I like how Germany blends age-old traditions with trendy beliefs. It’s stuffed with charming villages, moody forests, romantic river valleys, vineyards, half-timbered cities, and the majestic Alps. From my many journeys (and Berlin apart), listed here are my favourite locations I’d like to share with you…
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Romantic Highway
I believed this was one of the vital enchanting cities in the entire nation! I found impeccably preserved medieval structure, fairly half-timbered homes, cobblestone streets, and the enduring Plönlein nook, all set towards a backdrop of lush, rolling countryside. I believed the environment was romantic and timeless – it felt like stepping right into a dreamy European fairy-tale!
It was nestled within the Franconia area of Bavaria and located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River, a part of the scenic Romantic Highway 350km vacationer route that stretches by way of southern Germany by way of the forests and mountains of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. I used to be based in 1274 and right now has a inhabitants of round 11,000 residents.
We stopped right here on a highway journey and strolled alongside the well-preserved medieval partitions for panoramic views of the city, go to the charming Market Sq. with its historic City Corridor, discover the fascinating Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, tried conventional Schneeballen pastries, wandered by way of the picturesque Plönlein nook, and stepped again in time on the German Christmas Museum!
Guide A Journey!
We are able to e book your journey hopping round Germany’s lovely locations by way of our free, top-rated journey planning service!
Finest time to go to: spring to autumn however Christmas may be very magical
My private highlights…
Climbing the 241 steps of the tall City Corridor Tower have been I noticed the gorgeous panoramic views over town!
Occurring the amusing Evening Watchman’s Tour!
2. The Black Forest
It is a mysterious land of cuckoo clocks and cherry gâteaux! I like this massive, forested mountain vary is residence ot dense evergreen forests, rolling hills, and quaint half-timbered homes in conventional villages and dotted with by historic websites. I like the tranquil and mystical vibe it has which is infused with a way of old-world allure – it’s so magical it even impressed a few of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales!
It’s positioned within the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, bordering France to the west and Switzerland to the south, stretching from the spa city of Baden-Baden to the Swiss border and eastward from the Rhine River to the city of Villingen-Schwenningen. It spans 6,000 sq. kilometers and has been a major supply of timber, clock-making, and folklore since medieval occasions!
I spent just a few weeks right here climbing the scenic trails of Feldberg (which is the very best peak), explored the enchanting Triberg Waterfalls, learnt about clock-making historical past on the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen, relaxed within the luxurious thermal baths of Baden-Baden, found the picturesque Titisee Lake, sampled wine within the vineyards of Offenburg, wandered by way of the quaint streets of the historic cities of Calw and Freiburg.
My favorite highlights…
Driving alongside the Schwarzwaldhochstraße – a surprising excessive highway by way of rolling hills and valleys, thick forests of black fir bushes, and mist-covered lakes.
Catching the Zapfle-Bahnle prepare across the lake the place I took in the great thing about the tranquil water.
3. Neuschwanstein Citadel
This palace is so fairytale-like that it really impressed the well-known Disney citadel! I’ve to be sincere I believed the Nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival was jaw-dropping with a dramatic architectural design, towering white limestone facades and complicated interiors, all set towards the gorgeous backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. To me it felt magical and nearly otherworldly!
It’s perched atop a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau within the Alps in southern Bavaria close to the city of Füssen, simply throughout the border from Austria, It was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria (who was often known as the “Mad King”) in 1869 and opened to the general public in 1886 shortly after his demise. It covers a footprint of over 6,000 sq. meters and was designed as a romantic homage to German composer Richard Wagner.
We drove two hours from Munich and when right here we took a guided tour of the opulently embellished interiors which included the king’s lavish bed room and the gorgeous Singers’ Corridor, loved breathtaking views from Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), which neglected the citadel and provided an Instagram-worthy photograph alternative!
That is typically often known as Germany’s most lovely Alpine Lake, which, given the competitors, is kind of an accolade!
Situated within the southeastern portion of Germany and on the border of Austria is the gorgeous Lake Königssee —Germany’s most profound and cleanest lake and one in every of my private favourites.
Bavaria is a very scenic space. This nook of the area has been used for out of doors recreation for hundreds of years – each Bavarian royalty and the native rulers of Berchtesgaden and Salzburg as soon as hunted right here.
Since 1909, solely electric-powered passenger ships, rowing, and pedal boats have been permitted on the lake, preserving with its pure and pure environment.
UNESCO World Heritage websites are scarce, but Regensburg, Germany, has gained the group’s consideration! In 2006, Regensburg turned a UNESCO World Heritage website, to the delight of its 150,000 residents.
