Germany is a highly developed western European country, famous for its scenic landscape, historic castles, riverside towns, and cities. It is ranked among the most visited countries in the world. Germany’s capital, Berlin, is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

With the country comprising 16 federal states and Berlin being one of them, most of the places, cities, and museums of the country will remind you of its rich and turbulent history. From towns and cities on the bank of the Rhine river to castles of Bavaria, to Alpine hills and ski resorts in the south, Germany has a wide range of attractions.

The North Sea and Baltic Sea in the north of the country and the Alps in the south make Germany a geographically diverse country. Since there are hundreds of places to see and visit that you may not be able to visit in one or even multiple trips, here we list the top 16 places to visit in Germany.

 1. Frankfurt

Frankfurt, the country’s commercial hub, is the largest city in the state of Hesse in Germany. River Main passes through the city where you can sail and enjoy the scenic landscape of the city’s skyscrapers. Being a business hub, Frankfurt attracts people from different places on the earth. As a result, the place is also an amalgamation of different cultures and cuisine. The German city is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and breezy crowds. 

Home to many German landmarks like Romer and Frankfurt Cathedral and attractive places like Romerberg, Grüneburgpark, the Eiserner Steg, the Palmengarten, Zoo Frankfurt, Alte Oper, it attracts a lot of tourists both domestically and internationally.

Some skyscrapers in the city including the Main Tower offer observatories and restaurants, from where you can get a panoramic view of the city and the River Main.

2. Berlin

Berlin is the capital of Germany. It is also one of the sixteen states in Germany. The city is located on both sides of the River Spree. Numerous monuments, structures, and museums bear the Country’s intense history. 

Visiting the country’s capital is like diving into a part of German and European history. It Is not only the historical places that make Berlin famous, the city is also known for its nightlife and great ambience.

The Berliner Fernsehturm, The Brandenburg Gate, and the Victory Column are some of the city’s landmarks that have become in tune with the cityscape. Places like the Reichstag Building, Berlin Wall Memorial, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Cathedral, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Charlottenburg Palace, and Britzer Garten attracts millions of visitors to the city.

3. Munich

Munich is the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. Situating on both sides of the river Isar, the city offers great landscapes. Best known for being a global centre of art, culture, science, technology, and education, Munich is an Alpha World City and is considered one of the most livable cities on earth.

The world-famous Oktoberfest, a Volksfest, takes place in this city every year. The Englischer Garten or the English Garden, one of the most recognized public parks in Europe, is located in the city on the bank of River Isar.

Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, New Town Hall, Deutsches Museum, The Hofgarten, and The Angel of Peace are a few examples of places out of hundreds that attract a lot of visitors in Munich.

4. Cologne

One of the central features of Germany is that most of its cities are crossed by a river. Cologne is not an exception to this as the city is crossed by the River Rhine.

Cologne, the largest city in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is best known for its old town. Cologne is not only famous for its museums and historical architecture, but the city is also known for having numerous pubs, bars, and nightlife centres.

Cologne Cathedral, a gothic church is the city’s most loved landmark. Major tourist attractions of the city include the Cologne chocolate museum, Phantasialand, Brühl Castle, Museum Ludwig, Rheinpark, Hohenzollern Bridge, and Forstbotanischer Garten, among others.

5. Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is the capital city of the most populated German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is largely located on the west bank of the River Rhine, except for a very small area that is located on the east side of the river. Dusseldorf is situated 28 miles north of Cologne and can be accessible in 45 minutes by car.

Major attractions of the city include Schloss Benrath, Hofgarten, K20 – Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Dusseldorf, Nord Park, and many more.

Lies in the centre of the city on the bank of the river is the most notable landmark of Dusseldorf, the Rhine Tower which features an observatory also houses a restaurant and bar at the top of the tower from where you can get a panoramic view of the city and the river.

6. Hamburg

Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin is Hamburg. It is also one of the major port cities in Europe. Being crossed by hundreds of canals, it has more bridges than any other country in Europe.

The city is also one of the 16 States in Germany. Well-known for its museums, theatres, music venues, and clubs, Hamburg is regarded as a major cultural hub in Northern Europe.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Reeperbahn, Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg City Hall, Old Elbe Tunnel or St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel, Internationales Maritimes Museum, and Heinrich Hertz Tower are some of the remarkable places that you should visit.

7. Dresden

Straddling the river Elbe, Dresden is famous for its old and classic architecture. The capital city of the Eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden, is known for its opera houses, music groups, and scenic landscapes.

