Germany attractions

For centuries, Rheinfels Castle was the region's largest, most important fortress. Now the imposing castle—one of many along the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley—is in ruins. The castle, located on a hill along the river’s left bank, dates back to the 13th century. Roam the grounds and learn its history at the on-site museum.

A rococo palace turned art and culture museum, Ephraim-Palais is as much an attraction for its striking building as for its exhibitions. Learn about the history of the palace, built in 1762 by Veitel Heine Ephraim, King Friedrich II’s court jeweler, and see one of the palace’s most striking features by climbing its grand spiral staircase.

Built in the 18th century, this famous cemetery originally served as a burial place for those with fewer means. Today it's known as the final resting place for many well-known artists and intellectuals, including Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Heinrich Mann.

Domäne Dahlem is an open-air museum and organic farm that tells the story of 800 years of agriculture in Berlin. This working farm offers interactive experiences such as animal feedings and traditional blacksmith workshops. You can also visit regular farmers' markets and a ceramics studio, and taste organic cuisine at the on-site food store and restaurant.

With nearly 25 miles (40 kilometers) of runs across four valleys, the Garmisch-Classic Ski Area offers incredible access to the Bavarian Alps. Skiers and boarders of all skill levels will find themselves careening on the slopes of three peaks, stopping for drinks at various mountain stations, and taking in some of Germany’s highest views.

One of Berlin's top World War II-centric museums and landmarks, the Ethnological Museum of Berlin exhibits more than 500,000 archaeological, art-historical, and ethnological artifacts spanning Asia, Africa, and Australia. Part of Berlin's State Museums, it beckons culture and art lovers interested in premodern relics.

The Museum of Decorative Arts is a treasure trove of fashion, furniture, and exquisite antiques. With one of Germany's oldest and most extensive collections of European decorative arts and crafts, it spans from the Middle Ages to the present day. Explore preserved 16th-century interiors and go on a fashion journey from baroque court attire to Christian Dior's haute couture.

The Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design(Bauhaus-Archiv Museum für Gestaltung) is both a museum and a research institute in Berlin. It is a non-profit organization that was established in 1960, and it is dedicated to the history and the after-effects of the most significant art school of the 20th century. The works found here represent many areas such as painting, sculpture, architecture, furniture, ceramics, metal, photography, stage and photographs from the original Bauhaus Workshop. The Bauhaus was founded as a state-run school by Walter Gropius, and the Bauhaus Workshop operated from 1919 to 1933. The aim of the Bauhaus Archive is "to collect and present all documents relating to the activities and cultural and intellectual heritage of the Bauhaus," which includes photographs, books, designs, models and artistic works, along with the organization of exhibitions and accompanying programs. Exhibitions in the museum include permanent collections as well as special temporary exhibits. Please note: The Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design is currently closed for renovation. The reopening is scheduled for 2022.

Discover the learning potential in play during a visit to the Kindermuseum MachMit, designed for children. This hands-on museum engages all of the senses through arts and crafts, special workshops, and interactive exhibits. It’s also a popular place for birthday parties and other events for kids.

Tierpark Berlin is Europe’s largest zoo and home to more than 9,000 animals from nearly 900 species. African penguins, polar bears, and Sumatran tigers, to name just a few, reside in the 400-acre (162-hectare) park. In addition to seeing animal feedings and shows, you can learn about the zoo’s important conservation efforts.

The Bröhan Museum proudly displays a large collection of art nouveau, art deco, and functionalism from the 1890s to 1939. Named after its founder Karl H. Bröhan, who donated his entire collection to Berlin on this 60th birthday, the museum’s exhibition spaces display vases, lamps, carpets, paintings, and a rich porcelain collection.

The Chamäleon Theater, a former ballroom with a storied history dating to 1906, is one of Berlin’s coolest performance venues. Located in the atmospheric Hackesche Höfe in the Mitte District, the Chamäleon is known for its cutting-edge modern productions, a mix of acrobatics, music, dance, comedy, and drama.

With a history dating back to the 12th century, Greifenstein Castle (Burg Greifenstein) is one of Germany’s oldest fortresses and is protected as a national landmark. Perched on a hilltop in the Dill Valley, the castle’s dark stone facade and twin towers can be seen for miles around, keeping watch over the forested slopes below.

The Art Library is one of the largest specialized libraries for art history and cultural studies in the world. Founded in 1867, it’s home to over 400,000 works including fine-art drawings, photos, posters, advertisements, and a book design collection. It’s also a research institute which aims to gain new perspectives on important themes in art. These interdisciplinary outlooks range from the history of the art trade to the rise and evolution of international art styles and movements to the shared origins of Western and non-European art.

