Germany has everything you might want from a holiday setting: picturesque villages, ancient castles, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. Winter is many people’s favorite season because it resembles something from a storybook with all the snow and festive Christmas markets. These 10 of Germany’s most beautiful cities are a sight to see no matter the season:
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Okay, let’s kick things off with Rothenburg, as it’s generally agreed that it’s one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Despite its proximity to major cities like Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart, this charming hamlet is worth devoting at least a day to exploring on foot. If you want a bird’s-eye view of the whole Altstadt (old town), go up to the Town Hall Tower first thing in the morning before the throng arrives. Get lost in the maze of streets for the remainder of the day!
2. Dinkelsbuhl
Rothenburg is a popular tourist destination year-round, but notably in Germany’s busiest travel months of June, July, and December. However, the neighboring town of Dinkelsbuhl has all the appeal of Rothenburg without the hordes of tourists that always crowd the streets searching for the ideal photo op. It’s a charming small town with many half-timbered houses and window boxes. It has a fascinating past as a haven for Protestants and Catholics during the Reformation.
3. Lubeck
Let’s quickly go to the nation’s north, where we’ll discuss another medieval city: Lubeck. This city’s Altstadt (old town) is among the largest in northern Germany. The medieval city center and the modern Baltic Sea port sections have plenty to offer visitors. Both are defended by the city’s famous red brick gate, which dates back to the 15th century.
4. Meissen
You shouldn’t skip seeing one of Saxony’s oldest cities; Meissen is necessary. The town’s red rooftops and the placement of the castle and cathedral on a hill give it an appearance somewhat familiar to that of Prague. The town, however, has a culture that is distinctly German. The town’s porcelain, made there since the early 16th century, is the town’s most famous export.
5. Lindau
This attractive town is on the banks of Lake Constance (German: Bodensee) in southern Germany, not far from the border with Austria. Suppose you can gaze away from Lindau’s half-timbered homes and ancient structures. In that case, you can see the Alps in the distance from pretty much everywhere along the water’s edge.
6. Triberg
The Black Forest is a must-see on any trip to Germany. Even though Triberg is a rather tiny town, you’d be wrong to assume there is little to do. The town is picturesque in and of itself. Still, it also serves as a wonderful base to explore the surrounding natural beauty (and sample some of the region’s famed Black Forest cake—heaven in the shape of dark chocolate and cherries!).
7. Worms
Worms is one of the oldest towns in the nation, despite the town’s name, which may turn some people off. Although it may not have the half-timbered homes of some of the other entries on our list, its location along the River Rhine makes it about as lovely as it gets. Indeed, the town is well-known as the location of several medieval stories, such as the Nibelungenlied about the hero Siegfried; in our opinion, it is one of the best fairytale towns in the nation.
8. Ramsau
St. Sebastian’s Church in Ramsau is featured prominently on the covers of several German travel guides and brochures, so you’ve probably already seen photos of it. You’ve also seen photos of Hintersee Lake, which is not far away. Maybe you’ve seen photos from the annual autumn celebration, Almabtrieb, when farmers herd their cows in from the summer meadows and prepare them for the winter months. Ramsau is the perfect alpine hamlet to spend the day in if that’s what you want.
9. Bamberg
The old town of Bamberg is filled with well-preserved medieval buildings, which contributed to the city’s selection as a UNESCO Heritage City in the early 1990s. The historic Rathaus and the city’s famous arched bridges may be found on one of these hills overlooking the river. From medieval and half-timbered to baroque and contemporary, you can see it all here.
10. Bad Mergentheim
Another delightful village with charming cobblestone lanes and attractive half-timbered structures is Bad Mergentheim. Bad Mergentheim is a spa town. Its waters have purportedly been healing people of different ills for many generations, as with other German cities with ‘bad’ in the name. This town is beautiful in every way; it has a rich history and architecture and is conveniently located away from the throngs of tourists.
