Discover
Germany
From medieval castles and romantic rivers to vibrant modern cities and the Bavarian Alps.
Top Destinations
Explore our curated selection of landmarks and cities you must visit.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument and the most iconic symbol of Berlin and German reunification. Built between 1788 and 1791, this majestic triumphal arch stands at the western end of Unter den Linden, crowned by the Quadriga — a chariot drawn by four horses driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. Once a symbol of division during the Cold War, the gate now represents unity, peace, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Best Time
May to September
Insider Tip
Visit at sunrise for virtually...
Neuschwanstein Castle
Perched atop a rugged hill in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle is the fairy-tale palace that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1869, this Romanesque Revival masterpiece features lavishly decorated interiors with murals depicting Wagnerian opera scenes. Surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery, the castle seamlessly blends romantic architectural fantasy with the dramatic natural landscape of southern Germany.
Best Time
September to October (autumn foliage)
Insider Tip
Book tickets online weeks in...
Cologne Cathedral
Kölner Dom is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and Germany's most visited landmark, attracting over 6 million visitors annually. Construction began in 1248 and was not completed until 1880, making it one of the longest building projects in history. Its twin spires soar 157 meters into the sky, and the interior houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, believed to contain the relics of the Biblical Magi. The cathedral's stunning stained glass windows, including Gerhard Richter's modern pixelated masterpiece, create an ethereal play of light inside.
Best Time
April to June
Insider Tip
Attend an evening organ concert...
Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße is the central memorial site of German division. It preserves an original section of the Wall with the death strip, watchtower, and border installations, offering a deeply moving documentary of Cold War Berlin. The outdoor exhibition along 1.4 kilometers tells the stories of those who risked everything to cross from East to West, while the documentation center provides extensive historical context through photographs, films, and audio recordings.
Best Time
Year-round
Insider Tip
Pick up the free audio...
Miniatur Wunderland
Miniatur Wunderland is the world's largest model railway exhibition, spanning over 1,500 square meters in Hamburg's historic Speicherstadt warehouse district. This astonishing miniature world features over 1,040 trains, 260,000 figurines, and painstakingly detailed recreations of landscapes from Scandinavia to South America. A complete miniature airport with functioning planes, a day-night cycle, and over 400,000 LEDs create a mesmerizing experience that blurs the line between model and reality.
Best Time
Weekdays, especially mornings
Insider Tip
Book a nighttime slot when...
Black Forest
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a densely wooded mountain range in southwestern Germany, famous for its dark canopy of evergreens, picturesque villages, and the origins of the cuckoo clock. This enchanting landscape inspired many of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales with its mysterious, misty valleys and towering fir trees. Visitors can explore cascading waterfalls like Triberg, hike through ancient forests, soak in thermal spas in Baden-Baden, and taste the legendary Black Forest cake in its birthplace.
Best Time
June to September for hiking; December for Christmas markets
Insider Tip
Visit the Triberg waterfalls early...
Museum Island
Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is an extraordinary ensemble of five world-renowned museums on an island in the Spree River, forming a UNESCO World Heritage site. The complex includes the Pergamon Museum with its monumental Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Neues Museum housing the iconic bust of Nefertiti, and the Alte Nationalgalerie with its superb collection of 19th-century art. Together, these institutions span 6,000 years of human history, from ancient Egypt to the modern era.
Best Time
October to March (fewer crowds)
Insider Tip
Purchase the Museum Island day...
Romantic Rhine Valley
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site stretching 65 km between Koblenz and Bingen, is one of Europe's most spectacular river landscapes. Steep vineyards cling to hillsides crowned with over 40 castles and fortresses, while charming wine villages dot the riverbanks. The legendary Lorelei Rock rises 120 meters above the water, where legend says a siren lured sailors to their doom. Rhine river cruises offer the most magical way to experience this romantic landscape.
Best Time
May to October (wine season)
Insider Tip
Take the KD Rhine cruise...
Heidelberg Castle
Perched on the Königstuhl hillside 80 meters above the old town, Heidelberg Castle is one of Germany's most romantic ruins. The castle complex blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, reflecting centuries of expansion and destruction. Its Great Vat (Großes Fass), one of the world's largest wine barrels holding 221,726 liters, is a marvel of 18th-century engineering. The castle gardens, designed as a 'hortus palatinus,' were once called the eighth wonder of the world.
Best Time
March to May or September to October
Insider Tip
Take the funicular up and...
Oktoberfest Grounds
The Theresienwiese in Munich is the legendary home of Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival attracting over 6 million visitors annually. Since 1810, this sprawling festival ground has hosted the celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring massive beer tents, traditional music, carnival rides, and authentic Bavarian cuisine. Even outside the festival season, the site is worth visiting for the Bavaria statue and the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame), offering panoramic city views.
Best Time
Late September to early October (Oktoberfest)
Insider Tip
Arrive before 10 AM on...
