The Ultimate Travel Guide to Germany
Germany Travel Guide
After over nine months of living in this amazing country, I’ve done quite a bit of travel. With everything going on in the world right now, we have focused most of our travels close to home and have gotten out to almost every corner of Germany. This has led me to create the ultimate Germany travel guide. I’ve tried to break this out into sections by destination type, rather than the location.
I’ll preface this guide with a few important things to know before you travel to Germany: always try to make a reservation for dinner and everything is closed on Sundays!
ALPS
SMALL TOWNS in BAVARIA
RHEIN and WINE: Heidelberg, Koln and Cochem
CITIES: MUNICH, BERLIN, HAMBURG
NATURE: NORTH SEA, BLACK FOREST
GERMAN ALPS
While the Swiss and Austrian Alps tend to get all the attention, I’ve found the German Alps to be just as stunning. Clear blue lakes, snowy peaks, and endless outdoor activities year round have made this one of my favorite places to go in Germany.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
This hard to pronounce, iconic ski town can be enjoyed by ski bunnies and hikers alike. Germany’s tallest peak, Zugspitze, is located here and you can take the cable car up year round. We went for the views and lunch, but they have skiing, tobagan rides, and even an ice igloo you can stay in. Cable car costs and access vary by season, and can also differ depending on if you go up from the Austrian or German side, you can find details here.
At the base of the mountain you can find one of Germany’s most stunning lakes, Eibsee. With crystal clear waters and surrounding hiking paths, it’s a great place to spend a hot summer day. Plan for around two hours if you want to do the full lake loop hike.
Other fun activities in summer include alpine slides and a hike at Partnach Gorge. This is a relatively easy trail, but due to COVID everything has become one way, which means at the end there is a steep 15 minute walk to get to the spot to hike down (or to take the easy route, a cable car.)
I’ve stayed at two different hotels that I would highly recommend. The more budget friendly option, Hotel Rheinischer Hof, has an amazing breakfast buffet, saunas and views from most rooms. For a more all inclusive but pricey experience, try the Riessersee Hotel; it has everything you could need for a weekend in the alps with a spa, hiking trails, their own lake, and the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever had (champagne included).
Just an hour drive away from Garmisch is the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, popular for serving as the inspiration behind Cinderella’s castle. If you want to go in, I highly recommend buying tickets in advance. For great photos, head to the Marienbrucke.
For a final, and very German, stop, head to Kloster Andechs, a brewery run by monks. There’s a long tradition of this in Germany, but only a few remaining that are still run by the church.
Berchtesgaden
For a spot with stunning lakes and endless views of both Germany and Austria, head to Berchtesgaden. This area is home to The Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s former hideout, where you can see far throughout the Alps. Stop after a scenic drive at Lake Konigsee, one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been. Emerald water is surrounded by mountain peaks and tiny huts. Take a cruise on the lake and stop along the way for a snack or a hike through the Alps.
Spots worth a swim:
If you find yourself fully exploring the lakes of southern Germany, here are a few I recommend: Walchsensee, one of the biggest and most stunning, is a massive tourist spot. Be sure to find the hidden spots for beach access and be prepared to walk. If the lake is crowded, drive along the water for the views but head to Kochelsee and stop at Seehotel Restaurant Café Grauer Bär for lunch and lake views. Starnbergsee is another spot I’ve spent a weekend, with trails for walking and biking, cute waterfront cafes, and water so shallow you can walk to the center of the lake. There are many other amazing lakes in this area; all with clear water and stunning views of the Alps, making it the perfect spot for a summer day getaway.
SMALL TOWNS in BAVARIA
Nürnberg
My current home city, this spot is rich in heritage and most popular for its Christmas market. For the history buff, the Nuremberg Trials Museum, City Museum, and Nazi Rally grounds are a must sees. For the beer lover, the beer cellar tour is a great way to learn a little history before imbibing beers for the afternoon at Hausbrauerei Altstadthof. To get a full tour of the city’s highlights, I recommend the Nuremberg Free Walking Tour, available in English. The city castle and St. Sebald’s church tower are great places to get a good view. Be sure to stop at Weissgerbergasse on the way down for some of the most iconic and charming shots of the city. When visiting Nuremberg, the two essential foods to try are a traditional gingerbread cookie from Lebkuchen Schmidt and a drei im wegla, which has three Nurnberger sausages in a bun. A few of my other favorite spots include:
DINNER: Padella, Per Bacco, and La Locanda for italian, Hempels for burgers, Lambock for pizza, Delphi for greek, 994 Ginza for sushi, Crazy Nates for mexican, and Bodega El Gato for tapas.
