Frederick Jace
It’s no secret that I am a Germanophile. I have fallen in love with Germany and its many beautiful places. It seems I am not the only one who loves this European city as 24 travel bloggers share their favourite German villages, forests, towns and cities in this collaboration blog post. Thank you to everyone who sent me their wonderful contributions! Hope you enjoy this post as it fills you with wanderlust and inspiration for your next trip to Germany.
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. If you purchase through our link we receive a very small commission which helps maintain the blog and keep creating useful content for you!
Beautiful Little Cochem
Per Brogevik from Resrutt – The Travel Blog
One of my absolute favourite towns in all of Germany is Cochem by the Moselle River. It’s a small town with only about 5000 inhabitants, and the most obvious sights to see is the Altstadt and the medieval castle Reichsburg Cochem.
The view from the castle is absolutely stunning overlooking the river that flows through the town down in the Moselle Valley. If you’re into it, you could go for a boat ride on the river or just take a stroll down the Moselpromenade on the riverside.
It’s fairly easy to find a nice place to stay. The citizens of Cochem have gotten used to the tourism that peaks in the summer and early fall. Most of the people that travel here come for the beautiful views and for the winery that the region is most famous for.
It’s a place to come to once but most certainly to return to over and over again.
Germany’s Most Picturesque Castle
Christine from www.alienchris.com
Deep into the Eltz Forest, you’ll find the medieval castle Burg Eltz. This is no doubt one of the most beautiful castles in Germany with its pointy towers and brick walls. One of the most charming things about Burg Eltz is that you can’t see it from a far distance, since it’s not located high up on a hill like many other castles in Germany. This one you have to walk downhill for about 10-15 minutes until you reach the castle down in the valley.
Not only is this castle full of history and interesting to visit, but here you can also take lots of photos since it’s one of the most picturesque castles in the country.
Fun Fact: This castle is still owned by the same family who moved in during the 12th century, the Eltz Family. So it’s been in the family for over 850 years (33 generations), which is pretty impressive.
Thinking about staying near Burg Eltz? Check out this map on Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay so you can get up early enough to take an amazing photo of the castle!
Ghostly Duisburg
Alexander from Engineerontour.com
Duisburg-Nord Pick up your tripod, we are going to see something unique. At night, a former factory at Duisburg-Nord becomes colorful and slightly creepy. All the gigantic machinery is lit with red, green and blue. I think it is one of the most surreal places I have seen. As you come to the entrance, you see a crowd of people carrying tripods. But when you go deeper into the territory, you are left alone. Only sometimes you hear quiet sounds and echoes of other visitors. It starts to feel like you are in a ghost land. These thoughts about ghosts made me consider trying “Corporate Photographers”. It happened to be lots of fun. You put your camera on a tripod, set long shutter speed and wait until someone walks in front of the camera. In this way, the photos of the place get even more surreal My full blog post about Duisburg-Nord with instructions for “ghost photography”.
The Town Musicians of Bremen
Gizelle from Our City Travels
If I would be asked, “what city would you visit when you were a child”? I would have immediately answered Bremen. Why? It would be because of the children’s tale “Town Musicians of Bremen”, one of my favourite childhood reads. That was why when I got the chance to visit, I immediately went to the statue of the donkey, dog, cat, and rooster just outside the town hall.
The statue is easily the most famous representation of Bremen, but is also home to a number of World Heritage sites; the town hall and the Roland Statue for example. The town hall is hailed as one of the most beautiful and important examples of European brick gothic architecture and the Roland statue in front of it is five and a half metres in height (10.21 metres including the base and baldachin), the tallest free-standing sculpture of the German Middle Ages.
This beautiful, historical city is also one of the most underestimated yet very stress-free and also the safest among German cities. Aside from its commercial and industrial landscape and being a cultural and economic hub in the northern regions of Germany, Bremen boasts roughly 2,600 hectares of parks and green spaces, there are a lot of contrasts of what one can do and appreciate. Museums abound for art lovers, science enthusiasts, and history buffs while the buildings will put architecture-drawn people in awe. Theaters have a list of plays and musicals but if you are a more adventurous soul, the Theaterschiff (Theater ship) will be perfect for you. Most of all, the greenery in Bremen will keep you relaxed and detached from the usual hustle and bustle of the city.
Bremen is a perfect day trip or linger longer if you too fall in love with this North German city.
Fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle
Kate from Our Escape Clause
When I was at university, I had posters of many dream travel destination staped to my dorm room walls: Kyoto. London. Paris. One of those posters? It was of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
At the time, I had no idea where that fairy-tale castle even was—but recently, I was lucky enough to visit it in person, and learn that yes, the castle really is all that it is cracked up to be.
Neuschwanstein Castle is set in the Bavarian Alps of southern Germany, staring out onto a beautiful valley on one side and the gorgeous Pollat Gorge on the other. A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is about not only the beauty of the castle (it is rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney himself!), but also about the stunning nature that surrounds it: you can’t tell from pictures, but Neuschwanstein Castle’s most famous viewpoint also has a view of a beautiful waterfall.
If you’re looking for a great place to combine a hiking trip with a stunningly beautiful castle, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding Bavarian villages is an absolute must when visiting Germany.
Do you want to find out more about Neuschwanstein Castle? Consider treating yourself to one of these books to inspire your Bavarian Wanderlust.
The Wonderful Harbour City of Hamburg
Lizzie and Dave from Wanderlust and Life
Hamburg probably isn’t your first thought when planning a mini break in Germany, and to be honest that might be part of the reason we love it so much. It is such an underrated destination with so much to offer. For starters, it is a major European port which is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. It is also Germany’s second largest city. What really makes Hamburg special though is that it truly does offer a little something for everyone. If you love architecture, take a wander around the town centre for a look at some opulent buildings like the Rathaus. If museums are more your thing, Hamburg has plenty including the Miniatur Wunderland which is the world’s largest miniature railway exhibition, as well as a chocolate museum and a maritime museum. The nightlife is also epic and the beers are always flowing. If you get the chance get the ferry to Ovelgonne where you will find a makeshift beach overlooking all the large boats coming in from around the world. It is perfect on a summer’s day. If you are visiting in winter the city does a pretty amazing Christmas market which is not to be missed.
Magical Hollenzollern Castle
Roxanna Keyes from Gypsy With a Day Job
We were blessed to visit Burg Hohenzollern, or Hohenzollern Castle, on a glorious May afternoon. This castle, which was once the Imperial seat of Prussia, home of Kings and Kaisers, is among the most beautiful in all of Europe. Today, it is still privately owned by the descendants of the former kings, Georg Friedrich Prince of Prussia. Sitting on a hill-top, it can be seen for miles, a stunning and appropriately regal sight. Pictures cannot relay either it’s size, or it’s grandeur.
Burg Hohenzollern is located in Baden-Wurtemburg, the South-western most state of Germany, in the town of Bisingen, south of Stuttgart. A visit to the castle is a perfect day trip from Stuttgart, or from the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, which is also very close.
There is a parking lot a short way up the hill, equipped with restrooms, benches, and a gift shop. From there, visitors can choose to walk approximately 30 minutes up the hill to the castle entrance or ride the shuttle bus for a small fee.
There are visitor options for entrance only, to enter the castle grounds and Burghoff, visit both the Catholic and Protestant chapels, explore the casements, and use the viewing platforms. Another option is entrance plus tour, which also includes a guided tour of the interior, including the family tree room, the Queen’s chambers and the King’s chambers, and the treasury. Photography is not allowed inside the castle rooms.
Hanseatic Lübeck
Cate Brubaker from International Desserts Blog
One of my favourite cities in Germany is Lübeck. Located in northern Germany, charming Lübeck is just a short train ride from Hamburg, which makes it a delightful city to explore on a day-trip or weekend get-away. The historic Hanseatic Altstadt (old town) is magical and you’ll no doubt want to spend at least a few hours exploring the gothic brick architecture and wandering the streets. Be sure to visit the 12th century Rathaus (city hall), the brick gothic Marienkirche, and the restored Lubeck Cathedral. More things to see: the Holsentor (old city gate), St. Mary’s Church, the Hansemuseum, and the Günter Grass museum. Go for a walk along the river or relax on a boat tour. Or simply enjoy a coffee or beer in one of Lübecks cosy cafes or bars. If you’re craving the beach, head to nearby Timmendorferstrand (about 20 minutes away). I highly recommend adding Lübeck to your next Germany travel itinerary!
Tranquil Lake Eib
Alex from Swedish Nomad
Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany and is also recognized as a luftkurort, which basically means that the air quality is good for your health. It’s a tranquil lake with several inlets where you can get by boat or paddleboard.
There’s also a loop trail going around the whole lake, which is a little more than 5 kilometer. Locals come here to spend time in nature, but recently more tourists have found their way here as well. But it’s still pretty calm.
