The 67 Most Beautiful Towns in Germany
There’s more to Germany than Oktoberfest and Berlin. Venture off the beaten path and you’ll find Roman ruins, medieval villages and Baroque city centres. It’s tough to know where to go first, so we’ve taken the liberty of choosing the most beautiful towns in the country for you. Take as much time as you need, and don’t forget your camera.
Heidelberg
Architectural Landmark
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Market
Schwerin
Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark
Nuremberg
Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark
The Nuremberg Trials are the first thing that popped into your head, right? The tribunals of Nazi war criminals shaped a crippled post-World War II Germany, but there’s more to this city than that. A good number of medieval buildings survive there to this day, making Nuremberg the perfect place for history buffs of all stripes.
Weimar
Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark
Between the World Wars, Germany was called the Weimar Republic, so this is another city intrinsically linked to a dark period. However, Weimar – relatively undiscovered by tourists – is hugely worth a visit. There are several sites here listed on the Unesco World Heritage List, mainly because of their association with two major movements: Weimar Classicism, spearheaded by such literary luminaries as Goethe and Schiller, and Bauhaus, which was created in the city.
Leipzig
Architectural Landmark
The Leipzig skyline is an excellent example of how gorgeous it can be when old meets new. Once an important stop on Holy Roman Empire trade routes and now a major economic centre, Leipzig has always kept itself at the forefront of development while maintaining local history. While it did suffer significant damage during the war, many of the monuments and buildings were either rebuilt or preserved. So, you can still see landmarks in the old town square and several churches from various architectural periods.
Bonn
Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark
Bonn was first founded as a Roman settlement, thanks to a position on the Rhine river making the area accessible (and at times quite strategic). However, probably the most notable part of local history is that Beethoven was born here in 1770. So, if you’re looking for culture and class, Bonn should be your first stop.
Trier
Architectural Landmark
Lübeck
Historical Landmark
Freiburg
Natural Feature
Hanover
Architectural Landmark
The world-famous Herrenhausen Palace and Gardens alone are worth making a trip to Hanover. You can easily spend several hours admiring the four symmetrical, beautifully landscaped gardens that make up the parkland – the Great Garden (Großer Garten), the Berggarten, the Georgengarten and the Welfengarten. Each garden has a unique layout and is peppered with architectural landmarks, including the Herrenhausen Palace. Additionally, the palatial New Town Hall and the majestic ruins of Aegidienkirche add ample character to the skyline of Hanover, while the city is also known for its vast swathes of greenery, as well as the beautiful Lake Maschsee. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Rostock
Architectural Landmark
The picturesque port city of Rostock has something for everyone. It promises beautiful churches, large expanses of nature, a nostalgic train ride, a series of interesting museums, a lovely promenade to stroll, and a tempting sea beach (Warnemünde) a mere hop away from the city. When in town, be sure to also check out the last remaining 0.6 miles (1 km) of Rostock‘s ancient fortifications, punctuated by watchtowers and gates. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Stralsund
Historical Landmark
Worms
Architectural Landmark
With a rich history spanning over seven centuries, Worms is also up there with Germany’s oldest cities. The Cathedral of St. Peter, perched atop the highest hill in town, is a brilliant sight. This Romanesque church was built in the 12th century, and awarded the title of Basilica minor in 1925. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Koblenz
Architectural Landmark
The lovely town of Koblenz is the meeting point of the two mighty rivers Rhine and Moselle. This spot is marked by the bow-shaped platform called Deutsches Eck, Koblenz’s most famous sight. The 19th century hilltop Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is a delight to explore, and the fun is doubled when you reach the fortress on the Koblenz Seilbahn (cable car), enjoying beautiful river views en route. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Mainz
Church
Wiesbaden
Architectural Landmark
Frankfurt
Bahá'í Temple
Regensberg
Historical Landmark
Regensburg has been a settlement of one sort or another since the Romans turned up in 179AD, and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. Whether by luck or management, Regensburg has remained untouched by war, and now functions less as a town and more like an outdoor museum, with monasteries, churches and houses of the gentry all having pride of place among its residents. Recommended by Evelyn Smallwood.
