Best things to do in Germany
Germany is an underrated yet fantastic destination, boasting picture-postcard medieval villages, dynamic modern cities and swathes of idyllic countryside. Moreover, there are plenty of unique customs and festivals, not to mention lots of fantastic food and drink to indulge in.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Zugspitze: Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, offers awesome alpine views. Take a cable car to the summit where, on a good day, you’ll get views of four different countries.
Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm): Iconic landmark whose 203m-high observation platform and revolving café offer unbeatable views.
The best districts
Altstadt, Stralsund: This Hanseatic port town is stuffed with compelling architecture from its peak as a medieval trading port.
Dresden: After marvelling at the glorious architecture and dazzling artistry, go bar hopping in one of the most enjoyable Szene neighbourhoods in Germany.
Kreuzberg, Berlin: Soak up Berlin’s alternative spirit and bohemian vibe in Kreuzberg, full of street art, quirky cafés and lively markets.
Museums
Ostalgie, Berlin: Explore the mixed legacy of the old GDR at the DDR Museum, from a sinister Stasi listening station to the Eastern Bloc nostalgia fondly known as Ostalgie.
Mercedes Museum, Stuttgart: A superb motor museum by the inventors of the car – testament to the region’s engineering prowess.
Lenbachhaus, Munich: The masterpieces of Munich’s Blaue Reiter embody all the colour-saturated excitement of the time when European art turned towards abstraction.
Parks and gardens
Tiergarten: A huge swathe of peaceful green parkland smack in the middle of Berlin, the Tiergarten was originally designed by Peter Lenné as a hunting ground for Elector Friedrich III, but now provides a great antidote to city noise and bustle.
Historical monuments
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria: “Mad” King Ludwig’s maddest creation combines Wagnerian inspiration with a superbly dramatic Alpine site to create a romantic fantasy from the age of chivalry.
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin: This iconic neoclassical monument, once a symbol of division, now stands as a powerful symbol of reunification.
Cologne Cathedral: So iconic and so perfectly realised, Cologne’s awe-inspiring Dom is Germany’s most famous church and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.
Day trips in the area
Saxon Switzerland National Park: The fantastical sandstone pinnacles in this national park appeal to hikers, climbers or just afternoon strollers.
The Mosel, Rhineland-Palatinate: Follow the Mosel River, with stops at the idyllic wine towns of Bernkastel-Kues and the hidden Burg Eltz.
The Deutsche Alpenstrasse: Head west from Berchtesgaden along the northern flank of the Alps through mountain resorts like Reit im Winkl, Bayrischzell and Walchensee.
Activities for families in Germany
Children and Germany are a good match. It’s the land of familiar fairy tales, traditional folk festivals, hills dotted with castles steeped in legends and commercial attractions and theme parks aplenty.
Christmas: Kids will be drawn to the carousel, a few games or rides and sometimes an ice rink. Other attractions often include street performers, nativity plays, puppet theatres and concerts; and there’s always a model nativity scene – sometimes populated by real sheep, donkeys and goats.
Zoos and aquariums: One of Europe’s most important zoos is Berlin’s Zoologischer Garten, whose highlight is the nocturnal Nachttierhaus, featuring a bat cave, a large glass-sided hippo-pool and Germany’s only pandas.
Theme parks: Located just outside Nuremberg, Playmobil FunPark does exactly what it says on the tin; from the Knight’s Castle to Mermaid Kingdom, it’s a riot. Another favourite is Phantasialand, near Cologne, with rides that cater to both younger children and adrenaline-seekers.
Free things to do in Germany
As well as dozens of museums that have free entry on certain days, the country is replete with year-round events which you can access for free on your holidays to Germany. And don't forget the beaches!
Free events: Banish the winter blues, Rhineland style, with costumes and ritual silliness at Cologne’s Karneval, and of course there’s Munich’s Oktoberfest which offers free access to the festival grounds so you can experience the lively atmosphere without spending a euro.
Christmas markets: Each December lights twinkle in the small wooden huts that spring up in marketplaces across the country selling and celebrating local seasonal handicrafts and delicacies. But it’s not just shopping: these markets are as much about the pleasure of splitting a bag of roasted chestnuts with friends and soaking up the Christmas spirit.
Beaches: Northern Germany has some wonderful beaches; head for Sylt, a North Sea watersports wonderland that’s also the most glamorous beach resort in the country.
Nature and outdoor activities in Germany
From the soupy mudflats of the North Sea to the southern Bavarian Alps, there’s a lot to enjoy in Germany’s great outdoors, and the array of activities is just as varied.
Hiking: Germany has an abundance of scenic walks and long-distance hiking routes. Popular destinations include the Harz, Black Forest, Bavarian Alps, Saxon Switzerland and the Thuringian Forest; the latter two are home, respectively, to arguably Germany’s most scenic long-distance walk, the 112km Malerweg, and its most popular, the Rennsteig (168km).
Cycling: Simply a joy. Over 200 long-distance cycle routes across the country provide 42,000km of excellent touring. Dedicated cycle paths off the main road typically follow alongside major rivers – one classic is the Elberadweg which follows the river for 860km as it slices northwest from Schöna in Saxon Switzerland to Cuxhaven on the North Sea.
Water sports: Germany’s lakes and rivers are ideal for water-based activities, for example Lake Constance for sailing, windsurfing or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and the Mecklenburg Lake District for kayaking and canoeing.
Skiing: Whether enjoying the views from the Zugspitze’s high-altitude pistes or cutting a dash on the Kandahar run, skiing at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany’s biggest winter resort, is a memorable experience.
