Plan your trip to Germany - 11 places you must visit

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Germany has a tough, mysterious and magical atmosphere. In this article you find spots from the northern Lübeck to the fairy tale-castle Neuschwanstein in the south. From energetic city life to walks in historical towns with medieval houses. Germany is like a coin, two sides. But just because you choose one side, does not mean that you have missed out on the other.

All over you hear echoes of the second world war, since it is imprinted in Germany´s memory. In the bigger cities there are places full of modern street art, high tech-buildings and fashion. Today, Berlin is one of the biggest influences for how young Europeans dress. If you are here in January or July, you will discover just how much during Berlin fashion week. Between all the sightseeing in the bigger cities, take a break at a fast food place with doner kebab or currywurst. This is one side of the coin. A busy country with a continual vibration.

The other side is something different. Imagine charming old towns with beautiful nature all around. You can hike a hill close to Heidelberg, ski on Mount Zugspitze in the Bavarian alps or go kite surfing around Lübeck bay. An adventurous holiday, that seems like another life compared to cities like Cologne or Munich.

This country invites winters with snow in the mountains and possibilities of hot summer days. Throughout the year different festivals and other events take place, so make sure to check your calendar and see if your adventure matches any of the German celebrations.

Sit down at a local pub once you arrive, order a beer and bring your bucket list – maybe you will find your content for it right here?

Berlin

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.2

Welcome to an electric capital. A center of fashion, techno and modernity, but at the same time history follows you everywhere. While walking the streets among cafées, high rise-buildings Checkpoint Charlie appears – the former border crossing point between East and West Berlin. On the station Mohrenstrasse U-bahn all marbles are from the bombed national office of Hitler, Historisches museum will give you staggering history about Germany and at the East Side Gallery you can explore the remnants of the Berlin Wall.

To switch themes, why not make sure to book tickets to a soccer game at the mighty Olympia Stadium? If sport is not your area Berlin has one of the most famous club-scenes. For example the well known techno club Berghain. If you get in, then you succeeded better than Tesla´s Elon Musk.

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Zugspitze

Peak in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
3.7

The highest peak in Germany

Are you up for a hike or climb? Then you are in the right place. The Bavarian Alps will let you embrace the calmness and sound of nature, with adventurous mountains waiting to be discovered. There are too many cute small towns to see, but one beautiful trip is to take a train to Garmisch. From there you can take a gondola ride up to the highest peak in Germany called Zugspitze. If you want to bring it to another level, it is possible to climb the mountain as well. Remember that this is a tough hike around 8-10 hours, so make sure to do research and all the equipment you need. Zugspitze is also an example of a popular skiing and snowboarding place during winter.

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Bamberg

Town in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.4

This charming town is an UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its seven hills and seven churches - one of each hill. But to be honest Bamberg is foremost famous as the city of beer. The speciality Rauchbier is a smoke flavored beer, which is a result of using malt dried over an open flame. If this could interest you, then do a Bamberg Beer Tour or try at least one of the local breweries. Make sure to take a walk and enjoy the old medieval alleys, which miraculously survived the bombing during World War II.

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Lübeck

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.3

The coast adventure Lübeck is the German surfing and water sports heaven. There can be quite high waves around Lübeck bay, but also opportunities to go as a beginner to surf schools. For example Haffkrug or Pelzerhaken are two spots to visit, where kitesurfers and windsurfers can learn how to ride. If you are not an adrenaline junky, looking for a rush on the Baltic sea, then just enjoy the wide sandy beaches or a sailing trip. Do not miss out on a locally made marzipan on your walk among stunning churches, decorated buildings and several museums.

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Zell (Mosel)

Town in🇩🇪 Germany

Where Time Stands Still and Vines Paint the Hillsides

Nestled along the meandering curves of the Moselle River, the charming town of Zell exudes a timeless allure that transports visitors to a bygone era. Cobblestone streets wind their way through the heart of the town, lined with timber-framed houses adorned with flower-filled balconies. However, it's the vineyards that truly define Zell's character, as they blanket the surrounding hillsides in a patchwork of vibrant greens and golds. The iconic Zeller Schwarze Katz vineyard, shrouded in legend and lore, produces some of the finest Riesling wines that have graced goblets for generations. Every turn in Zell presents an opportunity to indulge in the town's culinary delights and, of course, its prized wines. As the sun sets over the river, casting a golden glow on the waters and the centuries-old Moselle Bridge, visitors are left with a sense of serenity and a connection to a place where traditions continue to flourish in harmony with nature.