If you want to stay by the lake, there’s a hotel called Eibsee Hotel, just next to it with a great view over the lake. If your budget is a bit lower, I suggest staying in Grainau, which is nearby with bus connection or walking distance.
By the foot of Lake Eibsee, you also have the highest peak in all of Germany – Zugspitze, which you can reach by a 10-min cable car ride. I recommend going here during spring or autumn. Summer is high season and the same for winter when the ski season is on-going.
Spring and Autumn are perfect if you want to relax and enjoy the beauty of Eibsee and its surroundings.
Enjoy a Kölsch beer in Cologne
Thomas from Tripgourmets
Cologne is one of our favourite cities in Germany. We love how friendly the people are, the proximity to the Rhein River, the awesome architecture and the uplifting spirit of the fourth-largest German city. During the Second World War, almost all of central Cologne was destroyed in bombings. Yet they managed to rebuild, creating a city that now comfortably contrasts old and new.
We loved just sitting outside one of the restaurants at the “Fischmarkt”, watching the people and enjoying a cold Kölsch (beer exclusively brewed in Cologne). It was a delight to walk through the romantic Old Town and see the beautiful old houses. The climb to the top of the Cologne Cathedral tower was probably our toughest activity in Cologne, but totally worth it for the amazing view.
Another highlight of Cologne is definitely the Hohenzollern Bridge with the more than 150’000 love locks attached to it. The perfect ending to a day in Cologne is definitely the view from the top of the Triangle tower, where you can marvel at the sunset over the cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge.
It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, whether your are travelling through in summer time or exploring Cologne in winter. There are so many things to see in the city and things to do near Cologne.
Nuremberg’s Christmas Market
Hannah from Eat Sleep Breath Travel
Germany is beautiful year round but there is something extra special about this European country at Christmastime. I first fell in love with German Christmas markets in 2011, and have been back three times over the past couple of years to explore more. However, last year I went on a European Christmas Market cruise starting in Nuremberg, and I think I found my favourite Christmas market there; Nuremberg’s Chriskindlesmarkt.
The market itself was beautiful; wooden stalls decorated with fairy lights and red and white canopies all arranged in front of the Church of Our Lady; an impressive gothic-style church. The smell of Nuremberg sausages, gluhwein, and fresh lebkuchen, German gingerbread, filled the air. There are dozens of stalls offering everything from ornaments to jewellery and socks to ceramic villages. What I loved the most about the Nuremberg Christmas market is that it wasn’t junky; only authentic German products can be sold here making it easy to find souvenirs and gifts. Without a doubt, Nuremberg is a definite must for anyone planning to visit Germany during the Christmas season.
The Magnificent Saxon Capital Dresden
Anna from My Travel Scrapbook
The city of Dresden is a wonderful place. Risen from the ashes of WWII it is once more a haven of art & culture, beautiful buildings and fascinating museums. Dresden has so many things to see and do. There are world-class art museums such as the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, as well as museums about the bloody history of the city like the Military Museum. There is traditional architecture to be admired on every corner. Just strolling through the old town you will see the many gorgeous baroque buildings such as the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, the Opera House, the Castle…the list goes on! There are also ample modern and quirky sites to see. Over in the Neustadt, across the river from the Altstadt, the hip part of town, you will find many boutique shops, cosy cafes and colourful graffiti. After all your site seeing, grab a beer or a bottle of wine and sit by the river Elbe. The skyline of Dresden is truly one of the most beautiful in the world. I used to love sitting by the river Elbe just gazing across at the lovely buildings. Follow the river to the south on one of the traditional Damfschiffe. Your journey upstream will take you past the Elb castles perched on the hillside. There are vineyards and an old Soviet tv tower too. Eventually, you will arrive in the magnificent national park of the Sachsische Schweiz. Towers of rocky pillars and hundreds of hiking trails await you. I love this city. I would move there tomorrow and it is my favourite city in the whole of Germany.
See where you can stay in the city of Dresden by using the booking.com map below! Will you choose to stay in the historic Old Town or the hip Neustadt?
The Small City of Münster
Roxanna from Gypsy with a Day job
There are many places to love in Germany, but the small city of Münster captured my heart. The city is both historic and modern, with a large university bringing a constant influx of students, maintaining the youthful spirit. It also keeps Münster on the cutting edge of technology, arts, and social arenas. The city has been voted one of the most livable cities in the world!