The Dresden Frauenkirche is the landmark church of the city that bears the history of this highly decorative city. Other attractions of the city include the Semperoper, the Dresden Castle or Royal Palace, the Green Vault, the Brühl’s Terrace, the Moritzburg Castle, the Striezelmarkt, the Albertinum,  the Elbe Valley,  the Neumarkt, The Dresden Transport Museum, and the Dresden Zoo, etc.

8. Bonn

Bonn is a city in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is located 15 miles south of Cologne on the bank of the River Rhine. This German city is quiet and calm and offers a great ambience. Bonn has expansive green fields, parks, and botanical gardens.

Places like the Schloss Drachenburg, The Drachenfels, The Bonn Minster, Poppelsdorf Palace, the Rheinaue Park, the Botanical Garden of Bonn, Drachenfels Railway, the Siebengebirge, the Löwenburg, the Sea Life Konigswinter, The Kottenforst make this city a wonderful place to visit.

This place is also known for being the birthplace of the famous German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The Beethoven House has become a popular attraction in the city. 

9. Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a ski town, located 55 miles south of Munich in the southern part of Germany in the state of Bavaria. The resort town borders Austria to the south. Being Situated in the Bavarian Alps, this place gets its beauty from the natural Paradises like mountain lakes, hiking trails, and ski resorts located there.

The Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany, is located nearby the town.

The Aplsix, an extending platform from the cliffside, gives a full panoramic view of the Bavarian Alps.

The Linderhof Palace, the Eibsee, The Alpspitze, The Partnach, The Kreuzeck, and The Kuhfluchtwasserfälle are some of the must-see places in  Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

10. Stuttgart

Stuttgart is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg on the river Neckar. Being the automobile hub of the country, Stuttgart is heaven for car lovers as the city is home to museums like The Mercedes-Benz Museum and The Porsche Museum. 

There are more to the city than the car museums. Stuttgart has become a popular tourist destination in Germany for attractions like the Schlosstheater Ludwigsburg, the Schlossplatz, the Schillerplatz, the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, The Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, and the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, among others.

11. Nuremberg

Nuremberg, the second-largest city in Bavaria after Munich, is known for its architecture, performing arts venues, and pedestrian zones. The city boasts a very large section of pedestrian zones. Tourists can easily visit the city just by walking. 

The main attractions of the city include the Nuremberg Castle, The Frauenkirche or the Church of The Lady, The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds, the Schöner Brunnen, the Luitpoldhain, and many more.

12. Bremen

Bremen is the capital city of the state of the same name Bremen in Northern Germany. Being located on the Weser river close to the North sea, this city serves as one of the major cultural and economic hubs of Germany.

Known for its art galleries, museums, and historical sculptures, Bremen is home to major attractions like The Bremen City Hall, The Bremen Roland, the Bremen Cathedral, The Universum Bremen, The Rhododendron-Park Bremen, and the Weserufer Park.

13. Berchtesgaden National Park

Berchtesgaden National Park is located in the southernmost part of Germany on the border of Austria and Germany.

Known for its wildlife, and hiking trails, this park is home to scenic lakes and mountain peaks.

Centre of the park lies the beautiful lake of Königssee which gives a beautiful view of the mountain valley. This park is one of the best places in south Germany to experience the beauty of the Bavarian Alps.

14. Harz National Park

The Harz National park lies between the state of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. The National Park is mainly covered with forest and contains a smaller part of the Harz mountain range, giving you a glimpse of the mountains. 

Numerous rivers going through the national park make the landscape of the park a scenic place. Harz National Park is known for its unique flora and fauna, home to wildlife like the Lynx, the black stork, the peregrine falcon, and the European wildcat.

15. Sylt

Germany is a popular tourist destination but not for its island or beaches, still, it has many beautiful beaches to offer with its islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Germany may not boast long coastlines like some of its fellow European countries, yet it provides you with the same Mediterranean vibe in northern European style with the island like the Sylt. 

Sylt is the northernmost island of Germany on the North sea. Known for its seaside resorts and long expansive white sand beaches lined with restaurants and music bars, Sylt has become a popular tourist destination in Germany as well as in northern Europe.

Read Also: Europe’s Top Beach Destination: 17 Best Beaches and Islands to Visit in Europe

16. Schwangau

Germany and one of its states Bavaria is known for its Castles. Schwangau is a castle-rich alpine village in the southernmost part of Germany on the Germany-Austria border.

The Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most loved and visited castles is located in Schwangau. The castle itself is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

The Hohenschwangau, another beautiful landmark castle of Germany, lies less than 1.5 miles east of the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Besides being home to two of the most famous castles, this village in the foothills of the Alps is worth visiting for its view of the Bavarian Alps and lakes and valleys.