DRINKS: Achtzen97 for charcuterie and wine, Schnepperschütz for drinks on the river, and Kaffee Lebemann.
COFFEE: Machhörndl - I rarely try anywhere else
BREAKFAST: Cafe Egg, Suss Dealer
While I have yet to try any hotels here, I would recommend staying by the train station at one of the many hotels, or in an Airbnb in the Gostenhof neighborhood.
Regensburg
This spot is a medieval town with an iconic church and bridge. Have a bier outside along the river at Bratwurstkuchl and go to the Haidplatz for a drink and people watching. Spend an afternoon strolling the picturesque streets and shopping at unique shops.
Würzburg
In the heart of Bavarian wine country, this town welcomes you in with a drink when you cross the bridge into the city center - there’s a window here where you can grab a drink to go or sit and sip on the bridge. The Würzburg Residence was stunning, especially the gardens. A hike up to Fortress Marienberg is best done in the car, and the views of the town and surrounding vineyards are worth it.
Bamberg
I’m a bit impartial because my grandmother is from here, but this is one of the most beautiful towns in Germany. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as so much of it was left untouched during WWII, leaving the unique and iconic architecture preserved, unlike many other cities. Try a smoked beer at Schlenkerla, have a pastry at Cafe am Dom, take a hike up to the rose garden for a great a view, have a snack in Maximilianplatz, and be sure to stroll along little venice and see the iconic Rathaus.
Rothenberg ob der Tauber
Once of the most iconic villages in Bavaria, this town is known for its Christmas craftsmanship and iconic architecture, which inspired the likes of Harry Potter sets, Pinocchio, and more. Try their special pastry, a schneeball, but be prepared to make a mess, as it is covered in powdered sugar. If you don’t mind a climb and a tight space, visit the tower in the rathaus for great views of the town. Walk the city walls to get a full tour and a unique experience, elevated above the streets. Lastly, be sure to stop and see the town’s most iconic view at Das Plonlein.
RHEIN and WINE
Heidelberg
This city on the river has so much beauty and history. The castle sits above the city and is a great place to spend the day with an interesting Apotheke (pharamacy) museum inside that’s worth a visit. If it’s nice, you can take a hike on the other side of the river and enjoy great views of the castle from the other side. Eat at Le Coq Bistro, Schintzelbank and Don Robert tapas. Have a coffee and pastries at the Macaronerie Heidelberg and stroll the nearby streets for shopping.
Cochem
Nestled near two great spots for wine, the Mosel and Rhein wine regions, Cochem offers endless wine tastings and stunning views. A few great spots to grab a bite are Restaurant Akropolis, Pizzeria La Baia, and Pizzeria Pomodoro. The Reichsburg Castle is a must see, where a glass of wine can be enjoyed at the top overlooking the river and vineyards below. For views of the river and castle, take the Sesselbahn up for a hike and views, or just a snack at the top. For a great day trip, take the boat cruise along the river to Beilstein, and enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of wine as you pass through miles of vines. Stop for lunch at the Kloster Restaurant and Cafe in Beilstein and stroll the tiny yet charming streets.
In Cochem, stay at the Moselromantikhotel am Panorama. It’s a longer walk to downtown, but worth the extra steps with your own patio with views, a wine tasting at the hotel for six euro, breakfast and a pool.
Cologne
I don’t have as many recommendations but it’s worth a mention: this is a stunning city on the Rhein (yes, there’s wine) where you can walk around the river, take in the iconic cathedral and stroll past pastel colored buildings.
German CITIES
Munich
I think Munich is often overshadowed by Berlin, but if I could move there tomorrow, I would. It has a posh feel to it similar to London and much more of an international population than Nuremberg, and is one of the best cities to visit in Germany.
