The 67 Most Beautiful Towns in Germany

Braunschweig, the land of iconic ruler Henry the Lion, is rather unsung but is nonetheless bathed in historic atmosphere. The 12th-century imperial castle of Dankwarderode, is the top attraction in town, and is worth a visit for its elegant architecture and interesting museum. The Residence Palace, crowned by the massive silicon-bronze Quadriga, is not to be missed either. The 12th-century old town, the heart of Braunschweig, still beats in a medieval rhythm. A stroll through this part of town will take you past stunning architectural specimens from various eras. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Goslar is a gem of a town in Germany’s Harz Mountains. As Goslar is steeped in a rich history of mining, the most popular activity in town is to explore the Unesco-listed Rammelsburg Mine, which was in operation for 1,000 years before it closed in 1988. Goslar old town, also a Unesco site, is deemed to be among the most well-preserved medieval town centers in the world. The romantic cobbled lanes of the old town meander past 1,500 half-timbered houses that date back centuries. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Hildesheim is a place that will pull on the heartstrings of history and architecture enthusiasts. The two most famous landmarks in town, Mariendom and St. Michael’s Church, are both Unesco sites. They are not only examples of medieval architectural genius but also specimens of substantial historical importance. Don’t forget to check out the miraculous 1,200-year-old rose bush clinging to the façade of Mariendom. Natural history aficionados can get their fill of culture at Roemer-Pelizaeus Museum, a museum of Egyptian and Peruvian art, German history, ethnology, etymology and archeology. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The 1,000-year-old town of Celle, by the River Eller, practically stands as a living contradiction to the busy, fast-changing modern world. In Celle, the pace of life is unhurried and changes even slower. When in town, linger over your coffee, stroll the beautiful old town, take your time to soak up the medieval atmosphere and perhaps mingle with friendly locals. If you want to fit in some sightseeing, the ducal castle, Kunstmuseum, Filmtier Park and Bomann Museum will keep you busy. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Göttingen is another great choice if you wish to slow down and experience the true essence of a quintessential German medieval town rather than tick tourist spots off a list. The university town of Göttingen has an impressive historic square guarded by stunning architecture. If you wish to break away from the brick and concrete, simply head over to the solitary beach of Leine River or the flourishing University Botanical Gardens. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

