Munich’s Paulaner Brewery (Paulaner Brauerei) dates back to 1634, when monks first started brewing beer on the Nockherberg hill by the River Isar. While commercial production has moved outside of the city, the small brewery still boasts a restaurant and beer garden, and hosts an annual beer festival.
A poignant tribute to all that was lost during World War II, the Missing House is a space between buildings where a house was destroyed by a bomb in February of 1945. The memorial, which includes metal plaques recalling the names of those who died here, pushes visitors to consider the needless devastation of war.
Following the Danube River for about 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers, the flat and easygoing Danube Cycle Path (Donauradweg in German is one of Europe’s top leisure cycling routes. The most popular stretch runs between Passau (Germany and Budapest (Hungary via Vienna (Austria and Bratislava (Slovakia.
SEA LIFE®Oberhausen is a family-friendly aquarium that is also home to the largest shark nursery in Germany. Visit a variety of animals, from otters to sharks to turtles, and learn about their habitats and behavior behavior with animal feedings and expert talks.
Home to over 850 animal species from around the world, Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig) is a leader in animal-welfare and -breeding programs. From jungle paths and treetop trails to river cruises and Germany’s largest indoor tropical rain forest, the sprawling zoo has something to entertain all ages.
Dusseldorf’s North Rhine-Westphalian State Parliament, aka the Landtag NRW, is a parliament building where many of the state’s democratic decisions are made. Serious stuff aside, most visitors come to see its clockwork-like architecture, where circles and curves abound. The contemporary exterior is best admired from up high; luckily, Dusseldorf’s premier viewing platform—the Rhine Tower—is next door.
Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall (Berliner Philharmonie) is the bright yellow, tent-shaped building in the center of the city. It is famous for its modernist design, world-renowned acoustics, and accomplished orchestra—one of the best in the world. The main concert hall seats 2,440 people for orchestra shows; the chamber music hall seats 1,180.
With its cobblestone lanes, half-timbered buildings, and historic taverns serving up Frankfurt’s beloved Apple Wine (Apfelwein); the old quarter of Sachsenhausen has no shortage of charm. Stretching along the south bank of the Main River, it’s an atmospheric spot for a walking tour and one of Frankfurt’s liveliest nightlife districts.
Set on the banks of the Rhine River in Düsseldorf, the Museum Kunstpalast unites classical and contemporary art under one roof. Old masters sit alongside modern thought-provokers, and while there’s an emphasis on German artists, there are works from around the world, too. Here, you’ll find everything from Rubens paintings to virtual reality installations to European glassware and more.
The New National Gallery is a modern art mecca that exhibits the work of innovative visionaries of the early 20th century—we’re talking Dali, Picasso, and Kandinsky. It's also a hot spot for architecture fans, as it was the last project Ludwig Mies van der Rohe worked on before he passed away.
Wertheim Village is an open-air outlet mall with over 100 retailers, designed to resemble a Bavarian village, complete with Tudor-style edifices. Here, you'll find a mix of German and global brands and plenty of restaurants and cafes.
Main Market (Hauptmarkt) is the vibrant heart of Trier's historic center, showcasing important landmarks such as the Fountain of St. Peter, the Steipe building, and a replica of the city's medieval stone cross (the original is in the City Museum). This lively square is surrounded by cafes, eateries, and shops, and hosts many festivals and events, and the Christmas market.
An indoor playground for families with younger LEGO®-obsessed kids, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Oberhausen lets you unleash your creativity with more than 4 million LEGO bricks. Smaller in scale than a full LEGOLAND, this center has several play areas, a 4D cinema, and a couple of rides for the youngest visitors.
With its fanciful pink façade and landscaped gardens stretching all the way to the banks of the Rhine River, Benrath Palace (Schloss Benrath) is one of the region’s most attractive Baroque palaces. Built in 1755, it’s just 20 minutes from downtown Dusseldorf, so a popular day-trip destination.
Universum Bremen is an expansive science museum featuring over 250 exhibits. There’s also a large outdoor area and a variety of entertaining and educational science shows suitable for all ages. The children's area features about 25 exhibits designed for kids ages 3 to 8.