The old town, called the Prinzipalmarkt, is built around a square, with curving cobblestone streets and a shady arcade under the unique storefronts. A gothic Ratthaus and several ornate churches add to the charm. Visitors can shop, learn about the remarkable city history, see world-class art, or people watch from sidewalk cafes.
Another gathering spot is the Aasee, or Lake Aa. A garden area surrounds the lake, offering recreational options, including a zoo and museums. There are several ways to get out on the water, such as renting paddleboats, but walking the promenade surrounding the lake and city is equally as popular.
The area surrounding the city also has many wonders, including some of the finest moated castles in the world, and a protected waterfowl habitat. Münster is a perfect stop on any German itinerary.
The Mystical Black Forest
Katie from Creative Travel Guide
When visiting the Black Forest, we opted to stay in a little village named Rust. Hotels were affordable and it offered the authentic, fairytale like version of Germany I had longed for. Plus, the little village of Rust also happens to be a very short walk away from the Biggest (and arguably best) theme park in Europe – Europa Park. For anyone who loves rides, I would have to recommend Europa Park; it has a mixture of family friendly rides and big rollercoasters for everyone, as well as little lands based on various countries around the world; similar to Epcot in Orlando.
We rented a car to explore the nearby towns and were pleasantly surprised with what the quieter region of Germany offered. Of course, the Black Forest itself was spectacular. You can take a cable car to the top of the mountains and look down at the never-ending forest. For food lovers, head to the town of Triberg for some of the best Black Forest Gateau in Germany. In the centre of the town, you will see a long windy road (full of stores selling coo-coo clocks), that leads to Naturerlebnispark Triberg; a national park home to the tallest waterfall in Germany.
If you have the time, try to visit the Black Forest Open Air Museum Vogtsbeauernhof; a collection of German cottages from the countries history.
The Medieval City of Freiburg
Lesley Connor from www.emptynesterstravelinsights.com
On the edge of the Black Forest, Freiburg, the sunniest city in Germany, has modern architecture,
medieval history, gourmet food and breath-taking scenery.
Passing modern, environmentally sustainable buildings, step back 500 years through Martinstor, one of two remaining medieval city gates, into the old town centre. Explore cobblestoned streets inlaid with guild crests denoting the trades of the buildings’ former occupants. Medieval squares flanked by frescoed buildings, ancient fountains and shady cafe umbrellas inviting you to stop and people watch as you enjoy a coffee or ice cream sundae. Crystal water streams through the “bachle” gutters along the footpaths. The 11th-century gutters were a water and irrigation supply used to fight fires. Today children and tourists play in the cool water. Legend says if you accidentally step in the Bächle, you will marry a Freiburger.
In Rathausplatz the 14th Century Old Town Hall is now the Freiburg tourist office, which should be your first stop. Around midday, you can hear the “glockenspeil” chime the hour. In Augustinerplatz, the Augustiner museum, a former monastery now houses a collection of medieval and baroque artworks. Here the 14th century Merchant’s Hall is adorned with ancient coats of arms and statues honouring four Roman Emperors. Central to Munsterplatz is the Gothic 12th century Freiburg Munster, the city’s iconic cathedral. The 116-metre open lattice of the west tower is a landmark on the Freiburg skyline. The 750-year-old Hosanna bell, one of Germany’s oldest, echoes through the valley. An ancient fortress site towers over Freiburg. An inclinator car takes you part of the way to the top of “Schlossberg”. Hike the rest of the way to the top to view 11th century castle ruins and breathtaking panoramic views across the Vosges mountain range.
If you have more than a day in Freiburg, take the longest cable car ride in Germany to Schauinsland, 10 kilometres from the town centre. At an altitude of 1284 metres, you can enjoy hiking around the peak while taking in the magnificent scenery.
Freiburg is a city with a rich history that offers something for all travellers.
Leafy English Garden in Munich
Nate from Travel Lemming
Munich may be best known for the rowdiness of its annual Oktoberfest, but the city has a softer, more serene side that’s best exemplified by its stunning Englischer Garten (“English Garden”). One of the largest urban parks in the world, step into this park and you may feel like you’ve left the city for the countryside.
Visit during the heat of summer and you can cool off by floating down the small rivers that bisect the park. Or, if you’re up for a real adventure, try your luck surfing. Yep, that’s right, there’s surfing in Munich! A meter-high standing wave created by the river rushing under a bridge makes for an excellent scene in the summer, as surfer after surfer tries their luck on this deceptively difficult wave.
Check out this one day in Munich guide to see how you can combine your trip to the English Garden with lots of other famous sites in Munich!
