A Munich landmark, the Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady (Frauenkirche) features two 325-foot (99-meter) towers topped by spherical domes. According to local ordinance, no other building in the city may be taller than this, preserving the cathedral’s central position on the skyline of Bavaria’s capital.
At the height of the Cold War, socialist East Germany erected the Berlin Wall. This imposing barrier divided Berlin's eastern and western sides for nearly 30 years. In November 1989, as the fall of East Germany and communism in Europe began, the wall's demolition helped reunify Germany. Today, sections remain as reminders of the days when the country (and Berlin) was divided.
With its imposing Gothic facade and dramatic twin towers, the 13th-century Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the city’s most recognized landmark. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent cathedral is one of the most important in Germany and dominates the city skyline. Inside, you can gaze upon treasures such as the 4th-century St. Peter’s Staff and other priceless religious objects.
Located in Berlin’s Mitte district, the Gendarmenmarkt is arguably Berlin’s most magnificent public square, attracting a cluster of high-end restaurants and hotels, especially around Charlottenstrasse. Come wintertime, travelers come from all over Europe to shop at the square’s spectacular Christmas market and skate at the festive ice rink.
Bebelplatz, a public square and memorial site in Berlin, is famous for being the site of the first Nazi book-burning event in 1933. During that period, students affiliated with the Nazi Party ignited a bonfire that consumed 20,000 works deemed treasonous, including writings by prominent authors such as Bertolt Brecht, Karl Marx, and Thomas Mann.
Running from Brandenburg Gate to the River Spree and Museum Island, Unter den Linden is Berlin’s most famous boulevard. Bordered by linden trees for which it is named, it is lined with some of the city’s top sights, such as the State Opera House. Just strolling along under the trees is a popular activity in itself.
The imposing Berlin Cathedral dominates the eastern end of Unter den Linden and Museum Island. With its three copper-roofed domes and richly decorated interior with gilded decorations, Berliner Dom (as it’s called in German) is one of the few landmark buildings in the area that was not destroyed in World War II.
One of the largest urban parks in the world, the English Garden (Englischer Garten) is Munich’s most popular green space, boasting over 48 miles (78 kilometers) of walking and cycling trails. It offers plenty to explore, including a Japanese teahouse, a boating lake, and traditional beer gardens.
One of Berlin’s central meeting places, Alexanderplatz is full of attractions, buildings, restaurants, and shops. It’s a major hub for the U-bahn and S-bahn railway, buses, and trams, and houses the TV Tower (Fernsehturm), a famous Berlin landmark. The city center of East Berlin, Alexanderplatz also features a lot of socialist architecture.
Elaborately adorned rooms and royal art collections define the Munich Residence, the former royal palace of the Bavarian Monarch. This landmark is the largest city palace in Germany, containing museum displays spread across 130 rooms, including collections of porcelain, silver, antiquities, and paintings.
A symbol of a unified Germany, Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin was once a busy square with a major railway station. Second World War bombings completely destroyed it and then the Berlin Wall divided it, before being redeveloped into a thriving social and cultural hub.
Hamburg really capitalizes on its waterside location with the Speicherstadt, or Warehouse District. Not only will you marvel at the impressive red-brick architecture and canal network within the world’s largest warehouse complex, but several buildings have been converted into museums and attractions that bring the area’s rich history to life.
Situated in the heart of the Tiergarten, the Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule) is a 220-foot (67-meter) statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, in battle. Dating back to 1873, it honors Prussia winning the three Wars of Unification. You can climb up to the column’s viewing platform to soak up 360-degree views of Berlin.
Opened in 2017, the Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic) is a striking work of modern architecture on the banks of the Elbe River in Hamburg. Made with 1,096 individual glass panes, it houses two concert halls, as well as a hotel and residential apartments. The halls’ acoustics are considered among the best in the world.
One of Dresden’s most important historic landmarks—and renowned for its ornate baroque design—the Zwinger was built in 1719 as a place of regal recreation. Later, in 1855, the more austere Semperbau was added to the Zwinger complex. Today, both are home to art collections featuring works by the old masters, plus antiquities.
Occupying a commanding mountain perch above Berchtesgaden village, Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) is today a summertime chalet-restaurant; however, in its former life, it was a power symbol for Hitler’s Nazi regime. There is a small exhibition on-site, but those curious about its World War II history can stop at the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg, home to original underground bunkers and exhibits, or join a WWII-themed tour.
