mile (400-kilometer) Romantic Road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber (meaning “Upstream of the Tauber River”) is a wonderfully preserved example of a medieval German village. Strict cultural heritage protection means winding cobblestone lanes, intact city walls and historic churches appear at every turn. See local treasures at the Reichsstadt Museum, housed in a former Dominican monastery, and the former Rothenburg Handwerkerhaus, where weavers, potters and other artisans have been plying their trade for more than seven centuries.
Admire the splendor of Munich’s Residenzmuseum © Pigprox / Shutterstock
5. Munich and the Bavarian Alps
Munich, the capital of the Free State of Bavaria (Freistaat Bayern), is the city most tourists associate with “classic” German culture. Though Germany is in fact a mix of cultures and dialects, foreigners conjure up images of Bavarian bierkeller, sausages, and lederhosen. But Munich is no cliché: Germany’s third-largest city is a hub of high-tech manufacturing and cutting-edge culture, as well as a gateway to the spectacular Bavarian Alps.
Must-see attractions and experiences include the Residenzmuseum, the former palace of Bavaria’s ruling dynasty, the Wittelsbach family, the museum-filled Kunstreal district, and the exquisite 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace. An easy drive south of Munich will take you to the forested mountains, photogenic villages, ski and spa resorts of the beautiful Bavarian Alps.
Planning tip: Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival that begins in September, is synonymous with Munich and is its busiest and most expensive time of the year. Accommodation books up far in advance, so plan early.
Time your trip to Munich with our seasonal guide
A highlight of Weimar’s extraordinary cultural wealth, the Bauhaus Museum is a dazzling collection of high-design objects © RudiErnst / Shutterstock
6. Erfurt and Weimar
The central German cities of Erfurt and Weimar are an astonishing concentration of cultural achievement and historical significance: Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, is one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval centres, while Weimar stood as the capital of the 20th-century republic and was home to such cultural luminaries as Bach, Goethe, Schiller and Nietzsche before that.
Must-see attractions in Erfurt include the cathedral where Martin Luther was ordained and the vast Baroque Zitadelle Petersberg. In Weimar, make time to visit the Goethe National Museum, housed in the building where Goethe lived for 50 years, the UNESCO-listed Herzogin Anna Amalia Library, and the modernist treasures of the original Bauhaus Museum.
The Black Forest is a rural playground dotted with traditional villages © Milamai / Getty Images
7. Black Forest
Bordering France and Switzerland, the Black Forest is a vast forested region spanning more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,316 square miles). From spruce-covered slopes to deep valleys dotted with silvery lakes and traditional villages and farms, this diverse rural playground is perfect for exploring by car, bike or on foot.
If you’re short on time, drive the Schwarzwaldhofstrasse (Black Forest High Road) from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt for a scenic drive. If you have time, hike the 40-km (25-mile) Panoramaweg or the 12-km (7.5-mile) Feldberg-Steig to the forest’s highest peak. Must-visit populated areas include Triberg with its waterfalls and cuckoo clock, the laid-back university town of Freiburg, and Alpirsbach with its 11th-century Benedictine monastery.
Planning Tip: Travelers are naturally drawn to the Black Forest’s great outdoors, but it would be a mistake to overlook the region’s incredible cuisine. Of course, there’s Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest gateau), but some lesser known specialties include Baden-Baden venison, smoked Schwarzwälder Schinken (ham) and Freiburg’s skinless Lange Rote (long, red) sausage.
Don’t miss out on the best flavors of Germany with this food and drink guide
For many travellers, Berlin is synonymous with nightlife © Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images
8. Berlin
No German highlights list would be complete without the country’s capital and dynamic cultural powerhouse, Berlin. Germany’s most populous city is incredibly rich in the country’s best museums, restaurants, art and, above all, nightlife.
Bustling Berlin has long had a bohemian vibe, and while you’ll definitely make time to visit cultural attractions like the Mies van der Rohe-designed Neue Nationalgalerie and the treasure trove that is Museum Island, party-goers will be sure to find it at iconic venues like Berghain and Pratergarten, where beer and merriment have co-existed since 1837. As ever, Berlin’s partygoers continue to innovate.
Planning tip: Before you hit the city, grab your Berlin Welcome Card online. Available for a variety of durations, from 48 hours to six days, it comes with unlimited travel on public transport, free entry to over 30 top attractions, plus discounts of up to 50% at over 150 attractions, among other perks.
Explore Berlin district by district with a guide
This article was first published on June 3, 2021 and updated on May 9, 2024.
