Germany may be smaller in land mass than my home state of Texas, but it sure packs some punch in terms of places to visit. From the Bavarian Alps, Black Forest, and beer festivals of the south, to the wine growers of the west, the artistic birth of the east, and the beaches of the North, there's diverse culture and landscape to explore and I'm still far from seeing it all. Leipzig, Sylt, Berchtesgaden, Würzburg, and Bamberg are just a stand out few places I've yet to visit. Nevertheless, here are my top 5 places to visit in Germany (in no particular order).
Munich
It's no secret that Munich is my favorite city in Germany. It's rich history goes much further than its significance in World War II, when a bridge was built over the Isar River in 1158 to and two centuries later became a wealthy city due to its positioning near Salzburg as a critical salt transport route. If history isn't your thing, the pristine architecture, sprawling city green spaces, and lively beer gardens should still be enough to suck you right into the Munich vibe. It's location directly in the heart of Europe is also tough to beat. Munich residents love living in the city, not only for the city's booming culture, but for its proximity to escape the city life by easily hopping on a train to the mountains and lakes of Southern Bavaria. The city's mix of ancient-and-modern aspects influence its personality. Some people just feel the Munich vibe, and when you do, you can't get enough.
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Neues Rathaus[/caption][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="803"]
beer garden at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden[/caption]Dresden
Dresden is super cool, and not Berlin cool, because if I'm being honest Berlin is a little too cool for me. Someone once told me that if you think you're underdressed/strangely-dressed in Berlin, you'll still be overdressed. While I am not one to dress up, I'm also by no means a hipster, and Berlin exceeds hipster. Dresden, alternatively, does hip just right with cool cafés and tiny eateries serving up delicious food and drink at just the right price. The colorful city center is still being rebuilt after utter destruction in WWII, so it's impossible to not realize WWII's impact on this East German city, whether it's seeing how new every thing is, or how some areas remain untouched. Dresden is a city of potential and you can feel it amongst the young, vibrant population in the city. Dresden, in fact, is a polar opposite to the aforementioned long-established, wealthy Munich, and that's precisely where the excitement lies.
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Neumarkt and the Frauenkirche[/caption][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="713"]
view from atop the Frauenkirche looking over Dresden and the Elbe[/caption]Bodensee
The Bodensee in German, or Lake Constance in English, is shared by both Switzerland and even a sliver of Austria, lying on the border of the three nations. Although I've yet to go myself, I know this lake is going to awe me. It's Switzerland without the Swiss prices: a large lake with a view of the Alps. What else do we really need in life? The sprawling lake has sleepy towns like little Lindau or more lively student cities like Konstanz, and all along the edge are hotels, spas, and boat rental activities, whether you like sailing, kayaking, or water skiing, there's somewhere to do it. I'm a total lake rat and Lake Constance is the essence of all things lake in Germany.
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Bodensee from Lindau[/caption][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1986"]
Lindau aerial view | Photo Credit[/caption]Wine Region
I suppose it's safe to say that a nation's wine region is a popular spot in any country, but I think Germany's is far too underrated. I was never a Riesling drinker because all of the U.S.'s Riesling imports are super sweet variants. However, Germany offers a range of Rieslings and I can't get enough of the dry, or Trocken, variety. If Riesling isn't your jam, there are indeed other grapes grown throughout the region, which lies in the most western edge of Germany, along the French border and onwards up the Rhine until you hit the big cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf. Heck, even if you aren't a wine drinker, the scenery is gorgeous with the rolling hills dotted with castles. From the Weinstraße to the Moselle Valley to the widely known Rhine Valley, there is a ton to explore with car, river boat, bicycle, and/or foot via the countless hiking trails sprawled across the area. The wineries offer little shops in town to taste the varieties, and unlike in Napa or Champagne, you will not be forking over a ton of money to do it. In fact, most bottles will cost under €10. Every wine maker offers it differently, whether through a shop in town or on their properties, so just look for signs that say Wein Probe. You may even get to taste some local Schnapps, too!