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Schwangau

Village in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.4

Let's go back to the Bavarian alps, but to a fairy tale castle. Or actually it's two fairy tale castles at almost the same place. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein is a favorite when going to these mountains and has been open to the public since the end of the 1800 century. This will not only give you a Disney experience, since it has inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty's Castle, but also a lot of options to activate outdoors. Go horseback riding, mountain biking or see the beautiful views of the castle Neuschwanstein by boat.

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Cologne

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4

Alongside one of Europe's longest rivers is Köln – or Cologne in english. Use the water to see the city by paddling in the Rhine. This lively city has a lot of things to explore and on your way between sightseeing in the Old Town and Kölner zoo you should have a stop in the iconic Cologne Cathedral, one of the world heritage sites in the country.

You can also cross over the Hohenzollern Bridge to see ”Love Locks”, where couples attach padlocks to the railing. Maybe you even want to attach one with someone special. Walk in the Botanical Garden, Volksgarten or along the harbor area Rheinauhafen. Buy some local food, for example a Kölsche Wurst (Cologne sausage), Himmel un Ääd (potatoes, apples, and blood sausage) or Kölsche Kaviar (black pudding)and eat in a green area or by the water.

There is a carnival in Cologne every year, so make sure to book your trip at the same time if you don't want to miss it. This is one of the oldest and biggest carnivals in Europe, where you spend six days celebrating.

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Heidelberg

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.5

A university city combined with the Odenwald Mountains nearby. Start with a school theme and go to the unique museum Studentenkarzer (Student Jail). And while you are exploring this, then continue to the Heidelberg University – Germany's oldest university (1386). After some local food and beer somewhere in the Old Town, let's hit the streets again. Make your way to the popular meeting point Kornmarket, where a majestic Hercules statue is located.

When you need a break from all the impressions – then it is time to go to the mountains. Around the hill Königstuhl you can choose from several different hikes to do or trails to ride with your mountain bike. Another adventure is to go underground with an experienced guide, to explore caves and tunnels somewhere in the Odenwald Mountains.

Ps. Remember that Heidelburg is just a three hour car drive away from Luxemburg.

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Munich

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.2

Oktoberfest – you recognize the Munich celebration?

If you are in Germany late September to the beginning of October, make sure to join the internationally known Oktoberfest. Music, traditional food and – since we are in Bavaria – of course Bavarian beer. Your trip may not be booked for this time of year, but then you can always go to the famous beer gardens and enjoy the refreshing malt drink.

Munich is not too far away from the Bavarian Alps, so scroll up in this article to see what you can explore – only a couple of hours away.

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Dresden

City in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
4.2

Looking for the best cultural experience? Then you have come to the right place. Dresden is a city in eastern Germany – full of beautiful buildings, a majestic atmosphere and filled with things to see. It was, more or less, needed to be rebuilt after World War II, since this cultural capital was suffering harsh bombings. Some impressive buildings you should see while here is the large church dome Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace and Dresden Cathedral, but also Semper Opera House. And if you want and have time for it, then go to a top-class opera, ballet and concert performance. Furthermore, just walk around as much as you can. The eye will find incredible things almost wherever you look.

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Nationalpark Berchtesgaden

National park in🇩🇪 Germanyrated
5

Near the Austrian border is Königssee, a natural blue and green lake within Berchtesgaden National Park. Surrounded by cliffs and forest, you can take a boat on the lovely water and visit St. Bartholomew's Church.

This is about as much south you can get. A perk is that there are several cute towns to stay in for accommodation, but a car or other kind of private transport is well needed if you want to get as much out of your trip as possible. Make sure to do a hike, go to a visitor center and stop at the beautiful spots on your way – it will not be hard to find them in this national park.

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