Cochem
Market
Harburg
Architectural Landmark
While millions of visitors flock to the glamorous castles on this route (Neuschwanstein and Linderhof), Harburg Castle is usually left out of itineraries. However, those who do make the effort to visit are invariably struck by the charming historic ambience of this beautifully-maintained medieval architecture. Stop to enjoy views of the castle from the courtyard and don’t miss a guided tour through the castle. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Lindau
Historical Landmark
Füssen
Historical Landmark
Füssen is the southern end-point of Germany’s famous Romantic Road and a popular base for exploring the nearby castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. It nestles by the River Lech, which runs through the town on its way to the nearby man-made Lake Forggensee. The quintessential German town wins hearts with its cobbled streets, steep-sloped roofs, quaint cafes, hiking trails and unforgettable views of the Bavarian Alps. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Braunschweig
Natural Feature
Goslar
Market, Museum, Natural Feature
Hildesheim
Church
Celle
Museum
Göttingen
Natural Feature
Oldenburg
Natural Feature
How about walking the steps of dukes, counts and grand dukes in the former royal seat of Lower Saxony, Oldenburg? While the five-towered Lamberti-Kirche and Degodehaus might appeal to your love of architecture, a series of great museums like Horst-Janssen-Museum, State Museum for Art and Cultural History, Augusteum, Stadtmuseum and Landesmuseum für Natur und Mensch take care of your culture fix. For an awesome, rejuvenating experience, you might consider making a trip to the health resort of Bad Zwischenahn just outside Oldenburg. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Hamelin
Natural Feature
Trace the footsteps of the iconic Pied Piper at Hamelin. Yes, the town, or for that matter, the story of the Pied Piper, were not mere products of the Brothers Grimm’s imagination but were inspired by real events. Locals would be only too happy to share with you legends that seem to indicate that one fateful day many centuries ago, all the children of the town did disappear. All over town, you will find tributes to the beloved fairy tale in the form of souvenirs, sculptures, graphics and even themed edibles. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Wismar
Architectural Landmark
The port city of Wismar enjoys a somewhat shy existence on the Baltic Sea coast. The town’s outstanding medieval architecture has earned it the status of a Unesco World Heritage Site. Wismar is a small, easy-to-navigate town, and a day is plenty to tour its most significant landmarks and sample the town’s delicious local cuisine. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Ludwigslust
Natural Feature
The stately Ludwigslust Palace is reason enough to make a trip to the small eponymous town around 25 miles (40 km) from Schwerin. This brick palace exhibits a combination of Baroque and classical styles of architecture, with certain delightfully unusual elements, including papier mâché wall and ceiling decorations. On a guided tour of the lavish interior of the palace, you can take in dazzling golden decorations, priceless artworks, a ducal clock collection and luxurious 18th century furniture. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Waren
Natural Feature
The medieval spa town of Waren is a stellar base for exploring the amazing bio-diversity of Müritz National Park – known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’. The ideal point to start off your tour of Waren and the national park is Müritzeum, a multimedia museum where you can learn all about the flora and fauna of the region and also see native sea creatures. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Binz
Architectural Landmark
Binz is a high-end seaside resort in the Rügen Islands, dotted with luxury hotels that have still held on to their old-school luxury. Binz’s sparkling blue water and soft, sandy beaches as far as the eyes can see, are best enjoyed from one of the cute wicker beach chairs. Moreover, Binz has a number of wonderful buildings, especially Jagdschloss Granitz (Granitz Hunting Lodge) and the Wolgasthäuser. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Speyer
Church
Bingen am Rhein
Natural Feature
Bernkastel-Kues
Architectural Landmark
The picturesque town of Bernkastel-Kues is yet another piece of heaven for wine lovers. The Mosel Wein Museum not only educates visitors about the century-old history of Moselle vineyards, but also offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample up to 160 varieties of wine! This dazzling green town with a beautiful river promenade equally appeals to nature lovers. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Bacharach
Church
St. Goar
Natural Feature
Traben-Trarbach
Winery, Brewery
The riverside town of Trabel-Trarbach is another gem in the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This little riverside town has a series of historically-significant architecture, including the ruins of the 14th century Gravenburg Castle, the massive French Mont Royal Fort and the imposing Brückentor (city gate), among others. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Boppard
Architectural Landmark
Limburg
Cathedral
