Germany is located in Central Europe and has 83 million inhabitants. It is the leading European economic power and the fourth in the world. It attracts many visitors for its historical and cultural heritage and its superb natural sites. Indeed, Germany has 52 UNESCO World Heritage sites. In 2023, it was the 10th most visited country in the world. Germany is best known for the Berlin Wall, its industrial side, and its castles, but there are many other things to discover… Everything is easy to access thanks to the highly developed rail and road network.
1. For its incredible architecture
Germany is known for its paradoxes, with on one side its traditions, through an ancient architectural heritage with its romantic castles, its cobbled streets, its half-timbered houses, its cathedrals and churches, and on the other its modernity and its industrial heritage.
To contemplate German architecture, you can go to the country’s major cities such as Berlin, the capital, Hamburg, Cologne (Köln), Munich (München), Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Dresden, Nuremberg… Most major cities are fortunate to have a very varied architecture, with a superb historic center and modern buildings.
Also, we must not forget certain magnificent villages and medieval towns which are essential sites for appreciating picturesque Germany such as Heidelberg and Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber.
Finally, the astonishing Neuschwanstein Castle is the symbol of Germany and one of the most visited sites in the country!
2. For its culture, art, museums, and history
Germany has nearly 6,800 museums! Among the must-see sites, we find the prestigious Museum Island of Berlin, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Frankfurt, and its countless museums along the quays… There are other lesser-known, but just as interesting, museums like the Black Forest Open-Air Museum with its reconstructed traditional farmhouses.
Art also has an important place in Germany, particularly in its museums such as the painting gallery of the old masters in Dresden, the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Alte Pinakothek in Munich… But also in the street! Indeed, you will find impressive street art in major cities including Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Munich and Hamburg.
Germany also experiences tourism centered on its history, particularly its role in the Second World War. One museum among others illustrates this: the “Topography of Terror” in Berlin, which was built on the former headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS. But it would be very simplistic to only see the history of Germany through this angle. Indeed, Germany has a much older history that goes back even before the Roman Empire. Several cities and museums bear witness to this, such as the Deutsches Museum in Munich, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nürnberg and the Museum of Contemporary History in Bonn.
Other museums are definitely worth a visit, like the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. Here you will find the world’s largest model railway network crossing diverse landscapes such as the Alps and Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Italy and the American West. For car enthusiasts, there is the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. And for gourmets, the Chocolate Museum in Cologne with an impressive 3-meter-high chocolate fountain!
3. For its superb nature
Germany is blessed with beautiful nature and breathtaking landscapes! Indeed, you will find majestic mountains like in the Bavarian Alps, crystal clear lakes, mythical forests like the black forest on the border of France, magnificent valleys of the Rhine and Moselle, beautiful beaches of the Baltic and of the North, and the islands of the East Sea like the island of Rügen…
Germany has 15 national parks, 16 biosphere reserves, 15 of which have a UNESCO certificate, and more than a hundred natural parks…
Sometimes nature mixes with architecture, as in the romantic road of Bavaria. From Würzburg to Donauworth, you will admire river valleys, green hills dotted with majestic monuments, such as Weikersheim Castle, St. George’s Cathedral in Dinkelsbühl…
Finally, to relax and admire nature quietly, you can opt for river cruises along the major rivers (Rhine, Weser, Danube). Indeed, the Rhine carves a gorge through a breathtaking landscape of vineyards and castles. The stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, known as the Oberes Mittelrheintal (Upper Middle Rhine Valley), is so unique that it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But it’s not just the breathtaking national parks, there are also the parks and botanical gardens of big cities which are also incredible like Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne or even Duisburg…
4. For sport in an idyllic setting
German nature also offers sports tourism. Enjoy the splendid German landscapes by hiking, cycling, skiing, or on horseback…
In the Bavarian Alps, downhill skiing is ideal in the famous resorts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden… But there are also the mid-mountain sites of the Eifel massif.
Germany has more than 200,000 km of marked and well-maintained trails. Among the most famous places for hiking are the magical Black Forest and the splendid Moselle and Rhine valleys! But there is also the site of “Saxon Switzerland”, the “Bavarian Alps”, the islets of the Halligen archipelago or even the very beautiful island of Rügen. There are trails suitable for everyone, for experts, intermediates, and beginners. Some hikes are even possible for families with children, such as the Partnach Gorge in the Bavarian Alps.
