Germany has many historic cities and towns that give a clear picture of its history, culture and natural beauty, making this country a fascinating destination to explore. Surrounded by abundant landscapes, forests and mountains, travellers are spoilt with choices when it comes to choosing the best places to visit in Germany.
This article provides comprehensive details about the best tourist places to visit in Germany.
Currency in Germany- The official currency in Germany is the Euro. 1 Euro equals 88.07 Indian Rupee as on 14 March 2023*.
*Currency rates are subject to the market exchange rate.
Some of the best tourist places to visit in Germany have been discussed in detail below. This consists of renowned monuments, castles, buildings, landscapes, national parks, shopping spaces and more. This will help you plan your vacation and itinerary before you visit Germany.
Travellers visiting Germany will love to see the renowned monuments, buildings and structures that speak loads about German history. Here is a list of the top monuments and buildings that you can visit in Germany:
Brandenburg Gate is among the top tourist attractions in Germany. Built during the 18th century, this neoclassical gate earlier served as the entry point to Berlin. This monument measures an impressive 26 metres in height, which includes the Quadriga. It is the four-horse chariot carrying the goddess of victory perched atop.
A popular museum complex housing five buildings on the Spreeinsel in Berlin, Museum Island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990. This place holds historical importance dating back to the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Furthermore, the museums were built between 1824 and 1930, displaying the evolution of Europe through the ages.
One of the best places to visit in Germany, the iconic Berlin Wall is a famous tourist attraction. The wall stretches across a distance of 155 kilometres and is symbolic of emotions: freedom, hope, and revolution. The ‘East Side Gallery’ is the longest-surviving section of the Berlin Wall, which was decorated with artworks by hundreds of artists from over 20 countries.
Miniatur Wunderland is another top tourist attraction in Germany that you must include in your itinerary. Home to the world's largest model railway and airport attraction, this attraction contains nearly 16,000 metres of railway tracks divided into 9 sections, with 1300 trains and over 10,000 carriages and vehicles.
Spectacular Sanssouci Park is one of the top attractions in Germany and includes a wonderful Baroque flower garden. This garden consists of more than 3000 fruit trees and has numerous greenhouses, offering a wonderful experience as you stroll around this massive park. With this, you get to see Sanssouci Palace, which is a single-story Rococo building with a dome in the centre. It is notable for its superb interior decor.
One of the famous landmarks in Germany, Romer is a historic building and consists of a row of half-timbered buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. This building was initially built as a town hall and was also the living space for Frankfurt’s wealthy merchants. Now, the buildings are used for several purposes, which include a cultural centre, a venue for city council meetings, and offices for the city administration.
Leipzig consists of one of the largest monuments in Europe, the Monument of the Battle of Nations. This structure was built to memorise the Leipzig Battle during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it houses a museum that explains to tourists about the battle and history.
Bamberg is home to several outstanding architectural landmarks, and one of them is Altes Rathaus or the Old Town Hall. This Town Hall is located in the centre of a bridge that spans the Regnitz River, and its interior is decorated with fascinating frescoes. You can opt for a guided tour and learn about the historical and architectural significance of this building.
A symbol of Lubeck and the city’s most important landmark, the Holstentor City Gate is a historical structure built during the 15th century. A reflection of superb brick Gothic architecture, this gate is now a museum that showcases Lubeck’s history.
The castles in Germany have a fascinating origin and outstanding architecture that attract tourists from all over the world here. Below is a list of the top castles that you can visit in Germany:
Neuschwanstein Castle is a fascinating old fortress and is Europe’s most famous and picturesque royal castle that you must visit. This fortress was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and consisted of several towers and battlements. You can opt for a guided tour to explore this structure.
Schwerin Castle is an ideal example of 19th-century Romantic architecture and is a symbol of the city’s rich heritage. This structure is located amidst the city’s lake and is enclosed within a fantastic park. Over the years, this castle has served as a residence for many dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. This castle consists of turrets, towers and several decorative interiors that differentiate it from other castles.
Hohenzollern Castle overlooks two small towns at the foothills of the Swabian Alps and is an ideal tourist destination in Germany. It sits atop a rock outcrop of Swabian Jura limestone. For several years this place served as the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family, who played a significant role in German history.
If finding what more to add to your list of must-visit tourist attractions in Germany, the cathedrals and churches that boast impressive designs and buildings can be a great pick. Here is a list of some:
The largest Protestant Church in Germany and one of the essential structures in Europe, the Berlin Cathedral is another top tourist attraction. This church has rich interiors, fascinating history and impressive architecture. Apart from providing several church services, this place serves as a location for concerts, and several state ceremonies.
An excellent example of Gothic architecture, the Cologne Cathedral is one of the most popular places to see in Germany and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. This church is among the largest ones in Europe, covering an area of 6,166 sq. metres, with designs dating back to the 12th century. It houses the remains of the ‘Three Wise Men’ brought here by Archbishop Rainald von Dassel.
