10 Leipzig
The largest city in Germany’s federal state of Saxony, Leipzig is often called the City of Heroes for its leading role in the 1989 democratic revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Leipzig is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene shaped by famous music composers like Bach, Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn. Tourists today can enjoy performances of Bach’s music at the St. Thomas Church where Bach once served as choir leader and is now buried.
In addition to numerous museums, old churches and historic sites like the Old Town Hall, the city boasts several of Germany’s oldest and most impressive structures such as the Napoleonic Monument to the Battle of the Nations and Reichsgericht, the former high court of the Reich. One of Europe’s largest town squares, the Augustusplatz, is situated at the central campus of the city’s university, which is the second-oldest university in Germany. What’s more, Leipzig is home to Germany’s oldest botanical garden and one of the country’s largest zoos.
Leipzig is host to a number of annual festivals such as the Bach Festival, the world’s largest Goth festival and an international balloon festival. With a large flea market, a shopping mall in one of Europe’s largest rail stations, and a vibrant Christmas Market, Leipzig is a shopper’s delight. For nightlife, tourists will find a variety of pubs, bars and dance clubs within the city, especially along the street of Karl-Leibknecht-Strasse, nicknamed “Karli.” Getting around the city is easy by train, bus and taxi.
9 Rugen Island
Favored for its remarkable landscapes and romantic seaside resorts, Rugen Island has flourished as a popular tourist destination since the 18th century. Located in the Baltic Sea as part of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rugen Island is the largest island in Germany, connected to the mainland by the Rugen Bridge and Rugen Causeway.
Charming villas, historic old towns and beautiful beaches all draw tourists to Rugen Island, but the star attraction is the Jasmund National Park, famous for its unique chalk cliffs rising 161 meters over the sea. Of these majestic cliffs, the largest is known as Konigsstuhl, or King’s Chair. Legend has it that in ancient times, a newly crowned king would climb to the top of this cliff and sit in a chair to demonstrate his power.
Another notable feature of Rugen Island is Cape Arkona, East Germany’s northernmost tip, where tourists can visit an old lighthouse, remnants of a Slavic castle and a picturesque fishing village.
Among the island’s many seaside resorts, a few most popular include Binz, Sellin, Gohren and Sassnitz. Tourists will find a wide variety of recreation here ranging from golf to horse riding, cycling, windsurfing, canoeing, diving, yachting and hot air balloon trips.
Rugen Island can be reached by car across Germany’s longest bridge, by train and ferry service. Within the island, buses run between all major towns. Many of the main attractions are car-free, so walking and cycling are good alternatives. A great way to explore Rugen Island is by its steam-powered train, called Racing Roland.
8 Romantic Rhine
Stretching between the cities of Bingen and Bonn, Germany, the Middle Rhine flows through a dramatic geological formation called the Rhine Gorge. This region features a spectacular landscape dotted with some 40 medieval castles, picturesque villages and terraced vineyards. Tourism generated here after aristocrat travelers brought much attention to the area during the Romanticism period of the 19th century so that the location became known as the Romantic Rhine. The inspiration behind poems, painting, operas and legends, the Romantic Rhine today is a major tourist destination in Germany.
A journey through the Romantic Rhine presents splendid views of medieval castles perched on nearly every hillside. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, these castles range from ruins to fortresses and majestic palaces. One of the most well-preserved is the Marksburg Castle while other significant ones include Stolzenfels, Pfalzgrafenstein, the Electoral Palace and the Stahleck Castle, which offers overnight accommodation.
Bathed in color and history, the charming villages along the Rhine Gorge provide excellent sightseeing opportunities as well as cafes, shops and hotels. The town of Bacharach is particularly beautiful in its setting of half-timbered buildings, cobblestone streets and terraced vineyards.
The region’s most famous natural attraction is the Lorelei, the deepest and most narrow section of the Rhine Gorge, which features a large, treacherous rock that caused several boating accidents prior to the 19th century. Because of its unique echo, the rock inspired a legend that claims a beautiful siren sat upon the summit, luring sailors to their deaths.
The best way to experience the Romantic Rhine is by a riverboat cruise. However, there are also highways and trains that run along both sides of the river. Additionally, tourists can explore the beautiful region by scenic walking trails and cycling routes.
