Germany is in Central Europe; it shares borders with 8 other European countries. German culture, cuisine and snacks make this country a top tourist destination, to say nothing of all the image-worthy sights. When you are planning to visit Germany, you have to make a plan about what it is that you want to see and do while you're there. These German cities will make your visit worthwhile.

📍City🌿Region/state📷Known for
BerlinBerlinBeing Germany's divided city and now, it's capital.
MunichBavaria Being the home of the Oktoberfest
HamburgHamburgbeing Germany's haven water lovers.
DresdenSaxonybeing Germany's most bombed city
CologneNorth Rhine-Westphaliabeing Germany's oldest city
FrankfurtHessebeing Germany's financial hub
Rothenburg ob der TauberBavariaMedieval architecture
DüsseldorfNorth Rhine-Westphaliait's lush greenery
BerchtesgadenBavariaA mountain hideaway with significant history.
Baden-BadenBaden-Württembergits restorative baths.
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Berlin: The Best City in Germany for a Quick Visit

Berlin is Germany's biggest city and its capital. It's home to a cultural melting pot and gives off an international vibe.

A round stone building with domed roof on the water.
Photo by Reiseuhu

It is a must-see destination when you visit Germany, particularly if you only have a small travel window.

Here, you'll find all the modern conveniences: transportation, universities, shops and restaurants. Berlin is broken into 12 administrative districts, each with its own vibe and attractions. This is a historic city, so you can visit monuments that tell Berlin's story.

Berliners are as friendly and open-minded, and many Berliners speak English fluently. They can help you find the best sightseeing spots as you spend your days exploring. the city.

📍Berlin in focus

  • Established: 1163
  • Population: ~3,897,145
  • City area: 3,743 km2
  • Population density: 4,109/km2

Attractions

  • The Reichstag
  • Gendarmenmarkt
  • Potsdamer Platz
  • Alexanderplatz
  • Berliner Dom

🏯Monuments

  • The Brandenburg Gate
  • The Victory Column
  • The Wall Memorial
  • Kurfurstendamm and Remembrance Church
  • The Holocaust Memorial

Munich: One of the Main Cities in Germany to Visit

As the third largest city in Germany, Munich entices you with castles, cathedrals, and the world's most famous beer celebration.

Munich is the governing seat of the Bavarian state, the largest city in the state, and the third largest city in Germany. It nestles on the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, making a nice stopover before you tour the mountains.

Like Berlin, Munich is full of historical sites. It's where a young Adolf Hitler attempted his beerhall putsch to take over the government.

The modern take shows Munich a favourite for academics, technology and engineering. The city's unique architecture makes it a draw for tourists worldwide.

An aerial view of a city square, featuring many statuesque buildings.
Photo by Daniel Seßler

📍Munich in focus

  • Established: 1175
  • Population: ~1,604,384
  • City area: 310,71 km2
  • Population density: 4,800/km2

Attractions

  • Marienplatz
  • Nymphenburg Palace
  •  Munich Residenz
  • The English Gardens
  • Oktoberfest!

🏯Monuments

  • The Marien Column
  • Sigi Summer Monument
  • The Sckell Memorial
  • Michael Jackson Memorial
  • Orlando di Lasso Statue

Munich enjoys many festivals throughout the year, not just the famous one in October. Spring festivals, folk festivals and music fests are draws, as is the year-end Christmas Market. Be sure to sign up for German classes so you can get the most from your experiences in Munich!

Hamburg: Best City in Germany for Waterscapes

Hamburg is a city in northern Germany, located on the river Elbe and close to the North Sea and the border of Denmark.

A boat on a canal between tall buildings.
Photo by Roman Kraft

Indeed, with its many canals and period buildings, the beautiful city of Hamburg has a charm that may remind you of Venice.

Visiting Hamburg will give you a different idea of Germany, as it is one of the only cities that connect the sea and river waterways. Here, you have numerous islands to discover, with the many River cruises on offer.

Hamburg allows you to experience a different side of Germany, especially if you visit in the summer. That way, you can partake of the beautiful River cruises without freezing.

📍Hamburg in focus

  • Established: 1175
  • Population: ~1,964,021
  • City area: 755.22 km2
  • Population density: 2,600/km2

Attractions

  • The fish market
  • Saint Pauli District
  • The Old Elbe Tunnel
  • canal and river cruises

🏯Monuments

  • Jewish cemetery
  • St. Nikolai Church ruins
  • Neuengamme Memorial
  • Speicherstadt
Large historical buildings on a sunny day.,
Photo by Ilia Bronskiy

Dresden: Among the Best Cities to Visit for History

Touring Dresden today, you would never guess it was once the most bombed city in Europe. Postwar, the city fell in East Germany, which did not have the funds to restore palaces and churches. Those were raised in favour of rebuilding housing. As you can see by the photo, those efforts paid off; the city is full of stunning architecture.

📍Dresden in focus

  • Established: 1206
  • Population: ~563 019
  • City area: 328.8 km2
  • Population density: 1,700/km2

Attractions

  • Neumarkt
  • Dresden Castle
  • Loschwitz and Augustus Bridges
  • The Big Garden

🏯Monuments

  • Martin Luther Monument
  • Rietschel Monument
  • WW2- GDR Imprisoned Executed Memorial
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Cologne: The Oldest of German Cities

In the West of Germany, in the Rhine Valley, lies the city of Cologne, a major European metropolis.

