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It’s almost unbelievable how many fantastically beautiful and diverse places to visit Germany has to offer! You can get a taste of industrial charm in the Ruhr region, splash around in the crystal-clear lakes of the Allgäu and the Alps, wander through the magnificent national parks, soak up vitamin D on the Baltic Sea or wade through the Wadden Sea. The wide range of choices makes Germany a real paradise for your vacation.
So why not simply visit these beautiful places in Germany? Today I’m going to show you the most beautiful things to do and see in Germany. I hope I can inspire you with my selection to get to know this diverse country.
Depending on the length of your journey, you can use the excursion destinations for a day trip or spend several days in one of the regions – I’ve also included further tips for each excursion destination. So, let’s get going!
Tip: Caro and Martin’s travel guide with over 50,000 copies sold:
“Germany – 47 places we urge you to explore!”
The two have traveled to the most beautiful excursion destinations in eight regions of Germany and give you lots of insider tips on the highlights of the regions. You’ll also find lots of tips on restaurants and hotels, as well as interactive Google Maps and video inspiration!
In Bavaria, not far from Schwangau, stands one of the most famous castles in the world and probably one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany: Neuschwanstein. It is a magnificent building without equal, perched on a jagged rock with many small turrets – a real fairytale castle. Even Walt Disney is said to have used Neuschwanstein castle as inspiration for his logo!
A trip to the region is worthwhile just to see the truly magical castle of Neuschwanstein. But there is so much more to discover here: Hohenschwangau Castle, which is also very impressive, is located right next to Neuschwanstein.
You can also go hiking in the region, for example up the 1.881-metre-high Tegelberg. Afterwards, you can cool off in the Alpsee or the Eibsee, which is nestled in the mountains but a little further away.
The Berchtesgadener Land is a classic destination in Germany, and that is hardly surprising: with its many possibilities in a fantastic Alpine setting, it appeals to families with children, hiking and nature lovers, as well as traditional and culture enthusiasts. It is also ideal for a longer vacation.
The most famous star is the Königssee, almost completely surrounded by steep mountain slopes and only accessible via a small access road. If you like it a little more secluded and quiet, it’s best to head to the crystal-clear Hintersee, which you can walk around.
The Almbachklamm gorge with its roaring water and the Grassl gentian distillery are also worth a visit. There you will be initiated into the secrets of distilling and can taste the region’s typical high-proof schnapps for yourself.
On an adventure tour through the Berchtesgaden salt mine, you will learn more about the white gold. Salt is still mined there today. This makes it the oldest still active salt mine in Germany.
Tip: You can find more great excursion destinations in Germany in Caro & Martin’s travel guide:
“Germany – 47 places we urge you to explore!”
The idea that the Ruhr area is gray, dirty and not worth living in is widespread. I would like to convince you otherwise. As the former industrial heart of Germany, numerous industrial plants are located here. However, they are not just rusting away, but in many cases have been converted extremely creatively into museums, parks and cultural sites.
The best example is Zollverein Essen, which has since been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The former coal mine is now an impressive cultural monument, where you can learn everything from mining to coking on the “Way of Coal”. With a bit of luck even from a former miner. There are also various leisure activities on offer, such as the Zollverein Park, the free company swimming pool or the ice rink in winter.
The Tiger & Turtle monument in form of a roller coaster and the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park in the city of the same name. Or the Hoheward slag heap, the Phoenix West Skywalk in Dortmund and the Tetraeder in Bochum are also worth a detour on a trip to the Ruhr region.
If you like being active, you can also discover the Ruhr region on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path or the Emscher Park Cycle Path.
The Black Forest should not be missing from the list of the most beautiful places in Germany, and for good reason. Dense forests, deep gorges, clear lakes and idyllic villages with cute half-timbered houses attract thousands of nature lovers to the region every year. The Black Forest High Road alone offers breathtaking views of the hilly and evergreen landscape as you drive through!
Following the high road southwards, you reach Germany’s largest canyon, the Wutach Gorge, in the southern tip of the Black Forest. Walls that soar up to 170 meters into the air, babbling waterfalls and wild nature. Walking through the gorge is absolutely adventurous and overwhelming!
What else can you see in the Black Forest? The Triberg waterfalls are the highest waterfalls in Germany, the Titisee and the Schluchsee are wonderful recreational areas with opportunities for boating, hiking or simply relaxing.
In Freiburg, you can visit the beautiful historic old town. Incidentally, the latter is the city with the most hours of sunshine in Germany and one of the most liveable cities in the country.
The Harz is a mystical mountain range. In the towns and villages you can sense that it was once the heart of devilry and witchcraft. Little dwarves are said to be up to something, witches dance with the devil on Walpurgis Night and Frau Holle takes children who have been naughty and need re-education.
And in the middle of it all, at an altitude of 1,142 meters, stands the legendary Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany. The best thing to do is get on the old Brocken Railway and ride to the top. On the route from Wernigerode to the highest point, you’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time in the old steam locomotive. All the while, you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding area.
Follow in the footsteps of mysticism, especially on Walpurgis Night in Goslar, at the Hexentanzplatz in Thale and in Braunlage. The Rammelsberg mine and the Bode Valley are also worth a visit in the Harz Mountains.
