Inaugurated in 1880, Frankfurt’s Old Opera House (Alte Oper) was among Germany’s elite opera houses during its 20th-century heyday. Left in ruins after WWII, it finally reopened in 1981 and is now one of the city’s leading concert venues, hosting around 300 classical and popular music events throughout the year.
One of Germany’s grandest and most important cathedrals, Frankfurter Dom dates back to the 13th century and dominates the city’s skyline. The landmark was once where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned and today exhibits several major artworks, including the Lamentation of Christ by Antonius van Dyck and Job by Emil Schumacher.
The Outer Alster Lake (Aussenalster) is the larger of Hamburg’s two lakes, stretching to almost 400 acres (162 hectares) in size, although never more than 8 feet (2.5 meters) deep. Equally popular with tourists and locals, it provides a welcome place of calm and tranquility against the urban backdrop of the busy city.
Walk to Hamburg’s Deichstrasse from the harbor, and—in just a few blocks—you trade a modern world of glass for a sea of half-timbered houses. Deichstrasse is the oldest street in the city, dating to 1304. Though heavily restored in the 18th century, it still harkens back to another time, when Hamburg was a Hanseatic League port city, and Brahms wandered the ‘hood.
This Frankfurt attraction is popular among literary pilgrims. It combines the Goethe House—the restored birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe—with a 14-gallery museum, which displays art and objects from Goethe’s era.
Opened by local chocolatier Hans Imhoff in 1993, theCologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) is devoted to Cologne’s chocolate-making history. This fun family attractions lets visitors peek behind the scenes of a working chocolate factory, learn about the farming of cacao beans, and sample delicious Lindt chocolate.
Commissioned by Chancellor Angela Merkel and opened in 2006, Berlin’s central railway station was built atop the former East German station as a symbol of a reunited Germany. The five-story work of glass and steel serves up to 350,000 passengers per day and is one of the most well-connected train stations in the country.
One of Germany’s most famous Renaissance artists, Albrecht Dürer lived in Nuremberg from 1471 to 1528. He created paintings, prints, etchings, and woodcuts, and now his idyllic half-timbered home is a museum. During a visit, it’s possible to see reproductions of Dürer’s work, and a workshop that showcases historical printing techniques.
Hamburg’s grandest promenade, Jungfernstieg is a top spot for sightseeing and stylish shopping. Located along the Inner Alster Lake (Binnenalster), its name is inspired by the days when families would take their unmarried daughters (“Jungfern”) to walk along the promenade in a coming-of-age tradition.
The last standing example of the BT-6 watch towers that stood guard over the Berlin Wall, the GDR Watch Tower was built in 1966 and used to survey the border between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Hidden away on a side street, close to the bustle of Potsdamer Platz, the tower is a somber reminder of Berlin’s recent history.
The Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper) is a historic opera company in Munich that dates back to 1653. It hosts around 400 events every year, with 600,000 spectators, and the main headquarters are at the National Theater Munich on Max-Joseph-Platz in central Munich. Visitors come to see ballet, concerts, music recitals, and operas.
Hamburg’s Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel, or officially St. Pauli Elbtunnel) runs under the Elbe River, connecting the St. Pauli jetties on the river’s north side to the Steinwerder in the Port of Hamburg. Comprising two separate tunnels for pedestrians and vehicles, it takes on-foot visitors on a very unique sort of stroll—underwater.
Düsseldorf blends historic appeal with avante-garde energy—and nowhere captures that spirit better than the city’s Old Town (Altstadt. Located on the Rhine, the small but perfectly formed district boasts remarkably preserved, medieval architecture. Owing to its many pubs and restaurants, it’s also known as “the longest bar in the world.”
Stretching along the Austrian border, the Bavarian Alps offer some of southern Germany’s most spectacular scenery. Think dizzying mountain roads circling vast lakes, forested peaks capped with fairy-tale castles, and picturesque medieval villages tucked away in alpine valleys.
Dominated by a high-tech structure shaped like a cooking pot, the BMW Museum is located at the company’s Munich headquarters near the even more futuristic BMW Welt brand home. Inside you can find motorcycles and cars ranging from a retro 1928 jalopy through to “art cars” kitted out by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, and take a deep dive into a story that dates back to 1916.