In September, the region hosts countless wine festivals where wine is served in 0.5L glasses for about €3-4. I highly recommend them all. For beginners, look at the Bad Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt.
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Weinstraße[/caption][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="803"]
grapes for days in Germany[/caption]Hamburg
Germany almost meets landlocked status, but the ubiquity of lakes and rivers makes it hardly noticeable, that is until you reach the port city of Hamburg. Hamburg is actually the favorite city among most Germans. Many deem Munich too snobby or Berlin too strange, while Hamburg embodies the essence of German efficiency and cleanliness, while embracing the outdoors like Germans so love to do. For me, Hamburg is to Germany what Seattle is to the U.S., a cool, expensive city with thriving businesses and people living life to the fullest. The famous Hamburg fish market (Fishmarkt) is yet another parallel. But enough with Seattle comparisons, because Hamburg is a city of its own. Hamburg has over 2300 bridges throughout the city, which is more than Venice and Amsterdam combined, and like in those more visited cities, Hamburg can also be explored from its waters. The water, combined with the likes of the green space, shopping, and food, make Hamburg a wonderful, city-less-visited, for non-German tourists. Oh, and I have to mention Minatur Wunderland, the largest model railway in the world.
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Außenalster, a lake within Hamburg's city limits[/caption][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="804"]
Reeperbahn, is the Red Light District of Hamburg, but don't let that deter you, the nightlife is exceptional (and safe)[/caption]Where would you visit in Germany?
45 comments
I so want to go to Dresden, and I'm jealous that you've been!
ReplyDeleteLove the Bodensee. I lived on the Austrian side for 10 months :-)
And I'm definitely going to Wurstmarkt again this year!
Although I live within a half hour of Hamburg, I have to admit I am not a huge fan of the city. My boyfriend grew up on the Bodensee, though, and I absolutely love going there (we actually have a trip planned at the end of September).
ReplyDeleteDresden is also one of my favorite cities in Germany, and it is one of the places in Germany I would love to live someday.
Hi Alex, Hope you are having a great time living in Munich. I love your choice of places to visit in Germany. My favourite place to unwind is Norderney, an East Frisian island in the North Sea off the coast of Germany in Lower Saxony. Have you been there? Cheers from Berlin
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Germany, anywhere in Germany! Bodensee looks pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love the North Sea!
ReplyDeleteDresden! You got that right, Alex.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see Dresden on the list. My grandpa was from there and it's the only place I've been to in Germany but I absolutely love it. Will have to go back sometime soon to properly explore it.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting this post on my bookmarks because you are the expert and i need to plan a trip to germany. so many cool places!
ReplyDeleteAh, can't wait to get to Germany! All these places look like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteJulika and I will be heading to Berlin for a day, along with Goslar and Hanover from Gottingen. Then I'll be trying to Bla bla bar down to Munich then Bla bla car to frankurt for my flight. Should be an interesting experience! haha.
I also felt like I wasn't cool enough for Berlin, which made me sort of resent the city because dammit, I AM COOL ENOUGH!! ACCEPT ME! I also love Heidelberg (who doesn't) and Tübingen, which I'd never heard of before my friend studied abroad there. Have you been? I loved the small-town university feel, the preserved buildings (it wasn't bombed in WWII), and the beautiful colored houses on the riverfront.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list. I'd also love to make it to Lake Constance. And I didn't know most of what you wrote about Hamburg. Pretty crazy about the amount of bridges!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was a wine region in Germany - I'd totally go there!
ReplyDeleteGermany looks so lovely. It makes me want to move to a smaller country with... general infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with wine.... and they serve it in massive glasses at cheap prices. It's basically my dream come true.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Nuremberg! Bamberg is also a cool spot with the Rauchbier and the numerous breweries in that region. You're making me want to see more of the country now after I thought I saw it all. Leipzig, Luebeck, and Bremen I've yet to hit...
