Germany is brimming with stunning historical cities, breathtaking landscapes, and untouched wildlife. Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are just a few of the amazing cities in Germany that have developed an identity of their own. They represent the soul of their individual areas and should not be missed by tourists, offering everything from intriguing heritage and rich culture to thrilling festivals and great regional food.
But this country is more than just these cities. Fortunately, Germany is a large country, so there’s no limitation on what to do and see. Germany will reveal its most stunning hidden treasures: undiscovered wild beaches, magnificent towns where the metro soars into the air, and castles that appear right out of a children’s novel.
Keep reading to find out more about these 13 unique places to visit in Germany and uncover some of its greatest hidden gems.
1. Dresden – Popular destination for World War II history
The capital of Saxony, Dresden is renowned for its art museums, architecture, and World War II history.
One of the most iconic buildings in the city is the Frauenkirche located at the Neumarkt. The Frauenkirche was destroyed during WWII and the rebuilding was completed in 1994.
Other famous landmarks worth seeing in Dresden include the Zwinger and Dresden Castle. Zwinger Palace is the best example of Baroque architecture in Dresden.
Zwinger, a palace complex with gardens, is not only Dresden’s most significant architectural landmark but also one of Germany’s most important Baroque monuments.
The holiday season is a special time to visit when the huge Dresdner Striezelmarkt comes to the city which we’d consider one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
2. Baden-Baden – Spa town of Germany
The Black Forest offers some of the best hiking in Germany and a sense of local culture in Freiburg and Baden-Baden (‘baden’ is the noun ‘bathing’).
Baden-Baden is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its thermal baths, making it part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 as ‘The Great Spa Towns of Europe‘.
Baden-Baden offers a variety of restaurants and cafes to try local delicacies and beverages. Badener Weinkeller, Weinstube im Baldreit and Cafe Beek are some of the great spots for trying local delicacies and beverages.
Hiking is available everywhere around the Black Forest. Consult the tourist bureau for more details.
3. Rothenburg ob der Tauber – A Picturesque medieval walled town
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is internationally recognised for its well-preserved mediaeval old town, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
It is one of just three towns in Germany still possessing entirely preserved city walls, the other two being Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen. These two are both in the state of Bavaria.
The town is beautiful and colourful, a real fairy tale. St. Jakob’s Church in Rothenburg is home to a historic altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider, a treasure of immense importance.
Rothenburg is among Germany’s best shopping towns with beautiful prints, carvings, glasses, Christmas-tree ornaments, and beer steins.
One of the ornament shops offers a unique German Christmas Museum with a unique collection. The city is beautiful at any time of the year, but it’s recommended that you visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber in spring or in December.
4. Bonn – The birthplace of Beethoven
Bonn is best renowned for being Beethoven’s birthplace, the Rheinsteig hiking route, and the annual cherry blossoms that cover the Altstadt with a new layer of pink in the spring.
Beethoven fans will be pleased to know that they can visit his old home and take a tour. Bonn was the capital of West Germany until reunification and is a great city to explore in a day.
Go down to Poppelsdorfer Allee, an avenue bordered by Chestnut trees that formerly housed the city’s first horsecar. Nearby you’ll also find the University of Bonn’s botanical garden (Botanischer Garten Bonn).
Some of the most exquisite, unaltered residences in metropolitan Germany may be seen towards the river. Walk along the promenade to the Alter Zoll which has a lively beer garden for a unique German experience.
5. Bremen – A prime cultural and economic hub
You’ll find Bremen along the Weser River in the heart of northwest Germany.
The city has one of the largest ports in the country and serves as the cultural and economic hub, with a mix of medieval and modern architecture, galleries, museums, theatres and libraries.
Bremen is one of the largest cities in the country and is a hidden gem for travellers looking for unusual destinations. It is a rich city with a historic centre surrounded by medieval ramparts.
The Focke Museum preserves the city’s artistic and cultural heritage through its permanent collection and old house and park.
Visitors also enjoy the Marktplatz, the market square on which sits the ‘Rathaus,’ the former town hall that now houses a restaurant serving over five hundred German wines.
6. Neuschwanstein – Land of a fairy tale castle
Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most photographed landmarks, is also one of Europe’s most popular tourist sites.
This fairy-tale castle, nestled among the majestic grandeur of the Bavarian Mountains near the town of Füssen, served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle, built in the late 1800s, was never intended for defence purposes, as most castles are. Instead, it was built as a fanciful retreat for King Ludwig II, who had a reputation for daydreams.
Neuschwanstein is especially popular with Asian visitors who travel hundreds of kilometres to see this lovely fairy tale castle. Neuschwanstein is as sumptuous on the interior as it is on the outside.
