Germany is a vast country with many places to visit: if you love to travel and plan a holiday for 2021, we have selected the best places to visit in Germany for you. Read on to discover some of the best travel destinations.
Contemporary museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Hipster districts, nature parks and sunsets on the Baltic. In this guide we take you on a discovery of the most incredible places to visit in Germany. Surely you have heard of them but maybe you have never had the chance to visit them. So what are you waiting for?
In Germany you’ll find famous cities like Berlin, one of the trendiest capitals of Europe always ready to amaze you, or little gems to discover, like Bremen and Lübeck. Take notes on the events planned and plan your trip for the summer or next autumn with your favourite travel magazine. Ready to go?
Neuschwanstein Castle
This magnificent castle in Bavaria, Germany, was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “King of fairy tales”, in 1886. Vey, near the town of Fussen, the Neuschwanstein Castle (New Swanstone Castle) is located in the Alps in Bavaria and has a breathtaking view as it stands on the top of a hill, overlooking the Hohenschwangau valley. When you visit this castle you will not only be enchanted by the otherworldly castle, but also by the breathtaking landscapes of the Alps and the valley.
No wonder this castle is also one of the most visited places in Germany! With its white limestone facade and blue turrets, it’s no secret that Neuschwanstein Castle is the main inspiration for Walt Disney when it comes to creating castles for the most famous fairy tales! It is known that Cinderella’s castle are inspired from here, but not only that, Sleeping Beauty’s castle was also inspired from here! Not only the incredible interior or hypnotic view, this beautiful castle also have a beautiful interior garden. The garden is so perfect, it even has an artificial grotto!
Berlin
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is the largest city in Germany known for its rich history, museums, street art, clubs, bars and the diversity of its population. The architecture of the city is mixed like its population, due to World War II and the Cold War. The city was a little damaged by the war, but it was rebuilt soon after and faster after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
In this wonderful city, you can find many interesting things from different historical periods. There are a lot of amazing places to see, but the first stop must be the “Berlin Cathedral” or “Berliner Dom” in German. This impressive church was built at the end of the 19th century, it is definitely one of the best places to visit in Germany. The entrance to this beautiful church is 7 Euros and you can get to see the beautiful view of central Berlin from the top of the dome. You can find the well preserved “Berlin Wall” on the east side of the city. Also, you can check out the “East Side Gallery” to see a section of this historic wall as well. You should also check the “Berlin Wall Memorial” or “Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer Hohenschönhausen”.
This place mostly lost by tourists, since it looks boring, looking for absolutely no attractive parts, but to understand the cold era of Germany, there is no better place. In addition, you can check the Documentation and Visitor Center as well as the Memorial site for free! The “New Synagogue” is the center of the Judaicum Foundation which is an institution for the preservation of Jewish memory and tradition. This extraordinary synagogue was built between 1859 and 1866 and severely damaged on the Kristallnacht – after all a Nazi pogrom – and during the Second World War, but it was rebuilt again and now stands with its glory.
“Pariser Platz” is a square located near the “Brandenburg Gate” after a walk on the “Unter den Linden” street. This square is named after Paris to honor the anti-napoleon allies. The neoclassical “Brandenburg Gate” was built around 1790 and today is a symbol of German reunification. The street/boulevard “Unten den Linden” is named after the linden trees that lined the pedestrian streets. If you find it here, you can reach a lot of landmarks in Berlin. It is an excellent walking route from Berliner Dom to the Brandenburg Gate.
Potsdam
Potsdam is a 1000 year old city with lots of historical buildings and landscapes as a World Heritage Site! If you are close to Berlin, you should definitely visit this incredibly beautiful city with lots of castles, gardens and many more. We owe a lot to 5 great architectures – Peter Joseph Lenné, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, Carl Phillipp Christian von Gontard, Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Friedrich Ludwig Persius – who rebuilt the city after World War II. And today Potsdam has a lot of historical monuments and places on the UNESCO World Heritage List! Sanssouci park which is a huge and glorious park outside Berlin is so beautiful, you never want to leave.