The obvious thing to do in Munich is to drink beer: there are six main breweries in Munich. Hofbrauhaus and Augustiner are the two spots that I’ve been where you can get the traditional German beer hall experience, pretzel and all. A trip to the Bier and Oktoberfest Museum is also worth an afternoon, with a beer hall inside to stop and have a pint and a snack after.
The classic spots to see are the Marienplatz, home to iconic glockenspiel, and Viktualienmarkt, a giant outdoor market complete with a beer garden. If you want to catch the glockenspiel cuckoo clock performance, be sure to visit at 11AM or 12PM. Another iconic spot to see if the Englisher Garten, a massive park complete with a giant outdoor biergarten in the middle. One of my favorite places to go on Sundays in Munich is the Kunstareal area, where here are several art museums that only cost around 1 euro on Sundays. Olympiapark has a lot to see and do as well, especially during the summer. On a recent tip to Munich, I discovered the Glockenbachviertel shopping district, with lots of eco friendly and unique designers at an affordable price. Nymphenburg Palace is a great spot to spend the day, with stunning gardens and grounds to walk around.
My favorite places to eat and drink are Flushing Meadows Bar, Occam Deli, Baader Cafe, Neni (one of my favorite restaurants, ever), California Bean, Then’s Vietnamese, and Shadow Bean Cafe and Bar.
For a spot close to the train and downtown, I recommend staying at both the Cocoon Hotel and 25hours. They both have quirky and fun vibes with a great location. If you want something a little less touristy, I would recommend finding an Airbnb in the Glockenbachviertel neighborhood. For something slightly outside the city but with close access to the train, Steigenberger Hotel has an amazing hotel with a great spa.
Berlin
I’ve been to Berlin once for a long weekend and feel that I’ve barely scratched the surface. The city is huge and truly has something for everyone. Iconic spots that are must sees are the East Side Gallery, Berliner Dom, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a truly humbling spot. A free walking tour with Sandeman’s is the best way to make sure you see the well known spots and get the full history of Berlin. For shopping and snacks, Kadewe and the Bikini Berlin mall offer all that and more. A few of my favorite spots we ate were Umami, Neni, and Chupenga. Café Wellenreiter was my favorite place for drinks with a view.
We stayed at Hotel NH Collection Berlin Friedrichstrasse, which had a convenient location, but I would advise to stay in a less central spot, as the city is so spread out being in the small main area doesn’t have much of a benefit.
Hamburg
One of the most underrated spots in Germany, Hamburg stole my heart. This city is massive and has architecture unlike the rest of Germany, a great waterfront location, and so much amazing food. My favorite places we ate were Billy the Butcher, Captains Dinner (try the Hamburg pannfisch), and Die Bank (get the app platter). There are no shortage of amazing spots to drink, with Dock 3 Beach Club, Clouds and Heavens Nest, and Uberquell being a few of my favorite stops. As usual, I’m recommending Sandeman’s free walking tour to get to know the city. It ends at the Elbphilharmonie, an amazing architectural piece hosting affordable concerts daily. You can also hop on their public transit via a ferry stop here, which is a fun way to get around. To spend an afternoon like a kid in a candy store, visit the Chocoversum where you can learn all about what goes into your sweets and even make your own bar to take home.
We stayed at the Hotel St. Annen, a great boutique hotel in an accessible location. One thing to note is that a few streets down is the red light district; the area felt very safe but it can get a little dicey at night if you head in the wrong direction.
Nature
Black Forest
The Black Forest is a good spot for a day trip or stop on the way to another town. The best things to do (other than admire the unique forest) are to hike to the Triberg waterfall, enjoy the classic black forest cake, and visit a cuckoo clock factory. Eble Uhren-Park has the worlds largest cuckoo clock.
North Sea
While I can certainly say the lakes in Germany are more stunning than the ocean, it’s worth a note that the water was warm, and clean, and for an ocean lover like myself, worth a weekend getaway. Timmendorfer Strand is a great place to spend a beach day, and be sure to stop in the town of Lübeck after for Scandinavian inspired architecture.
For more on what it’s like to live in Germany, check out my posts on life abroad here.