Germany is one of the largest European countries, and this list of the best places to visit in Germany takes you on a journey across the charms of this laid-back country.
Germany’s northern coastline is lapped by the North and Baltic seas, while the southernmost regions are coated in forests and mountains. The Danube and Rhine rivers flow through the country, providing scenic cruising opportunities.
Amid these natural vistas stand medieval castles, Gothic cathedrals, and storybook villages. Historic cities rich in cultural and culinary experiences can keep you busy for days on end, and it’s easy to take day trips thanks to Germany’s exceptional train system.
Although famed for its Christmas markets, there’s cheer for every season in Germany. The country’s non-stop events program encompasses food and beer festivals, carnivals, and sporting tournaments.
Let this list of the best places to visit in Germany inspire your next adventure.
10 Best Places To Visit in Germany
1. Berlin
Berlin stands out for its creative and rebellious spirit. It doesn’t quite behave in the way you might expect a European capital and that’s all part of the charm.
Among its multitude of historic sights, the city is perhaps best known for the Berlin Wall, which once stretched for almost 90 miles. Start at the Berlin Wall Memorial and join a walking tour to fully understand the monument’s symbolism and how it physically and politically divided the country.
The story continues at Brandenburg Gate, which has stood for unity and liberation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It also marks the entrance to the vast Tiergarten. Other top attractions in Mitte include Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and Museum Island (Museumsinsel).
The subterranean tunnels at Berlin Underworld are a little further afield but tours shed light on a fascinating part of German history.
Head to Berlin’s outlying neighborhoods to experience local vibes and counterculture. Home to Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum, artsy Kreuzberg is known for its diverse food scene and street murals.
Renting a bike or joining a cycling tour is highly recommended – but don’t skip the former St. Agnes Church, which is now an art gallery.
Continue the experience by crossing the Oberbaum Bridge and exploring Friedrichshain, another ultra-cool quarter radiating around the RAW-Gelande Cultural Center.
Best Time To Visit Berlin
The German capital bounces to life in May when the warmer weather sees Berliners flood the city’s beautiful parks. Fall sees a return to normality after a summer of festivals and winter is the quietest time to visit Berlin’s many world-class museums.
2. Heidelberg
As the setting of the country’s oldest university, Heidelberg is one of the top places to visit in Germany for history. Founded in the late 14th century, Universitat Heidelberg remains a center for social sciences, humanities, law, medicine, and more.
You’ll pass the campus buildings and library while exploring the Baroque sights of the Altstadt (Old Town) on the south bank of the Neckar River. Unruly students were contained at the Student Jail (Studentenkarzer), which is now preserved as a quirky museum.
Heidelberg received World Heritage status as a UNESCO City of Literature for its legacy of attracting writers and thinkers. Follow in their footsteps at the Philosophers’ Way (Philosophenweg) on the north bank of the river named after the academics who frequented the trails.
From this vantage point, you’ll gain a view of Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg) towering over the riverside city. Ransacked by battles, twice struck by lightning, and victim to several fires, the castle has a shocking history.
Even so, it retains its majestic silhouette and beautiful gardens despite centuries of catastrophe. Admission to the German Pharmacy Museum (Deutsches Apotheken-Museum) is included with a castle ticket.
Best Time To Visit Heidelberg
Travel in spring to experience the Heidelberg Literature Festival (Literaturtage) or in summer for the Heidelberg Castle Festival (Schlossfestspiele). Fall brings stunning photography and back-to-school vibes, whereas winter orbits around festive markets.
3. Black Forest (Schwarzwald)
Filled with fairytale landscapes and villages awash with half-timbered houses, the Black Forest is one of the most beautiful regions to visit in Germany.
Freiburg im Breisgau, a thriving university city, is one of the liveliest places of interest. This sustainably-minded city and its riverside are a joy to explore by bike.
Meanwhile, a 10-minute flight on the Schauinslandbahn cable car deposits you at the summit of the Schauinsland for panoramic views over the Black Forest.
Triberg lies 30 miles northeast of Freiburg, where you’ll find the world’s largest cuckoo clock and one of Germany’s highest waterfalls.
The Black Forest Museum (Schwarzwaldmuseum) is a fantastic spot to learn about regional mining and artisanal heritage. Continue your cultural education in Wolfach, where you can catch a glass-blowing demonstration at Dorotheenhutte.
Find a prettier – or more relaxing – place in Germany than Baden-Baden – we challenge you. This spa town is fed by the same thermal mineral waters where the Romans once bathed. Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Spa continue to delight and rejuvenate travelers.
The Black Forest sits in the southwest corner of Germany sandwiched between the French border and the state of Bavaria. Munich, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt are natural jumping-off points for the Black Forest.
Best Time To Visit The Black Forest
Visit between May and September for outdoor activities, or choose winter for snowy landscapes. Riding the Black Forest Railway and attending craft workshops are year-round activities.
