Thinking of visiting Germany this year? As one of Europe’s biggest countries, it can be hard to know where to start planning your trip. Dominating the heart of central Europe, Germany’s diverse geography and cultures (it shares a border with 10 other nations) means it caters to almost every holiday imaginable, from alpine escapes to river cruises, romantic city breaks and wine tours.
Below, we explore 10 unmissable experiences in Germany – from the South-west to the North-east, this list covers every corner of the county – so you can be sure that whatever trip you're planning, you’ll be in reach of at least one of these must-visit German sites.
Explore each recommendation, as well as learning essential travel tips for your stay.
The Best Places to Visit in Eastern Germany
Berlin
In comparison to other European capitals, Berlin is not particularly picturesque – its appeal lies in its storied history, political significance and current carefree, youthful energy. Very few cities have experienced as many momentous historic events in the last century as Berlin. From near-total destruction in the Second World War to thirty years of walled division and eventual reunification, Berlin’s turbulent history is writ large in every street and neighbourhood.
To best understand this recent history, take a bike tour along the route of the old Berlin Wall. Setting off from the gentrified neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg, the route explores life under the wall in East and West Berlin, and how the city today has changed since the reunification of 1990. This route will take in many of Berlin’s most iconic sites, including the Brandenburger Tor, the East Side Gallery and the Holocaust memorial, as well as exploring more prosaic locations and human history.
Learn more in our detailed guide to visiting Berlin.
Local tip: If you’re not willing or able to cycle, Berlin’s public transport network is also a great option. The U5 and U2 metro lines will carry you directly to most of the city’s most famous sights.
The Sächsische Schweiz
The hiker’s paradise of the Sächsische Schweiz (‘Saxon Switzerland’) occupies an area of wilderness between Dresden and the Polish border. The alien rock formations and dense forests make it an interesting alternative to the Alps or the Black Forest, while the Basteibrücke Bridge is one of East Germany’s most iconic visitor attractions. The Sächsische Schweiz is popular year-round, though visitor numbers peak in Autumn as hikers head to the forests to watch the leaves change colour. It’s important to note that the region straddles the border into Czechia. Fortunately, getting a Czech eSIM is easy and ensures you stay connected to reliable mobile data, whichever side of the border you’re in.
Local Tip: Though the Sächsische Schweiz feels completely secluded, both Berlin and Dresden are easily reachable by train, car or bus, providing a great opportunity to combine a hiking holiday with a city break.
Dresden
Situated on the banks of the Elbe, Dresden is the capital of Saxony and former seat of the Saxon, Polish and Lithuanian Royal Families. Centuries of royal wealth led to the construction of the many Baroque palaces, museums and churches in Dresden city centre.
An icon of the city, the Frauenkirche is a monumental cathedral. As with much of Dresden, the original was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945 and painstakingly rebuilt over decades. Today, it stands as a symbol both of Dresden’s long legacy of artistic achievement and modern-age resurrection. The State Gallery of Dresden, housing one of Germany’s most esteemed collections of classical painting, shares a similar history. The reconstructed building is now one of the most-visited attractions in Germany.
Due to its riverside location and wealth of world-class museums, Dresden is a popular tourist destination year-round. A seasonal highlight is the Christmas Market, or Striezelmarkt. The oldest of Germany’s Christmas markets, the Dresden Striezelmarkt first took place in 1832. With its log fires, traditional food stalls and wooden chalets, it feels like not much has changed since its opening year.
Local tip: For a more unusual travel experience, head to Pfund’s Mölkerei. This family dairy counter and cheese shop has been serving locals and tourists since 1892. A Dresden institution, Pfund’s longevity is down to the quality of their local products as well as the ornately tiled interior – the entire shop is covered from floor to ceiling in milky motifs.
The Best Places to Visit in Northern Germany
Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin. It rivals the capital in its blend of historic monuments and grand shopping streets with a thriving alternative culture and all-hours nightlife. As one of Europe’s busiest ports, Hamburg is renowned for its waterfront and seafood.
