When it comes to planning your trip to Germany, it is easy to feel overwhelmed as the country has many highlights that shouldn’t be missed. With its wonderful historical cities and charming small towns combined with enchanting forests and mountains, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few of our favourites to help you decide.
Lübeck
Located in northern Germany, Lübeck is the second largest city in Schleswig-Holstein and served as the capital of the Hanseatic League. Lübeck is the largest German port city within the Baltic Sea. The picturesque city is home to numerous 12-century historical buildings. From beautiful churches to medieval merchants’ homes combined with narrow alleyways and warehouses that are surprisingly well-reserved, the city has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Emperor Charles IV referred to Lübeck as one of the five “Glories of the Empire” back in 1375, a title that was only shared with icons like Venice, Rome, Pisa, and Florence. Don’t miss the city’s enchanting Old Town which truly represents the heart of Lübeck. It contains highlights like the Cathedral (Dom), St Mary’s Church (Marienkirche), St Aegidien’s Church (Aegidienkirche), and the Stiftshöfe (almshouses), among many others and countless museums to explore.
Cologne Cathedral
As the largest church in Germany dominating the city’s skyline since 1880, the Cologne Cathedral (Hohe Domkirche St. Peter and Maria) is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. The Cologne Cathedral was actually the third to be built in the area. The first was built in the fourth century and the second was completed in 818, but it burned down in 1248. Right on the banks of the Rhine River, the impressive scale of the Gothic cathedral along the river provides a breath-taking panoramic view. Don’t miss climbing the South Towers, witnessing the stained glass from the 12th and 13th centuries in the Three Kings Chapel, and entering the amazing Treasury.
The Black Forest
For adventure travellers and nature lovers, the beautiful Black Forest is exactly what they’re looking for. The Black Forest, as in cuckoo clocks, folklore, and fairy tale cottages, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the German countryside. This is where Hansel and Gretel met the wicked witch! It is also the setting for endless tales of the Grimm Brothers. Highlights include the Black Forest Spa Route in the northern region which connects a number of amazing spas surrounded by picturesque lakes and thick wooded ridges. Explore the mesmerizing Nagold River and the ancient towns of Bad Herrenalb and Hirsau. Right in the centre of the Black Forest you will encounter a series of interesting cuckoo clock shops and museums not to be missed. Also, the area around the Triberg Falls is renowned for its traditional pom-pom hats and mountain railways. That area is actually the highest in Germany. For hiking enthusiasts, the south of the Black Forest is the best option with the most dramatic scenery you’ll encounter in the country. There are two large glacial lakes there, the Titisee and the Schluchsee.
Berlin
Berlin is the vibrant historical capital of Germany and the largest in the country. There are more than 170 museums and galleries within the city that cover everything from old-master paintings, twentieth century art, contemporary art, and ancient Egypt to Bauhaus designs, natural history, Indian art, and Greek architecture. Museum Island is a must, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You could choose to attend the amazing Berlin Opera or the Philharmonic Orchestra for a unique experience. Take a stroll at the Tiergarten Park for a quiet enchanting afternoon.
By Amal Ahmed