How about walking the steps of dukes, counts and grand dukes in the former royal seat of Lower Saxony, Oldenburg? While the five-towered Lamberti-Kirche and Degodehaus might appeal to your love of architecture, a series of great museums like Horst-Janssen-Museum, State Museum for Art and Cultural History, Augusteum, Stadtmuseum and Landesmuseum für Natur und Mensch take care of your culture fix. For an awesome, rejuvenating experience, you might consider making a trip to the health resort of Bad Zwischenahn just outside Oldenburg. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Trace the footsteps of the iconic Pied Piper at Hamelin. Yes, the town, or for that matter, the story of the Pied Piper, were not mere products of the Brothers Grimm’s imagination but were inspired by real events. Locals would be only too happy to share with you legends that seem to indicate that one fateful day many centuries ago, all the children of the town did disappear. All over town, you will find tributes to the beloved fairy tale in the form of souvenirs, sculptures, graphics and even themed edibles. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The port city of Wismar enjoys a somewhat shy existence on the Baltic Sea coast. The town’s outstanding medieval architecture has earned it the status of a Unesco World Heritage Site. Wismar is a small, easy-to-navigate town, and a day is plenty to tour its most significant landmarks and sample the town’s delicious local cuisine. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The stately Ludwigslust Palace is reason enough to make a trip to the small eponymous town around 25 miles (40 km) from Schwerin. This brick palace exhibits a combination of Baroque and classical styles of architecture, with certain delightfully unusual elements, including papier mâché wall and ceiling decorations. On a guided tour of the lavish interior of the palace, you can take in dazzling golden decorations, priceless artworks, a ducal clock collection and luxurious 18th century furniture. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The medieval spa town of Waren is a stellar base for exploring the amazing bio-diversity of Müritz National Park – known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’. The ideal point to start off your tour of Waren and the national park is Müritzeum, a multimedia museum where you can learn all about the flora and fauna of the region and also see native sea creatures. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Binz is a high-end seaside resort in the Rügen Islands, dotted with luxury hotels that have still held on to their old-school luxury. Binz’s sparkling blue water and soft, sandy beaches as far as the eyes can see, are best enjoyed from one of the cute wicker beach chairs. Moreover, Binz has a number of wonderful buildings, especially Jagdschloss Granitz (Granitz Hunting Lodge) and the Wolgasthäuser. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Speyer is one of the oldest cities in Germany, its foundation dating back to the 10th century. The city is known for its impressive architecture, the most famous among which are the 11th century red sandstone Speyer Cathedral, celebrated Baroque architecture of Trinity Church, the 13th century Old City Gate offering panoramic views of the city and the neo-Gothic Memorial Church. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Bingen is the hometown of Saint Hildegard, who was a Benedictine abbess. She is known for being the founder of scientific natural history in Germany. Bingen is a picture-perfect town by the River Rhine. It is also an especially attractive spot for wine connoisseurs as it holds the 11-day long famous Wine Festival in Autumn and numerous taverns and wineries across town host wine-tasting sessions all through the year. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The picturesque town of Bernkastel-Kues is yet another piece of heaven for wine lovers. The Mosel Wein Museum not only educates visitors about the century-old history of Moselle vineyards, but also offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample up to 160 varieties of wine! This dazzling green town with a beautiful river promenade equally appeals to nature lovers. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Possibly the most romantic town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Bacharach steals hearts with its historic architecture, including the 12th century fortified Burg Stahleck, ruins of the Gothic structure of Wernerkapelle, the oldest structure in town, the 14th century Altes Haus, the Romanesque church of St. Peter’s, and more. Make the effort to climb to the top of the Postenturm, and we guarantee a view you will not easily forget. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

St. Goar is home to the largest and perhaps the most romantic castle in the Rhine Castle stretch, Rheinfels Castle. It faces another picture-book castle called Castle Katz on the opposite bank of the river at St. Goarhausen. When in town, you can’t miss the Loreley Rock, shrouded in legends and myths, as well as the largest free-hanging cuckoo clock in the world. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The riverside town of Trabel-Trarbach is another gem in the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This little riverside town has a series of historically-significant architecture, including the ruins of the 14th century Gravenburg Castle, the massive French Mont Royal Fort and the imposing Brückentor (city gate), among others. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Boppard is a quintessential medieval German town, with a beautifully-preserved town center and views of the river valley and endless vineyards. A favorite activity among travelers in this town is the hike or chairlift up to Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View), from where the Rhine River appears to be four separate lakes. This is also one of the richest wine producing regions in the Moselle, so wine lovers are in luck. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The romantic town of Limburg an der Lahn grew around the 7th-century Limburg Castle. The town is known for its impeccably-maintained old town lined with half-timbered houses ranging from 13th to 17th centuries, including the oldest free-standing house in Germany. The Romanesque architecture of St. George Cathedral is also a significant sight. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Marburg is, quite literally, a fairy-tale town. The Brothers Grimm studied here from 1802-06, and were so enchanted by the town’s medieval flair, cobbled alleys, stunning architecture and lush countryside, that they weaved elements of this town in their famous fairy tales. Painter Otto Ubbelohde also drew inspiration from this town while working on his illustrations for the Grimm fairy tales. Marburg is an important stop in Germany’s Fairy Tale Route, and offers several fairy tale-themed tours to visitors. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Bad Homburg is yet another spa town that attracts visitors with its healing, curative hot springs. This posh, upscale town also has several noteworthy spots for architecture enthusiasts, including Kurhaus, Saalburg Roman Fortress, Russian Orthodox Church and Church of the Redeemer. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Hanau is the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, and the southernmost point of the iconic German Fairy Tale Route. The most significant sight in this town is the superb timber-framed Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus. Hessisches Puppen & Spielzeug Museum (Doll and Toy Museum) is a very popular family attraction. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The quintessential German medieval town of Gelnhausen is known for its Imperial Palace by the River Kinzig, built in the 12th century during the rule of Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa). Another important landmark of Gelnhausen is the Hexenturm (Witches Tower), remnant of the city’s 15th century fortifications, where suspected witches used to be imprisoned before being burned at the stake or drowned. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The baroque city of Fulda developed around a Benedictine monastery established in the year 744. Fulda has a lot of important architecture, including the 18th century royal palace, former residence of the Prince-Abbots, the neoclassical Orangerie and the ornate Fulda Cathedral. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The riverside city of Kassel woos visitors with its globally-reputed art exhibition, Documenta (that takes place once every five years), the fairy-tale Löwenburg Castle, Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe (a Unesco site), the 400-acre Karlsaue Park, and museums dedicated to the Brothers Grimm. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Darmstadt houses the famous Technical University and several aerospatial and engineering institutes, which earned it the title of ‘The City of Science’. Architecture enthusiasts are sure to be delighted by the sights of Darmstadt, especially the Russian Chapel, the ducal residence and the breathtaking architecture of the fairy-tale themed residential complex called Waldspirale. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