Major sights include the Hamburg Aldstadt, or old town. This area's concentration of Baroque and Rococo churches reflects the vast wealth Hamburg accrued as a member of the Hanseatic League trading empire from the 13th to 15th centuries. The city is a treasure trove for architecture fans of all eras: round the corner from the Altstadt is the UNESCO-listed Kontorhaus District, a masterpiece of 20th-century modernist architecture, while the avant-garde Elbphilharmonie concert hall is one of Europe’s most acclaimed new landmarks.
Local tip: Hamburg also a great holiday destination for sports fans. In HSV and St. Pauli, the city is home to two of Germany's most-supported teams. Visit Hamburg during the regular football season between August and May to catch either team in action and experience the famed atmosphere of a Bundesliga match. If you can score a ticket, the Hamburg derby is a bucket-list experience for football fans worldwide.
The Ostsee
Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, the Ostsee has long been a popular spot for German holidaymakers. It’s steadily growing in popularity with foreign tourists too, as more people discover one of Europe’s finest stretches of coastline. While the waters may not be as warm as the Mediterranean, the Ostsee is lined with miles of white sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages and small holiday islands. For thrillseekers, the Baltic coast is renowned for the quality of its surfing and sailing. Elsewhere, the islands of Rügen and Usedom offer a more tranquil beach experience.
Local Tip: The tiny island of Hiddensee can only be reached by ferry and is a truly secluded getaway. Cars are not permitted on the island, allowing visitors to explore the bays and beaches at their own pace.
The Best Places to Visit in Southern Germany
Munich
The capital of Bavaria, Munich is the origin of many of Germany’s best-known exports: lederhosen, lager, and laugenbrezel (pretzels) are all Bavarian inventions. Munich is an affluent city, famed for its galleries, fine dining and shopping – as a city break option, there are enough things to do in Munich to keep travellers entertained for weeks. The city is equally famed as a gateway to the German Alps. Ski resorts, mountain lakes, and alpine chalets are all within easy reach. Popular day trip options from Munich include the Tegernsee Lake, or the medieval city of Salzburg in Austria. If you’d prefer to stay in town, Munich’s Englischer Garten is a must-see park .
Local Tip: Due to its proximity to the Alpine ski resorts, Munich is popular with tourists all year round. Tourist numbers peak during Oktoberfest, the now world-famous Bavarian folk tradition where millions of visitors from around the world gather in Munich's Theresienwiese Square to sit in a tent and drink beer. While Munich Oktoberfest may be the largest in Germany, nearly every Bavarian village will host their own version - take a detour through rural Bavaria for a more authentic and less crowded experience.
The Black Forest
At times, visiting the Black Forest can feel like stepping back in time – the dense pines, half-timbered houses and twisting mountain paths are still eerily reminiscent of a Grimm fairy tale. At the edge of the vast forest, the medieval city of Freiburg marries the historic architecture typical of Black Forest settlements with a laid-back atmosphere and progressive identity. A perfect base camp for exploring the forest, popular attractions like the fairytale Hohenzollern castle or Germany’s largest theme park, Europapark, are a short drive or train ride away.
Local Tip: The Black Forest, and Freiburg in particular, is one of Germany's gastronomic capitals. Local specialties include Flammkuchen and Schwarzwalder Ham. Primo-Markt in Freiburg is a Black Forest hidden gem - an unassuming supermarket/restaurant that serves some of the best Italian food in the country.
The Best Places to Visit in Western Germany
Cologne
The ancient city of Cologne (or Köln) is home to the most-visited attraction in Germany – the Kölner Dom. This 13th-century cathedral and UNESCO world heritage site sits at the heart of Cologne’s old town. As one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the country, Cologne has a rich architectural legacy, from Roman to modernist. The city is particularly noted for its medieval districts. In contrast to the gothic extravagance of Cologne city centre, the Museum of Applied Art celebrates Germany’s famously efficient mid-century and Bauhaus designers.