7 Cologne
It may have been nearly destroyed from heavy bombing during World War II, but Cologne today is one of the largest cities in Germany and a major European metropolis. Situated on the Rhine River in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne offers a vibrant array of attractions, buzzing nightlife and a stellar arts and culture scene.
Cologne packs impressive landmarks such as the city’s informal symbol, the Cologne Cathedral, a stunning Gothic church that claims to contain the gifts of the Magi mentioned in the Bible. Moreover, the Twelve Romanesque Churches are magnificent examples of medieval architecture.
As a leading culture center in the Rhineland area, Cologne boasts an outstanding collection of orchestras, art galleries and museums. Two of the most important museums include the Wallraf-Richartz Musem for its fine medieval art, and the Farina Fragrance Museum, which details the history and production of the city’s famous perfume, Eau de Cologne.
Every year, Cologne hosts one of Europe’s largest Carnival festivals, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, and filling the streets and pubs with costumed people, music and dancing. However, even outside of festivals, tourists will find no shortage of nightlife choices in this city of many pubs, bars and clubs. Cologne is known for its unique beer, called Kolsch, which is served cold and fresh in every bar in town.
With an excellent public transport system of buses, trains, subways, trams and bike rentals, tourists will find it easy to get around Cologne.
6 Dresden
Before it was severely damaged from World War II bombings, Dresden was known as the Jewel Box because of its lavish collection of stunning art and architecture. After many years, the city has restored much of its former glory. The capital of the federal state of Saxony, Dresden is one of the largest urban districts in Germany, serving as an important center of government, industry and culture.
Dresden offers several interesting landmarks such as the beautiful plaza of Bruehl’s Terrace and the magnificent palace complex known as the Zwinger. The Old Town also contains a number of historic sites like the stunning Frauenkirche cathedral. Impressive art galleries and museums abound in the city, particularly the Green Vault, which houses thousands of exquisite precious gems, jewelry pieces and fine art works.
An important culture center, Dresden boasts many theaters and opera houses of which the Semper Opera is most widely esteemed. The city plays host to several annual events that include Europe’s largest Jazz festival, the Dixieland Festival. Nightlife choices abound throughout the city’s pubs, bars and clubs.
Amid the bustling city, open green spaces like the Big Garden offer outdoor leisure activities and relaxation while the River Banks presents summer sports, barbecues, concerts and outdoor cinema. Dresden is home to two major sporting facilities and hosts a number of sporting events such as ice hockey, football, volleyball and horse racing. Getting around the city center is easy by walking, cycling and bike taxis. Buses and trams are the best options for outside the inner city.
5 Lubeck
As one of the largest Baltic seaports in Germany, Lubeck is located in the country’s northern-most state, Schleswig-Holstein. Founded in 1143, Lubeck served for several centuries as the capital seat of the Hanseatic League. Although it was the first German city to be bombed and damaged during World War II, Lubeck still retains much of its medieval architecture, making it a popular tourist destination.
Dominated by seven Gothic churches, the city’s Old Town presents an attractive setting of romantic medieval architecture intertwined with modern day infrastructure. A walk through the old, narrow streets offers views of historic sites like the stunning cathedral, the 12th century Town Hall, the old city gates and the house of Thomas Mann, the 1929 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The bustling streets of Huxstrasse and Fleischhauerstrasse are lined with restaurants, art galleries, book stores and souvenir shops. A stroll along the city’s harbor allows tours of old Hanseatic warehouses and old shipping vessels now fashioned into museums.
Lubeck is well known for its production of the confection, marzipan. Local legend says that marzipan originated in Lubeck during a time of famine when almonds and sugar were the only available staples. The city also boasts its own wine specialty called Rotspon, which can be found in every shop of Lubeck.
In addition to several museums, theaters and cinemas, the city offers a variety of nightlife venues ranging from traditional bars to trendy clubs, discotheques and goth parties.
While the city center is walkable, tourists can get around other parts of Lubeck by bus and taxi service.
4 Heidelberg Old City
Heidelberg German pronunciation: is a city in south-west Germany. The fifth-largest city in the State of Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Mannheim and Freiburg im Breisgau, Heidelberg is part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. In 2011, over 149,000 people lived in the city. Heidelberg lies on the River Neckar in a steep valley in the Odenwald.
