The Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations in Germany

Rügen is Germany’s largest island and sits in the Baltic Sea off Stralsund on the mainland. Your days are best spent exploring the primeval beech forests of the Jasmund National Park, watching the waves turn from a canopied beach chair and enjoying the breathtaking views of the dramatic white chalk cliffs of the Königsstuhl. Throw in a handful of spa treatments at the beachside resorts, gourmet dinners and a sunset cruise, et voilà!

The Moselle Valley spans across southwestern Germany and into France and Luxembourg and is home to some of the most impressive scenery in Germany. The meandering river cuts through the vine-clad hills which are dotted with dreamy villages and ancient castles. Don’t miss out on a tour of Burg Eltz, a gem of a castle that sits atop a hill surrounded by a lush forest, and a tasting of the award-winning Riesling wines from the region – it hardly gets any more romantic than that.

Branches of the Spree river traverse the countryside halfway between Berlin and Dresden, and they have created a magical landscape of moorlands and pastures. Romantic cottages and guesthouses are the perfect hideouts for an intimate honeymoon experience. Those who want to explore the waterways of the eerie biospheric reserve can rent one of the traditional wooden barges or a paddle boat locally.

This small town is wedged into the southeasternmost corner of Germany, right at the border of Austria. If you fancy spending your honeymoon in a winter wonderland in the midst of snow-capped mountains, Berchtesgaden might be your spot. The region offers a myriad of hiking paths, snowshoe trails and ski pistes for outdoorsy adventures before you spend your evenings indulging in great food and sipping wine in front of a fireplace.

The town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in western Bavaria has shot up from being an insider’s tip to the top of Germany’s most popular places to visit. The half-timbered houses, winding cobblestoned alleys and quaint market squares are the perfect setting for a romantic stroll through the picture-perfect town. More medieval-village bliss waits for you in the nearby villages of Dinkelsbühl and Ansbach.

Over the centuries, Heidelberg has earned itself the tagline of the romantic city. Some of the world’s greatest writers, including Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain and Goethe, found inspiration in the city that clasps to the Neckar river at the foothills of the Odenwald forest. Heidelberg was spared from World War II bombings, and to this day, it boasts masterpieces of Renaissance architecture, including the castle that rests at the top of a hill and overlooks the cobblestoned streets of the old town. Watching the sunset here is spectacular.

Dresden’s old town stuns with masterpieces of Baroque architecture, and the imposing cityscape is why the city is also known as the ‘Florence of the north’. You can roam the waterfront terraces where the Elector of Saxony and his noble entourage once spent their afternoons, marvel at the city’s fantastic art treasures and enjoy panoramic views of the city aboard a romantic cruise up the Elbe river. A classic concert at the world-renowned Semper Opera House is the icing on the cake.

Sylt is the Queen of the Frisian archipelago in the North Sea. It’s known for its Michelin-starred restaurants, wellness retreats, endless sandy beaches, dreamy grass-clad dunes and the surrounding Wadden Sea, all of which also makes it a favourite refuge for honeymooners and celebrities. Daytime activities range from windsurfing and sailing to mudflat hikes and romantic walks along the beachside promenade.

Lake Constance shares a border with not only southern Germany but also Switzerland and Austria, and surrounding it are picturesque resort towns. Lindau, Konstanz and Meersburg in Germany often top the charts of the most beautiful lakeside cities and offer an array of activities for newlyweds, from boat tours and romantic dinners to tours of the historical town centres. You can either pick your favourite or tour the 260-kilometre (162-mile) road around the lake.

Nestled between several picturesque lakes, Füssen is the gateway to some of Germany’s most magical castles. The historical town is a short drive away from Hohenschwangau Castle, Linderhof Palace and our all-time favourite, Neuschwanstein Castle. While you can spend days exploring the various castle grounds feeling like a royal Disney couple, the Allgäu region also has stunning hiking trails, gourmet eateries and wellness retreats that will make your honeymoon trip a well-rounded experience.

The inconspicuous village in the tri-border region of Germany, France and Luxembourg is not exactly famous, but it’s a perfect spot for outdoorsy newlyweds. Beautiful hiking trails, excellent vineyards and jaw-dropping views of the Saarschleife river bend are only some of the things worth exploring in the region.

The Bavarian town boasts a well-preserved medieval old town that has earned the city an entry on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Pegnitz river bickers through the scenery of cobblestoned streets and half-timbered houses, and various bridges connect the old town with the surrounding districts. Romantic walks through a picture-perfect town, candlelight dinners and historical sites are on the agenda during a honeymooner’s trip to Bamberg.

The Black Forest has inspired the famous chocolate and cherry gateaux, several fairy tales and cuckoo clocks, but that’s not all. Loved-up couples will be spoilt for choice when creating a honeymoon itinerary for the region. Options range from scenic hiking holidays out of Feldberg to relaxing stays at a spa hotel in Baden-Baden or lakeside holidays at the Titisee.

Every year, when we approach the Christmas season, Nuremberg starts popping up on lists of places to visit – and for good reason. Their Christmas markets are magical and transform the city into a wonderland of wooden huts, twinkling lights and shiny Christmas ornaments. But Nuremberg is worth a visit throughout the rest of the year to explore the Old Town streets with its timber-framed houses, the medieval city walls, and the ancient castle.

Koblenz is at the heart of the romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which is defined by vine-clad hills crowned by medieval castles and fortresses. The city itself is among Germany’s oldest, with a history that dates back to the early Roman settlement around 2000 years ago. Wine tastings, a river cruise and a gondola ride up to the ruins of Ehrenbreitstein Castle are the top ingredients for a romantic experience.

Compared to the other cities on this list, Lübeck is somewhat of an underdog. The city is known for Brick Gothic architecture, gabled townhouses and a fascinating history that tells of Germany’s mercantile days and the Hanseatic League. And Lübeck has one more ace up its sleeve: its vicinity to some of Germany’s most beautiful beaches. Within 30 minutes, you can be at Timmendorf Beach where you can catch a salty breeze.

Just an hour north of Frankfurt, the magical city of Marburg lures with a quaint Old Town of winding cobblestoned streets and alleys, a castle that sits on the city’s highest hill and an atmosphere that inspired some of the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tales and works of myriad poets and novelists. The literary movement has been dubbed the Marburg Romantic era, and the Haus der Romantic Museum delves into the cultural history of the time.

Meersburg is arguably the most beautiful town on Lake Constance, which is wedged between Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Idyllic lakeside views with the Swiss Alps in the distance, a hilltop castle (Alte Burg) from the 7th century overlooking the winding cobblestone alleys of the Old Town and the mix of Baroque palaces and timber-framed houses combine to create an enchanting atmosphere.

Trier ranks among the oldest cities of Germany and is awash with imposing relics of the Roman Empire. Take your significant other on a tour exploring the architectural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and learn about Trier’s fascinating history before treating yourselves to a romantic, candlelight dinner with views of the Old Town while sampling some of Germany’s best wines from the Moselle Valley.

The city of Mainz is for those who love white wine and fantastic food, books and ecclesial architecture. A romantic walk through its Old Town takes you past the thousand-year-old cathedral and the Gutenberg Museum, which is dedicated to Mainz most famous citizen, the inventor of the movable-type printing press, and then along countless quaint little wine taverns that allow you to experience the culinary highlights of the region and local white wines.

Goethe, Schiller, Bach, Nietzsche, Klee – many of Germany’s great minds are associated with Weimar, and Weimar Classicism has often been hailed one of the greatest epochs of European intellectual history. A trip to the city allows you to tour the palatial residences of the time, along with vast parklands and the homes and places of inspiration of renowned poets and thinkers.