From cosmopolitan cities to fairy tale towns, and rolling valleys to scenic lake resorts, here are some of the best places to visit in Germany.
With such a diverse range of places to visit in Germany, choosing where to spend your next vacation is no small feat. The country boasts everything from fairy tale castles and enchanting forests to bustling cities and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So, to help you narrow down your options, here are just a few of the best places to visit in Germany.
- Berlin
Exciting and vibrant, Germany’s capital is the center for all that is hip in the worlds of art, fashion, music, and design. The city is teeming with amazing architecture and there are plenty of fun things to do in Berlin. Whether you fancy getting a culture fix at the numerous museums and art galleries, haggling at the various flea markets, or delving into the city’s trendy restaurant and bar scene, you won’t be short of options. Of course, Berlin is also home to several important historical sites and landmarks. These include the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Jewish Museum.
- The Black Forest
Growing up, you most likely heard a Brothers Grimm fairy tale or two. Well, why not visit the magical land that supposedly inspired such stories as Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty. Bordering France in the southwest of Germany, the Black Forest covers 11,100 square kilometers of breathtaking natural landscape. Known for its dense, evergreen forests, and beautiful lakes and waterfalls, it’s the ideal place to get back to nature; be it by foot, bike, or horseback.
- Schloss Neuschwanstein or the Sleeping Beauty Castle
Speaking of Sleeping Beauty, Germany is also home to the breathtakingly beautiful castle that inspired Walt Disney’s version of the palace at Disneyland. Nestled in the mountains in the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Neuschwanstein is the crown jewel of Europe’s fairy tale castles and one of the most popular places to visit in Germany. The stunning palace, which was commissioned entirely for pleasure by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, is famous for its elegant spires that jut up from the treetops.
- Cologne, home of chocolate, beer, and a famous cathedral
The epitome of Gothic architecture, the famous Cologne Cathedral dominates the city’s skyline. The towering UNESCO World Heritage Site also houses the Ottonian Gero Cross; the oldest large sculpture of the crucified Christ, north of the Alps. But beyond this epic landmark, the city is full of great museums, restaurants, bars, and most importantly, chocolate. If you have a serious sweet tooth, you will no doubt love visiting the Chocolate Museum Cologne. This 4,000-square-meter chocolate wonderland features nine exhibition areas that teach you all about the culture and history of chocolate; dating back 3,000 years to the Mayans and Aztecs.
- Bayreuth
Every year, the northern Bavarian town of Bayreuth hosts the world-famous Richard Wagner Festival. The popular event, which celebrates the German-born composer, transforms the town into a hotspot for opera aficionados. But even if you’re not an opera fan, you won’t fail to be blown away by the extravagant interior of the 18th-century Margravial Opera House. This UNESCO World Heritage building is a masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture. It seats 500 guests who often come to experience authentic Baroque court opera. Aside from this stunning landmark, Bayreuth boasts a rich culture and heritage. This can be seen in its diverse collection of cultural attractions. These include more than two dozen museums and institutions, as well as several sites of grand historical structures and castles associated with the Margraves of Bayreuth.