Don’t worry if you didn’t pack your surfboard, though! From birdwatching, to drinking a brew at a beer garden, to sunbathing, there’s lots to do here for every type of traveler!
The Bozner Markt Festival in Mittenwald
Summer Salut from www.doyousalut.com
When my boyfriend told me that our next trip was going to be in Germany I thought to myself, “Oh boy, what is he getting us into?” He said we were going to explore Bavaria, Germany’s south and listed the cities we’d visit: Fussen, Garmisch Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden and Mittenwald. Out of all the towns, we visited Mittenwald left a stamp on my heart.
Hidden by the mountains, Mittenwald is a site of true beauty. When we got there we had an espresso in a café while looking at the marvellous mountains. As we sat down and people watched we noticed people were dressed in lederhosen. Curious as to why people were dressed up we put on our detective hats and followed a man dressed like a 1450s friar. We reached a gate and found out that the Bozner Markt festival was happening. Looking for an adventure we decided to go. Once we walked through the gates it was as if we passed through a time machine and landed in 1490. People were dressed in the clothes of that time. There were acrobatic shows, log cutting competitions and so many other things going on. Did I mention there was also food and drinks!
We stumbled upon a tavern where the workers were singing songs from that time period. It was so much fun. The best part was when one of the workers came up to us and said, “So I heard that you’re American…” and spent the rest of his shift speaking to us and gave us free drinks. The waiter gave us the history of the festival and told us that this festival happens once every 5 years…. Every FIVE YEARS!!!! It was then that I was sold! How amazing and magical was it, which we casually bumped into this festival? This wasn’t a coincidence. It was destiny and just like that, a new family tradition has been made!
I would absolutely recommend stopping by Mittenwald if you ever visit Germany. The town has so much to offer, whether it is the breath-taking mountain views, the friendly residents, or a random festival that happens every five years. Mittenwald is the place to be!
Old Berlin
Jessie from The Travel Fairies Blog
Travel back in time when you visit Alt-Tegel: Emerge blinking from the U-Bahn station into the beautiful sunshine and be transported to another time, another place. Straight across from the station is Alt-Tegel; a beautiful cobbled, pedestrianised street. As you go along you are greeted by the sights and sounds of Germany, vendors selling currywurst and bakers hawking their wares. Punctuating this quaint street is old-fashioned lampposts and stunning fountains, all leading to a tiny church at the point of the street. This is surrounded by lush, green grounds, with trees sprouting between the gravestones, and all fenced in with a flowering hedge. Follow the road a little further and you get to a small river leading to the lake. The lake is so beautiful to look at, but the river is a perfect place to sit and think whilst watching the sun go down on a beautiful day in Berlin.
Did you know that Berlin is a great place to visit in winter? Whilst the summer is nice and warm, Berlin in Winter means Christmas markets!
Charming Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Mel from BRB Travel Blog
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the red fort over the Tauber river, is the medieval gem of Germany. The charming little town is in heart of the Franconia region of Bavaria. Lose yourself in the fortified town where ubiquitous cobbled lanes and colourful buildings ranging between yellow and red will make you think you are in a fairy-tale. At the crossing of the Romantic Route and the Route of the Castles, the town is perfect for stops along these itineraries or for day trips. For those who like road trips or enjoy travelling by train, Rothenburg is not far from Nuremberg (two and a half hours away) or Munich (three hours away). You could also squeeze in a trip to the adorable town of Heidelberg during your Bavarian travels.
This medieval town has numerous museums allowing you to better understand the daily life of the middle ages and the Renaissance. The best attraction is the viewpoint at the top of the Rathausturm, the city hall. The 360 view is at 52-meters high and offers a panoramic view of the complete town and its environs. To get to the viewpoint, there might be a line, but the breathtaking view is worth the wait!
The Wonderful Island of Rügen
Mamta Naidu from mamtanaidu.com
The first thing that comes to my mind as I think of Rügen is the spectacular oak and lime treelined alley that leads you to the largest Island of Germany.
A weekend getaway or a week-long beach resort holiday, Rügen is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany. Supposedly popularized by Hitler’s idea of Prora, a 4.5 km long beach resort, which was meant to host 20000 vacationers. Thanks to WWII, the half-finished project came to a screeching halt. Now Prora building, on Prora beach itself is a popular touristic attraction as a portion of the building exhibits the WWII memoir.