Every easter, Cologne is transformed during the Karneval, a weeks-long festival marked by street parties, parades, concerts and displays of Cologne folk traditions. The first Karneval was a celebration of local identity in protest against the occupying Prussian state. Today this tradition is continued in the highly esoteric and localized Cologne customs that take place throughout the weeks. If you’re planning on visiting Cologne during carnival season, plan ahead – in typically organized German fashion, accommodation in the city fills up weeks beforehand. And bring fancy dress!
Local tip: On holiday with kids? Take them to the Cologne Chocolate Museum. This waterside attraction is filled with interactive exhibits that will keep all ages entertained for a day.
Heidelberg
Like Cologne, Heidelberg is a small city packed with architectural treasures from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras. The alleyways, markets and gothic churches of the old town sit in the shadow of the hilltop ruins of Heidelberg castle.
As the home of Germany’s oldest University, Heidelberg has a large student body (almost a quarter of the town’s population), ensuring that even in the most central areas, there are affordable food options and a lively nightlife.
Local Tip: Due to its compact size, Heidelberg is ideally suited to weekend trips or shorter city breaks. It’s also a great way to explore the prestigious vineyards of the surrounding Neckar Valley.
The Moselle Valley
Spanning the French-German border, the Moselle is known as one of the premium winemaking regions of Europe, alongside the Loire, Chianti and Rioja valleys. A winning combination ideal wine-producing conditions, rolling hills, and historic towns and villages make this an ideal German holiday destination.
The gentle hills make it an accessible option for walking, cycling and e-biking tours, while a river cruise along the Moselle River is one of the most leisurely ways to explore Germany, especially after a bottle or two of the local specialty.
Local Tip: At the Moselle Valley's eastern edge, the Roman city of Koblenz is a must-visit sight for history buffs. Some of Germany's finest castles, including Lahneck Castle, Stolzenfels Castle and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress are found in the hills around Koblenz.
What to know before visiting Germany
Language
It’s a good idea to memorise some German phrases before you visit. While English will often be understood, especially in more heavily-touristed areas, it’s by no means a universal language in Germany. Learning some basic German beforehand will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable for yourself and those around you.
A translation app like Google Translate or DeepL can be an indispensable tool when travelling in Germany. These apps allow you to ‘download’ a language and use it offline. Use them in combination with a local Germany SIM card, or better yet, a German eSIM to ensure you can always make yourself understood when needed.
Cash or Card?
Something that often surprises visitors to Germany is how cash-based the economy is. Even in large cities like Berlin, many businesses will only take cash. In general, it’s wise to always have some on you. This also makes tipping in German easier – in most restaurants, it’s customary to tip around 15%.
Getting Around
Germany has a dense rail network that covers every city and major town, including the high-speed ICE trains. Tickets are generally cheaper the earlier you book, so try and plan your trip as soon as possible. If you’re on a budget, or have more time on your hands, a coach service like Flixbus is a convenient way to travel cross-country, often at a fraction of the price of a train ticket.
Every city on this list has a bus and public train (or S-Bahn) network, making travel in and around German cities convenient and relatively affordable. Using a navigation app like Citymapper or Google Maps, in tandem with an eSIM for Germany, takes the guesswork out of getting around and lets you travel stress-free throughout Germany.
eSIM data plans for Germany
Stay connected in Germany with an eSIM
If you’re traveling to Germany, one of the first things you’ll need is a reliable mobile internet connection. Using your regular phone provider abroad can lead to spiraling international roaming fees, while replacing your SIM with local German SIM card means losing access to your messages, contacts and two-factor authentication services.
The easiest way to get online on your phone in Germany is with a travel eSIM. These combine the best of both worlds - they allow you to access high-speed mobile data abroad for a prepaid local rate and use your phone as you normally would. No swapping out SIM cards, and no international roaming fees. If you're travelling with a tablet, you can also purchase iPad eSIM plans for Germany.
European eSIM Plans
Germany’s central location makes it an ideal starting point for a wider European journey. Our European eSIM packages give you the freedom to roam uninterrupted across 49 countries and territories in Europe, including Switzerland, France, Denmark and Austria.
