When most people think of planning a trip to Germany, Berlin is generally the first place they think of to visit. It’s a cool city, full of hipsters, things to do, and is easy to get to by road, train or plane. But there are so many other cities and towns in Germany that aren’t as popular with tourists but are definitely worth checking out.
If you want to see a bit more of Germany that’s not Berlin, then read on to see some of the most amazing things there are on offer!
Hamburg
Hamburg is a really vibrant city that has a totally different vibe to the capital, Berlin. It’s a city with a big student population and a big personality. You don’t need to spend a huge amount of time here to get to see a lot of what’s on offer, but it’s certainly one to visit.
It’s located in the North of Germany and is right on the port, making it a great maritime city with simply stunning architecture. The Rathaus, or Town Hall, is absolutely beautiful, right in the middle of the city and beside the harbor.
There’s also a really vibrant nightlife in Hamburg, known as the St Paul district. There’s a night market on Wednesday evenings, where you can grab a beer and a bite while listening to some live music. Then, you can sample one of the many, many nightclubs in St Pauli, where the night never comes to an end. Stag weekends in Hamburg can be legendary, so the city is the perfect place for a Hamburg stag do!
Cologne
Cologne is thought of as one of the most picturesque cities in Germany, located along the River Rhine in the west of the country. The city itself dates back almost 2,000 years, and it is regarded as the cultural hub of Germany.
It’s famous for its towering High Gothic Cathedral, The Dom. The Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, because of its artistic value to the world. The cathedral dates back to 1248 when construction began. The Cathedral remained standing during WWII, despite its proximity to a main railway station and bridge, which were both damaged.
The city also has a fantastic local beer, that’s definitely worth tasting, called Kolsch. German beers are famous worldwide, and regional beer from Cologne is often highly regarded. After sampling the cultural sites, chill out with a beer and some bratwurst!
Dresden
On the other side of the country, Dresden is the capital of the Saxon region, so it has a different feel to the west. Eastern Germany was under Soviet rule until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, so there is much more of that kind of style of architecture in the city.
Some of the city’s buildings look blackened because, towards the end of the Second World War, the city was badly bombed by the Allied Forces. However, many of the buildings that were destroyed were then rebuilt using the original bricks. So there’s a lot of history contained in the walls!
The Zwinger Palace is also to be found in Dresden, which took its inspiration from the famous Palace of Versailles, outside Paris, France. The palace has a huge collection of art from around the world, including Raphael’s ‘Sistine Madonna’. The city is worth checking out if you like history and culture!
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the most international city in Germany and is the largest financial hub in Europe. While it’s generally used as a connecting hub for people traveling through and around Germany to other points of Europe, there is a lot to see and do in the city.
At Christmas time, there are amazing markets that are huge events where people come together in the town square to ice skate, listen to music and drink mulled wine. Year-round, there are things to do indoors and outdoors, including marveling at Romerberg: timber houses that have existed since the 1400s.
If you feel up to it, and you’re not afraid of heights, getting a bite to eat in Main Tower will give you a panoramic, birds-eye view of the city from the skyscraper! Frankfurt, once again, offers you a different ‘German’ experience to the other cities listed here.
Munich
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, and where you’ll come across a lot of what you’ll consider being ‘traditional’ German things. Oktoberfest began in Munich, and there is a historic beer hall, called the Hofbräuhaus, which opened in 1589. It’s right in the center of the city and is open year-round for you to get some traditional Bavarian bites and a stein of beer.
The Marienplatz is the main square in the city and home to many of the most popular tourist spots including the old town hall. Every hour, you can watch some tales from the 1500s be told during the glockenspiel show, which rings out across the square and gathers crowds.
The English Garden is a great spot to grab a beer, it’s a huge park in the center of the city and during the summer months gets big crowds of people looking to chill out. The Deutsches Museum is also well worth visiting, and you could easily spend a day wandering around learning about science, technology, history, and tradition. There is literally something for everyone in the Deutsches Museum.Of course, if you’re thinking of spending time in Europe, or traveling through a couple of different countries in Europe, you will most likely need a visa. There are both short term and long term visas for Germany, and what you’ll need will depend on your circumstances. To be sure, check the requirements, and if you’re looking to get a visa as soon as possible, then Favisbook Expedited Visa Appointments could save your skin! Just check out the appointments available in your area for the German consulate, book your slot and get ready for beer and bratwurst!
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