10 most beautiful towns in germany10 most beautiful towns in germany

From here, you can take a boat tour through a historic lock to the tiny town of Beilstein, which has been referred to as a miniature Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The cathedral reminds me of the St. Lorenz Church in Nuremberg. It is a well-known historical edifice. Even Napoleon liked it, opining: In all of Germany I never saw a town more beautiful.. Whether you want to experience the countrys famous Christmas markets or simply spend a few days sipping beer and snapping photos, nows the time to start planning your trip to this fairy tale corner of Europe. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Come for the beer halls, stay for the beautifully preserved architecture. Explore the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) ornate and elaborate Neo-Gothic architecture, and enormous glockenspiel clock on its tower. The Rathaus has an impressive Golden Chamber and you can book tours to see the interior. The 13th century St. Marys Church is another Gothic edifice with seven spikes towers. These Are the 10 Best Places to Live in the World, How to Get Over Jet Lag, According to Our Editors, These Are the Safest Countries in the World in 2023. Here, youll find the picturesque Rathaus, Bremen Cathedral, and the Haus Schutting. Its one of Europes prettiest small towns. One of the most beautiful buildings on the square is the 15th century Deutsche Haus, with a late Renaissance facade and statue of Bacchus, the god of wine and frivolity. The merged city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies in the shadow of the countrys highest peak, Zugspitze mountain. I cant say I really recommend it, but tasted it in the name of local culture. As a hub of lute and violin music, the towns Museum of Fussen, with its elegant baroque halls, houses the best collections of the said instruments in Europe. Like Rothenburg, Heidelberg should not be missing from any list of Germanys most beautiful old towns! He likes to eat sushi inside concrete minimalist restaurants and walk through Chinatown while eating Champoy. Germany's easternmost town quite literally straddles the Germany-Poland border just cross the Neisse River by footbridge from Grlitz, and you'll find yourself in the Polish city of Zgorzelec. Baden Baden is a luxe spa town in Germanys Black Forest region near Freiburg. These houses were built in Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. Its most known for its iconic frescoed town hall, perched on the River Regnitz. Exploring romantic castles, rustic villages and fantastic nature by car is a must on your bucket list. Grlitz Franz Meinelt/Getty Images Germany's easternmost town quite literally straddles the Germany-Poland border just cross the Neisse River by footbridge from Grlitz, and you'll find. Visitors feel as if they've stepped back in time. Learn about the citys violin-making history at the Fssen Heritage Museum, then snap some photos of Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche, an 18th-century, rose-colored chapel covered with rococo paintings. Youll be wide eyed as you wander around the blissy cobbled streets. Fussen couldnt be more picturesque, with its pretty houses and frescoed buildings. The Upper Franconian residential town of Bamberg not only offers one of the truly most beautiful old towns in Germany, but also the largest historic urban area in the republic in terms of surface area. Its a romantic place, boasting beautiful medieval architecture, culture goodies, and delicious marzipan treats. Miraculously, Regensburg escaped unscathed from wartime bombing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For us, these are the 10 most beautiful towns in Germany, but there are of course many more beautiful towns in Germany, no question about it! Fussen is the perfect base for exploring Mad King Ludwigs castles in Bavaria, particularly the popular Neuschwanstein Castle. If hunger calls, head to the Market Hall to sample some Freiburg specialties, like the black forest cake or flammkuchen (pizza-like dough). Appreciate the calm chalk blue-green Lech river and the steeped falls of Lechfalls. Sptzle is made from eggs, flour, salt, and water (plus dough). Fussens quaint center is truly a delight to stroll through. The Rathaus is crowned with a 4 foot pinecone. Patrician families competed with each other to built bigger and better towers for their homes. This quintessential German city is the land of lederhosen, giant schweinshaxe (ham hocks), and Oktoberfest. Located in a region known as Franconian Switzerland, Gweinstein (with a population of 4,084) is surrounded by rolling green hills and forested hiking trails. You will love these places of longing, authentic old towns, thundering waterfalls, romantic mills