Germany attractions

Nicknamed “Cathedral Mountain” by locals, Mainz Cathedral is an imposing sight. Easily mistaken for a royal palace or a Disney castle, it’s a feast of eye-catching red sandstone topped with a bell tower and a trio of fairy-tale turrets. Inspired by Rome’s St Peter’s Cathedral, the landmark is an important center of worship and a historic monument.

The world’s oldest public housing complex is both a historic landmark and a fascinating example of a Catholic social housing system. Founded by the Fugger family in 1521, it’s home to around 150 residents, all of whom pay an annual rent of one Rhenish gulden (less than one euro) and three daily prayers.

The Nuremberg Palace of Justice is a historic landmark that’s famous for being the setting of the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi war criminals were prosecuted after World War II. Courtroom 600, where these trials took place, was a working courtroom until 2020, and you can visit this room, watch media installations, and see the Nuremberg Trials Memorial on the top floor.

The mountainside retreat of Obersalzberg—located above the town of Berchtesgaden on the Bavarian-Austrian Border—is famous for being Hitler’s mountain headquarters, where high-level Nazi Party meetings were held. Hitler’s mansion was called the Berghof, and he also owned the nearby Eagle’s Nest building, now a restaurant.

Delve into Frankfurt’s past at the Historisches Museum Frankfurt, an engaging museum dedicated to the history of the city. The complex holds two main permanent exhibits that explore Frankfurt’s evolution over the centuries and the contemporary city, depicted in a scale model designed by artist Herman Helle. Other highlights include the giant Snow Globe and the Staufer and Toll Tower, with unearthed remains of a medieval quay.

Second only to Disneyland Paris as Europe’s largest theme park, Germany’s Europa-Park is a wonderland of rides, shows, and attractions that will entertain the whole family. The park is inspired by iconic European destinations—visitors can zoom through the Alps on a roller-coaster, ride a London bus, see Iceland's Northern Lights, and meet the fairytale characters of Grimm’s Enchanted Forest.

Go for a stroll in Hamburg’s Old Town (Altstadt) to get a sense of the city’s history. See restored 18th-century homes along the Deichstrasse and charming old churches such as Saint Petri. The center of the Old Town is the Rathaus, or city hall, located on the old market square.

Also known as the Westphalia Stadium (Westfalenstadion), Signal Iduna Park is the home of the yellow-shirted soccer team Borussia Dortmund. A top-tier team in the German Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund has enough fans to command a huge stadium. With a capacity for more than 80,000 spectators, it's one of Europe’s biggest and a must-see for fans of the beautiful game.

The dark secrets of Obersalzberg, the sleepy alpine town that was transformed into a Nazi headquarters during World War II, are laid bare at the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg. The museum tells the stories of Adolf Hitler, the Nazi regime, and Obersalzberg before, during, and after World War II, as well as preserving a series of underground bunkers used by Hitler during the war.

The Würzburg Residence in Southern Germany is a masterpiece of baroque architecture that is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most impressive features of this attraction—born from the 18th-century ambition of prince-bishops and brought to life by Europe's finest artists—include a grand staircase by Balthasar Neumann and the expansive ceiling frescoes by the Venetian maestro Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

Berghain, a techno music mecca in Berlin’s Friedrichshain, is revered as one of the world’s most challenging nightclubs to enter. Housed in a former power plant, the club makes the most of its industrial steel and concrete architecture, which sets the stage for an unparalleled experience. As its infamous door policy attests, securing entry is tricky, but world-class techno awaits.

Castle views, a party atmosphere, and baroque saint statues are all features of Würzburg’s beloved main bridge. The pedestrianized crossing, best known as the Alte Mainbrücke, has linked the altstadt (old city) to the Marienberg Fortress hill for centuries, with its original 12th-century structure replaced in the 15th century. Today it’s a popular hangout to sip Franconian wine, against a River Main backdrop.

Located in the Bavarian town of Günzburg, LEGOLAND® Germany invites visitors to explore a colorful world divided into eight theme areas with more than 50 attractions, shows, and models constructed from over 50 million LEGO® bricks. Highlights of the theme park include LEGO MINILAND, populated by famous cityscapes in miniature, plus LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, the Hyundai LEGOLAND Driving School, the Jungle X-pedition flume ride, and Captain Nick's Splash Battle. Travelers will also find a LEGO factory, aquarium, and meet-and-greets with the park dragon Olli.

Sitting beneath the hilltop Heidelberg Castle along the southern bank of the Neckar River, Heidelberg Altstadt (Old Town) is a large and atmospheric cluster of narrow streets, beautiful architecture, and historic buildings. It’s the focal point of most travelers’ visits to Heidelberg and a charming place to stroll around before or after a visit to the castle.