4. Munich (München)
Bavaria’s capital is a vivacious modern city fusing grand architecture and neverending green spaces. Dwarfing NYC’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park, the English Garden (Englischer Garten) supplies 900 acres of outdoor immersion. Surfers flex their skills daily on the artificial wave installed on the Eisbach River.
Any stay in Munich starts in the medieval Altstadt where Marienplatz and Frauenkirche will have you reaching for your camera.
The Maxvorstadt University district is home to four major museums dedicated to art and design: Alte Pinakothek, Die Neue Sammlung, Pinakothek der Moderne, and Munich Museum of Egyptian Art. There’s also a sculpture garden to explore in between.
A quick ride on the U-Bahn brings you to the Olympiapark, which hosts big-name concerts and the occasional flea market. In the same area, the BMW Museum exhibits the brand’s development, and the Welt is a free-to-visit showroom.
Munich is swimming in beer halls serving traditional Bavarian beer brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law. Helles (pale lager), Kellerbier (unfiltered lager), Starkbier (strong beer), Weissbier (citrus wheat beer), and Dunkeles (dark beer) are the main varieties served at historic taverns.
Neuschwanstein Castle, another of the most beautiful places to see in Germany, may be visited on a day trip from Munich.
Best Time To Visit Munich
Oktoberfest is an exciting opportunity to experience this Bavarian cultural bonanza. However, Munich’s beer gardens and yuletide markets maintain a festive atmosphere all year.
5. Nuremberg (Nürnberg)
Another Bavarian destination with a rich history as a trade center and imperial city, Nuremberg has a remarkably preserved Altstadt with timber-framed houses and Gothic churches.
Idle over to the Hauptmarkt (Main Square) at midday to witness the clock perform its routine on Frauenkirche. The Mannleinlaufen commemorates the first Golden Bull decree issued by Emperor Charles IV during the Imperial Diet of 1356.
Nearby stands the Schoner Brunnen, which translates to Beautiful Fountain. Try to locate a golden ring affixed to the gate – legend says that turning it will make your wish come true. There’s a knack for unlocking the luck, so you’ll want to consult your guide for the correct method.
The Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) is a charming opportunity to learn about Nuremberg’s toy-making heritage.
Every December, the Hauptmarkt hosts one of Germany’s greatest Christmas markets – and one of the oldest. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has occurred since 1628 and maintains the time-honored appointment of a local woman to play the part of the Christkind and spread goodwill.
In terms of food, Christkindlesmarkt is famed for its Rostbratwurst (Nurnberger bratwurst) and Lebkuchen (Franconian gingerbread).
Last but not least, the Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) reveals the stories of the German emperors who resided in the complex and the political assemblies that took place in Nuremberg. It grants a unique perspective of the city and is worth the climb in any season.
Best Time To Visit Nuremberg
Nuremberg is magical during Christmas. However, this city has year-round appeal.
6. Rhine Valley
Considered the most romantic place to visit in Germany, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a 40-mile stretch between the small towns of Bingen and Koblenz.
This region was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its balance of natural beauty and human heritage. Riverside villages have played an important role in trade and influenced writers, whereas the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is famed for its viticulture.
Romantic Germany’s heartland, the Rhine Valley is comparable to the Loire Valley – one of France’s World Heritage Sites. This idyllic region is studded with ancient castles, many of which perch high above the river.
The alabaster-white Stolzenfels Castle (Schloss Stolzenfels) cuts an impressive scene as it protrudes from the forest. Burg Katz is marked by two whimsical turrets, while Rheinfels Castle (Burg Rheinfels) grants some of the best views in the region.
Close by, the Loreley is a rocky slate mountain towering over the waterway. It’s associated with the mythological siren Lorelei, who is held accountable for the multitude of shipwrecks at this bend in the river.
It’s the vineyards of the Rhine Valley that are behind the country’s famous Rieslings, making this area one of the best places in Germany for wine tourism.
Rudesheim am Rhein has the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards. Tours are recommended but simply strolling down Drosselgasse presents fruitful tasting opportunities.
Bromserburg, one of the region’s oldest castles, now serves as a museum for all things viniculture and viticulture. The site hosts live music in the evening to enjoy with a glass of local iced wine.
If you don’t have enough time to stay and linger in this gorgeous part of Germany, you can get a good taste of the Rhine Valley on an easy day trip from Frankfurt.
Best Time To Visit The Rhine Valley
Late spring, early summer, and fall are the best times for nature lovers to experience the stunning landscapes through river cruising, hiking, and cycling.
7. Dresden
Dresden pips Nuremberg to the post as having the oldest Christmas market in Germany. The 590th Dresden Striezelmarkt will be held in 2024 and every year’s edition gets bigger and brighter.
Saxony’s state capital was heavily damaged during the Second World War. However, its Altstadt has been masterfully reconstructed down to its Baroque Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) and Renaissance Royal Palace (Residenzschloss).