Strolling by way of the streets of this lovely metropolis will carry you face-to-face with a few of the most spectacular structure on this planet!
In case you love water, then Regensburg would be the metropolis for you as town is perched alongside the Danube, Regen, and Naab rivers.
My favorite metropolis highlights embody the attractive structure, the numerous wonderful resturants, bars and inns, the fabulous conventional markets and the beer gardens!
Finest time to go to: summer time however the Christmas interval is very magical
Try our video highlights of our journey to Regensburg…
6. Sanssouci Citadel
This grand summer time palace sits on a big hill close to Potsdam in East Germany.
Created for Fredrick the Nice of Prussia, it resembles the Palace of Versailles primarily due to the beautiful terraced gardens planted and truthfully, I believe it’s a unprecedented place which is price exploring particularly should you’re a historical past fan.
Secluded temples and pavilions are inside the gardens, and the palace itself is embellished with golden Rococo element and 18th-century furnishings.
The effective historic metropolis of Bamberg is positioned in Bavaria, near the River Fundamental. Its historic metropolis heart is so overflowing with essential structure that it has earned itself UNESCO World Heritage Web site standing.
On a bridge over the Regnitz, discover the slender cobbled lanes of the Outdated City, the elegant Thirteenth-century cathedral, and the city corridor.
Wander alongside the meandering streams after which cease for a glass of the native beer in one of many many out of doors beer gardens. In my view, this metropolis is critically chocolate-box fairly and is nicely price exploring!
The gorgeous River Rhine cuts by way of the Rhenish slate mountains, meandering between hillside castles, sloping fields of wine-producing grapes, Gothic church buildings, forested hillsides, craggy cliffs, and idyllic villages stuffed with half-timber cities.
I like to recommend climbing by way of the valley path for spectacular views of mountains, castles, mineral springs, and small nation inns.
The realm from Bingen to Koblenz is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, residence to forty castles and stately properties.
Bremen is a Hanseatic metropolis in northwestern Germany. It sits nestled alongside the River Weser, and the small compact metropolis is among the oldest in Germany, courting again 1200 years.
In addition to the gorgeous historic structure, it’s well-known for uplifting bnthe Grimms’ folklore story of the Musicians of Bremen.
Within the older a part of town (the Schnoor-Viertel space), I’d recommend exploring the pleasant winding cobbled alleyways flanked by a sequence of charming medieval homes with wood beamed facades.
I personally suppose the encompassing countryside and farmland are additionally price exploring, particularly alongside the sting of the river Wümme.
Finest time to go to: summer time or Christmas for the markets
10. Sylt
Typically forgotten by international vacationers, the Island of Sylt (a part of the German Frisian Islands) is related to the mainland by the Hindenburgdamm causeway and I like this underrated gem!
With a number of beautiful resorts, 40km of sandy seashores, an uncommon shoreline, and loads of breathtaking nature, in my view, Sylt is nicely price a go to; as a result of it’s separated from the mainland, it has remained comparatively untouched.
The homes on the island are constructed within the pleasant Fristian fashion, and the cliffs lining the coast are slowly eroding, creating an uncommon and distinctive sample.
Fields of flowers, colourful lighthouses, and sparsely populated villages have made this an unique hidden gem and playground for the wealthy and well-known.
Location: Frisian Islands, Northern a part of the nation
The Harz Nationwide Park is a stunning nature reserve positioned within the German federal states of Decrease Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
It’s a mountainous area shrouded in mist (or brightly lit by the solar) and stuffed with lakes, woodland, tales of folklore, and loads of alternatives to be one with nature.
I like this park for its strolling and snowboarding and affords botanical gardens, climbing trails, and uncommon natural world. Additionally it is blessed with many species of butterflies and small creatures distinctive to this space.
I extremely suggest visiting Brocken, the very best mountain in northern Germany, which is positioned within the park and taking a gauge prepare to the summit to get essentially the most gorgeous view of the park beneath.
Finest time to go to: spring to autumn however the winter time can also be magical
12. Eibsee
Eibsee is a world away from the hustle and bustle of metropolis life, and it’s a tranquil and extremely photogenic magnificence spot.
Summers right here permit guests to take pleasure in kayaking or swimming within the crystal clear waters of Eibsee Lake, and the quaint city positioned on the jap shores of the lake attracts in guests yr after yr.
The lake is positioned in Bavaria and boasts 177.4 hectares of pristine waters. I extremely suggest bringing your digital camera alongside, though sadly, the photographs won’t do justice to the brilliant blues depicted in actual life!
