Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Germany
Planning a vacation to Germany but don’t know where to start? Germany’s top cities are full of culture, natural beauty, and history. You really can’t go wrong with any destination you choose! Check out the top five tourist destinations in Germany that every traveler will enjoy.
Germany is a beautiful country with so many different destinations to choose from. Each region has its own unique attractions, and the culture can differ from one side of the country to another.
If you’re planning a vacation to Germany and you don’t know where to start, look at where other travelers are going. Here are some of the most visited cities in Germany to consider.
Top Tourist Destinations in Germany
1. Berlin
Germany’s capital is an obvious choice of the country’s top destinations. Berlin is a top cultural destination in Europe, home to many art galleries, museums, and historical landmarks.
The city has is full of amazing dining experiences, top-tier shopping, a vibrant nightlife scene, and beautiful green spaces. The city truly has a little something for everyone.
Top sights in Berlin include the Reichstag Building, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie.
Top Berlin Tours
- Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin
- Third Reich Berlin Walking Tour – Hitler and WWII
Where to Stay in Berlin
- Top Hotel: Hotel am Steinplatz, Autograph Collection
- Great Value: Courtyard by Marriott Berlin City Center
- Unique Stay: Hotel Zoo Berlin
2. Munich
Munich is the capital of the state of Bavaria and is a popular tourist destination in southern Germany. It’s one of the country’s largest cities and plays a huge role in the shaping of Germany’s economy and culture by playing home to global companies like BMW and state-of-the-art museums.
The city is known for Oktoberfest, a beer festival that draws millions of visitors each year for food, fun, and plenty of beer. Munich’s beer gardens and beer halls are popular year-round as well.
Top sights in Munich include Marienplatz, the city’s central square, and the Neues Rathaus, the English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens, and the Munich Residenz.
As the gateway to the Alps, Munich is also a wonderful starting point for taking day trips to explore Bavaria. Top sights like Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle are only few hours from Munich.
Top Munich Tours
- Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train
- Munich Old Town Small-Group Walking Tour
Where to Stay in Munich
- Top Hotel: The Charles Hotel
- Great Value: Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels
- Unique Stay: Hotel Laimer Hof
3. Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a wonderful blend of old town charm and modern marvels. The city is situated on the River Main and has a history as an important trading center. Its central business district, nicknamed “Mainhattan”, has a skyline of modern skyscrapers and is a major financial hub.
In Frankfurt’s Old Town is Römerberg, a pedestrian-friendly city square known for its fountain, medieval townhomes, boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants. The square is also home to historic buildings like the Old Town Hall.
Top sights in Frankfurt include the Städel Museum, the Museum of World Cultures, the Goethe House and Museum, and the Frankfurt Cathedral.
Top Frankfurt Tours
- Frankfurt on Foot Daily Walking Tour in English
- Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg Day Trip from Frankfurt
- Grape Escape Rhine Valley – Personal wine tours from Frankfurt
Where to Stay in Frankfurt
- Top Hotel: Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof
- Great Value: Paulaner am Dom Wirtshaus und Hotel
- Unique Stay: Sofitel Frankfurt Opera
- Where We Stayed: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
4. Hamburg
The port city of Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city. The city has a long history of being an important trading pub, and today it is one of the busiest ports in Europe.
Hamburg has hundreds of canals and waterways flowing through the city that you can explore by boat. At the Port of Hamburg, you can explore the preserved old Warehouse District full of entertainment venues, shops, restaurants, and museums. You can also take a harbor cruise to get incredible views of the city from the water.
Top sights in Hamburg include the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburger Rathaus and Mönckebergstraße, and the International Maritime Museum. Those interested in nightlife will also want to check out Hamburg’s famed red-light district where you can find live music venues, cocktail bars, and clubs.
Top Hamburg Tours
- The Local Tour of Hamburg Historic Centre
- Guided Hamburg City Bike Tour
- Hamburg Reeperbahn Small-Group Walking Tour
Where to Stay in Hamburg
- Top Hotel: THE MADISON Hotel Hamburg
- Great Value: prizeotel Hamburg-City
- Unique Stay: The Fontenay Hamburg
Read next: 17 Best Places to Travel This Year
5. Cologne
Cologne is a cultural hub in western Germany and an important religious center. You can recognize the city by its informal symbol, the Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic church that was built to house the reliquary of the Three Wise Men.
Situated on the Rhine River, Cologne is a popular stop for Rhine river cruises. The city is also known for its nightlife, boasting more than 70 clubs and the most pubs per capita of any German city.
Top sights in Cologne include Cologne Cathedral, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Ludwig Museum, and the Twelve Romanesque churches of Old Town.
Top Cologne Tours
- Cologne City Tour – Experience cathedral city on the Rhine
- Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Cologne
- Small-Group Bike Tour of Cologne with Guide
Where to Stay in Cologne
- Top Hotel: Excelsior Hotel Ernst
- Great Value: Weltempfanger Backpacker Hostel & Cafe
- Unique Stay: Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg
Read next: 10 of the World’s Most Terrifying Haunted Castles
Ready to visit Germany? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top places to stay in Germany here.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite tourist destinations in Germany? Let me know in the comments below!
Seems like Germany ?? has a number of historical sites and rich history. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
There are just so many great places to see in Germany! Thank you for reading!
Germany looks so gorgeous! I love the mix of historic and modern buildings.
Agreed, that’s one of the best things about Europe is the mix of the old and the new!
I’ve been to Germany a time or two in my military travels. These tips are spot on.
Fantastic, I hope to visit more of Germany in the very near future!
This is awesome!! I am creating a PowerPoint for each country that I want to visit and which cities I should go to as well. Tons of work, but I think it will be worth it. This will help make my life easier, thank you!!
That sounds like a wonderful idea! You’re such an organized travel planner!