The romantic town of Limburg an der Lahn grew around the 7th-century Limburg Castle. The town is known for its impeccably-maintained old town lined with half-timbered houses ranging from 13th to 17th centuries, including the oldest free-standing house in Germany. The Romanesque architecture of St. George Cathedral is also a significant sight. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Marburg
University
Marburg is, quite literally, a fairy-tale town. The Brothers Grimm studied here from 1802-06, and were so enchanted by the town’s medieval flair, cobbled alleys, stunning architecture and lush countryside, that they weaved elements of this town in their famous fairy tales. Painter Otto Ubbelohde also drew inspiration from this town while working on his illustrations for the Grimm fairy tales. Marburg is an important stop in Germany’s Fairy Tale Route, and offers several fairy tale-themed tours to visitors. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Bad Homburg
Park
Bad Homburg is yet another spa town that attracts visitors with its healing, curative hot springs. This posh, upscale town also has several noteworthy spots for architecture enthusiasts, including Kurhaus, Saalburg Roman Fortress, Russian Orthodox Church and Church of the Redeemer. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Hanau
Market
Hanau is the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, and the southernmost point of the iconic German Fairy Tale Route. The most significant sight in this town is the superb timber-framed Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus. Hessisches Puppen & Spielzeug Museum (Doll and Toy Museum) is a very popular family attraction. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Gelnhausen
Natural Feature
The quintessential German medieval town of Gelnhausen is known for its Imperial Palace by the River Kinzig, built in the 12th century during the rule of Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa). Another important landmark of Gelnhausen is the Hexenturm (Witches Tower), remnant of the city’s 15th century fortifications, where suspected witches used to be imprisoned before being burned at the stake or drowned. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Fulda
Cathedral
The baroque city of Fulda developed around a Benedictine monastery established in the year 744. Fulda has a lot of important architecture, including the 18th century royal palace, former residence of the Prince-Abbots, the neoclassical Orangerie and the ornate Fulda Cathedral. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Kassel
Park
The riverside city of Kassel woos visitors with its globally-reputed art exhibition, Documenta (that takes place once every five years), the fairy-tale Löwenburg Castle, Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe (a Unesco site), the 400-acre Karlsaue Park, and museums dedicated to the Brothers Grimm. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Darmstadt
Building
Darmstadt houses the famous Technical University and several aerospatial and engineering institutes, which earned it the title of ‘The City of Science’. Architecture enthusiasts are sure to be delighted by the sights of Darmstadt, especially the Russian Chapel, the ducal residence and the breathtaking architecture of the fairy-tale themed residential complex called Waldspirale. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Quedlinburg
Architectural Landmark
Monschau
Architectural Landmark
The Eiffel region in the northwestern state of Nordrhein Westphalia is a bit like Tennessee or Kentucky – rural and extremely beautiful. Monschau is a small resort town 30km (18.6 miles) south of Aachen right on the Belgian border that looks as if it has been frozen in time. Visit the coffee roaster, the mustard mill and the one of the many fantastic bakery-cafés. Recommended by Evelyn Smallwood.
Dinkelsbühl
Architectural Landmark
While most tourists make a stop at Rothenburg ob der Tauber along the Romantic Road, they sidestep Dinkelsbühl, located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) away. While there is no denying that Rothenburg is an achingly beautiful town, the truth is that Dinkelsbühl has all the charm of Rothenburg minus the crowds. The impeccably-preserved medieval fortifications of Dinkelsbühl protect over 800 years of history. Its romantic cobbled alleys lined by colorful houses and churches, and ancient walls punctuated by imposing towers, are any wanderer’s dream-come-true. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Wallerstein
Natural Feature
Wallerstein, another quaint town on the Romantic Road, is rather unsung but warrants a visit mainly for the spectacular views from the 65-meter (213-foot) high Wallerstein Castle Rock. Once you have feasted your eyes on a 360 degree panorama of the 15 million-year-old landscape, you might want to trace your steps down the rock to the Prince’s Brewery at its foothills. This brewery has been quenching the thirst of travelers since 1598 with delicious beers. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Bad Mergentheim
Natural Feature
Bad Mergentheim is a rejuvenating spa town known for its therapeutic waters. Additionally, the town has a rich history that can be traced back to the pre-Roman times. The most famous landmark of Bad Mergentheim is the Deutschordensschloss, a medieval castle that was once home to Teutonic Knights. The castle is a magnificent ensemble of buildings built over 8 centuries starting in the 12th century. The main church of the town, Marienkirche, is known for its beautiful frescoes created by Rudolfus the Monk in 1300-10. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Landsberg am Lech
