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Explore Germany by Region

Germany is made up of 16 federal states, or Bundesländer, each with its own personality, history, and standout attractions.

From the alpine villages of Bavaria to the artistic pulse of Berlin and the riverfront charm of Saxony, exploring Germany by region is one of the best ways to plan a memorable trip. These regional guides will help you find what fits your travel style.

Regions (Federal States) of Germany

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Baden-Württemberg in red.

Baden-Württemberg

It’s the birthplace of the automobile, home to world-class universities, and the gateway to the Black Forest... a place that inspired Grimm’s fairy tales. This state offers a compelling mix of spa towns, historic cities, lush wine regions, and quiet castles tucked into forested hills.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Brandenburg in red.

Brandenburg

Often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, Berlin, travelers who look beyond the capital will find a region rich in royal history, natural beauty, and peaceful escapes. As the former heart of Prussian power, Brandenburg is home to Potsdam, a city filled with UNESCO-listed palaces, landscaped gardens, and elegant architecture.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Bavaria in red.

Bavaria

Germany’s most iconic and most visited state, and for good reason. Picture-perfect villages, snow-capped Alps, fairytale castles, and a deeply rooted folk culture make it a must for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Berlin in red.

Berlin

Berlin isn’t just Germany’s capital; it’s a city-state with gravity. Defined by layers of history and a constant sense of reinvention, Berlin blends Cold War relics with cutting-edge galleries, sprawling parks with gritty street art, and somber memorials with boundary-pushing nightlife.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Hamburg in red.

Hamburg

Hamburg is both a city and a federal state. A compact powerhouse of culture, history, and maritime energy. It’s Germany’s second-largest city and home to Europe’s third-largest port, giving it a distinctly international vibe.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Hessen in red.

Hesse

Hesse is often overlooked, and that's a mistake. While it may not have the alpine peaks of Bavaria or the buzz of Berlin, this central German state offers a unique mix of tradition and modernity. It’s home to Frankfurt, a major financial hub with a surprisingly charming Altstadt, and beyond the skyscrapers lie timber-framed towns, vineyards, and understated castles.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Lower Saxony in red.

Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony is one of Germany’s largest and most diverse federal states, stretching from the North Sea coast to the central highlands. This region guide covers everything travelers need to know including top cities, scenic countryside, cultural landmarks, and coastal highlights.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting North Rhine-Westphalia in red.

North Rhine-Westphalia

It may not be on every traveler’s bucket list, but NRW Germany’s most populated and one of its most dynamic states. Anchored by cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Bonn, NRW is a region of contrasts. Medieval cathedrals stand beside post-industrial art spaces, and Roman ruins hide in plain sight beneath busy urban squares.
Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Saxony in red.

Saxony

It might just be Germany’s most underrated region. Tucked in the country’s eastern corner, it’s home to cultural heavyweights like Dresden and Leipzig, historic trade routes, and some of Europe’s most striking baroque architecture. Known for its craftsmanship, musical legacy, and Christmas traditions, Saxony offers a quieter (but no less compelling) travel experience.

More Regions Coming Soon

We’re expanding our guides to include all 16 federal states. These regions are in the works and will be added soon:

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Bremen in red.

Bremen

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in red.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Rhineland-Palatinate in red.

Rhineland-Palatinate

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Saarland in red.

Saarland

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Saxony-Anhalt in red.

Saxony-Anhalt

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Schleswig-Holstein in red.

Schleswig-Holstein

Map of Germany's federal states highlighting Thuringia in red.

Thuringia

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Lydia standing in front of Neuschwanstein Castle on a sunny day in Bavaria, Germany.

Destinations

Germany is a land of striking contrasts, where futuristic cities and medieval towns exist side by side. Whether you're after a detailed city itinerary or just want to know what to do once you’ve arrived, you'll find plenty of options to shape your trip.
Young child watching airplanes through the glass at a German airport departure gate.

Plan Your Trip

This page pulls together the practical stuff; packing tips, key phrases, and travel mistakes to avoid. Alongside this are themed guides for road trips, castles, museums, and more. Whether you’re into winter markets or summer hikes, it’s the same advice we give friends: skip the guesswork, focus on what actually matters to you, and build your trip from there.
Collage of landmarks from across Germany’s 16 federal states with text overlay reading “Germany’s 16 Federal States: Explore by Region.”Castles, cities, and countryside, all in one place.

 Why Cultural Geography Matters

When I first started exploring Germany, I didn’t realize just how different one state could feel from the next. I thought I’d get a handle on things after Berlin and Bavaria. Big cities, big beers, job done. But the deeper I went, the more layered it all became.

Germany’s 16 federal states aren’t just lines on a map. Each one has its own rhythm, dialect, food traditions, and cultural quirks. You can go from half-timbered towns in Hesse to windmills and Hanseatic history in Lower Saxony, sometimes in the same afternoon. That’s what makes planning by region not only practical, but far more rewarding.

This isn’t built on guesswork or copy-paste listicles. It comes from real research, countless hours waiting for buses, feet on the ground, and a drive to help others experience the actual Germany. One region at a time.

Scenic view of an alpine meadow with a rustic wooden hut and mountain peaks in Bavaria, Germany.Bavaria: where fairy tale landscapes meet real-world hiking trails.

If I had to pick my favorite one, I'd have to go with Bavaria. But that's only down to my personal obsession to being surrounded by mountains I don't mind getting lost in. 

And therein lies the theme to this page: personal taste. Whatever draws you in, I guarantee there's a region to suit.

Read more about Bavaria >

Cheers!

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Eran Fulson

Traveler • Writer • Explorer of Historic Streets & Hidden Gems

Eran is a first-generation Canadian with German roots now living in Wales. For over 15 years, he’s traveled across North America and Europe, road-tripping through cities, coastlines, and mountain landscapes. He combines his multicultural background with a keen attention to detail to bring Germany to life for curious travelers. Eran’s writing is rooted in firsthand experience helping you uncover Germany's hidden gems, local traditions, and meaningful cultural experiences beyond the typical tourist trail.

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Eran Fulson

Thanks for checking out this website and all the travel ideas. I hope you’ve found something wunderbar to explore!

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