Tourist Attractions in Germany

Germany is one of the most popular destinations on the European continent.  Modern cities and historic architecture blend to draw visitors from all over the world. 

Large metropolitan areas are filled with culture and nightlife while small mountain towns transport tourists back in time with cobblestone streets and magnificent castles.  And with natural beauty stretching from the North Sea to the Black Forest, there is much to do and see.

Sightseeing attractions in Germany

German culture is defined by the major cities within its smaller states.  Each has its own traditions and history,

allowing tourists an excellent opportunity to focus on an aspect particular to that region or experience something more reminiscent of the whole.  If you’d like to spend some time in more than one area, consider a cruise down the Rhine, Elbe or Danube Rivers.  All of them flow through several of Germany’s prominent urban centers. 

There are attractions and beautiful sites throughout the countryside, including The Valley of the Castles along the Mosel River in western Germany.  Below are the most-visited of Germany’s cities:

Berlin

The capital of Germany and its largest city, Berlin is overflowing with attractions and, having been settled for almost seven centuries, it’s easy to see why.  Though known for its history – many visitors stop at the former site of the Berlin Wall – it is a thriving center for contemporary arts and nightlife amid some of the finest architecture and museums in the world.  In the midst of this eclectic cit, Hackescher Markt, a well-known center of high fashion, attracts shoppers and artists from all over.

Frankfurt

Officially known as Frankfurt am Main, this city is the largest financial center in Europe.  The bustling metropolis has some of the tallest skyscrapers on the continent, with Commerzbank Tower being the highest of them all.  Despite all its modern construction, it has some of the best museums and classic architecture in the Hesse region centered around the Schaumainkai, a street in the old city center surrounded by 15 museums.  Those looking for a good dance club will find a variety of techno clubs, as the music finds its roots in Frankfurt.

Munich

In the south of Germany, Munich is known as the country’s beer capital owing to its world famous Oktoberfest.  Though it has become a modern center of publishing and banking, the city holds more to its historic roots than others.  The state-of-the-art headquarters of carmaker BMW and the surrounding high-rises stand out in the northern quarter as a far cry from the gorgeous gothic churches and castles in Old Town.  On top of that, Munich is considered to have some of the foremost city parks in Europe, with the Englischer Garden being largest.

Hamburg

Much like Munich in the South, Hamburg is a city known for its historic architecture.  In fact, the skyline is dominated by the spires of its main churches, including St. Nikolai Kirche, the tallest building in the world when it was completed in the 19th century.  The focus on the arts has led the Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra become one of the finest companies in Europe.  Some visitors head to the Speicherstadt area, a collection of old warehouses being redeveloped to include shops, hotels and offices as part of a larger project called HafenCity.