With the North Sea and Baltic Sea coastlines, historic Hanseatic cities and modern juggernauts, and forested landscapes that descend to beaches, northern Germany certainly has much to offer today’s travelers. Things to do here run the gamut, from wandering through medieval city gates to racking up UNESCO World Heritage Sites to beachcombing in view of Denmark. From bustling Berlin to Hanseatic Hamburg to rollicking towns like Rostock, choosing where to land is a feat, to be sure. You won’t see it all, but you can try.
Northern Germany is a vast region, and there’s no “bad time” to visit, but summer—June through August—is undoubtedly the most popular as it comes with long days and warm weather. Of course, that also means crowds, so if you’d like better deals and fewer tourists, consider any other time. Spring and fall should still be warm-ish, but chilly winter has its own appeal: fabulous Christmas markets from Berlin to Rostock.
Germany’s rail network is astounding, and if you navigate the entire region, you’re in good hands. In and between larger cities, you’ll be spoiled for choice with high-speed rail; in small towns, bus services get you around and in between. There’s truly no reason to get a rental car unless you have your sights set on the rural countryside or driving down the world-famous Autobahn.
Northern Germany loves its coffee. Some locals will drink it four times a day, including after dinner. If you, too, are a constant coffee-craver, this is the place to get your caffeine on. Check out the 3rd-wave roasters in Berlin, wander into a cafe in Old Town Lubeck, and scope out the coffee culture roasting in Hamburg’s Sternschanze—you can’t go wrong.
