I really like how Germany blends age-old traditions with fashionable 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 Street
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 long-lasting Plönlein nook, all set in opposition to a backdrop of lush, rolling countryside. I believed the ambiance 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 Street 350km vacationer route that stretches via southern Germany via the forests and mountains of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. I used to be based in 1274 and right this moment has a inhabitants of round 11,000 residents.
We stopped right here on a street 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 attention-grabbing Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, tried conventional Schneeballen pastries, wandered via the picturesque Plönlein nook, and stepped again in time on the German Christmas Museum!
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Greatest 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 beautiful panoramic views over town!
Occurring the amusing Night time 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 really like the tranquil and mystical vibe it has which is infused with a way of old-world appeal – it’s so magical it even impressed among 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 big supply of timber, clock-making, and folklore since medieval instances!
I spent just a few weeks right here mountaineering the scenic trails of Feldberg (which is the 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 via the quaint streets of the historic cities of Calw and Freiburg.
My favorite highlights…
Driving alongside the Schwarzwaldhochstraße – a shocking excessive street via rolling hills and valleys, thick forests of black fir bushes, and mist-covered lakes.
Catching the Zapfle-Bahnle practice 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 truly 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 in opposition to the beautiful 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 called the “Mad King”) in 1869 and opened to the general public in 1886 shortly after his loss of life. 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 beautiful Singers’ Corridor, loved breathtaking views from Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), which missed the citadel and provided an Instagram-worthy photograph alternative!
That is typically often called Germany’s most stunning Alpine Lake, which, given the competitors, is kind of an accolade!
Positioned within the southeastern portion of Germany and on the border of Austria is the beautiful Lake Königssee —Germany’s most profound and cleanest lake and considered one of my private favourites.
Bavaria is a very scenic space. This nook of the area has been used for outside 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, protecting with its pure and pure environment.
UNESCO World Heritage websites are scarce, but Regensburg, Germany, has gained the group’s consideration! In 2006, Regensburg grew to become a UNESCO World Heritage website, to the delight of its 150,000 residents.
Strolling via the streets of this stunning metropolis will deliver you face-to-face with among the most spectacular structure on the planet!
If you happen to 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 glorious resturants, bars and lodges, the fabulous conventional markets and the beer gardens!
Greatest time to go to: summer season however the Christmas interval is particularly magical
Take a look at our video highlights of our journey to Regensburg…
6. Sanssouci Citadel
This grand summer season 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 actually, I believe it’s a unprecedented place which is price exploring particularly in case you’re a historical past fan.
Secluded temples and pavilions are throughout the gardens, and the palace itself is embellished with golden Rococo element and 18th-century furnishings.
The fantastic historic metropolis of Bamberg is positioned in Bavaria, near the River Essential. Its historic metropolis heart is so overflowing with necessary structure that it has earned itself UNESCO World Heritage Website 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 outside beer gardens. For my part, this metropolis is severely chocolate-box fairly and is properly price exploring!
The beautiful River Rhine cuts via 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 mountaineering via 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 Website, residence to forty castles and stately houses.
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 beautiful 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 might recommend exploring the pleasant winding cobbled alleyways flanked by a sequence of charming medieval homes with wood beamed facades.
I personally suppose the encircling countryside and farmland are additionally price exploring, particularly alongside the sting of the river Wümme.
Greatest time to go to: summer season or Christmas for the markets
10. Sylt
Usually 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 really like this underrated gem!
With a number of beautiful resorts, 40km of sandy seashores, an uncommon shoreline, and loads of breathtaking nature, for my part, Sylt is properly 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 type, 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
Greatest time to go to: late spring to early autumn
11. The Harz Nationwide Park
The Harz Nationwide Park is a beautiful 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 really like this park for its strolling and snowboarding and gives botanical gardens, mountaineering trails, and uncommon natural world. It is usually blessed with many species of butterflies and small creatures distinctive to this space.
I extremely suggest visiting Brocken, the best mountain in northern Germany, which is positioned within the park and taking a gauge practice to the summit to get probably the most beautiful view of the park beneath.
Greatest time to go to: spring to autumn however the winter time can 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 get pleasure from kayaking or swimming within the crystal clear waters of Eibsee Lake, and the quaint city positioned on the japanese shores of the lake attracts in guests 12 months after 12 months.
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 is not going to 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.
Regardless that the court docket could draw guests in, the city of Hohenschwangau makes probably the most affect.
This city options worlds of pure magnificence with parks akin to Poellatschlucht. Strolling via this Bavarian city brings guests again to a less complicated time earlier than expertise.
If you wish to get away from all of it and benefit from the pure magnificence and traditional structure, for my part Hohenschwangau is the place!
Palaces worldwide have drawn guests for a glimpse into how the 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 really like that the structure depicts the traditional French type with over-the-top grandeur at each flip!
Location: Würzburg, Bavaria, southern a part of the nation
I really like this Instagram-worthy gem particularly in the course of the winter! This park maintains its pure magnificence as park officers refused to restore the injury from a extreme 1983 storm.
Regardless that it may appear odd right this moment for officers to make such a call, 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 might recommend making an attempt to identify them!
Wildlife enclosures are discovered all through the park to present 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 severely beautiful and within the winter the thick forest is adorned with heavy snow!
Location: Bavaria, southeast
Customer centre deal with: Hans-Eisenmann-Haus 1, 94556 Neuschönau, Bavaria
Greatest time to go to: all 12 months spherical (the winter is particulary magical)
16. Gorlitz
Gorlitz has supplied a wonderful backdrop for a number of movies, together with The Grand Budapest Lodge, The Reader, The Final Command, and The Inglorious Bastards.
It is usually a shocking 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. Right this moment’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 via town, offering a method of transportation, a fishing avenue, and a vacationer attraction. Gorlitz is a hidden gem, not close to a lot of the nation’s main sights.
Nonetheless, folks flock to this a part of the nation for its serene setting and calm ambiance. 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!
Greatest time to go to: late spring to early winter
17. The Moselle Valley
I beloved the Moselle Valley! I believed it was an enthralling and picturesque place which even matches the magnificence 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 recognized to be among the many finest on the planet!
I additionally extremely suggest exploring the picturesque castles and quaint villages positioned right here!
Greatest time to go to: summer season and early fall
18. Lichtenstein Citadel
I really 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 court docket, constructed within the Gothic Revival type, was crafted between 1840 and 1842.
Restoration of the historic citadel was accomplished in 2002 via non-profit group assist. If you wish to stay out your fairytale fantasies, Lichtenstein Citadel is the place to do it.
Mittenwald is in the midst 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 disillusioned with the views that mix picturesque mountains and a serene vista, it’s severely beautiful!
That is the right place to go to in Germany if you’re an artwork and violin fan, because it’s recognized for manufacturing violins and cellos. Mittenwald Violin Crafting Museum is among the most well-known sights based in 1930.
If you happen to choose to see the mural arts, a spot that may be a should is the previous city, the place you’ll be able to respect painted buildings, beautiful church buildings, and a nice ambiance.
Nonetheless need extra? Then I might recommend heading for the elegant metropolis of Munich, which is residence to the well-known annual Oktoberfest, the putting resort city of Monschau, the fantastic baroque college metropolis of Heidelberg, Lübeck town famend for its Brick Gothic structure, and the spectacular surroundings of the Rems Valley.