Natural Feature
While Landsberg on the Lech, in keeping with the theme of the route, is incredibly romantic and quaint, it has a dark history. In the outskirts of this town existed the largest concentration camp in Germany during the Nazi rule, where over 30,000 victims were imprisoned under inhuman conditions, resulting in the death of around 14,500 of them. The European Holocaust Memorial commemorates the victims of the darkest period of German history and educates visitors about the horrors of the Holocaust. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Weikersheim
Natural Feature
Weikersheim is a slip of a town along the Romantic Road that is very easy to miss. However, it is home to a magnificent landmark: Schloss Weikersheim, a grand Renaissance palace dating back to the 12th century, sitting in the midst of a beautiful Baroque garden. The palace offers tours of its lavish interiors. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Tauberbischofsheim
Natural Feature
Tauberbischofsheim marks the western end of the “liebliches Taubertal” (“the lovely Tauber Valley”) and its settlement history can be traced back to 3000 BC. While wandering the old town of Tauberbischofsheim, you are sure to feel that time has stood still here for centuries. The main landmark in town is the Kurmainzisches Schloss that houses the Tauber-Franconia Rural Museum. The beautiful Gothic Rathaus is not to be missed either. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Creglingen
Natural Feature
In Creglingen, you will find the world’s only thimble museum (Fingerhutmuseum) housing over 3,500 exhibits. Also worth a visit is the 14th century Herrgottskirche (the “Church of Our Lord”) that preserves one of the most precious altar carvings from the Middle Ages. This beautiful town, however, has a sombre past. In the 1930s, many Jews were murdered in this town. Today, you can visit their final resting place, the Jewish cemetery, right outside the town. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Nördlingen
Natural Feature
Titisee-Neustadt
Forest
Starnberg
Natural Feature
The town of Starnberg is a jewel of the ‘Five Lakes Country’ in Bavaria, and perches on the north edge of the magnificent Starnberg Lake. Other than being a great starting point for boat cruises across the lake, the town of Starnberg also promises idyllic walking trails, beer gardens and even a castle. Starnberg is an affluent and upmarket town, with beautiful villas, manicured gardens and super-clean roads. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Prien am Chiemsee
Natural Feature
The little health resort of Prien am Chiemsee with only around 10,000 inhabitants has become immensely popular among vacationers with its dreamy location in the gorgeous Lake Chiemsee, pure air and unbeatable views of the imposing Bavarian Alps. The most famous attraction of this region is the Herrenchiemsee Castle constructed by eccentric King Ludwig II. As an added bonus, visitors get to feast their eyes on intricate frescoes adorning the shops and houses of this town. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Schönau am Königssee
Natural Feature
The town of Schönau sits in the lap of the majestic Berchtesgaden Alps, and hugs the shore of Lake Königsee, arguably the most beautiful lake in Germany. If you manage to tear your eyes from the surreal views that this town offers, you have the option of indulging in a huge number of winter and water sports. Understandably, a trip to Schönau is never complete without a leisurely boat cruise and a stop at the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Herrsching
Natural Feature
The town of Herrsching, Upper Bavaria, is lapped by the crystal waters of Lake Ammersee. In Summer, tourists flock to this quaint town to indulge in water sports, enjoy boat cruises and bask in the sun at the longest lake-front promenade in Germany. Herrsching offers exciting hiking routes, appealing to more adventurous travellers. A popular excursion from this town is to Kloster Andechs, a picturesque and historic monastery nearby. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Rottach Egern
Natural Feature
The unbelievably pretty town of Rottach Egern is hidden away deep in the Tegernsee Valley, by the Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria. It is made of several tiny hamlets or villages, and offers ample fresh air and gorgeous views to help travellers recuperate and rejuvenate. The more active visitors can try a range of winter and summer sports. This area is dotted with other smaller lakes and ringed by craggy mountain ranges, adding up to a setting befitting glossy coffee-table books. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.
Schluchsee
Forest
Kochel
Natural Feature
Kochel is one of the few lakeside towns in Germany that are not overrun by tourists, so head there to enjoy some solitude before word gets out! This hamlet sits in Bad Tolz-Wolfratshausen, Bavaria, on the shores of Kochelsee. Kochel offers pristine views of the lake surrounded by rugged mountains and boat cruises. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.