Saxon Switzerland National Park
Saxon Switzerland National Park features otherworldly sandstone formations that rise dramatically from the Elbe River valley near the Czech border. The Bastei Bridge, spanning a 40-meter deep gorge between towering rock pillars, offers one of Germany's most spectacular viewpoints. The park's unique landscape includes narrow gorges, table mountains, and ancient forests that have inspired artists from Caspar David Friedrich to modern photographers. Over 1,200 climbing routes make it a paradise for rock climbers.
Best Time
April to October
Insider Tip
Hike the Malerweg (Painter's Trail),...
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Germany's best-preserved medieval town, a living time capsule of half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, and a complete medieval wall circuit. The town's iconic Plönlein (Little Square) fork is one of the most photographed spots in Germany. The Medieval Crime Museum, the Christmas Museum, and the beautifully preserved Rathaus (Town Hall) tower showcase centuries of history. Walking the town's ancient ramparts offers enchanting views of the Tauber Valley.
Best Time
December (Christmas market) or May to June
Insider Tip
Join the Night Watchman's Tour...
Sanssouci Palace
Sanssouci Palace is the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, often called the 'Prussian Versailles.' Built in 1747 in elegant Rococo style, the palace sits atop terraced vineyards in a vast 700-acre park filled with follies, temples, and ornamental gardens. The name 'sans souci' means 'without worries,' reflecting Frederick's desire for a personal retreat devoted to art, philosophy, and music. The surrounding park includes the impressive Neues Palais and the exotic Chinese House.
Best Time
May to September
Insider Tip
Combine a visit to Sanssouci...
Lake Constance
Lake Constance (Bodensee) is Central Europe's third-largest lake, shared between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The lake's mild microclimate supports vineyards, orchards, and lush gardens, particularly on the flower island of Mainau. The UNESCO-listed prehistoric pile dwellings at Unteruhldingen reveal lake life from 4,000 years ago. The medieval town of Lindau, built on an island, and the baroque splendor of Meersburg Castle add cultural richness to the stunning natural scenery.
Best Time
June to September
Insider Tip
Take the ferry from Meersburg...
Dresden Zwinger
The Zwinger is a stunning Baroque palace complex in Dresden, originally built as an orangery and exhibition gallery for the Saxon court. Its ornate pavilions, galleries, and courtyard fountains represent the pinnacle of late Baroque architecture. The complex houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery (with Raphael's Sistine Madonna), the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, and the Porcelain Collection. The Nymphenbad fountain, hidden in one of the pavilions, is an exquisite grotto of mythological sculptures.
Best Time
April to October
Insider Tip
The Nymphenbad fountain in the...
Zugspitze
At 2,962 meters, the Zugspitze is Germany's highest peak, straddling the Austrian border in the Wetterstein Mountains. The summit offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama spanning four countries — Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland — with views of over 400 peaks on clear days. A spectacular cable car, the Eibsee Seilbahn, whisks visitors to the top in just 10 minutes. At the summit, a golden cross marks the peak, and a glass-floored viewing platform provides vertiginous thrills.
Best Time
July to September for hiking; December to April for skiing
Insider Tip
Take the cogwheel railway up...
Hamburg Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie is Hamburg's dazzling concert hall, a masterpiece of modern architecture that has become the city's new landmark since its opening in 2017. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, it rises from the waterfront like a crystalline wave atop a historic redbrick warehouse. The building houses two concert halls with world-class acoustics, a hotel, apartments, and a public viewing platform called the Plaza. The Grand Hall's 10,000 individually shaped acoustic panels create both visual drama and perfect sound.
Best Time
Year-round
Insider Tip
Free Plaza tickets can be...
Nuremberg Old Town
Nuremberg's beautifully restored medieval old town is enclosed within five kilometers of ancient walls and anchored by the imposing Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg). The city played a crucial role in Holy Roman Empire politics and later in 20th-century history. Today, its cobblestone streets are lined with half-timbered houses, artisan shops, and traditional breweries serving the city's famous small bratwurst. The Hauptmarkt square hosts one of Germany's oldest and most famous Christmas markets.
Best Time
December (Christmas market) or May to June
Insider Tip
Eat at Bratwursthäusle near the...
Bamberg Old Town
Bamberg's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Built on seven hills like Rome, the city features a stunning mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. The iconic Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) perches dramatically on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River. Bamberg is also famous for its unique Rauchbier (smoked beer), brewed in the city's historic breweries for over 500 years.
Best Time
May to September
Insider Tip
Visit Schlenkerla brewery for the...
Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest
Berchtesgaden National Park is a pristine alpine wilderness in Germany's southeastern corner, home to the mirror-like Königssee lake and the dramatic Watzmann massif. The park's crown jewel is the Königssee, a fjord-like lake surrounded by sheer mountain walls where boat captains demonstrate the famous echo by playing a trumpet across the water. Above the town stands the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), built as a 50th birthday gift for Hitler, now serving as a restaurant with extraordinary alpine views.
Best Time
June to October
Insider Tip
Continue past St. Bartholomä to...
Travel Tips for Germany
- 1.
Cash is still king in many places
- 2.
Always validate your train ticket
- 3.
Respect the quiet hours on Sunday