First constructed in the 13th century and later rebuilt in 1823, Stolzenfels stands tall on a hill along the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley—showcasing its crenellated towers, drawbridge, and defensive walls. See Stolzenfels, one of many castles along the river, on a boat Rhine tour or explore its renovated interior and gardens.

The town of Bingen am Rhein serves as the southern gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The riverside town boasts heritage architecture and a history that dates back to Roman times. Bingen is also celebrated as a wine hub, and its surrounding slopes are populated by vineyards.

With its rich tapestry of Romanesque, medieval, and baroque architectural styles, the Cathedral of St. Peter is one of Trier’s most memorable landmarks. But it’s not only an architectural wonder. Germany’s oldest church—the original walls were constructed as early as AD 340—is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a renowned collection of sacred art.

A fabulous nature spot just outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lake Eibsee sits at the base of Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. This scene—the glacial lake is famous for its clear, teal waters and superb mountain backdrop—is one for the camera roll. Visitors can (and should) hike, paddle, or take the Zugspitze cable car to experience this wild German wonder.

Situated in the city once dubbed the worldwide capital of spies, the German Spy Museum Berlin explores the history of espionage. From Julius Caesar's ancient codes to today’s digital surveillance, interactive exhibits include the Enigma machine and laser mazes. Showcasing more than 1,000 artifacts, the museum provides an intriguing overview of espionage's evolution through time.

If you’re looking to explore the mountainous landscapes of the Bavarian Alps, Nationalpark Berchtesgaden is a good place to start. Sprawling over more than 80 square miles (200 square kilometers), Germany’s only alpine national park is a natural paradise of dense forests, verdant valleys, and alpine lakes set against the snow-capped skyline of the Alps.

Sony Center, situated in Berlin's bustling Potsdamer Platz, is an architectural landmark and cultural hot spot. Its distinctive glass and steel roof creates a stunning ambiance for dining, shopping, and entertainment, plus offers a great photo opportunity for architecture fans. From restaurants to hotel rooms, a LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, a cinema, and concert venues—it’s the ultimate one-stop shop for entertainment.

The picturesque Old Town of Regensburg dates back over 2,000 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled beside the Danube River. This medieval beauty is steeped in history, with more than 1,500 listed buildings. Sightseers flock to see the 12th-century Stone Bridge, the Gothic masterpiece of St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Old Town Hall.

Situated in the picturesque setting of Munich’s Old Town Hall since 1983, the Munich Toy Museum has a vast collection of vintage treasures. From model trains to Barbie dolls, teddy bears to tin toys—some pieces date back to the 1800s. Adults come for a nostalgic journey, while kids can enjoy an educational experience on toys of the past.

Palace Square is the lively heart of Stuttgart and the largest square in the city’s Mitte district. Once a military parade ground in the 18th century, it’s now a vibrant space filled with lawns, flower beds, and fountains. A popular meeting spot for locals and tourists alike, the square also draws visitors for open-air concerts, fairs, screenings, and cultural events, including the renowned Christmas markets.

Located in central Germany, the small city of Weimar is a cultural heavyweight. Associated with the German Enlightenment, the city was once home to luminaries like Goethe and Schiller; in the 20th century, the Bauhaus movement was established here. Today, Weimar boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites that reflect its legacy.

First settled in the 2nd century, Seligenstadt is one of Germany’s oldest towns, perched on the banks of the Main River. Just a half-hour from Frankfurt, but still often overlooked by tourists; it’s known for its Benedictine Abbey, medieval Old Town, and lively Carnival celebrations.

Dresden hosts several markets around the holidays, but the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, or Dresden Christmas Market, is the oldest and most popular, dating back to 1434. If you happen to be in the city in December, you can’t miss shopping, eating and drinking, and soaking in the atmosphere at the market. In fact, it’s worth planning a whole Germany trip around visiting.

A haunting reminder of the Cold War era, the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, formerly a Stasi prison, stands as a testament to the political persecution endured by thousands in the former East Germany. Once the main remand prison for those under investigation, it's now a museum that was founded by former inmates to give visitors insights into the tough realities of life under the Stasi.

In a restored locomotive roundhouse, Classic Remise Düsseldorf is the ultimate destination for vintage and classic cars. In addition to a wide range of vehicles from different makes and models, the center is home to dealers, garages, services, shops, restaurants, and event spaces.

Rothenburg Market Square is a historical and architectural hub in the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Dominated by a photogenic town hall, this vibrant square hosts markets, events, and traditional festivals throughout the year. Visitors from around the world flock to admire Renaissance architecture, soak up the fairytale atmosphere, and people-watch from cafés.