ReplyDeleteGermany looks amazing! I like hearing these insider thoughts on these cities that I've never been to. :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of Germany having a wine industry like that for some reason, yet I love German wine! How silly of me. It looks so rustic and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI quite like Hamburg and Dresden. Great list! Excellent photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! One day on the Bodensee was not enough for me, so that's one place I'm eager to go back to. A student told me that there's a great cable car trip somewhere down there, I think near Bregenz, and you have the best view.
ReplyDeleteAnd 3-4€ for a half-liter glass of wine? Sign me up!
Fantastic city!
ReplyDeleteA cable car view of the Bodensee sounds tough to beat! Sounds like we're both due for a trip.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made it to Nuremberg yet! I will be much closer living in Munich so it's certainly on the list, along with Bamberg which I've been dying to get to lately!
ReplyDeleteBut Russia is so tiny and timid ;-)
ReplyDeleteBerlin TOTALLY as not having me and my college Eurotrip group of friends. I actually haven't returned since officially living in Germany, so it's time for a redo, but until then...
ReplyDeleteAnd I have heard great things about Tübingen, but haven't made it there yet, which is a shame considering I'm not too far. There's a yearly rubber duck race there I've been wanting to check out...
Next year's post-Tomorrowland trip :) :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're going to get to experience some authentic Germany, especially with Julika! Can't wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteHow neat you have a Dresden-born Opa, very cool and cooler you got to see the city!
ReplyDeleteIt's a short pop on lovely Wizz Air to Stuttgart over from Iceland. I'm hoping to make that flight myself the other direction ;)
ReplyDeleteI am dying to check out some North Sea territory, I'll have to remember Norderney :) Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up on the Bodensee... what a dream! Lucky guy! So glad you loved Dresden too!
ReplyDeleteDresden is just a short 10 hour FlixBus ride from Karlsruhe... ;-) it was a rough one but certainly worth it. I am looking very forward to the Wurstmarkt as well!
ReplyDeleteI love your list, so far my heart belongs to Munich and Bavaria in general!!
ReplyDeleteI have seriously never been let down by a German destination…except for maybe Kaiserslautern. Then again, not a destination!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Bavaria is just special all-around.
ReplyDeleteI love Dresden! Cologne has also always been a favorite of mine. I've been in wine country just outside of Freiberg for the past few weeks and it has blown me away with its gorgeous sights!
ReplyDeleteI'd visit Heidelberg (my home for 4 months) over and over again as well.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Berlin is the top city and then I liked a lot Hamburg,Köln and Düsseldorf for different reasons..I have never been to Münich or Dresden (which to be honest, yr post intrigued me!)-I am a new expat in Germany so I have a lot of travelling ahead!
ReplyDeleteWww.mygenerouslife.blogspot.com
Munich and Dresden are definitely must-sees! I also enjoyed Düsseldorf quite a bit. New expat life is exciting, keep seizing those opportunities!
ReplyDeleteAny Cologne tips? I just haven't quite felt the Cologne spirit when I've been there. Although, I had a great time during Karneval!
ReplyDeleteI've visited Heidelberg countless times when people come stay with me in Karlsruhe :) It's certainly a charmer! It could really do without all the tourist bus gorups though ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat choices...spent plenty of time in the wine region (countless wine fests Bern Kastel, Neustadt, & the infamous Bad Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt) + visited all of your other picks at least once. I wish I had more time in Hamburg and Bodensee.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally in love with Munich. We're only here for another 4 months and I'm already planning ways to get back here!!
ReplyDeleteBad Aibling. Great small town. Lived there from 1976-1979 & attended Munich American High School. Fantastic! Now I am in San Antonio, Texas.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've dislike German, but as the exception, i've read this article - and now i absolutely like these cities and want to go there as soon as possible, thanks for really stunning and amusing article)
ReplyDeleteKOnstanz is by far my most favorite place! Living in switz myself it is a friendlier and cheaper version and in the spring Mainau island is a must! Truly beautiful
ReplyDelete