and ruins in the Black Forest! These Are Italy's Most Expensive Hotel Suites, Affordable Honeymoon Destinations You Might Not Have Thought of Yet. In either case, a stroll through the well-preserved old town while learning about Flensburg's rum-soaked history is a must. The building facades are dressed in creamy pastel shades, making it a dream to photograph. If you are planning a trip to Europe, one of the most important things that you need to know is the price of the food . Delight in the sight of the 13th-century stone-structure, gabled roofs, and towers of Rathaus (townhall). Come to Wolfenbttel for the atmospheric city center (and, sure, the 56-herb booze), stay for the thriving culinary and cultural scenes. Discover the fairytale town called Rothenburg. Landshut is also home to one of the worlds largest brick structures, St. Martins Church or Martinskirche. If Grlitz looks a tad familiar, thats no coincidencethe town has appeared in several major Hollywood movies, including The Reader, Inglourious Basterds, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and more. 1. You should also go to St. Stephen Cathedral to see the largest cathedral organ in the world. The town also possesses a deep history of violin-making (among other stringed instruments), which you can learn more about at the Fssen Heritage Museum. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Access insider tips and hotel recommendations from our travel tastemakers. You can also take an architecture tour or an art and culture of Freiburg. Its just a short jog from Munsterplatz. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission. When in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, treat yourself to Bavarias mouth-watering culinary offerings, such as the crispy national delicacy Schweinhaxen mit Knodel (fried pork legs with dumplings), while sampling Bavarias best beers. Legend has it they were inspired by Germany's Black Forest ( Schwarzwald )the spectacular mountain range in Baden-Wrttemberg. Buildings aside, Bamberg is also known for its breweries like Schlenkerla, which has been serving the towns signature smoked brew, Rauchbier, since the 15th century. Bambergs UNESCO World Heritage designation is well-deserved. Cable cars will take you to the summit, where you can enjoy. Here, 12 picture-perfect towns straight out of the pages of Brothers Grimm. Incidentally, a magnificent late-Gothic town house, the Haus zum Walfisch, served as the model for an eerie ballet school in the classic horror film Suspiria. Just 25 minutes from Munster, youll find the beautiful Burg Hulshoff. If you want to . But these places are very much real, and very much worth renting a car (or rail pass) for. at CC BY 2.0. Germany is overflowing with picturesque, historic towns that seem straight out of a storybook. Is This Underrated Town Portugal's Prettiest? Cochem [SEE MAP] If you're like many people, you probably think hillsides are too steep for farming. They date from the period of wealth and prestige. You should also stroll along Klein Venedig, Bambergs Little Venice, and admire the picturesque canal houses. The village is lined with boutiques selling embroidered lederhosen, small restaurants serving up Bavarian comfort food, and picturesque churchesall reflected beautifully in the blue waters of the lake. Its a lovely Renaissance castle from the 16th century. Beautifully situated in the lovely Moselle valley, Trier is one of Germanys must-see tourist destinations. If you're into half-timbered houses and history dating back to 755, you'll love this cheerful city. On the other hand, there are almost 3 times as many half-timbered houses here, about 1,200! You wont see any authentic Durer paintings there, but its a unique snapshot of his life and studio. The word storybook may seem a tad cliche. Nuremburg is also a cultural powerhouse, so be sure to visit one of its museums. Baden Baden has a sophisticated old town with cobbled streets, charming corners, and high end shopping. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Bamberg owes its architectural splendour above all to the fact that it was the seat of a bishop from 1007 to 1802. And youll find it on Mainbrcke, an old bridge that spans the River Main, where, at sunset, locals of all ages and backgrounds convene to sip wine and beer and bask in the day's last rays of sunshine. Situated in the Harz Mountains of central Germany, picturesque Quedlinburg is a well-preserved medieval town with over 1,200 half-timbered buildings. Or, its a 2 hour drive. It has all the makings of a charming German town: think half-timbered houses, wrought-iron bakery signs, medieval churches, and an imposing hilltop castle (Burg Stahleck) that now doubles as a youth hostelplus the added visual bonus of vineyards crawling up the surrounding