The oldest cathedral in Northern Europe, Aachen Cathedral, is located near the border with Belgium and Netherlands. The interiors display a design that is a combination of Gothic and Carolingian styles. You can see the incredible bronze Wolf Doors from the 9th century and also the golden mosaics in Palatine Chapel in this cathedral.
Frauenkirche Church, or the Church of Our Lady, is a Lutheran church and is one of the major landmarks of the city. It comprises impressive baroque architecture, distinctive towers and domes that attract several tourists to visit this structure every year.
Germany consists of Europe’s most fascinating natural landscapes, most of which you can access through cross-country trips and boating excursions on the alpine lakes. Take the chance to see flora and fauna of Germany by adding the below places to your travel list:
The highest mountain in Germany, Zugspitze Massif, soars at a height of about 2962 metres. As you reach the summit, you get to view panoramic views of the valleys and mountains surrounding it. A paradise for the skiers, you can also opt for a cable car ride to view the landscape of 4 countries at a time.
One of the top attractions and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany, Konigssee Lake is a top attraction in Germany. It is also known as King’s Land and is a paradise for hikers and bikers who want an offbeat travel experience. Follow the superb footpath on the east side of this lake, also known as Painters’ Corner.
The Black Forest, also known as Schwarzwald, is the thick tree canopy offering beautiful scenery and outdoor activity for adventure buffs. Some of the most popular things to indulge in this area include swimming, hiking, and mountain biking in chilly Alpine lakes. You can also opt to visit Baden, the world-famous spa retreat here, for relaxation.
If you want to experience scenic boat rides, head to Rhine Valley, which is a fantastic stretch of river Rhine famous for its superb scenery and quaint villages. The river carves its way through beautiful vineyard-covered hills that house several castles and ruins.
Situated in the Baltic Sea, this is the largest island in Germany. It is the perfect getaway and is home to a multitude of beaches, chalk cliffs, and natural landscapes. You can indulge in water sports, explore the architecture, or unwind at a spa on the island.
One of the highest mountain ranges, Harz comprises traditional homes, snow-covered peaks and beautiful rivers that contribute immensely to its scenic beauty. If you love to explore the offbeat track, Harz Mountains are ideal. It offers interesting activities such as hiking to the summit of Brocken or riding the superb steam train through the valleys and the mountains.
The largest of the North Frisian Islands, Sylt Island is famous for its sandy beaches, traditional lighthouses and wild dunes. The major attraction is the Wadden Sea National Park. You can enjoy a walk amidst open fields and thatched-roof cottages. Also, enjoy splashing waters at the beach while staying in a hotel suite. Taking bicycles on rent and touring the island is another best way to explore this island.
Here is a list of some of the best national parks that you must include in your itinerary. They offer a wide range of flora, fauna and wildlife that adventure lovers will love to photograph.
Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park is surrounded by a small group of islands and covers almost 1200 hectares of coastal mudflats. You will get guided excursions, cruises and horse-drawn carriage rides from Cuxhaven to Neuwerk.
Bavaria is home to Germany’s first-ever national park, which was founded in 1970. This park consists of about 300 km of marked trails, about 200 km of cycle routes and 80 km of cross-country ski tracks for visitors. You can enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, bicycling and other activities here.
Home to ancient beech forests that date back almost 700 years back, Jasmund National Park soars up to 117 metres in height. You can explore the park on foot, riding a bike or on excursions. The major attraction of this national park is the Königsstuhl Chalk Cliffs. Hiking, trekking and indulging in nature photography are some of the activities to do here.
Located near the beautiful Muritz Lake, this national park consists of a network of about 600 km of trails. It will take you through an exceptional ride to an impressive landscape that is set apart by old beech forests, marshes and vast spans of water consisting of more than 130 lakes. Boating, birdwatching and wildlife photography are some interesting activities to do here.
One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, is a perfect destination for water sports. In addition, you will find a beautiful moorland landscape here and the old beech forest that makes it more mystical. Do not miss out on exploring 50 hills that are always covered in beeches! Hiking, birdwatching and boating are some of the exciting activities to indulge in here.
Shopping is always a favourite activity wherever you are travelling. However, when you are in Germany, never miss out on exploring the below shopping areas:
One of the busiest shopping areas in Europe, this place has major departmental stores and fashion outlets, allowing several visitors to shop around. The major attraction here is a massive glass structure that resembles a whale and houses a clothes store.
Zeil Shopping Street is also known as the Fifth Avenue of Germany and is an ideal location for the shopaholic. You will find chic boutique stores and some best international brand stores lined up here. Visit the 10-storey Zeilgalerie that offers breathtaking architecture and a lovely cityscape view of Frankfurt.
Dusseldorf houses several boutiques and designer stores allowing high-end shopping in Germany. Schadowstrasse is the most popular shopping street here, which has more than 200 shops offering items within an affordable range.
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