In this article, we've picked the must-see cities in Germany – whether you love nature, want to dance in a new club every night, enjoy checking out art in galleries & castles, or plan to eat your way through a town! Here are the best German cities to visit!
Top Cities To Visit In Germany
Berlin
Berlin, the capital and largest city of Germany, is like the cool kid on the block, always changing and full of surprises. This place has it all – from a wild nightlife and art, to historic sites.
For those fascinated by German history specifically, no trip is complete without walking along remnants of the Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery or visiting Checkpoint Charlie – a symbol of Cold War tensions between East and West Germany.
Berlin is also home to the Museum Island – a UNESCO World Heritage site of five outstanding museums including Pergamon Museum, owner of the Collection of Classical Antiquities – one of the most important collections of Greek and Roman art in the world. [1]
It's not just history – Berlin's also at the forefront of music. The nightlife here is legendary, especially in spots like Kreuzberg and Neukölln. For instance, Berghain & Panorama Bar is known as one of the best clubs in the world.
Munich
While many associate Munich with Oktoberfest, the soaring prices and the swarm of over three million tourists hunting for beer don't appeal to everyone. [2]
And beyond their world-famous festivals, Munich is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, filled with museums, green spaces and stunning architecture.
In Munich's old town, there's a huge and beautiful square called Marienplatz. The Neues Rathaus, a stunning neo-gothic building, looks like something from a postcard. It's also the home of the famous Munich Glockenspiel, a big mechanical clock that attract crowds daily, with moving figures and chimes that tell stories from the past.
Nature in Munich is made up of beautiful green parks. The Englischer Garten is one of the world's largest urban parks, with meadows, lakes, and walking trails.
The Isar River also adds to the natural beauty, perfect for riverside strolls and outdoor activities. The nearby Bavarian Alps, just an hour away, makes Munich very attractive as a base to explore the most gorgeous landscapes in Germany too.
Some iconic Bavarian food specialties include pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, and dishes like Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) and Weißwurst (white sausage). The refreshing Bavarian beer is also well-known around the world.
And lastly, it's not uncommon to see people in Munich wearing lederhosen (traditional Bavarian leather breeches) as regular everyday clothes!
Frankfurt
Frankfurt got hit hard in World War II, but instead of rebuilding the past, it decided to start afresh, a move that's reflected by tall skyscrapers sweeping the city skyline.
Better known as the financial center of Europe, and a major European hub with a huge airport, some may be surprised that Frankfurt is more than just a city of concrete.
Down by the river, the Frankfurt Museum Embankment has tons of museums, including the famous Städel Museum.
For a sip of Frankfurt's traditional drink, apfelwein