One of the most visited country in Europe, Germany is also among the most visited. There is no dearth of history, culture and architecture in Germany, add modernity, world-class museums and great music scene and you have got yourself a winner.
It’s impossible to see it all unless you have at least a few months in hand, but it is still possible to see the highlights in a short time. To help you build your itinerary, here is the list of the best cities to visit in Germany:
Cologne
Often ranked as one of the best cities to visit in Germany, Cologne is also one of its oldest. Founded by Romans Cologne had a long illustrious past as a religious center.
Cologne Cathedral is the city’s landmark church. Consider spending at least 2 to 3 hours exploring it and the colorful neighborhood. Rhine river that flows through the city also allows one to experience the city through river cruises.
For those of you who are interested in history and archeology, there are ancient Roman ruins to be explored in Cologne.
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is the gem of Black Forest, well established as the spa capital of Germany. The Hot Springs of the town has been a major draw to the people over centuries, highly sought-after even by the German royalty.
At the center of the action is Kurgarten, an area lined with numerous retail shops, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.
In the Old Town visit Kurhaus, a beautiful resort with its origin in the early 19th century.
The town is also popular as a starting point for many hiking trails through the Black Forest region.
Nuremberg
Many agree that Nuremberg is one of the best cities to visit in Germany. This is particularly evident from the city’s Old Town area where a number of well preserved old houses are found.
The truth is Nuremberg suffered heavy destruction in WW2. It came back even stronger and much of the city’s architecture was painstakingly restored.
After you are done taking a tour of the old center, take a stroll along the city’s old wall. Constructed in the 1300s as a defensive mechanism, today these walls offer great vantage points and a pleasant hiking experience.
The 11th century Nuremberg castle is another popular attraction in the city. It’s a large complex with many museums and old structures.
Leipzig
Located in the picturesque landscape of Saxon lowlands and only an hour away from Berlin is one of the best cities to visit in Germany, Leipzig.
Today a burgeoning university city, Leipzig has been a center of learning for ages.
There are many Architectural gems to visit in Leipzig’s historical core.
Even if you are not into books it is worthwhile to visit German National Library for its classical architecture.
The stunning Gohlis Palace is a stunning Rococo-style house, with its beautiful landscaped garden is a must-visit attraction in Leipzig.
Rotenburg
Another Bavarian city makes the list of one of the best cities to visit in Germany. Lucky for the city it was spared much of the destruction that other cities of Germany faced.
The old buildings from the Middle Ages such as the town hall, the Old walls, and the city’s main square make for a pleasant travel experience.
For the best views over the city, you need to hike to the Old Town walls, the sunsets are particularly mesmerizing from up here.
Frankfurt
Located by the banks of river Maine, Frankfurt is one of the best cities to visit in Germany. The city’s old town area will keep you busy for the whole day.
Start with Römerberg, an important square surrounded by old houses, vibrant cafes, souvenir shops, and lively restaurants.
Outside the Old Town area, you will find that Frankfurt has well established itself as a modern city.
Frankfurt book fair is a popular trade show that is hosted in one of the modern convention centers here. The city also has its share of interesting museums – the Museum of ancient sculpture and the Museum of world cultures are two such top choices.
Hamburg
Located in the northern part of the country is one of the best cities to visit in Germany, Hamburg.
Positioned as the hub of business activities, the city has one of the biggest ports in Europe.
The city is known for its adult entertainment district Reeperbahn, lined with bars glittering in neon lights. You might be surprised to know that it was in one of the clubs of Hamburg Beatles that used to regularly play.
As it is a port city it has a very busy fish market. The best time to visit it is during the early morning when the fresh fish arrives to be auctioned and sold.
A walk along the port of Hamburg should be on your menu, the old warehouse district feels like a walk in Hamburg’s past.
Today, in the unique settings of old warehouses you will find modern venues such as convention centers, museums, and art galleries.
Given the city’s past as a trading harbor, the International Maritime Museum is a must-visit in Hamburg.
Dusseldorf
If you had enough of history, visit Dusseldorf, a modern cosmopolitan city that gives out a young, trendy vibe. The city has a vibrant café scene, thanks to its young university crowd.
This is one of the cities in Europe where you can enjoy a walk amongst luxury retail shops in wide boulevards, as well as marvel at the historic buildings in the Old Town.
Dresden
Located on the border of the Czech Republic Dresden is one of the best cities to visit in Germany.
It is also the capital of the Saxony region and rests on the banks of the Elbe river.
Unfortunately, much of the city was destroyed in the WW2 bombings, and with that its prized treasure of rococo-style buildings. The historic buildings that you see today e.g. Frauenkirche are the reconstructed version of a baroque masterpiece destroyed in the war.
The other places of historic interest include the stunning Zwinger palace – a fine baroque building, and the magnificent brühl’s terrace.
The city is also known for its green spaces, spending a few hours away in the Großer Garten could be a great idea.
Berlin
One of the best cities to visit in Germany is the beautiful city of Berlin. Known as the cultural and entertainment capital of Europe, visiting berlin is going to be a unique experience.
A number of world-class museums and art galleries are located in the city, covering a range of subjects – from medieval art to the Holocaust.
Many of these museums are located on the museum island making it convenient for the visitors to visit their favorite ones quickly. The city of Berlin is also known for its vibrant nightlife, its bars, and clubs playing a range of music.
For the lovers of classical music there is a world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, enjoy a night of performance in the city’s Opera.
Munich
One of the best cities of Germany to visit, Munich is the capital of the Bavaria region. The city is popular as the gateway to the stunning Bavarian Alps, making it a tourist favorite in both summer and winter.
The city began life as a small religious settlement that grew in prominence after the 12th century.
The city has always been a hotspot of religious activities and is known to host many beautiful rustic churches. The 14th-century Peterskirche, Michaelskirche, and the Frauenkirche are some of the best.
At the heart of the historic core of Munich, the large Marienplatz is located. Tall historic buildings dating thousands of years back surround the square on all sides.
The city is also popular for its green quotient. There are several parks spread throughout the city. Take a walk in the world-renowned English garden or enjoy a pleasant walk along the riverfront Isar.
List of top tourist destinations in Germany: