Germany is a beautiful country in Western Europe full of calming landscapes, forests, rivers, and mountains. This lovely country has a long and rich history and it is quite a popular tourist attraction as well as a study destination for international students. Basically, the streets of Germany are full of beauty and diversity.

There are so many beautiful places to visit in Germany that one wouldn’t really know where to start. However, if you love cobblestone streets, picturesque towns and landscapes, pretty bridges, and lots of castles – Germany is definitely your go-to destination. The culture is lovely, the sights are marvelous, and tourists simply love Germany! So, let’s go through some of the most beautiful places to visit in Germany.

1. Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s capital as well as the country’s largest city. It is known to be a major center of politics and culture. Visiting Berlin, you will find a wonderful combination of both new and classic architecture. There are so many things to do in Berlin, and let alone the whole Germany. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is an 18th-century neoclassical monument. It is actually the city’s first neoclassical structure, built for King Frederick William II in 1791. It is 26 meters in height, with six columns on each side of the structure forming quite impressive passages; four of which were used for regular traffic while the center was reserved for the royal carriages. It is known as Berlin’s most unique structure. It was once part of the Berlin Wall and back then it was symbolic of the division of Berlin into East and West. Berlin’s Museum Island is located between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben and it includes many of the city’s oldest and most important museums.

2. Munich

Munich is a deeply unique metropolis situated deep in the German south. It’s the regional capital of the state of Bavaria and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. Munich is famous for its beautiful architecture, fine culture, and the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Munich’s Kunstareal, for example, has a large variety of art museums that one would be lost in wonder! The beautiful collections were assembled by the Wittelsbach monarchs who ruled Bavaria up until the 20th century.

3. Neuschwanstein Castle

Ludwig II, the great Bavarian king, has built a legacy in the rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. It has been named by many as the most breathtaking castle on the planet. Neuschwanstein Castle, with the beautiful exterior and interior, is said to have inspired Walt Disney as well as J.K. Rowling. This castle was created by King Ludwig II, who had a reputation for abiding in daydreams, in order to withdraw from public life.

4. Dresden

Before World War II, Dresden was called “the Florence on the Elbe”, it was also considered as one of the most beautiful cities due to its architecture and art treasures. Dresden is a city of music and operatic tradition, where Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner conducted and also operas by Richard Strauss premiered. Although it has been destroyed by World War II, this city looks like it hasn’t even been touched for centuries. And that’s all due to the elaborate reconstruction! Home to the Dresden State Theatre and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, this city enjoys visitors from all over the world!

5. Weimar

A city in central Germany, Weimar is known as the birthplace of Weimar Classicism, a humanistic cultural movement. Weimar is famous for the great number of geniuses who once visited or lived in Weimar. Statues of Goethe, effigies of Schiller, a place where Bach would have practiced and composed. It is all very breathtaking. The beauty, history, and a long list of great minds who once lived in this place. Tourists love to visit the city where Friedrich Nietzsche wrote and roamed in; and where Goethe lived and got inspired to create his art.

6. Oberwesel

A town worth the visit! The beautiful town on the Middle Rhine in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis in Rhineland-Palatinate is surely a sight to see. The beautiful architecture, the mesmerizing castles, and landscape – all make this town a beautiful destination. Oberwesel is also widely-known for its wine, sometimes served directly from the winery. It has a Celtic and Roman past, and people have been living in this town for a long time. Overall, Oberwesel’s attractions include the castle, landscapes, churches, and wine! A definite go-to!

7. Heidelberg

Heidelberg, situated on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany, is most famous for the venerable Heidelberg University founded in the 14th century, the romantic cityscapes, and forested hills. The Market Square, or Marktplatz, is located in the center of Heidelberg Old Town and it’s definitely worth visiting. Lined with restaurants and small shops, the Market Square is full of activity, especially during the market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. What should also be noted about Heidelberg is Karl Theodor Bridge, or the Old Bridge, which crosses the Neckar River in the northern part of the Old Town.

8. Leipzig

One of the things Leipzig is famous for is St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastain Bach was a music director from 1723 until his death in 1750. St. Nicholas Church, which was built in the 12th century and has been altered quite a lot over the centuries, is also a tourist attraction on Leipzig. Lately, this church has transformed its interior into the Neoclassical style in the 1700. Another place that makes Leipzig a wonderful tourist destination is the Museum of Fine Arts, which was founded in 1837, and is one of the most important national cultural institutions in Germany. This museum contains more than 3,500 paintings from the Middle Ages to this day.

9. Cologne

This 2,000-year-old city spans the Rhine River in western Germany and has been the region’s cultural hub for a long time now. The Cologne Cathedral, now a UNESCO site, is noted to be the most visited landmark in Germany with its 19th-century towers being some of the tallest structures in the city. The tiered-arch Hohenzollern bridge is located between the cathedral and KölnTriangle, and it dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. It is a beautiful tourist destination being restricted to just rail and pedestrian traffic after it was rebuilt after the war. This bridge is also known to couples as a symbol of permanence where they can “lock” their love by attaching a padlock to the grating of the bridge and throwing the key into the river.

10. Nuremberg

The historic city of Nuremberg was once the epicentre of the Holy Roman Empire. Once one of the hubs of Nazi Germany and center of anti-Semitic propaganda, this destination is now fully equipped with tourists aiming to explore the castles, museums, churches, zoos, and city walls. It is truly a city worth the visit. One can’t help but stare in awe at its architecture. One of the wonders of medieval Nuremberg, however, is the 19-metre Gothic Fountain, situated on the edge of the main market square. Built in 1385-1396, this fountain is the work of Heinrich Beheim.

11. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, located in northern Bavaria, is a German town known for its medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, lamp-posts and whatnot. One of the things you should do, however, is take a walk around the Old Town Walls, where you will get to see a great number of gatehouses and towers, dating back centuries ago, such as the Spitaltor, a massive gatehouse built in the 1500. The Little Square, Plönlein, in Rothenburg might just be one of the most picturesque places in Germany, and it looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale.

12. The Black Forest

The Black Forest dominates the south-western corner of Germany. It has dark and densely-wooded hills and that’s where it got its name. It is a beautiful forest that spans along a 100-mile stretch of Germany’s border with France. With lovely hiking trails, perfect for outdoor experience, this destination is both charming and relaxing. The scenic lakes, pine forests, being the home of the classic cuckoo clock, and setting of many Grimm fairy tales, this destination is definitely worth visiting.

13. Bamberg

Located in southern Germany in the north of Bavaria, Bamberg is a central European town with many surviving ecclasiastical and secular buildings of the medieval period. When the Duke of Bavaria, Henry II, became King of Germany in 1007, he made Bamberg the “seat of bishopric”, intended to become a “second Rome”. Starting from the 12th century, the architecture of this town influenced northern Germany and Hungary. Famous philosophers and writers like Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and E.T.A. Hoffmann lived in Bamberg.

14. The Mosel Valley

The Mosel Valley is located near Germany’s western border and it is home to several villages such as Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, Zell, and Hatzenport. The medieval architecture, the rich history, the cobblestone villages and timber houses make the Mosel Valley a super unique destination. Many of the old houses in some of these villages were built more than 400 years ago. There are also several castles in the Mosel Valley, with Reichsburg Cochem and Burg Eltz being among the most popular. Reichsburg Cochem was built in the 12th century, destroyed by war, and remained like that until it was reconstructed into a Gothic Revival style. The Burg Eltz Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Germany and it’s one of the castles that was never destroyed.

15. Görlitz

Just like most cities and towns in Germany, Görlitz is also quite famous for its architecture and unique buildings. However, no town is the same and each of them are special in their way. So, why visit Görlitz? Well, first of all, the magnificent houses and streets that simply keep you staring are what make Görlitz so superb. Afterwards, for movie lovers, this little town has been the backdrop to many national and international film productions, such as Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” or Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. All in all, this is a well-preserved old town worthy of being explored.

16. Rügen Island

Rügen Island is located in the Baltic Sea and it is the largest island in Germany, connected to the mainland by the Rügen Bridge and Rügen Causeway. Visiting this island you will get to see charming villas, lovely beaches, as well as romantic seaside resorts. However, one of the most important attractions is Jasmund National Park, famous for the great chalk cliffs, standing out from the blue of the Baltic Sea and being framed by the green of the beech forests into a picturesque sight.

17. Insel Mainau: The Flower Island

Insel Mainau, also known as the flower island, is located on Lake Constance in Germany. During springtime, thousands of flowers begin to bloom, such as tulips, rhododendrons, roses, and a great number of exotic plants, making this place simply a marvelous sight to visit. Insel Mainau, out of all islands on Lake Constance, is one of the most famous. Thousands of people visit this island every year and they are always amazed at the beauty it carries; because being surrounded by flowers, trees, and nature is truly relaxing!

18. Lübeck

Lübeck’s medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It lies on an island surrounded by the Trave River. You can see historical ships as they lie in port alongside many traditional sailing vessels. The Holsten Gate is Lübeck’s main landmark, it was even stamped on the two-euro coins in the year 2006. Seafood dishes, marzipan, and the lovely alleyways and courtyards are only some of the impressive characteristics of Lübeck.

In addition, at the age of 22, the famous novelist and Nobel Prize laureate, Thomas Mann, wrote “Buddenbrooks”. The novel was about the rise and fall of a Lübeck merchant’s family. Now, the Buddenbrookhaus Museum in Lübeck is devoted to Mann and it is furnished as a setting for his novel.