This park is also on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Sanssouci Park got its name from its beautiful rococo style palace which is so far the most romantic palaces in the world with its vineyards, incredible interiors, temples, fountains, marble statues and many more! Another place to visit in Germany is the Babelsberg Palace, which is a Gothic palace, built as the summer residence of Prince William. The palace was built in 1849 and since 1990 also the Babelsberg Palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Aachen
Aachen, a baroque city, is located in the northern part of Germany. This spa town with a great history is where Germany borders Belgium and Netherlands and is also the economic region called Euregio! In this medieval style city, you can admire beautiful buildings, beautiful city gates, pretty fountains and many others. It is not only a meeting point between countries, but also a city where Baroque style meets modernity. Aachen is among the famous places to visit in Germany for its historic center and historical monuments, but the most famous is Aachen Cathedral.
In this standing history, more than 30 kings have been crowned, 12 queens have been anointed and inside the Cathedral you can see the Palace Chapel of the year 800, the Gothic choir of the 14th century, bronze railings, golden masterpieces, beautiful stained glass windows and many more! This important place of pilgrimage is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List! Inside this beautiful cathedral, you can also get to see the burial place of Charlemagne – and his white marble imperial throne – and the treasure of the cathedral.
Even every seven years you can see Christ’s sheet, Mary’s cloak, the clothes used for John the Baptist when he was beheaded and the clothes from when Jesus was a child. So if you are in Aachen around 2021, you should definitely check that out too.
Dresden
Dresden, located in East Germany, is an important tourist route for lovers of Baroque architecture and world-class museums. After the Second World War, Dresden grew from its ashes like no other and is now the perfect city for history and innovation. Dresden is not only famous for its beautiful banks of the river Elbe, but is also home to the famous painting The Sistine Madonna by Raphael Sanzio and many others. But first, the Frauenkirche.
Not only is it a charming building from the outside, the Frauenkirche also has beautiful interiors. This exceptional church was built to be like a Catholic church, but because of the Reformation, it became Protestant. During World War II, the church was bombed and not rebuilt for some time because of the communist era. After the reunification of Germany, it was rebuilt and reopened in 2005. Today it is one of the most beautiful symbols of German unification and one of the best places to visit in Germany. The church also hosts concerts and musical events every year.
You must see the Frauenkirche at night with the amazing lights. The Opera House was destroyed during World War II (like the rest of Dresden) and rebuilt in 1985 and reopened with the same piece that was performed before its destruction. Not only for musical events, Semperoper also offers more tours that you can see the interior. It is located on Dresden’s Theatherplatz, a beautiful public square. You can buy tickets online or at the box office in front of the square and enjoy the beautiful Dresden Cathedral.
Cologne
With its gothic churches, chocolates, liberal people and of course its rich history, Cologne (Cologne) is the most visited city by tourists! It is the fourth largest and most visited place in Germany and is also the media and tourist centre of Germany. There is a large number of immigrants of Polish, French, Turkish, Russian and many others that makes a great diversity in this wonderful city.
Cologne is a fascinating place with lots of wonderful sightseeing! First of all, we praise the architecture of Cologne Dom. This beautiful cathedral is also protected by UNESCO. It is the first time that you notice if you take the exit of the main station. If you have comfortable shoes and trust your breathing, don’t forget to take 509 stairs to the top of the South Tower! Trust me, it’s worth it. Also, entry is free for Dom, but a small donation to the cathedral won’t hurt anyone :).
Munich
Munich – which is probably known with its annual beer festival – is the largest city in southern Germany and also where BMW was born! It is one of the best places to visit in Germany with its museums, architecture, people and, of course, culture. As Ernest Hemingway said: “Don’t even go anywhere else, I tell you, there is nothing like Munich. Everything else is a waste of time in Germany”.
The city hall has the most historic attractions in Munich. The New Town Hall was built between 1867 and 1908 in a Gothic style and has the famous Glockenspiel. The first floor has a large balcony that you can watch concerts or football championships. You can also get a beautiful view of Munich with its 85 meter high tower. The Glockenspiel performs every day at 11, 12 and 17 and is the main tourist attraction!