You can explore the castle and its grounds by booking a guided tour. These are also available from cities such as Munich.
7. Bamberg – A quintessential German medieval town
Bamberg, a lovely ancient town in Bavaria and has survived the centuries and was even spared the bombs of WWII due to its lack of large industries.
Bamberg is about forty minutes away by car or rail from Nuremberg. You can come here and wander amid the baroque-style mansions and ancient churches of this city constructed on seven hills, similar to Rome or Lisbon.
Do you wish to have a memorable stay? Plan your Bavarian tours and activities, such as a ‘Bamberg 2-hour guided walking tour’ to enhance your trip.
8. Wuppertal – The city with the suspended monorail
Wuppertal, which is only half an hour by car or rail from Düsseldorf Airport, is less well-known than neighbouring towns but well worth the visit.
The first metro system with a suspended subway was built in this industrial city a hundred and twenty years ago. This 13-kilometre monorail, which is still in use, is one of Wuppertal’s icons.
On board this unique and extremely unusual mode of public transportation in Europe, you will experience an amusement park-like feeling as you soar over the rivers and parks of Wuppertal.
9. Düsseldorf – The fashion capital of Germany
Düsseldorf is known for its fashion industry (popularly known as the fashion capital of Germany) and is ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Located in western Germany, Düsseldorf is a city of contrasts. You’ll find cobbled streets and a medieval Old Town combined with a rich history, as well as a modern and sophisticated side, with museums and an art scene.
Düsseldorf is known for its luxury lifestyle, exemplified by its Königsallee (King’s Avenue) shopping district, where people go to shop along the mile-long walkway. Along this street, you’ll find both big chains as well as smaller boutiques. Moreover, Kö (this street’s nickname) is a charming area for a stroll, flanked with cafés where you can get a coffee and relax as shoppers pass by, shaded by trees, and bordered by a scenic canal.
10. Freudenberg – Popular fairy tale town ‘Alter Flecken’
Freudenberg is among those places that can take your breath away. Freudenberg is a small medieval town in North Rhine-Westphalia that is popular among visitors.
Freudenberg was established as a ‘Flecken’ or market town and its historic town core ‘Alter Flecken’ is famous for its wooden houses, making it an attractive place in Germany to visit.
Freudenberg is a great family vacation destination far away from the hustle and bustle of large cities with clean air, beautiful landscapes, and delicious traditional food.
In recent years, Freudenberg has become a popular Instagram destination due to its black and white facades and snow-covered rooves in winter, making it look like some fairy tale place.
11. Wismar – A well-preserved Hanseatic city on the Baltic Coast
Wismar is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic city on the Baltic Coast. Wismar is known for its medieval buildings, many of which are in a redbrick Gothic style.
Tour Wismar’s magnificent religious architecture in the brick Gothic style like St-Marien-Kirche, with panoramic views of the city.
Walk down the street to Holy Spirit Church, and then St. George’s Church which was severely damaged during WWII, but currently functions as a performance venue and has a rooftop observation desk. Stroll down the avenues to St-Nikolai-Kirche, which has one of Germany’s highest naves.
Wismar is a popular destination for Baltic Sea cruises, which usually stop in multiple locations across northern Germany. With little public transportation, Wismar’s old town is easily accessible on foot.
It’s also worth visiting for the Swedish Festival celebrating Scandinavian culture which happens in August.
12. Cochem – A charming river town
Cochem, a lovely German village crossed by the Moselle, is one of Germany’s best-kept secrets.
You’ll find it a one and half-hour’s journey from Cologne and is ideal for getting away from the larger cities. The Moselle Valley is known around the world for the high quality of its wines.
Cochem is ideal for a gourmet, historical, or simply romantic getaway.
13. Sylt – Queen of the North Sea
Did you even know Germany has islands?
Sylt, the largest of them is also known as the ‘Queen of the North Sea.’ Sylt is a popular destination for water sports, food, and spa treatments.
Here you’ll find white beaches, dunes, and wildlife. The shores of the sandy beaches are popular destinations for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers, with many attractions such as Ellenbogen Sanctuary, Coral World, and Uwe Dune to visit the high viewing deck and look at the majestic landscape.
Dining in Sylt is a paradise for food lovers and a few things worth trying include North Sea sole and Sylt Royal oysters.
Summary
We hope that you discover these 13 offbeat places in Germany. They provide more distinct experiences than, perhaps, passing through Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin or strolling through the beer gardens in Munich.
Whether you visit Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, or all thirteen, you can expect them to be unlike everywhere else.
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