The Most Famous Cuckoo Clocks in Germany

Largest cuckoo clock in Bavaria
Largest cuckoo clock in Bavaria | © pixabairis / Pixabay
Anwesha Ray

Cuckoo clocks are among the most authentic souvenirs you can purchase in Germany to remember your holiday for ages, every hour! Germany is also peppered with cuckoo clock masterpieces, which are worth visiting for their sheer uniqueness. Here’s our guide on where to find these one-of-a-kind masterpieces in the country.

The largest cuckoo clock in the world

The largest cuckoo clock in the world (as per the Guinness Book of World Records) in Triberg is so big that you can walk right into it, and you must, to be able to admire its amazing engineering both from the outside as well inside! This massive clock was designed by Black Forest clock-makers Ewald and Ralf Eble, and is a celebrated example of traditional cuckoo clock craftsmanship of the region. The clock chimes every half an hour, so make sure you stick around for it – you won’t be disappointed!
Schonachbach 27, Triberg, Germany, +49 7722 96220

The largest cuckoo clock in the world at Schonachbach

The smallest cuckoo clock in the world

The largest free-hanging cuckoo clock in the world

The little town of St. Goar by the Rhine boasts a unique attraction – the largest free-hanging cuckoo clock in the world. This massive (3.5 meter (11.5 foot)-high and 2 meter (6.6 foot)-wide) timepiece hangs outside a family-run souvenir store in the old town of Bingen. Other than its sheer size, the clock also has the unique characteristic of having two faces – a rarity in cuckoo clocks. Every hour on the hour, the little figurines in the clock spin with the accompaniment of music, and the show culminates with the cuckoo bird chiming.

Heerstr. 131, Sankt Goar, Germany, +49 6741 934120

The largest free-standing cuckoo clock in the world at St.Goar

The largest cuckoo clock in Bavaria

This beauty, perched by a bubbling stream in the midst of dramatic Bavarian highlands, makes for an incredibly picturesque setting. The largest cuckoo clock in Bavaria is also a souvenir shop, so once you’ve admired its pretty facade and enjoyed the show put up by the dancing figurines every half an hour, you can pop in to purchase a souvenir to remember your time in the Black Forest.

Höllsteig 76, Breitnau, Germany

The largest cuckoo clock in Bavaria

Giant cuckoo clock with 21 moving figures

The House of Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks is a popular store filled to the brim with irresistible cuckoo clocks and other souvenirs. It belongs to a family of gifted clock-makers that has been producing masterpieces for generations, right up to the current owner Adolf Herr who often greets visitors with a smile, a drink and expert suggestions. Right outside the store is a massive cuckoo clock that boasts as many as 21 spinning, dancing and moving figurines – simply pop a coin in and enjoy the show!

Adolf Herr, Landstr. 7, Hornberg, Germany, +49 07833 8037

The largest cuckoo clock outside the Black Forest

The huge cuckoo clock at the Harzer Cuckoo Clock Factory, Gernrode, Harz Mountains, briefly enjoyed the status of the world’s largest cuckoo clock before being relegated to the rank of the largest cuckoo clock in the world outside the Black Forest. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is worth a stop. For a small fee, you can browse a fascinating range of cuckoo clocks from various eras and even see clock-makers at work. The cuckoo clock also doubles as a weather clock.

Lindenstraße 5, Gernrode, Germany, +49 39485 658930

The biggest cuckoo clock outside the Black Forest

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article