When in Rügen you can’t afford to miss the Jasmund National Park. It is popular for its chalk cliffs and beach forest. What’s more, it’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions include, Caper Arkona lighthouse museum, Binz beach and promenade lined with gorgeous villas, Island Vilm to name a few.
A long soothing walk along the white sandy beaches enjoying the sunset, and a hike up to a fishing village in Cape Arkona admiring the vast expanse of greenery and a lighthouse in the distance were the two things I enjoyed doing the most in Rügen.
Nice Nymphenburg Palace
Bec from Wyld Family Travel
Nymphenburg Palace was the first place I visited when I got to Munich. A friend drove us there on our way from the airport to stretch our legs and since then it is the first place we go to when we are visiting Munich. The first time I saw it, it was in the bright sunshine but my dream was to see it in the snow and I can tell you in any season it is just spectacular. The red roof shining in the sun or the palace and its grounds covered in snow I can’t pick which one I love the most. In the summer months you can find so many people enjoying the beautiful gardens that surround the Palace and in the snow, you can find them ice skating on the canals that lead up to it.
You can tour the inside of the Palace and the exquisite detail will leave you with goosebumps (and maybe a few home reno ideas!) it is just so beautiful. There are also other buildings around the Palace that house many other items that the Royal family used to use while they lived at the Palace. The Marstall Museum is an absolute must if you are visiting Nymphenburg. The Royal carriages with their intricate and sometimes delicate features are something you can wow over as you wander the displays.
As I said I love Nymphenburg and I am always surprised when people say they missed it while they were in Munich and I can reassure them they have definitely missed out.
Munich can be an expensive place to stay in. Make sure you book your accommodation far in advance with this booking.com tool!
Lovely Baden Baden
Sherrie from Travel By a Sherrie Affair
A convenient hour and a half drive south from Frankfurt, Germany you will find a beautiful city called Baden Baden located in the Black Forest. Baden Baden is known for its spectacular healing baths and the lovely park Lichtenaler Allee. The park is tree filled with paths to walk along the Oos River.
If shopping is your thing, no worries there are plenty, from designer to local artisans. There is also a wide variety of restaurants and cafes with seating outside to enjoy the lovely days and beautiful views. There are plenty of museums and theatres to enjoy too, including a privately-owned Fabergé Museum. If you wish you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage which will carry you on a ride through the city.
There are two castles in Baden Baden the first is Hohenbaden Castle built in 1102, known as Altes Schloss (Old Castle). Neues Schloss (New Castle) is a private castle built in the 15th century which is now being transformed into a luxury hotel. The famous Royal Casino is another must visit. When you enter you will find yourself in a crystal chandelier palace.
Baden Baden’s beauty captured my heart with its fountains and the changing of the leaves in the fall. It is my favourite city in Germany. I will return one day to explore more of this beautiful storybook city.
Unspoilt Augsburg
Maria & Rui from Two Find a Way
Augsburg is a beautiful university town and the third largest city in Bavaria, Germany. Even though this town is part of the famous Romantic Road, it is still very much unspoilt by excessive tourism. We stayed in the city to visit family living there, but we instantly fell in love. Famous as the home of two very influential families, there’s no shortage of palaces to appreciate, but overall the city’s architecture is the perfect mix of quaint, simple and colorful. The medieval canals across the city, reminders of its history, only add to the charm of Augsburg! There is also a surprising amount of things to do! Besides the center’s most famous attractions, such as the Town Hall and the Fuggerei, there’s also a beautiful Botanical Garden (with the most beautiful Japanese Garden we’ve seen in Europe). We also loved the Eiskanal, a small canal where you can swim and relax in the Summer, and an actual forest, the Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park, perfect for a long bike ride and an picnic afterwards.
Cultural Schwetzingen
Chrissy from Travel Passionate
Germany is full of amazing cities to visit but Schwetzingen is by far one of the richest when it comes to culture, nature, and traditions. The best place to visit while you are in this town is the Schwetzingen Palace, which is famous for its wonderful gardens. These gardens and the design of the place are older than 650 years and their beauty managed to win the battle with time so tourists can enjoy them today as well. Schwetzingen Palace was built in 1350 and reached its best times in 1724-1799, under Elector Carl Theodor. Also, this town is known as the Asparagus town. This amazing vegetable was first grown in Schwetzingen in the 17thcentury and it was reserved only for the members of the royal family. Every year from April until 24th of June when it is St John’s day, restaurants offer special dishes based on asparagus. And last but not least, Schwetzingen will surprise you with a beautiful opera festival that takes place every year from May to June.
