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Cities to Visit in Germany: Medieval Towns, Cultural Hubs & Hidden Gems

Germany’s best cities come in all flavors: postcard-pretty towns, buzzing cultural centers, or riverside hideaways. Here you’ll find our most popular guides (some famous, some underrated), all worth your time. Click through for in-depth travel guides and photo galleries.

Featured City Guides

Wide-angle view of Berlin’s Museum Island with the Berlin Cathedral, Humboldt Forum, and TV Tower beneath a dramatic sky

3-Day Berlin Itinerary

Thinking about how to explore the vibrant world of Berlin? There’s so much to see and do that I’ve included two 3 day Berlin itineraries.
Collage of iconic Berlin landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and city skyline

Berlin

Berlin is a city filled with more history than its famed jam-filled donut. In this guide, you'll find my personal list of can't-miss sights and the wonderfully unique things to do. I'll highlight Berlin's most popular museums, poignant memorials, and trendy districts you can't miss.
Aerial view of Cochem Castle perched above the Moselle River with vineyards and village below

Cochem

Nestled in the Mosel Valley and away from the hustle of Cologne and Frankfurt lies one of Germany’s most gorgeous towns: Cochem. Situated in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Cochem is surrounded by nationally envied vineyards and largely considered to be one of the prettiest villages along the Mosel.
Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge lit up at night with reflections shimmering on the Rhine River

Cologne

Best known for winding its way through centuries-old forests and fairytale valleys, the banks of the Rhine River also lay claim to Germany's fourth-largest city. As much as the size of the city in addition to the culture within, things to do in Cologne are therefore quite abundant.
Dresden skyline at golden hour with baroque buildings and Elbe River cruise boats in the foreground

Dresden

Steeped in culture, there are plenty of attractions to see in Dresden. German and Slavic traditions inundate this picturesque city, while streets filled with Baroque architecture look like snapshots from a postcard.
Skyline of Frankfurt at sunset with the Main River, bridges, and modern skyscrapers reflecting in the water

Frankfurt

Frankfurt humbly rubs shoulders with the likes of New York and London for cosmopolitan city status. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. Rather, it feels like meeting an old friend and picking up where you left off.
Evening view of Hamburg’s Speicherstadt district with illuminated warehouses and narrow canals

Hamburg

This formerly medieval settlement has grown exponentially into a culturally diverse epicenter of Germanic heritage. While its prosperity largely comes via the sea, things to do in Hamburg range from historical centers, artistic culture, gastronomy, and an eclectic entertainment scene. 
Old Bridge in Heidelberg spanning the Neckar River with the historic town and Church of the Holy Spirit in the background

Heidelberg

Heidelberg, the little brother to some of the most romantic cities like Paris and Venice, comes in nipping at their heels. Renaissance architecture emanates throughout the beautiful city as if walking through a time capsule.
Augustusplatz in Leipzig at sunset featuring a modern glass building, central fountain, and historic architecture

Leipzig

A journey into Eastern Germany and the heart of Saxony will undoubtedly take you through Leipzig. It’s roughly 93 miles southwest of Berlin and situated in the low-lying and fertile Leipzig Basin.
Panoramic view of Marienplatz in Munich with the New Town Hall and Frauenkirche under a vivid blue sky

Munich

Synonymous with Oktoberfest and the nearby Bavarian Alps, there are so many more amazing things to see and do. Keep reading on to find our curated list with some of the best places to go.
Lavishly decorated interior of Asam Church in Munich with ornate Baroque architecture and detailed ceiling frescoes

Munich Hidden Gems

This city is full of hidden treasures for those who love to discover new things. Munich's secret spots will amaze you and should definitely be on your next Germany travel itinerary.
Aerial view of Nördlingen’s circular old town with red-roofed buildings surrounded by medieval city walls

Nördlingen

The unique Bavarian city was built inside of a massive meteorite crater named the Nördlinger Ries. It's also among the best-hidden gems and top places to see along the Romantic Road/ romantische straße tourist route.
Pastel-colored half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets in Rothenburg ob der Tauber at sunset with the iconic clock tower in view

Rothenburg

Perched high above the Tauber Valley in northern Bavaria, this picturesque city is what happens when a medieval town decides to ghost the 21st century.
Evening view of Stuttgart’s New Palace with festive lights and a Ferris wheel reflected in a still pond

Stuttgart

Not only is it a manufacturing hub for Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, but this city is also one of innovation, culture, and royalty. There are a variety of world-class museums and critically acclaimed cultural attractions to pick from. All of which will help make your list of things to do in Stuttgart quite a lengthy one.

What German Cities Are Known For

  • Christmas markets and seasonal festivals
  • Architecture: from half-timbered to Bauhaus
  • Beer halls and regional food traditions
  • Walkable Altstadts and city square culture
  • Efficient train connections for city-hopping

Plan Your Trip

Festive German Christmas market at night with a glowing Christmas tree, wooden stalls, and a brightly lit Ferris wheel in the background

Christmas Markets

From the twinkling lights and cozy wooden stalls to the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread filling the air, Christmas markets in Germany truly embody the spirit of the season. 
Hand pointing to black-and-white printed maps of German cities including Köln, Duisburg, and Stuttgart.

Explore by Region

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.
Flat lay of travel essentials including a phone, headphones, spork, map, compass, and power bank on a wooden surface

Travel Toolkit

You can’t plan for everything, but you can give yourself a fighting chance. This page pulls together the practical tips most people only learn the hard way: what to pack, what not to say, how to ride the train without annoying anyone.
Collage of famous German cities including Hamburg, Munich, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Heidelberg, overlaid with text that reads “The Best Cities in Germany to Visit.”Big names, hidden gems, and everything in between.

Where to Go: Best German Cities for Travelers

Germany is packed with postcard towns and culture-rich cities, but knowing which ones are actually worth your time is another matter. This page rounds up the best places to go. From crowd-pleasers like Berlin and Munich to hidden gems like Nördlingen and Cochem.

You’ll find cities steeped in history, bursting with culture, or quietly scenic in that half-timbered, cobblestone kind of way. Some are ideal for museums and nightlife. Others are better for wandering through old town streets or drinking wine by a river.

Whether you're planning your first trip or tracing family roots, the cities here will give you a solid starting point - and a reason to keep exploring.

View of Dresden’s historic skyline at sunset with the Elbe River in the foreground and boats docked along the riverbank.Dresden doesn’t just glow. It puts on a full cinematic finale every evening.

When I first started traveling around Germany, I stuck to the obvious choices. Big-name cities, easy train routes, minimal German required. Over time, I started mixing in smaller towns. Partly out of curiosity, partly because I got tired of crowds.

Now I find myself torn between the buzz of Berlin and the quiet charm of places like Rothenburg. This list reflects that split. Some cities are popular for a reason. Others just deserve more credit.

That said, my favorite city will always be Dresden. The architecture all along Brühl's Terrace, every side street offering its own particular flavor, and not feeling hemmed in on all sides - even in the peak of tourist season.

I thought Munich was going to be the one you'd have to pry me away from (though I'd happily go again), but that's the beauty of discovering Germany's varied cities. Going in with minimal expectations and a handy guide can reveal a new favorite that you'll keep going back to. Again, and again.  

Read more about Dresden >

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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