Lonely PlanetJul 27, 2026
The 19 best things to do in Germany
Water sports, hikes, culture and castles galore.
23 things in this story
- SyltNeighborhoodlargest of the North Frisian Islands
- Elsewhere
- East Side GalleryGalleryBerlin, Germany1.3km stretch of Berlin Wall covered in murals
- Tempelhofer FeldSightBerlin, Germanyformer airport in Berlin, now a park
- RuhrgebietNeighborhoodEssen, Germanyregion with repurposed industrial infrastructure
- Zeche ZollvereinAttractionEssen, Germanyformer coal-mining complex with museums
- Landschaftspark Duisburg-NordSightDuisburg, Germanydecommissioned ironworks with diving center
- ZugspitzeSightGarmisch-Partenkirchen, GermanyGermany's highest mountain with cable car
- EibseeSightGarmisch-Partenkirchen, Germanylake at the base of Zugspitze
- Deutsche WeinstrasseTrailNeustadt an der Weinstraße, Germanyroute connecting vineyards and restaurants
- Hambacher SchlossAttractionNeustadt an der Weinstraße, Germanyhilltop location known for democracy protests
- BottleStopsPlaceMainz, Germanyoffers excellent wine tours in English
- SchlenkerlaRestaurantBamberg, GermanyAecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier.
- Kölner DomPlace of worshipCologne, GermanyGothic cathedral in Cologne
- Hohenzollern BridgeViewpointCologne, Germanybridge with love locks overlooking the Rhine
- Nazi Party Rally GroundsMuseumNuremberg, Germanysite with imposing structures from Nazi era
- Memorium Nuremberg TrialsMuseumNuremberg, Germanyexamines the trials of leading Nazi figures
- Schloss NeuschwansteinAttractionSchwangau, Germany19th-century castle, inspired Walt Disney
- Würzburg ResidenzSightWürzburg, Germany18th-century palace famed for staircase and frescoes
- Schloss NymphenburgSightMunich, Germanyformer summer residence of Bavarian rulers
- FriedrichsbadPlaceBaden-Baden, GermanyRenaissance-style building with multi-station bathing circuit
- AllgäuTrain stationKempten, Germanyregion known for cheese, Alpine dairies
- HoimatRestaurantEschach, Germanysoft cheese experts in a restored barn
- Brauerei SpezialRestaurantBamberg, Germany