East Side Gallery is perhaps one of Berlin’s greatest displays of repurposing war remnants for the better. It uses nearly 1 mile (1.3 kilometers) of the old Berlin Wall as a canvas for commissioned pieces by artists from all over the world. The art is constantly changing and is a powerful symbol for tolerance, diversity, and urban art.
Located just north of Berlin, Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen was once one of the Nazi regime’s harshest prison camps. Today, Sachsenhausen is a memorial to those who lost their lives here, as well as a museum with a library, archive, and open-air exhibits to educate visitors.
Explore an alternative side of Hamburg with a visit to the Reeperbahn, a street in the red light district at the heart of the St. Pauli neighborhood. This pedestrian street is lined with bars, clubs, and sex shops, but more upmarket restaurants and theaters with family-friendly shows have also opened here in recent years.
Glimpse the lavish days of the aristocracy in 18th-century Prussia at Sanssouci Palace. Built for King Frederik the Great, the palace is a fine example of rococo opulence. Gilded ornaments and priceless antiques fill the interiors, while perfectly manicured grounds with fountains and follies, and even a vineyard, are outdoors.
A church dating back to the early 18th century, the Frauenkirche in Dresden was damaged during World War II bombings in 1945. After its dome collapsed, the ruins of the church were left as a war memorial. But after the reunification of Germany, the church was reconstructed and completed by 2005.
Bavaria has no shortage of storybook towns, but Oberammergau is up there with the best. Think tree-lined cobbled lanes and centuries-old buildings, adorned with traditional wood carvings and elaborate hand-painted frescoes—all set against the snow-capped peaks of the Bavarian Alps. But the town’s biggest claim to fame is its once-a-decade Passion Play, which tells the story of Jesus’ last days and has been performed by residents since the 17th century.
Explore a piece of Munich’s history with a visit to St. Peter’s Church or Peterskirche, a Roman Catholic church built in the 12th century. The building is known for its Gothic paintings, sculptures, and a ceiling fresco, plus panoramic views from its spire. Colored rings at the lower platform reveal details about the view from the spire; a white ring means the Alps are visible.
The unabashed highlight of Hamburg’s Old Town (Altstadt), the opulent Hamburg City Hall (Hamburger Rathaus) is recognizable by its soaring tower, coffered ceiling, and vast scale. The neo-Renaissance landmark on the edge of scenic Alster Lake dates back to 1897, and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Step into Berlin’s Nicholas district (Nikolaiviertel) for a look at what the city was like during the Middle Ages. Though many of the buildings were built after World War II, St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) remains the city’s oldest church, dating back to 1230. Today, the quaint area offers a break from the hustle and bustle of Berlin.
Humboldt University is one of Germany’s most prestigious seats of learning—and one of Berlin’s oldest. It was founded in 1810 by Wilhelm von Humboldt, an education reformer and linguist who introduced the idea of pairing teaching with research, a model that went on to influence universities all over the Western world.
The New Synagogue is a historic landmark that is the current home of the Centrum Judaicum Foundation, an institution dedicated to the preservation of Jewish heritage. Dating back to 1859, the building has a large dome and was the center of the Jewish community in Berlin by the 1930s. It was damaged severely during World War II bombings.
Whether it's daytime or nighttime, at Hackescher Markt the energy never wanes. During the day, it's a prime location for shopping; think trendy boutiques, artists' studios, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. It’s also awash with great restaurants, cafés, and regular farmers’ markets. For night owls, there’s an abundance of bars, clubs, and musical venues to discover nearby.
Built in the 17th century as a royal summer residence, Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) combines rococo and baroque decor and architecture, as well as a formal garden modeled after the Gardens of Versailles. Other highlights include a belvedere building showcasing German porcelain, a theater, a mausoleum of royal marble tombs, and regular evening concerts.
With its dramatic topography of tumbling canyons, table mountains, and untamed forests—spliced down the middle by the mighty Elbe River—Saxon Switzerland National Park (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz) is a wild playground for adventurers. Straddling the Germany–Czech Republic border, the vast park offers hiking and cycling trails and hundreds of rock climbing locations.