5. For its extraordinary amusement and water parks
Germany is also an interesting destination for those who love amusement parks.
The best known is Europa park, located in Rust. There are more than 100 rides, including 13 roller coasters, a water park, shows, restaurants, hotels, a campsite and a spa. It is the largest amusement park in Germany and the second most visited amusement park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris. There are 15 different European-themed worlds and 3 fantasy worlds. There you will find, among other things, carousels, playgrounds, and water rides for children.
Phantasialand, for its part, is located in the town of Brühl, near Cologne, and it is the second most visited theme park in Germany. There are more than 40 rides and shows and the decoration is breathtaking.
Hansa-Park is located on the Baltic Sea and only opens from April to October. There you will find 12 themed worlds with more than 120 attractions for children and adults: simple carousels, playgrounds, but also fast roller coasters and tall towers offering panoramic views.
Playmobil FunPark is located in the town of Zirndorf near Nuremberg. This park, inspired by the Playmobil toy, is one of the best amusement parks for families with young children.
Movie Park is located about 60 kilometers north of Düsseldorf. The park is centered around the cinema and is divided into 7 themed worlds with numerous attractions for children and adults.
About 60 kilometers south of Berlin are the tropical islands. It is the largest indoor water park in the world and the largest indoor rainforest in the world! It is located in a former aircraft hangar. I dream of going there one day…
Heide Park is located in the town of Soltau, halfway between Hamburg and Hannover. The park is in forested areas with a large lake. Here you will find some of the craziest attractions in Europe, you really have to love thrills to enjoy this park.
Finally, Legoland Deutschland is one of the most popular amusement parks and is mainly aimed at families with children. The park is located halfway between Stuttgart and Munich. Here you can find more than 50 million Lego bricks and 60 attractions.
6. For well-being
Germany is a highly sought-after destination for wellness and fitness lovers. The country has more than 350 spa resorts, heirs to a long tradition of treatments and often located in an idyllic setting, whether in the middle of the black forest or magnificent valleys. One of the most famous is Baden-Baden. But there are many spa towns in Germany like Wiesbaden, Bad Schandau, Aachen, Bad Füssing…
7. For shopping
The best cities in Germany for shopping are Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and the Ingolstadt village. There are also Dresden, Leipzig and Stuttgart. You will find everything you are looking for, from luxury to small boutiques, vintage fashion, thrift stores… The choice is wide among large shopping centers, shopping streets or small hidden boutiques in the historic center or other districts.
8. For its fantastic Christmas markets
Germany is known internationally for its splendid Christmas markets! It’s a whole sort of magical world that generally takes place from November 24 to December 23. The German Christmas markets are full of charm, because they are very often in the old town, the historic center with its splendid buildings around it, magnificent decorations and very varied stands which delight both the eyes and the stomach.
“Gendarmenmarkt” in Berlin is a must and one of the best Christmas markets in the world! But there is also “Christkindlesmarkt” in Nuremberg which is internationally recognized.
Finally, among the Christmas markets not to be missed are the “Kolner Dom” and the “Henzels Winter Fairytale” in Cologne. I loved the Frankfurt Christmas market, which is worth a visit. Finally, there is the “Striezelmarkt” in Dresden and the “Weihnachtsmarkt” in Erfurt. Stuttgart and Munich also have beautiful Christmas markets.
But there are also Christmas markets in the legendary villages of Germany such as the Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Heidelberg and Trier.
9. For its gastronomy
I don’t know German cuisine, but some German desserts look very appetizing to me, like Apfelstrudel or Black Forest (“Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte”).
Germany is also a multicultural country. You will therefore find many restaurants there from all countries of the world! Indeed, after the United States, Germany is the second most popular immigration destination in the world. This means that it is just as possible to eat in a delicious Turkish restaurant as in Vietnamese, Syrian, Afghan, Iranian, Polish, Italian, Chinese, Moroccan, Eritrean…
If you know of other reasons to visit Germany, leave a comment 😉