slopes. But I assure you these gorgeous must visit places in Germany live up to the hype. By high speed train,Nurembergis an hour from Munich. Some readers will remember: it was on the back of the 50 DM note until 1991, appeared on postage stamps, chocolate biscuits and most recently in 2006 on a series of German 2 euro coins. The wedding is reenacted in full period costumes during an annual festival in Landshut. His home, Wahnfried, is open for public tours. For the best view, climb the North Tower at the 19th-century Drachenburg Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the Rhine. Some claim Rothenburg is too Disney-esque and exists only for tourists. Somewhere beautiful and new to discover. The people have their own proud accent, history, and traditions. Originally, it was envisioned to look like Notre Dame in Paris. Rothenburg ob der Tauber by Polybert49 at CC BY-SA 2.0. I must admit that I skipped the stuffed onion and planted myself in a super cute cafe, Spitz Rein, and had a looooot of cake and espresso instead. Knigssee (Kings Lake), Bavaria. Renowned for its cascading cobblestone streets and medieval churches, the town also features playful sculptures of the Grimms most famous characters, from the Frog King reading a book on the side of a building to Cinderellas slipper sitting beneath the towering Marburger Schloss castle. Youll find it in the areas sloping vineyards, where some of Franconias best grapesSilvaner, Mller-Thurgauare grown. Wildly romantic and the Swabian Alps - how does that go together? After an exciting day, get your fill of Bavarias best culinary delicacies and enjoy the best beers in Europe. The elongated building called Schranne, once the Grain Exchange, is now the Town Hall. READ: Must See Sites on them Danube River. Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Catalonia Royal Tulum Adults Only All Inclusive, Where to Eat, Sleep, and Play in Edinburgh, Scotland, 8 Beautiful Hidden Towns in the World Youve (Probably) Never Heard Of. 10 Most Beautiful Castles in Germany. I believe in the salutary and magical effects of a temporary geographical cure and have been running away from real life to seek treatment for years. 11 Fascinating Impact Craters on Earth. From medieval cities with castles to lakeside Alpine villages, these German towns are straight out of a fairytale. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Take a selfie in one of the most photographed sites in Germany- Plonlein. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. You can visit Augsburg on a day trip from Munich. Also, take time to visit St. Stephen Church and marvel at its soaring and imposing tower. Backed by the Alps, Rottach-Egern comes alive during the winter, with European tourists flocking here to enjoy outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Or book a day trip tour from Strasbourg. Larger than the Roman Colosseum, Congress Hall was where the Nazis held party rallies. St. Sebastians Church, in Ramsau, is a famous landmark recognized throughout Germanyas is Hintersee Lake, just nearby. Is it really worth it? Click here to book a walking tour of the historic center of Bremen. Cochem is a little gem on the Moselle River in Rhineland Germany. Germany is overflowing with picturesque, historic towns that seem straight out of a storybook. Other museums worth a visit include Swabian Crib Museum, which exhibits Christian religious arts, Textile Museum - a storehouse of rare and luxury fabrics, and South Swabian Archaeological Museum exhibiting life in the last Ice Age up to the start of the Middle Ages. By the way, Franconian Rome is also one of the cities with the highest density of breweries in the world so after sightseeing you can relax with regional beers in a rustic atmosphere. In the following, we present what we consider to be the 10 most beautiful towns in Germany, sorted north to south. Built along the River Elbe, this romantic city is famous for its porcelain, which it has been producing since the early 1500s. Its an architectural wonderland filled with sculptures and fountains. Porcelain was invited in Meissen in 1709. 11 European Castle Hotels You Can Actually Sleep In, Stunning Real-Life Fairytale Destinations. It was founded by the stepchildren of the Romes first emperor Augustus. The word "storybook" may seem a tad cliche. This list is guaranteed to make travelers want to visit at least a few of the 10 of the most enchanting towns in Germany. The mountains yielded the perfect tone wood and Mittenwald was on the old trade route from Augsburg to Venice. Marvel at Bavaria Alps and be bewitched by the glimmering beauty of Lake Constance. 