A former residence of the Electorate of the Palatinate, Heidelberg is the location of Heidelberg University, well known far beyond Germany's borders. Heidelberg is a popular tourist destination due to its romantic and picturesque cityscape, including Heidelberg Castle and the baroque style Old Town.
3 Neuschwanstein
The most photographed building in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle, is also one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Nestled among the breathtaking beauty of the Bavarian Alps near the town of Fussen, this fairy-tale castle served as the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Constructed in the late 1800s, Neuschwanstein Castle was never built for defense purposes as most castles. Instead, this castle was created as a fanciful retreat for a man dubbed the “fairy-tale king.” King Ludwig II of Bavaria had a reputation for abiding in daydreams instead of reality. He was completely captivated by a German legend surrounding the Swan Knight. After losing complete sovereignty of his kingdom, Ludwig became obsessed in a project to build a castle that materialized his romantic fantasies. However, the project drained Ludwig of his finances. When the banks threatened to seize his property, Ludwig reacted irrationally, causing the government to declare him mad. Shortly thereafter, Ludwig was found drowned in a lake, without ever seeing the completion of his beloved castle.
Soon after Ludwig’s death, Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public. Only 14 rooms of the castle were finished before Ludwig’s death, but these rooms were lavishly decorated. Among these rooms are the exquisite Singers Hall, the two-story Throne Room and Ludwig’s bedroom, which features intricate wood carvings, embroidered draperies and a cave with lighted waterfalls. Dazzling chandeliers and beautiful paintings adorn every room while the third floor is devoted to Ludwig’s fascination of swan scenes from operas by the famous composer Richard Wagner, whom Ludwig deeply admired.
Neuschwanstein Castle can be reached by train and the autobahn to the nearby town of Fussen, which offers pubs, restaurants and souvenirs shops.
2 Munich
Best known as the origin of the world famous Oktoberfest, Munich is a major international hub for research, technology and medicine. The capital of the state of Bavaria, Munich is Germany’s most prosperous city, boasting research universities, global companies like BMW and state-of-the-art science museums such as the Deutsches Museum.
However, Munich is not all business. This vibrant city offers one of Germany’s best culture scenes, presenting several sophisticated opera houses and theaters like the National Theater. The city center is an attractive blend of classic and modern architecture, teeming in historic churches, medieval walls and royal palaces as well as bustling shopping centers, art galleries and nightlife venues.
Munich also offers its share of lush green spaces, which include the English Garden, one of the world’s largest public parks. Munich is home to sports teams consisting of basketball, ice hockey and a championship football club.
Munich’s Oktoberfest began in 1810 with a royal wedding celebration. Today, this famous beer festival draws millions of visitors every year to take part in the revelry that involves several gigantic beer tents, delicious Bavarian food, fun competitions and millions of liters of beer. No matter what time of year tourists visit, they can experience Munich’s beer gardens and beautiful beer halls.
The best way to travel around Munich is by using the city’s public transportation network, which includes buses, trams, bike system, suburban trains and underground trains.
1 Berlin
A federal state and the capital city of Germany, Berlin is widely associated with its World War II history and former division of East and West Germany by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Since the fall of the historic wall in 1989, Berlin today is now a vast, unified city diverse in ethnic groups and abundant in sightseeing attractions, museums, sports, culture and nightlife.
Many tourists are drawn to Berlin’s famous historic structures, which include the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial. Although most of the Berlin Wall was demolished, there are some portions still standing near Checkpoint Charlie and Reichstag.
Berlin is respected for its high concentration of museums, namely Museum Island, which comprises a collection of museums that house impressive relics, temples and even reconstructed villages from many of the world’s ancient civilizations.
However, Berlin is not all about history. With two zoos, an aquarium, swimming lakes, public parks, botanic gardens, dozens of nightlife venues and sporting events of football and hockey, Berlin offers plenty for everyone in the family. The city also hosts annual festivals such as the Long Night of the Museums, Carnival of Cultures and the glamorous Berlin Film Festival.
As Berlin is a huge city, it offers excellent public transportation in the services of underground rail, bus, tram, train and ferry. There is also a number of biking paths throughout the city.
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