Düppel Historic Village is an open-air museum in Berlin that recreates life in the Middle Ages. Situated on the site of an 800-year-old village, you can explore reconstructed homes, workshops, and granaries while watching demonstrations of medieval crafts such as blacksmithing. It’s also home to rare and endangered species such as the rare Skudden sheep and the Düppel grazing pig.

Public transit hubs are not often tourist destinations in their own right—but Bockenheimer Warte isn’t your average station. Famous for its surrealist entrance—designed to look like a tram car crashed straight into the pavement—the 1986 station is located west of Frankfurt’s city center and is a must-visit for design and architecture fans.

Plauen is located in Saxony in the eastern part of Germany, near the border of Bavaria and the Czech Republic. In the 1930s, Plauen hosted the first chapter of the Nazi Party outside of Bavaria, and about 75% of the city was destroyed during World War II. During the division of Germany, Plauen fell into East Germany. Some of the earliest and most significant peaceful demonstrations against the communist regime occurred here, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A top pick for a family day out, Mundenhof near Freiburg offers a winning combination of well-cared-for creatures, ample space for both animals and kids, and free admission. With large enclosures for mostly domestic and farm animals, the site feels more like a wildlife park than a zoo, though meerkats, monkeys, and a large aquarium add excitement to the atmosphere.

Most visitors know about Germany’s age-old fairy tales and toymaking legacy, but one of the country's best-kept local secrets is its homegrown history of marionette puppetry. The country’s most famous puppet theater is the Augsburger Puppenkiste or Augsburg Puppet Chest, which has entertained German children with its live performances and filmed TV shows since 1948.

The Berggruen Museum, named after famed art collector Heinz Berggruen, is one of Berlin’s most popular modern art galleries. Housed in a neoclassical building built by Friedrich Wilhelm IV to complement Charlottenburg Palace, the gallery features more than 200 pieces by artists such as Picasso, Klee, Cezanne, and Matisse.

What served as officer barracks during the Prussian era is now an art gallery housing the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection (Sammlung Scharf-Gerstenberg). The collection includes over 250 surrealist works by such artists as Max Ernst, René Magritte, and Salvador Dalí, as well as works by artists that influenced them, such as Francisco de Goya and Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

Housed in a striking neo-baroque building with showstopping modern neon blue lights, Berlin’s interactive Museum for Communication (Museum für Kommunikation) explores the history of all things communication. The museum honors the written, spoken, and visual word via wax seals, postcards, telephones, radios, computers, film, and more.

The decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall was a time of celebration, political reunification, and creative freedom for Berliners, and the Nineties Berlin: Multimedia Exhibition chronicles all the highlights. Immerse yourself in 90s-era Berlin, from street art and fashion to the infamous party scene at the museum.

The Berlin Gallery is dedicated to art created in the city since 1870 with a focus on photography and architecture. Since 2004, the museum has been housed in a modernist building featuring collections from the Dada Berlin, New Objectivity, and Eastern European avant-garde scenes, plus pieces from the Berlin Wall and reunification eras.

Considered the best-preserved medieval monastery north of the Alps, Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Comprising a mix of architectural styles—and home to an array of buildings, exhibition areas, and artworks and artifacts—it’s a popular stop for history and architecture buffs.

The Church of St. Severin is one of the most famous landmarks on the island of Sylt. Dating back to the 13th century, this Lutheran parish church displays Romanesque and Gothic architectural features such as a baptismal font that dates back 1,000 years and a 15th-century altar. Along with coming here for worship, visitors flock for the regular organ concerts.

Located within Berchtesgaden National Park, Lake Hintersee is considered one of the most picturesque highlights of southern Germany’s Bavarian Alps. Boasting crystal-clear water offset by soaring mountain peaks, this glacier-fed beauty spot is an ideal day-trip destination from Munich and Salzburg. A range of recreational opportunities are available in the area, from walking and hiking trails to seasonal boat rentals.

The Musical Instrument Museum in Berlin (Musikinstrumenten-Museum) is a haven for those interested in the history of music. It houses the largest collection of musical instruments in Germany, with more than 3,500 pieces from the 1500s to today. The museum is also a part of the State Institute for Music Research under the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.

Dominating Rothenburg's bustling Market Square, St. George’s Fountain is a Renaissance masterpiece. Built in 1608, the fountain offers grandeur and symbolism with its bronze statue of St. George defeating the dragon—and draws worldwide visitors. As Rothenburg's largest fountain, it's a great photo opportunity, and there’s a replica of it at EPCOT at the Walt Disney® World Resort in Orlando.

Grand arches and balconies are among the visual treats at the Granzig Hunting Lodge, but it’s the spiral iron staircase and tower lookout point that offer the real thrills. Visitors come to hike through the surrounding forest, soak up sweeping Rugen Island views, and discover the lodge’s history—from tales of Prussian princes to Nazi looting—in the museum.