Germany is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Its combination of accessibility and variety in scenery and experience can’t be matched. But there’s so much to see in the country that it’s hard to settle on the must-see places in Germany.
For starters, try these twelve best places to visit in Germany.
Tip: Germany is one of the most popular destinations for travel protection. Read why.
Berlin
It only makes sense to start with the city that’s at the heart of so much of the German experience, from history to art to lifestyle.
Berlin is synonymous with an approach to life that’s cynical, adventurous, dark, and celebratory by turns. Some of that stems from Berlin’s role in the Bauhaus arts-and-culture movement of the 1920s. Some stems from its postwar status as a divided city. Some is just Berlin being Berlin.
The Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's most iconic landmark. Half of Germany's history has passed through this triumphal monument on Pariser Platz. This towering neoclassical monument was first built in the 18th century, and today, it's the symbol of Germany's unification.
Not far from the gate, on the historic Bernauer Strasse, visitors to Berlin can't miss the Berlin Wall Memorial. There's a documentation center, hourly tours and a memorial to Germans who lost their lives trying to cross the Iron Curtain.
The Berliner Schloss is a 15th-century palace in the heart of Berlin. This was the seat of Germany's ruling monarchy until 1918, and it was badly damaged during World War II. Today, this towering architectural masterpiece is fully restored and open to the public for daily tours.
Did you know it's illegal to run out of fuel on the autobahn in Germany? Read: Tips for Safe Driving on Vacation in Europe
Munich
If Berlin is Germany’s dark heart, Munich is its jolly exterior. The epitome of Southern-Germany bonhomie, Munich parties hard in its biergartens and festivals, and offers architectural highlights galore.
Start your visit to Munich at Marienplatz, a central square that's the hub of commercial and cultural activity. The New Town Hall is a marvel of architecture, where you can visit the Glockenspiel. There are also shops, restaurants and cafes at street level where you can spend an entire day just watching the crowds.
The Englischer Garten is one of the world's largest urban parks. This charming spot offers a place to retreat from the bustling city where you've spent the day. It offers lush greenery, rest spots by the streams and lakes and even surfing at the Eisbachwelle, a man-made wave in the park's river.
If you're into the history of science and technology, you can't miss the Deutsches Museum on Museumsinsel, across the bridge from Hotel Admiral. This is one of the largest and oldest science museums in the world. The exhibits are interactive, which helps to make the experience engaging for visitors of all ages.
Germany is part of the Schengen Area. What does that mean?
Read: What Americans Need to Know About the Schengen Area
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Dresden
Even now the cities of the former East Germany get short shrift compared to their western counterparts. In the case of Dresden, that’s extremely unfortunate.
The capital of the province of Saxony shines with spectacular old buildings, like the Semperoper (Opera House), the Residenzschloss (Electors’ Residence), the Zwinger Palace and the Frauenkirche.
In addition, the Sempergalerie Alte Meister has (as its name implies) one of the greatest collections of paintings by the Old Masters. For a little funk with your history, check out the Neustadt portion of the city.
The Zwinger is a converted royal palace that now houses a stunning collection of art and antique porcelain. It also restores and shows off historic scientific equipment, with informative exhibits about the history of science.
Dresden's Altstadt is a treasure trove of historic buildings and storied landmarks. Walking around the Altmarkt Square, you and the family can visit the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and then crane your neck up to see the towering mass of Dresden Castle.
The Blaues Wunder, or Blue Wonder in English, is a graceful historic bridge that spans the Elbe and often finds its way into picture postcards of the city. This is one of Dresden's most famous landmarks and offers photo-worthy views of the river itself and of the surrounding area.
There’s a reason why one of the best ways to see Germany is on a river cruise. The Rhine is the highway of old Germany and the best route to see the most beautiful places in Germany. Impressive castles and striking modern buildings line its shores. Wineries dot its banks. Charming old villages with their half-timbered buildings sit close to the water.
Some of this is illusion, of course. Many of the villages and castles were rebuilt after World War II, and the notion that any place would want to remain as it was in 1570 is pure poppycock. But there are few better ways to see Germany old and new than from its most famous river.
No matter where on the Rhine you happen to be there’s something historical or scenic nearby; however, the stretch between Dusseldorf and Mainz is home to more than 100 sites that are linked to some of Germany’s best-loved myths, sagas, and fairy tales.
Talk about magic – the Rhine has it.
Also read:
• How to Choose the Best European Tour for You
• Tips for Planning a River Cruise: When, Where and What to Expect
The Black Forest is one of the top places to visit in Germany. A dense forest in the southwest, filled with hiking trails that lead from one charming village to another, this region is where to go to see Triberg Falls, the highest waterfall in Germany.
The schwarzwald is the stuff of legend, but the reality is that the Black Forest:
a) Really is a forest, and a large one; and
b) Isn’t black at all, though it is a fairly dark green.
The Black Forest was made for auto tours, where you can stop at wineries and taverns along the Baden Wine Route, explore the luxurious resort town of Baden-Baden, or get your cuckoo-clock fix at Furtwangen’s German Clock Museum.
Also read: Travel Europe by Train: The Fastest, Most Scenic and Popular Routes
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world. High up in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein is a stunning example of the 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture that was once so popular in Bavaria. This castle, perched on top of a mountain and filled with art collected by the Mad King Ludwig, is said to have inspired the iconic Disneyland castle in America.
No matter where you go in Germany you’ll find friendly people, striking architecture, and centuries worth of history.
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