Leipzig's St. Thomas Church, dating back to the 15th century, is known for its musical history. As the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as its music director, the church attracts admirers of his work. It’s also home to the St. Thomas Boys' Choir, established in 1212 and one of Germany's oldest and most renowned boys' choirs.
Located on an island on southern Germany’s Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee New Palace was commissioned in the late 19th-century by Bavarian king, Ludwig II. Designed to echo Versailles and pay homage to Louis XIV, the palace is one of the most lavish royal buildings in Germany.
Once the division point between East and West Berlin, Mauerpark is now a large urban green space in the heart of the city. Literally translated, Mauerpark means “Wall Park,” as it was once where the Berlin Wall and its death strip divided the city. Tourists and locals gather in the park for many events and activities, particularly on Sundays.
Heidelberg’s charming Market Square (Marktplatz) is the epicenter of the Old Town. Dotted with key landmarks, you can see the Hercules Fountain at its center, which dates back to the early 1700s, the Church of the Holy Spirit to the west, and the Town Hall to the east. It hosts a weekly food market and a fantastic annual Christmas market.
A pulsating hub for the city’s art scene, pretty Prenzlauer Berg is a neighborhood in central Berlin just west of Mitte. Compared with other areas of the city, this former East Berlin district was relatively spared during the World War II bombings, and as a result, over 300 buildings have been preserved and protected as historic monuments.
In the Beatles’ early days, they slept in meager conditions in Hamburg’s St. Pauli neighborhood, playing clubs like the Kaiserkeller. Today, visitors will find the Beatles-Platz, or Beatles Square, just steps away from their old stomping grounds—a circular landmark, like a vinyl record, stands below five statues depicting the Fab Four.
Munich's Old Pinakothek, or Alte Pinakothek, is an illustrious art museum displaying more than 800 works by European painters, dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Seek out the gallery specifically designed to showcase The Last Judgement by Peter Paul Rubens.
Stretching along the west bank of the Rhine River and presided over by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town (Altstadt) is both the navigational and historical heart of Cologne. With its colorful old buildings, beautiful Romanesque churches, and scenic riverside promenades, it’s an obvious starting point for any exploration of the city.
The Gothic Holsten Gate once protected Lübeck from enemy attacks; today, its slightly wonky red-bricked twin towers provide the city with a symbolic landmark that everyone wants to see. To go beyond the photo op, you can step inside to visit the Holstentor Museum, featuring exhibitions about Lübeck’s trade history and the medieval Hanseatic League.
Standing proud on the western edge of Frankfurt’s central Römerberg square, Frankfurt City Hall (Romer) is both the city’s administrative headquarters and one of its most memorable landmarks. Characterized by its pink three-peaked façade, stepped gables and domed bell tower; it’s a regal feat of medieval architecture.
St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) holds a special place in Leipzig's history. Built in the 12th century, the German city’s oldest church hosted weekly Prayers for Peace that spearheaded the Peaceful Revolution of 1989, and—in a nod to Leipzig’s classical music heritage—once appointed Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach as its musical director.
If you’ve ever wanted to see the Beatles, Angela Merkel, or Spiderman up close, here’s your chance—sort of. At Madame Tussauds Berlin, marvel at dozens of lifelike wax replicas of Hollywood celebrities, sports heroes, and more. Suitable for visitors of all ages, the museum makes an entertaining rainy-day destination.
The perfect gateway to the Black Forest National Park, Freiburg im Breisgau (also known as Freiburg) is a university city that dates back to 1120. The old town is a big draw, with its medieval charm and romantic cobblestone streets. Travelers flock to see the Gothic masterpiece of Freiburg Minster cathedral and nearby Munsterplatz square.
Go behind the scenes at Olympiapark in Munich, home to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. The vast complex is now an international events center, concert venue, recreational park, and sports venue. Thrill seekers may be interested in climbing to the roof of the stadium and abseiling on a zipline to the stadium lawn 130 feet (40 meters) below.
Home to the most complete collection of animal species anywhere in the world, the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium celebrates the diversity of the animal kingdom. You’ll find everything from giant pandas to hippos, jellyfish, and gorillas here. Famous residents include Knut the polar bear and Bao Bao the giant panda.