Tourists will love everything this city offers, starting with the Hahnen Gate (pictured). The Cologne Cathedral is a natural draw; it's an architectural wonder. In fact, this is one of the best German cities to visit if you can't get enough of massive stone architecture.

This city has a fun side, too. The Chocolate Museum is a delicious destination, and the Botanical Gardens are a delightful place to stroll through and relax.

A castle with turrets topped with flags.
Photo by Lucas Carl

📍Cologne in focus

  • Established: 50 CE
  • Population: ~1,024,408
  • City area: 405.15 km2
  • Population density: 2,500/km2

Attractions

  • The 12 Romanesque Churches
  • Schildergasse
  • Ehrenstraße
  • Phantasialand

🏯Monuments

  • Willy Millowitsch Memorial
  • The Grey Busses Memorial
  • Edith Stein Memorial
  • Tongeren 2000 Memorial

Frankfurt: Among the Main Cities in Germany for Finance

Frankfurt gives Germany its reputation for being one of Europe's economic powerhouses, at least in part.

A city skyline with highrises in the background at sunset.
Photo by Tobias Reich

Frankfurt may be a business city with Europe's largest airport - to fly all those business folks in, no doubt. Still, this German city has a lot to offer the average tourist.

Frankfurt sits on the Main River, towering over the waters with its modern architecture. One of the buildings called the ‘Main Tower’ allows visitors a panoramic view of the entire city.

Still, despite its modernity, Frankfurt also has a historical part that is worth visiting. This picture shows the division between modern and historical to its best effect.

📍Frankfurt in focus

  • Established: 843
  • Population: ~749 596
  • City area: 248.31 km2
  • Population density: 3,000/km2

Attractions

  • Fairy tale fountain
  • The clock tower
  • The Bull and Bear market
  • The Archaeological Garden
  • The Eschenheim Tower

🏯Monuments

  • The Goethe Monument
  • The Gutenberg Memorial
  • The Schiller Memorial
  • The Beethoven Memorial
  • The Unity Memorial
Bicycles in front of a brown building on a sunny day.
Photo by I Do Nothing But Love

Rothenburg: The Best of Medieval German Cities

Of all the towns to visit during your stay in Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber should be one of them. It lies in the Bavarian region, a Medieval stronghold with the relics to prove it. The entire town is a monument, so bring your walking shoes and make sure your camera is charged. Everywhere you turn, you'll see something picture-worthy!

📍Rothenburg in focus

  • Established: ~950
  • Population: ~11 365
  • City area: 41.68 km2
  • Population density: 270/km2

Attractions

  • The Criminal Museum
  • The Craft House
  • Medieval remnants

🏯Monuments

  • The Master Builder's House
  • The Plönlein ensemble
  • The Topplerschlösschen

Düsseldorf: the Greenest of Main Cities in Germany

Düsseldorf is an eclectic city with a mix of historical and modern architecture, separated by water. The city stays connected across 7 landmark bridges spanning the Düssel (River).

Half the city features futuristic constructions, and the other side is full of historical sites. On that side, you'll find an old port which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Düsseldorf is also the fashion capital of Germany with the Königsallee, a luxury shopping paradise which lies in the old town.

If you visit Düsseldorf in late February-early March, you can visit the Rhine carnival. If that doesn't fit your travel window, Düsseldorf still has plenty to offer.

A river with green banks on either side.
Photo by Ledii Photography

📍Düsseldorf in focus

  • Established: 1288
  • Population: ~616 319
  • City area: 217.41 km2
  • Population density: 2,800/km2

Attractions

  • The cartwheelers
  • The Botanical Gardens
  • Königsallee/Old Town
  • The Rhine Embankment prom

🏯Monuments

  • The City Founding Monument
  • The Holocaust Memorial
  • Monument to the Unknown Artist
A city surrounded by mountains on a sunny day.
Photo by Daniel Seßler

Berchtesgaden: the Best City in Germany for Mountain fun

Of all the places in Germany to visit, this city might be the most memorable. You can, indeed, have fun in the mountains, summer or winter. But you can also experience one of the most relevant and significant historical locations of the 20th century: a major outpost of the Nazi chancellery.

📍Berchtesgaden in focus

  • Established: 1102
  • Population: ~7 697
  • City area: 35.63 km2
  • Population density: 220/km2 

Attractions

  • the Kehlsteinhaus
  • the Berghof
  • St. Bartholomä Church
  • Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

🏯Monuments

  • Obersalzberg Documentation Center

Baden-Baden: Best City in Germany for Rest and Relaxation

Baden-Baden is more of a town that doubles as a spa and forest resort in southwestern Germany, between the Rhine Plain and the Black Forest.

A narrow cobblestoned street flanked by yellow buildings.
Photo by Anastasiia Mazurok

The city is famous for healing baths, palaces, museums and, remarkably, a casino. The town is equally famous for its scenery and charm, and for historic bridges spanning its flowing river.

It's also a great place to walk or hike, either through the town or into the nature that surrounds it. If wilderness is your thing, the Black Forest National Park is mere footsteps away.

📍Baden-Baden in focus

  • Established: 210
  • Population: ~56 526
  • City area: 140.18 km2
  • Population density: 400/km2

Attractions

  • Caracalla Spa
  • Fabergé Museum
  • Roman baths ruins
  • Paradise Gardens

🏯Monuments

  • The Bismarck statue
  • Bertold's Fountain
  • the Pump-House

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Dan

A student by trade, Daniel spends most of his time working on that essay that's due in a couple of days' time. When he's not working, he can be found working on his salsa steps, or in bed.