The Old Town Hall has the Residenz which is the former residence of the Bavarian Kings! The Residenz was originally a small castle, but has been expanded. In this delightful building you will find the Cuvilliés Theatre, the Hall of Hercules where you can listen to the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, of course, the Renaissance Antiquarium, the Baroque Ancestral Gallery and the Bavarian Treasury!
Hamburg
Hamburg straddles the Elbe River and is Germany’s “Gateway to the World”! Its port is the second busiest port in Europe and the city is the second largest city in Germany. Hamburg also has a great history, since its port has a great importance for Europe over the years. Most of the city was destroyed during World War II, but the historical value has been preserved.
The city centre starts from the street called Mönckebergstrasse, where the churches of St. James and St. Peter are also located. This street is an ideal place for shopping and at the end of the street Town Hall (Rathaus) will welcome you with its impressive architecture. Don’t forget to also visit the Miniatur Wunderland, where you will find views of Hamburg, the Alps, Scandinavian exhibitions and, of course, photos! The Speicherstadt, a landmark in Hamburg, is one of the main tourist attractions to visit in Germany, certainly a place worthy of instability!
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is one of the most romantic cities in Germany with its famous castle ruins, the beautiful old bridge and magnificent nature. The city lies along the Neckar River, which inspired Mark Twain to write Huckleberry Finn. At first glance, Heidelberg gives everyone a warm welcome with the mixture of many natural colours of green and auburn. Heidelberg was also one of the best preserved cities in Germany after World War II, which is why the city itself offers a great experience of history and cultural activities. Heidelberg Castle is one of the must see places in Germany.
Its ruins are located on top of the hills above the Altstadt / Old Town. The castle was built in 1214, but the “upper” castle was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire, so today we can only see the “lower” castle. You can reach it by climbing the stairs (if you are confident in your fitness) while looking at the Neckar River or you can take the Bergbahn. Inside the castle you can taste the extraordinary Heidelberg wine and take a picture with the largest barrel in the world! After that, you can visit the German Pharmacy Museum, which is also inside the castle, to enjoy the extensive collection of everything related to the historic pharmacy.
Children can also blend their own herbal tea or take a sniffing test 🙂 To be enchanted by another breathtaking view of Heidelberg, you can stroll through the castle garden and even get married from February to December :). If you visit the castle between June and August, you can enjoy the Heidelberger Castle Festival, which is a mix of theatre and music. And of course, Karl Theodor bridge! This famous bridge, known by many painters and poets, connects the two sides of the city.
It was built in the 18th century to replace the wooden bridge that had previously been destroyed by fire. Various sculptures fascinate every person who visits the bridge. At first glance, the Brass Monkey greets you with his mirror and is mice friends. The legend says that if you touch the mirror, it will bless you with wealth. If you touch your fingers, it will give you a chance to return to Heidelberg, and if your children touch the mice, it will bring them gifts and good luck.
Regensburg
This historic city was founded by the Romans with the construction of Castra Regina, the Roman fortress, at the bend of the Danube in 179 AD. Regensburg is one of the best places to visit in Germany not only for its rich history and Roman ruins, but also for its universities and monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, which make it eligible for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List! But for the best picture, you should check out St. Peter’s Cathedral aka Regensburg Cathedral. This gothic style cathedral was built in 700, but was unfortunately burned down in 1156. The restoration lasted until 1872 and is still in use!
Frankfurt
Frankfurt rhymes with banks, brokers and the stock exchange. But it also rhymes with relaxation, shopping and lifestyle. High finance aside, the economic capital of Germany, the German twin city of Milan, also makes a round figure in culture with its extraordinary museums along the Main. When you are in Germany, don’t miss the chance to visit one of its best places. The so-called “museum mile” will leave you speechless with 9 centuries of European art from the Städelsches Kunstintut or the unconventional innovations of the museum of architecture.