In the Cute Old Town department, there is not much in Germany that beats Quedlinburg. Equidistant between Hanover and Leipzig, the half-timbered houses have sagged with time – 1,200 years – but have not lost an ounce of their charm. Residents have not been shy with the paint can or the flower pot and the result is a place made for the camera, or a romantic weekend away. Recommended by Evelyn Smallwood.

The Eiffel region in the northwestern state of Nordrhein Westphalia is a bit like Tennessee or Kentucky – rural and extremely beautiful. Monschau is a small resort town 30km (18.6 miles) south of Aachen right on the Belgian border that looks as if it has been frozen in time. Visit the coffee roaster, the mustard mill and the one of the many fantastic bakery-cafés. Recommended by Evelyn Smallwood.

While most tourists make a stop at Rothenburg ob der Tauber along the Romantic Road, they sidestep Dinkelsbühl, located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) away. While there is no denying that Rothenburg is an achingly beautiful town, the truth is that Dinkelsbühl has all the charm of Rothenburg minus the crowds. The impeccably-preserved medieval fortifications of Dinkelsbühl protect over 800 years of history. Its romantic cobbled alleys lined by colorful houses and churches, and ancient walls punctuated by imposing towers, are any wanderer’s dream-come-true. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Wallerstein, another quaint town on the Romantic Road, is rather unsung but warrants a visit mainly for the spectacular views from the 65-meter (213-foot) high Wallerstein Castle Rock. Once you have feasted your eyes on a 360 degree panorama of the 15 million-year-old landscape, you might want to trace your steps down the rock to the Prince’s Brewery at its foothills. This brewery has been quenching the thirst of travelers since 1598 with delicious beers. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Bad Mergentheim is a rejuvenating spa town known for its therapeutic waters. Additionally, the town has a rich history that can be traced back to the pre-Roman times. The most famous landmark of Bad Mergentheim is the Deutschordensschloss, a medieval castle that was once home to Teutonic Knights. The castle is a magnificent ensemble of buildings built over 8 centuries starting in the 12th century. The main church of the town, Marienkirche, is known for its beautiful frescoes created by Rudolfus the Monk in 1300-10. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

While Landsberg on the Lech, in keeping with the theme of the route, is incredibly romantic and quaint, it has a dark history. In the outskirts of this town existed the largest concentration camp in Germany during the Nazi rule, where over 30,000 victims were imprisoned under inhuman conditions, resulting in the death of around 14,500 of them. The European Holocaust Memorial commemorates the victims of the darkest period of German history and educates visitors about the horrors of the Holocaust. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Weikersheim is a slip of a town along the Romantic Road that is very easy to miss. However, it is home to a magnificent landmark: Schloss Weikersheim, a grand Renaissance palace dating back to the 12th century, sitting in the midst of a beautiful Baroque garden. The palace offers tours of its lavish interiors. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Tauberbischofsheim marks the western end of the “liebliches Taubertal” (“the lovely Tauber Valley”) and its settlement history can be traced back to 3000 BC. While wandering the old town of Tauberbischofsheim, you are sure to feel that time has stood still here for centuries. The main landmark in town is the Kurmainzisches Schloss that houses the Tauber-Franconia Rural Museum. The beautiful Gothic Rathaus is not to be missed either. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

