5 Top Places to Visit in Germany
When it’s time to choose a holiday most people go for the traditional holiday destinations with Germany not always on the list. But there are some great tourist attractions in this history rich country with some of the most interesting cities in Europe, such as Berlin, the most popular of the German city destinations.
Of course some of the most beautiful places are outside the cities, such as the countryside around Bavaria. They all have their own unique history and stories to tell and we recommend you find out more.
To see the country properly it’s worth taking the car. So, it might be worth taking the ferry to France. The most popular cross channel ferries to France are on the Dover Calais route and once you arrive in Calais the journey it’s pretty easy to get to Germany on the good quality A-roads and motorways.
Here are 5 places for you to consider on your trip to Germany.
1. Neuschwanstein
Situated on a hill close to Füssen in the south west of Bavaria, this fairytale like castle was inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty. It was built during the reign of King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1886. He was declared insane just as the castle was finished and died a few days after. Neuschwanstein is definitely the most popular tourist attraction and the most photographed building in Germany.
2. Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century and signifies the reunification of East and West Berlin. It is the only city gate to Berlin that stands today, and through it you enter the boulevard of linden trees at Unter den Linden, which once led directly to the palace of the Prussian monarchs. Still seen as a famous European landmark given the breaking down of the wall between the East and West is still relatively recent as far as the history books are concerned.
3. Heidelberg Old City
Heidelberg is in the wine region of Neckar river valley and a popular tourist destination. During the 2nd World War Heidelberg was pretty much spared by allied invasions, which destroyed many other German cities. This resulted in Heidelberg holding on to its baroque charm, picturesque houses down narrow streets and the famous Heidelberg Castle.
4. Holstentor
Built in 1464, the Holstentor is one of the two remaining gates to the city of Lübeck and is now a museum. Along with the old city centre it’s one of the top tourist attractions in Germany as visitors come to see the two imposing towers, arched entrance and small arched windows.
5. Cologne Cathedral
This cathedral, which took over 600 years to build has been the described as the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany. Building started in 1248 but there were many interruptions before becoming what is now Cologne’s most famous visitor attraction. To see it lit up at night is certainly quite spectacular with its twin spires. It is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne and dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary.
To see these and many more great German visitor attractions check out the cheap ferries to France and down into Germany via Belgium. There are some great places to see on the way such as Brussels and Liege.