From vibrant, cosmopolitan cities to Bavarian beer culture and jaw-dropping landscapes, the vast country of Germany offers up a truly diverse collection of cities and regions, all well worth visiting. Helping you choose where to stay and what to do, we present a round-up of the best seven places to holiday in Germany.
From the northernmost stretch of the Alps, to the twin-spired Gothic Cologne Cathedral, to Germany’s second largest city and main port in Hamburg, to the Holocaust Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie in the country’s capital city of Berlin. There is so much to see and do in Germany.
Don’t forget a visit to the Black Forest to the south west of the country, it is one of the most unspoiled places in Europe, and EuropaPark, one of Europe’s best rated theme parks. One of the most popular destinations is Munich in Southern Germany in the Bavaria region, not far from Austria.
Where to Stay? Plenty of great value accommodation can be found all over the country, from cheap hostels and pensions to budget friendly b&b’s, hotels and luxury guest rooms.
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Bavarian Alps
The northernmost stretch of the Alps are found in Southern Germany in Bavaria. This is where you will see typical German wooden chalets and beer houses and can sample hearty, meaty local cuisine.
It’s also the best place to ski in the whole country. Skiing in Germany is cheaper and more accessible than at its southerly neighbours and holidaying in Bavaria also gives you access to amazing castles and surrounding landscapes too.
Berlin – Hip and Historic
The uber-cool capital city of Berlin is certainly one of the most happening places in Europe. Apart from that though it’s also an elegant, handsome city with many fine landmarks. Historically there is nowhere quite so poignant as Berlin.
From the Holocaust Memorial to the Berlin Wall Eastside Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie, a few days in Berlin is both thoroughly educational and also demonstrates the tenacious power of humans to mend. Berlin is worth a visit at any time of year and budget accommodation can be easily sought by those happy to stay out of the city centre.
Luckily an excellent transport system means that the major attractions are never far away. Hotel choices are diverse from hip boutique options to elegant hotels and an abundant number of hostels.
Cologne (Köln)
One of Germany’s most significant historic capitals and also one which shares much tradition and culture with neighbouring France. The city is home to numerous landmarks such as the UNESCO protected twin-spired Gothic Cologne Cathedral as well as many excellent museums and galleries such as the Museum Ludwig and the Romano-Germanic Museum.
Many choose to visit in December when the city’s famous Christmas Markets bring the wintry streets alive.
Hamburg
The country’s second biggest city, Hamburg, is located on the North Sea Coast. Hamburg is an elegant and historical port city dubbed the Venice of the North, thanks to a network of canals. Hamburg is a major cultural hub in Germany
and is home to countless music and performing arts venues.
Many overlook this city, instead heading to Berlin or Cologne, but Hamburg is well worth a weekend city break. Thanks to its northerly location it’s best to avoid the coldest winter months and instead visit during Autumn or Spring when you will find excellent cheap deals on accommodation and enjoy pleasantly mild weather.
Munich (München) – the capital of Bavaria
Cosmopolitan Munich is the capital of Germany’s southern Bavaria region. Famous for its beer-y reputation, it really is worth trying to tie in a visit with the famous annual Oktober Beer Festival which takes place in late September/early October every year.
The city gets very busy so you’ll need to book accommodation well in advance. Ideally overlap your trip with the end of the festival so you can enjoy the city and its surroundings for a few days after the crowds have disappeared.
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald)
Arguably the most stunning scenery in Germany, the Black Forest occupies a space of around 11,000 sq km to the south west of the country. Largely made up of nature reserves, valleys and a few, well dispersed small towns and villages, it is one of the most unspoiled places in Europe.
Ideal for nature lovers, hikers and cyclists, it’s easy to find cheap accommodation at any time of year and is therefore well worth visiting in summer when the forest is most lush. However you explore this enigmatic region, it’s easy to see how the Black Forest became associated with myths and folklore legends of witchcraft and wizardry.
The charming and historic spa town of Baden-Baden is also nestled in the forest and is a perfect base for a holiday.
Upper Middle Rhine Valley
The Rhine River makes its way from the south to the north of Germany but it’s truly at its best here, in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area of the Rhine Valley has been awarded well-deserved UNESCO heritage status.
The region is abundant in vineyards and castles making it a hit with children ad adults alike.