The Semperoper is one of Germany’s most striking opera houses. This too suffered damages from fire and war but has since returned to its glory and operates behind-the-scenes tours and orchestras. The Magic Flute and The Flying Dutchman are firm favorites.
Split your time in Dresden between the Old Town and the Neustadt. The modern city is where you’ll find the Kunsthofpassage, a cluster of courtyards and alleys bearing murals, mosaics, sculptures, and multimedia exhibitions.
Another Dresden gem, the Green Vault at Residenzschloss amasses precious jewelry and artifacts collected by Augustus the Strong. It’s considered one of the oldest – if not the oldest – museums in Europe. Tickets are restricted and require advance booking.
Being equidistant from Berlin and Prague, Dresden slots in nicely with a German or multi-country itinerary across Central Europe.
Best Time To Visit Dresden
Any month works. Unless you’re traveling to Germany for Christmas markets, spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons, whereas summer is warm but rain-prone.
8. Cologne (Köln)
This 2000-year-old city on the Rhine River is one of the best places to visit in Germany for culture and museums – and the offering is far more varied than you may think.
Of the one hundred museums sprinkled across Cologne, art is just the start. There’s also a Perfume Museum (Duftmuseum im Farina Haus), which traces the origin of Eau de Cologne.
Giovanni Maria Farina created the fragrance in Cologne in 1709, which has gone on to inspire a spate of citrus-based fragrances for men. The museum tour includes a vial of the original blend.
Elsewhere, the Deutsches Sport Museum hones in on the Olympics and other international events. It’s next to impossible to continue walking past the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) once you catch the scent of cocoa beans.
It won’t surprise you to hear that Cologne is considered the cultural capital of Germany. Cologne’s most notable landmark looms over Altstadt Nord – yes, Cologne’s Old Town is so vast it is divided into two parts, Altstadt Nord and Altstadt Sud.
The twin-towered Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that took 632 years to complete.
Although most cultural attractions lie on the left bank, it’s worth venturing to Schal Sick – the wrong side of Cologne – for the views and gentle hikes in Konigsforst.
Best Time To Visit Cologne
The Fifth Season, also known as Cologne Carnival, commences every year on the 11th of November (the 11th month), at 11:11 AM on the dot. Karneval then goes on hiatus over winter and resumes at the end of February.
9. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Skirting the northern border of Bavaria, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the prettiest places in Germany. In fact, it’s as close to stepping into a children’s picture book as you’ll find.
Rothenburg’s medieval center comprises all the trappings of a historic German town. A meander around cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings culminates at the Plonlein, where a wonky yellow building sits at a junction with other olde-worlde landmarks.
Rothenburg is just one hour east of Nuremberg although most travelers visit on a day trip from the larger cities of Munich or Frankfurt. As the town thins out in the evening, it’s a great place to spend a night and experience the picturesque Plonlein under the moonlight.
This way, you can partake in one of the most unusual tourist activities in Germany: a twilight exploration of the town with a local night watchman. In the Middle Ages, these guardians patrolled the streets of Rothenburg so citizens could sleep safely. Storytelling tours last around one hour and bring to life the duties and deeds of watchmen.
Best Time To Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Visit between April and October for the warmest weather and availability of Night Watchmen tours.
10. Hamburg
Hamburg’s position as one of Europe’s largest ports earned it the moniker Germany’s Gateway to The World. Besides being a seaport, Hamburg sits on a system of canals that inspired a second nickname, the Venice of the North.
As such, Hamburg is one of the best places to visit in Germany for maritime culture and water activities. Harbor boat cruises and hop-on hop-off services operate in the central districts’ waterways. Several canal tours use traditional barges docked at the Landungsbrucken floating piers.
Routes usually pass HafenCity’s Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall and emblem of Hamburg. When spending a night in Germany’s second-largest city, it’s always a good idea to see what’s on the schedule.
Another of Germany’s kookiest (and most popular) tourist attractions is located in the neighboring Speicherstadt, the warehouse district.
Miniatur Wunderland is a model railway system recreating iconic places around the world including cities, Area 51, Drake Passage, and an Austrian ski resort. Plans to add the Amazon Rainforest and Atacama Desert are in motion.
Best Time To Visit Hamburg
As the northernmost destination to visit in Germany, Hamburg experiences the coolest climate. The summer months bring a wealth of festivals, whereas spring’s cherry blossom and fall’s shifting color palette are wonderful for photography.
Explore Germany With JayWay Travel
Whether it’s fascinating cities, fairytale-like villages, spectacular scenery, historic landmarks, or mouthwatering food that drives you to travel, Germany is so diverse that it has something for everyone.
After reading our guide to the best places to visit in Germany, you must have an idea of where you’d like to go during your next European adventure. But even if you don’t, fear not.
Our travel experts are here to craft the most memorable Germany itinerary for you. So, reach out and get ready for the German vacation you never knew you needed!
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.