13 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, My Packing List for a 10-Day Trip to Germany, The Best Places to Stay Near Acadia National Park. And its about a 30 minute stroll around the picturesque lake. Wismar also has one of the largest marketplaces in the country and one of the most idyllic Baltic harbours. Bambergs old town is seriously swoon-worthy. The main promenade of the town is the Weinmarkt. The city is known for many things but the most common is the Nuremberg Trial which remains pivotal in the history of Germany. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Be sure to go inside the castle museum for a historical tutorial on Nuremberg. The 33-meter (108-feet) high New Lighthouse became an important feature of Lindau in the mid-19th century. Rothenburg ob der Tauber (from USD 286.0), 4. The Basilica of Constantine, the Roman Bridge and the ruins of thermal baths as well as an amphitheatre are also still preserved. The Mosel Valley is known for its riverside towns and its Riesling grapes. Today, travelers head to the. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Heres a rundown of the most beautiful towns in Bavaria, Germany. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data. From the 16th-century Spitalbastei (tower gate), you can see over the city ramparts down to the Tauber River. Cochem is perfect for a relaxing escape from it's larger neighbors Cologne and Dusseldorf, and enjoy a quiet bed and breakfast for the weekend. Freiburg im Breisgau is a pretty town in the Black Forest region of southwest Germany. And then explore Augustinerplatz, another pretty square with pastel houses, a museum, and a beer garden. Augsburg is one of Germanys oldest and most underrated towns. 20 October 2022 View There's more to Germany than Oktoberfest and Berlin. Bremen has something for everyone a beautifully preserved old town, museums, parks, and hipster cafes. But its stuffed with gorgeous Baroque architecture. 20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S. What to Do, Where to Stay, and What to Eat in Basel, Switzerland, I Visited 8 European Christmas Markets in 2 Weeks and These Were My Favorites, 14 Best Day Trips From London From Small Towns to Stunning Forests. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! Walk along Passaus easy streets and have coffee at the Scharfrichterhaus, a structure of national importance. Freiburg is known for sustainable practices, sometimes called the Green City.. Top 10 Most Expensive Cities For Eating Out In Europe. Theyre surrounded by a maze of streets and cute little shops. In the 16th century, it was redone in a Renaissance style. The towering Regensburg Cathedral, also known as St. Peters Cathedral, dominates the old town. Or, once there, you can book a walking tour with a professional guide. Youll also find the Bremen Roland Statue. Art lovers should also visit Munsters Picasso museum, the Kuntsmuseum Pablo Picasso Munster. Lindau, Bavaria. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Today, the seriously swoonful gate houses a museum dedicated to Lubecks history. Formally recognized as the Hanseatic City of Stralsund, this small northern city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its fine examples of Brick Gothic architecture. Heres my complete guide to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. If you need transport to Meissen, you can visit on a guided tour from Berlin. I adored medieval Regensburg, beautifully situated on the Danube River. Its a survivor, having been ravaged by fire and bombed. This small town stretches along the Moselle River, a very scenic picture indeed. A 40-minute cruise through scenic river landscapes deposits you at the world's oldest monastery brewery where the beer is cold, the food is excellent, and the views are spectacular. Clickhereto book a day tour of Neuschwanstein from Munich. 6 Best Day Trips in Germany. The castles most distinctive feature is its striking four story octagonal tower with mini turrets. Best Places to Visit in Bavaria 50 Favourite Places and Insider Tips, 10 Must-See Places to Visit in Black Forest An Insiders Tips, 10 Must-See Places to Visit at the Swabian Alps. Its only a few steps from the Martinskirche to Dreifaltigkeitsplatz, where youll have your first look at Landshuts imposing Trausnitz Castle. The entire setting looks like something straight out of a movie set. But it offers a great overview of Picassos lithography. Beautiful Rothenburg ob der Tauber captured on film 2. If youre a WWII nerd or history buff in general, you should definitely book ahalf day tourto see NurembergsThird Reich sites, constructed by Hitlers favorite architect Albert Speer. Others are hidden gems in Germany. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. You can go up the tower for views. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Heidelberg is also the oldest university town in Germany and numerous historic university buildings from different eras are part of the cityscape. This little town in Swabia is more than just a collection of historical sites. Its a must see site in Bavaria Germany. Its old town appeal and fairytale-like winding alleys make Passau the perfect getaway. Aerial view from Lindau - Germany. All Rights Reserved, guided day trip of Baden Baden and the Black Forest from Frankfurt, complete guide to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, One Day In Provins Itinerary, Day Trip From Paris, Perfect 2 Days In Cleveland Ohio Itinerary: How To Spend 48 Hours in Ohios Underrated City, Milan Bucket List: Guide To Milans Top Must Visit Attractions, One Day In Alberobello Italy Itinerary: What To Do In Puglias Trulli Town, One Day In Ostuni Italy Itinerary, The White City Of Puglia, Walking Tour of Central Rome: What To See in Romes Historic City Center. It houses a museum dedicated to the poetess Annette von Droste-Hlshoff. But theres more to Meissen than that. Then stroll down the adjacent Weissgerbergasse Street, or Tanners Lane, the most quaint half-timbered street in Nuremberg. If youre itching for more royal history after your castle visit, Hohenschwangau CastleKing Ludwig IIs childhood homeis also nearby. You may change your mind when you visit Cochem. Its pure magic the ultimate walled city adorned with pastel gabled cottages, flowers spilling from window boxes, and wrought iron hanging signs. The town of 18,000 inhabitants is an hour's drive from Cologne and has recently gone from being a sleepy village to . This arty but not too-cool-for-school hotel in central Mitte is a fine place from which to reframe the city. For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the sellers site. Cochems main attraction is the stunning Reichsburg Castle. Old harbour in Wismar from Thomas Kohler by CC BY 2.0. Pretty Dinkelsbuhl marks the midpoint of the Romantic Road in Bavaria. You may want to book aguided walking tourto see all the sites. To visit the interior, youve got to take a guided tour thats, sadly, only in German (but you can buy a guidebook). Freiburg is flexible an easy day trip from Frances Alsace region or Basel Switzerland. A university town, Munster is eminently walkable and dotted with public art sculptures. Youll find it at Residenz, arguably Germanys most impressive Baroque palace home to the largest fresco in the world as well as an underground candlelit wine cellar dating back to 1128. Rather keep your feet on land? The castle was built in 1130. Its one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Stroll through this medieval towns cobbled streets lined with impeccably preserved timbered houses and towered walls and youll agreethis is one of the prettiest towns not only in Germany but the world. Florence on the Elbe - the widespread nickname of the Saxon capital is certainly justified. Ad Choices. In addition, Freiburg is the German city with the most hours of sunshine per year! Schnoor largely escaped WWII bombing, so its pristinely authentic. The small town in the Saxony-Anhalt part of the Harz region has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, making it one of the largest area monuments in Germany. Bambergs specialties are smoke beer and stuffed onion. Manage Settings Almost the entire city centre (over 600 buildings) is a listed building. The castle also offers killer views of the surrounding countryside. Rothenburg ob der Tauber by Polybert49 at CC BY-SA 2.0. Travel Inspiration. Wes Anderson chose Germanys easternmost town of Grlitz as the setting for The Grand Budapest Hotelwhich tells you all you need to know about this towns allure. Some are famous UNESCO-listed sites. There, youll a beautiful mural of David and Goliath, painted in 1573. Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia. If the crowds of Rothenburg get to you, jump in the car and head just a half hour south to Dinkelsbhl. The biggest pleasure in Freiburg is aimless wandering. Babelsberg Park Discovery Tour in the Footsteps of Emperor Wilhelm I. Hellsee Hike Around the Wild Lake - A Varied Nature Experience, 7 Places to See in the Allgu That Will Enchant You At Any Season. Things you buy may earn us a commission. The Lake is 7.7 km in length and its width is about 1.7 km across its widest point. Meissen is a beautiful town in Germany that reminds me of Prague. | Reviewed by Elizabeth Von Tersch | Last updated on May 8, 2023 Full of culture, lively locals and great beer, Germany is home to many captivating travel destinations. If you can swing it, plan your visit for December, when the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, and cozy taverns. Bad Reichenhall is a true alpine gem and arguably the most beautiful small town on this list. You can hang out in front of the cathedral in the Domplatz and admire its gargantuan dimensions.