Germany is a great country. I was able to trace some ancestry there, back across many generations. This stimulated my interest in learning more about the country and its culture and language. I then began to research places to visit for the trip I took. I have compiled some of the most incredible places in this article- so you don’t have to do the research! Read, visit and enjoy!
Germany has many awesome sites, so it’s hard to limit the number to the top 10. It also depends on what you are looking for, what you decide to see. If you like castles, you could choose to go on a castle tour of the country. Or, you might wish to see all of the historic towns and landmarks. Some might desire to see the different waterways and take river cruises, while others may enjoy looking at hills and valleys of beautiful flowers. I have tried to include a diverse list of sites, for everyone’s enjoyment. If you have a particular interest, you could build on one area and go from there. If you like castles, use some of the sources I give in the article to find out more castles you could see!
1. The best place to visit in Germany is the Romantic Rhine River Valley, between Koblenz and Rudesheim. This is a quite a scenic area, with splendid views. You can take cruises along the river, with one of about three or four boat companies. The cruises are either for two hours, for the whole day, or evening dinner cruises. I chose the Loreley-Linie. The prices were reasonable, about $15 for a two-hour cruise. You had to purchase snacks on your own.
On the cruise, you pass by many castles. Generally, you are able to buy a guidebook to the castles you will be passing on the way on the boat itself. It is full of pictures and gives a background of each castle. You also see the hills and valleys in the area. On many hillsides, you will notice crops planted, and see different trees and foliage.
2. A second reason to visit the Romantic Rhine River Valley is to visit the castles themselves. If you’re an avid, healthy hiker, you can start at Koblenz on the east side of the river and work your way down to Rudesheim, taking the trails in the hillside between the castles. You’ll pass by some quaint little German towns on the way, and get to view some interesting castles. Or, you could drive south along either side of the river. At a few different places, if you see a castle on the opposite side, you can take your car across the ferry, and then come back to continue your journey. Some of the castles in this area worth seeing include Castle Marksburg, the only intact castle on the rhine, Castle Liebenstein, the best castle to stay in on the Rhine, and Maus castle, where you can view a live falcon show.
3. Speaking of castles, there is a castle in another area you must see. It is Castle Neuschwanstein. This castle was the model for the fairy tale castle of Sleeping Beauty found at Disneyland. This castle is located in southwest Bavaria, near Hohenschwangau and Fussen in southwest Bavaria. This castle, although never completely finished, is still intact. It was built by King Ludwig II as a place of retreat. He died before the Castle was ever finished. It truly is a magnificent castle and a must-see site in Germany.
4. So, moving from castles, there is something else you must see in Germany: The Gothic Cathedral. This is one of the most visited architectural sites in Germany, and when you see it, you’ll understand why. The Gothic architecture is amazing. The official name is the Cologne Cathedral, and it is located in Cologne, Germany, only about an hour north of Koblenz after you visit the Rhine River Valley. The Cathedral was the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, part of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a Christian monument, dedicated to Saint Peter and the Virgin Mary. Interestingly, it was actually the tallest building in the world in 1880, until the Washington Monument and Eiffel Tower were built. It took over six hundred years to build the castle!
5. Munich for Oktoberfest. Hopefully, you are planning your visit this fall during Oktoberfest, so you can get a taste of what Munich has to offer during this festive time. The whole city comes to life with celebration, during generally the last week of September through the first week of October. This year, the event begins september 22nd and lasts through October 7th! You will find alot of tap beer, so be ready to drink! If you don’t care for beer, there are many other things going on. There are booths with souvenirs and cigars, carnivals and rides, and many parades on certain days. This is a must-see for Germany!
6. Berlin. This is the place to see if you’re interested in history. You can visit the remains of the Berlin wall that divided East and West Berlin. Although the wall officially “came down” in 1989, you can still view fragments of the rock and brick at certain places. As a bit of a history lesson, the wall was built to separate East Berlin, which was part of the Soviet German Democratic Republic, and West Berlin, the Federal Republic of Germany, and was meant to keep people from passing back and forth between the two parts of the city.
7. Black Forest in Germany. This region is known for its scenery and woodlands, as well as for its cuckoo clocks. Cuckoo clocks have been sold here since the 17th century. The Black Forest region also is home to a beautiful landscape of hills and woods, that are said to be haunted by witches, werewolves, and the like. It is a beautiful area to visit to really just take in the scenery. You will find lush hillsides full of flowers in the spring and early summer as well!
8. Heidelburg. Heidelburg is a must-see in Germany for more than one reason. In Heidelburg, you will find the famous Heidelburg castle ruins, and the University of Heidelburg. This University has been around since 1386, and is the third oldest in Europe! The castle is Gothic and Renaissance in style, and in the summer hosts a Festival of musicals and concerts. Heidelburg also holds historical importance, regarding being marked as the center of Romanticism in Germany. Some famous poets lived here during this period. Heidelburg also was of import during the Nazi regime, as the location of the NSDAP political party. The US Army chose Heidelburg as a garrison after World War II, which enabled the city to escape bombing during the war.
9. Hamburg’s Red Light District. This area compares to the Red Light District in Amsterdam, and is called the Reeperbahn. Exercise caution if you visit, but it’s worth taking in the view. The area is full of dance clubs, strip clubs, bars and other entertainment. You can also visit other spots in Hamburg when you come to this city, such as the Harbor area. Hamburg’s Harbor is one of the most used in Europe and the world!
10. Dresden. Visiting Dresden will give you a view of Eastern Germany, so you can see how it compares to the Western parts that have always been “free.” Dresden is now considered a cultural and economic center for the Federal Republic of Germany. Dresden is a very green area in Europe, with many forests. Additionally, the city is on the banks of the Elbe River, with mountains on three sides of it.