In Creglingen, you will find the world’s only thimble museum (Fingerhutmuseum) housing over 3,500 exhibits. Also worth a visit is the 14th century Herrgottskirche (the “Church of Our Lord”) that preserves one of the most precious altar carvings from the Middle Ages. This beautiful town, however, has a sombre past. In the 1930s, many Jews were murdered in this town. Today, you can visit their final resting place, the Jewish cemetery, right outside the town. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Nördlingen, the Diamond City, certainly deserves more footfall than it experiences. After all, its medieval fortifications and structures have millions of microscopic diamonds embedded in them! This was the result of the immensely-forceful impact of an asteroid over 15 million years ago. When you are in town, do visit Ries Crater Museum for a deeper understanding of this unique phenomenon and to browse artifacts of geological interest. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

To enjoy Germany’s iconic Black Forest in all its signature glory, book a stay at the climatic therapy resort of Titisee-Neustadt. Its selling points are sweeping vistas across the most spectacular lake in Black Forest – Titisee Lake – a multitude of water and winter sports, spas and a beautiful promenade. It also has a lively, albeit touristy, centre with great shopping and gastronomic options. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The town of Starnberg is a jewel of the ‘Five Lakes Country’ in Bavaria, and perches on the north edge of the magnificent Starnberg Lake. Other than being a great starting point for boat cruises across the lake, the town of Starnberg also promises idyllic walking trails, beer gardens and even a castle. Starnberg is an affluent and upmarket town, with beautiful villas, manicured gardens and super-clean roads. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The little health resort of Prien am Chiemsee with only around 10,000 inhabitants has become immensely popular among vacationers with its dreamy location in the gorgeous Lake Chiemsee, pure air and unbeatable views of the imposing Bavarian Alps. The most famous attraction of this region is the Herrenchiemsee Castle constructed by eccentric King Ludwig II. As an added bonus, visitors get to feast their eyes on intricate frescoes adorning the shops and houses of this town. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The town of Schönau sits in the lap of the majestic Berchtesgaden Alps, and hugs the shore of Lake Königsee, arguably the most beautiful lake in Germany. If you manage to tear your eyes from the surreal views that this town offers, you have the option of indulging in a huge number of winter and water sports. Understandably, a trip to Schönau is never complete without a leisurely boat cruise and a stop at the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The town of Herrsching, Upper Bavaria, is lapped by the crystal waters of Lake Ammersee. In Summer, tourists flock to this quaint town to indulge in water sports, enjoy boat cruises and bask in the sun at the longest lake-front promenade in Germany. Herrsching offers exciting hiking routes, appealing to more adventurous travellers. A popular excursion from this town is to Kloster Andechs, a picturesque and historic monastery nearby. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The unbelievably pretty town of Rottach Egern is hidden away deep in the Tegernsee Valley, by the Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria. It is made of several tiny hamlets or villages, and offers ample fresh air and gorgeous views to help travellers recuperate and rejuvenate. The more active visitors can try a range of winter and summer sports. This area is dotted with other smaller lakes and ringed by craggy mountain ranges, adding up to a setting befitting glossy coffee-table books. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

The town of Schluchsee adorns the shore of the eponymous lake of Schluchsee in the Black Forest, the largest lake in the region and the highest reservoir in Germany. The town is an excellent spot for enjoying some peace and quiet – stroll along the paved walkway around the lake, take a dip in the water or hit one of the many hiking trails around the lake. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.

Kochel is one of the few lakeside towns in Germany that are not overrun by tourists, so head there to enjoy some solitude before word gets out! This hamlet sits in Bad Tolz-Wolfratshausen, Bavaria, on the shores of Kochelsee. Kochel offers pristine views of the lake surrounded by rugged mountains and boat cruises. Recommended by Anwesha Ray.