Frisian warmth, a fresh breeze around your nose and the Wadden Sea always in view! The Wadden Sea National Park stretches from the Netherlands to Denmark and is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany. The Wadden Sea is strongly influenced by the tides, so that the water disappears every twelve hours, revealing its unique tidal flat landscape.
You should only go on the mudflats with an experienced guide, because even with dry feet there is a lot to consider here. But it’s much more worthwhile anyway, as the guide will not only bring you safely back to land, but will also tell you why the lugworm eats sand all day long, how high and low tides occur and how the tides affect people’s lives.
While you’re there, take a look at other excursion destinations on Germany’s North Sea coast, such as the Wattforum Cuxhaven, the Langeoog dune landscape or plan a crossing on Sylt.
The Baltic Sea is all about relaxation and recreation. With its many idyllic little towns, seaside resorts and beaches, you can spend a lot of time here. But the area is also worth a short trip!
It’s best to plan a few hours for the charming little town of Lübeck. The historic part is framed by the River Trave on an island and is great for exploring on foot. You enter the cozy old town via the bulbous and crooked Holsten Gate and then stroll through the narrow streets and beautiful squares.
Just around the corner is Travemüde, from where you can walk along the Brodten cliffs to the popular beach at Timmendorf. I can also highly recommend a canoe tour along the Wakenitz, which, as a former inner-German border, is still very natural and has therefore made a name for itself as the “Amazon of the North”.
Towering rock needles, bizarre rock formations, dense forests as far as the eye can see – Saxon Switzerland is a true natural paradise that is best discovered on foot. The Schrammsteine with its breathtaking views and the Bastei with its unique stone arch bridge are certainly among the better-known highlights.
It’s pretty busy here in summer, but on a winter morning you have a good chance of enjoying the wild and romantic idyll almost on your own. Alternatively, you can hike along lesser-known paths to Katzfels, Gautschgrotte or Rauenstein.
Tip: Did you know that the Lusatian Lake District and the Zittau Mountains are two other really great beautiful destinations in Germany nearby?
You can find even more tips for these and other regions in the travel guide
“Germany – 47 excursion destinations you should definitely know” by Caro and Martin
The hilly area around the Moselle is known as a wine-growing region with beautiful valleys, cute half-timbered houses and great views.
Eltz Castle may no longer be an insider tip, but it is definitely the eye-catcher of the entire region. Nestled in hilly, wooded surroundings, it is situated on a steep rocky outcrop in the Eltz Valley and exudes a majestic atmosphere. But it is also special because of its varied architectural history.
Basically, the castle complex consists of several buildings in different styles, including Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque. It has also been in family ownership for over 800 years, meaning that only a small part, not inhabited by the Eltz family, is open to the public.
The condition of the castle is remarkable, as it was neither fought over nor destroyed in the past. And on top of that, it is an absolutely stunning photo motif – so it’s no wonder that it is one of the most popular places to visit in Germany.
Other nearby highlights include the tourist town of Bernkastel-Kues, the Moselsteig Trail and the Geierlay suspension rope bridge in the Hunsrück.
Tip: In Caro and Martin’s travel guide, you can find even more information and tips on the most beautiful excursion destinations on the Moselle, as well as plenty of inspiration for other, lesser-known corners of Germany.
Typical of the Spreewald are the deep forests, the dreamy villages and, above all, the seemingly endless network of rivers and canals (also known as “Fließe”). The Spreewald thus forms a unique biosphere reserve that is well worth discovering!
A trip on a characteristic Spreewald barge is a real must on your excursion. The barge guides will take you through the idyllic canals and tell you stories about the region and its traditions.
Dissen-Striesow and historic Lehde are considered the most beautiful villages in the area. While the former was voted the most beautiful village in the Spreewald a few years ago, the latter is best reached by bike or boat and is a particularly good way to experience old Spreewald life.
I don’t want to withhold two other special features of the region from you: As a former settlement area of the Sorbs, you can still experience Sorbian culture in the Spreewald at traditional customs or festivals. And you’ve probably heard of Spreewald gherkins, right? At the gherkin museum in Lehde, you can gain exciting insights into their history and production.
You can combine your trip with some days in Berlin. You can find our itinerary for Germans buzzling metropolis here.
The Hainich is one of the smaller and lesser-known national parks in Germany. Yet it is quite special: for several decades, it was a restricted military area due to the inner-German border and was therefore able to develop unhindered without any outside influence.
The result is a wild beech forest that has a jungle feel in some places. Orchids even thrive in the shade of the dense canopy and rare animal species have found a protected habitat here.
The highlight of the excursion to the Hainich is the beautiful treetop path. Over a length of 530 meters, you get a bird’s eye view above the treetops and learn more about the flora and fauna of the nature reserve thanks to information boards.
If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can explore the national park on its hiking trails. Maybe you’ll be lucky and spot one of the shy wild cats while hiking.
You feel inspired and want to get going right away, but how do you get there? I have a few more options for you when it comes to getting around in Germany:
Photos: Stock Fotos from Zack Frank, lcrms, jahu_photography, Kay Wiegand, Robert Schneider, canadastock, Barat Roland | shutterstock.com
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