Historical past buffs will love Hohenschwangau Citadel, Germany, the childhood residence of King Ludwig II in Bavaria, constructed by Kink Maximilian, Ludwig’s father.
Although the courtroom could draw guests in, the city of Hohenschwangau makes essentially the most influence.
This city options worlds of pure magnificence with parks akin to Poellatschlucht. Strolling by way of this Bavarian city brings guests again to an easier time earlier than know-how.
If you wish to get away from all of it and benefit from the pure magnificence and basic structure, in my view Hohenschwangau is the place!
Palaces worldwide have drawn guests for a glimpse into how the very best of society have lived for hundreds of years and I’m an enormous fan, it’s a spectacular place!
The ultimate building of the palace was accomplished in 1744, however building had been happening since 1720.
Prince Bishof of Wurzburg, Johann Phillip Franz Von Schonborn, and Friedrich Carl Von Schonbron, his brother, commissioned the work.
I like that the structure depicts the basic French fashion with over-the-top grandeur at each flip!
Location: Würzburg, Bavaria, southern a part of the nation
I like this Instagram-worthy gem particularly through the winter! This park maintains its pure magnificence as park officers refused to restore the injury from a extreme 1983 storm.
Although it may appear odd right now for officers to make such a choice, it paid off for the park, making it among the many extra rugged and naturally wild parks on Earth.
Other than being a wild dream, Bavarian Forest Nationwide Park additionally options some unusual animals, together with the pygmy owl and three-toed woodpecker so I’d recommend making an attempt to identify them!
Wildlife enclosures are discovered all through the park to provide the animals a way of security whereas offering people with an up-close view of the animals of their pure habitat.
The surroundings right here is critically gorgeous and within the winter the thick forest is adorned with heavy snow!
Location: Bavaria, southeast
Customer centre tackle: Hans-Eisenmann-Haus 1, 94556 Neuschönau, Bavaria
Finest time to go to: all yr spherical (the winter is particulary magical)
16. Gorlitz
Gorlitz has offered a wonderful backdrop for a number of movies, together with The Grand Budapest Lodge, The Reader, The Final Command, and The Inglorious Bastards.
Additionally it is a surprising location for a lot of motion pictures, however few locations, even in such a historic nation as Germany, maintain as a lot historical past as Gorlitz.
Though modernized, the city’s roots return to 1071, when it was initially a slave settlement. At this time’s Gorlitz nonetheless maintains the markings of the previous in wealthy historic buildings and structure, however most guests go to the Neisse River.
The river flows by way of town, offering a way of transportation, a fishing avenue, and a vacationer attraction. Gorlitz is a hidden gem, not close to many of the nation’s main points of interest.
Nonetheless, individuals flock to this a part of the nation for its serene setting and calm environment. If you wish to get away from all of it and see just a few acquainted buildings, I personally suppose Gorlitz is the place to do it!
I beloved the Moselle Valley! I believed it was an enthralling and picturesque place which even matches the class and romance of Prague and Rome!
This space has been residence to varied cultures for over 2000 years and has a number of cultural influences. The Moselle Valley homes many vineyards, which provides to the great surroundings! The Rieslings made listed here are identified to be among the many finest on this planet!
I additionally extremely suggest exploring the picturesque castles and quaint villages positioned right here!
I like this beautiful, fairytale like citadel positioned within the Swabian Alps!
This citadel is open to the general public, however keep in mind it’s a privately owned construction. The courtroom, constructed within the Gothic Revival fashion, was crafted between 1840 and 1842.
Restoration of the historic citadel was accomplished in 2002 by way of non-profit group assist. If you wish to reside out your fairytale fantasies, Lichtenstein Citadel is the place to do it.
Mittenwald is in the course of the Bavarian alpine peaks, positioned within the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen alongside the Austrian border.
This enticing city has enchanting homes with mural artwork (Lüftlmalerei) and beautiful cobbled stone lanes. I do know you gained’t be disenchanted with the views that mix picturesque mountains and a serene vista, it’s critically gorgeous!
That is the proper place to go to in Germany in case you are an artwork and violin fan, because it’s identified for manufacturing violins and cellos. Mittenwald Violin Crafting Museum is among the most well-known points of interest based in 1930.
In case you favor to see the mural arts, a spot that could be a should is the previous city, the place you possibly can respect painted buildings, beautiful church buildings, and a nice environment.
Nonetheless need extra? Then I’d recommend heading for the elegant metropolis of Munich, which is residence to the well-known annual Oktoberfest, the putting resort city of Monschau, the effective baroque college metropolis of Heidelberg, Lübeck town famend for its Brick Gothic structure, and the spectacular surroundings of the Rems Valley.