The Gemälde Gallery, also known as the Picture Gallery, is home to one of the most significant collections of European paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The Berlin museum, which opened in 1998, houses more than 1,000 paintings and boasts numerous works by important artists including Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
Counting architectural wonders, a medieval castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site among its eclectic attractions, Darmstadt appeals to those willing to wander off the beaten track. Just a short hop from Frankfurt, the city is best known for its impressively preserved Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture.
Established in 1879, Hamburg’s Panoptikum, a wax museum, has roots long before worldwide media—wax replicas of famous artists and politicians helped many visitors put faces to names. Today, Germany’s oldest and largest wax museum rivals Madame Tussaud’s, romping through the centuries to the modern-day, from emperors and kings to Harry Potter and Madonna.
One of the largest castles overlooking Germany’s Moselle River, Cochem Castle (Reichsburg Cochem) boasts more than a millennium of history. Rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style in the 19th century after a period of ruin, the castle is a popular destination for history lovers and families, particularly during its medieval and Christmas festivals.
SEA LIFE®Speyer, on the banks of the Rhine River, is an aquarium offering an interactive, educational glimpse of life under the sea. Here you'll find thousands of creatures across hundreds of species, including colorful tropical fish, all living in recreated habitats.
The world’s largest indoor waterpark (and one of the largest buildings in the world), Germany’s Tropical Islands Resort offers beachy thrills just shy of virtual reality. In this spot the size of eight football fields, visitors will feel like they’re in the middle of a jungle-y, waterslide-filled Caribbean island—when they’re really an hour south of Berlin.
SEA LIFE Konstanz, on the shores of Lake Constance, is an educational, family-friendly aquarium featuring a variety of species, both native to the area and from further afield. Interact with the animals at the rock pool, learn about their behavior, and watch feedings.
High above the River Rhine in Germany’s Middle Rhine Valley, Marksburg Castle began life as a fortified 13th-century Romanesque tower. Later expanded into a hilltop fortress, it draws visitors for being the only undamaged medieval castle along this scenic stretch of the Rhine—making it one of its standout historical gems.
Spread out over 37,674 square feet (3,500 square meters), the Hannover location of the global SEA LIFE® chain of aquariums gives visitors the chance to learn all about life under the sea in our planet's tropical zones. Resident sea creatures live across 37 pools, with stingrays, piranhas, and all sorts of colorful fish among them.
The third-largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Constance (Bodensee) enjoys a unique setting that borders three countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The strikingly beautiful landscapes surrounding the lake take in some of the best of each, including Alpine foothills, meadows, and orchards.
Around a one-hour drive north of Munich, Ingolstadt Village is a designer outlet mall and paradise for shopping lovers—you can get up to 60 percent off regular retail prices. There are more than 100 stores in the complex, which is home to international brands such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, and Versace.
A city highlight since its debut in 1858, the Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 4,500 animals, comprising more than 450 species. Among the oldest public zoos in the world, the landmark is host to a range of habitat areas, including those dedicated to rhinos, giraffes, monkeys, big cats, and other animals from all over the world.
Home to Berlin’s Museum for Contemporary Art, the Hamburger Bahnhof is a top destination to see art created from the 1950s to the present day. The museum is part of Berlin’s Nationalgalerie and it displays work by innovative artists including Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, and Keith Haring. The museum gets its name from its former use as a train station.
As the birthplace of fairy-tale maestros the Brothers Grimm and the start of the German Fairy-Tale Road; Hanau is every bit the storybook town. With its half-timbered buildings, Baroque palaces and parks, and backdrop of forested hills—it’s easy to see where the Grimms’ sourced their inspiration.
Zoom to the top of Berlin’s Kollhoff Tower in Europe’s fastest elevator to reach the Panoramapunkt observation deck. At 328 feet (100 meters), Panorama Point offers some of the best views of the city and its landmarks. The 24th floor features an open-air exhibition with pictures and audio presenting the history of the famous Potsdamer Platz.