This architecture can be captured by photographing the highest skyline in Europe on a romantic boat trip on the river. Take a selfie with the new Central Bank of Europe and then stroll through the “good living room” of the city, Römer and Römemrberg, a town hall that lends a touch of charm to the large square. Last act in the lively Sachsenhausen district, for a night of cider in the Kneipe (pub).
Stuttgart
On the one hand the old castle, the Neues Schloss, on the other the modern art museum, the Kunstmuseum. This is how Stuttgart, the German city of strong contrasts, is presented, where classical and contemporary take each other by the hand. If you love four wheels, Stuttgart is the best place in Germany to visit the museums that tell the story of two prestigious car manufacturers: Porsche and Mecerdes Benz.
The latter’s factories are located in Sindelfingen, on the outskirts of the city, which is also worth a detour for the delightful half-timbered houses and one of the biggest festivals in Europe. Speaking of events, the Cannstatt Wasen folk festival is on the agenda: a feast of local delicacies washed down with wines from the nearby Neckar Valley – did you know that Stuttgart is called the “metropolis of forests and vineyards”? Motors and grapes also make way for ballet, with a dance company in vogue since 1608.
Bremen
Historic, innovative, seafaring. Here is another city with a glorious maritime past. Bremen is among the best places to visit in Germany, which shines preciously with its Marktplatz. Here you will find a UNESCO World Heritage Town Hall, where the most incredible ship models from the 6th-18th centuries, the Statue of Roland, the sumptuous patrician buildings and the Flemish “Schütting”, the market hall, seat of the Chamber of Commerce, are on display.
Add a touch of hi-tech to your holiday by entering the “belly” of the silver whale called Universum Bremen: an avant-garde museum that will arouse your curiosity. Just a stone’s throw from the square, pay homage to Bremen’s musicians, the famous protagonists of the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale, and touch the donkey’s lucky front paws. Before returning home, recharge your batteries in its historic cafés, trendy bistros and gourmet restaurants.
Lübeck
Another special Hanseatic, elected the “queen of the Hanseatic” par excellence. Lübeck is a concentration of history that passes through Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism, and that has shaped over the centuries, since 1143, a rich UNESCO World Heritage Centre. If you decided to visit one of the best places in Germany, the first move is to explore the Holstentor, a proud emblem of the city, one of the most famous architectural monuments of the nation.
Inside explore the Ansa and Navigation Museum. Also a must is the Buddenbrook House literary museum – Thomas Mann Centre, which leads you in the footsteps of the “Buddenbrooks” and the Mann, Germany’s most famous family of writers. If ships and books have made you feel a bit peckish, soothe it with marzipan. Lübeck is known to gourmets all over the world as the kingdom of this almond and sugar delight.
Weimar
Weimar is a city of 65,479 inhabitants in Thuringia, and is one of the largest cultural centres in the whole of Germany. With its rather small size, the city has no representative monuments, but it can be considered a monument itself, so much so that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the birthplace of famous people such as Schiller, Goethe, Bach and Nietzsche, and is home to the Buchenwald concentration camp, now active as a memory and documentation centre.
As in other best places to visit in Germany, in Weimar you can find a variant of bratwurst, the roasted sausage, accompanied by Thüringer Klöße, balls of pasta and potatoes typical of Thuringia.
Leipzig
Leipzig is a city of 531,562 inhabitants located in Saxony, historically relevant as the site of the Battle of Nations in 1813, and in 1989 of some peaceful pro-fall demonstrations of the Berlin Wall. Today Leipzig is called the “new Berlin” because it is among the best places to visit in Germany, modelled on the example of the capital, which is cheaper and with a nightlife of equal “fame”.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg is located in Bavaria on the banks of the river Pegnitz and has over half a million inhabitants. This must see place in Germany was rebuilt after the Second World War, the city centre still has some interesting buildings from an artistic and historical point of view. Famous is the Christkindlesmarkt, in English: the Christmas market, which is said to have even been set up by Martin Luther.
