5 great places to visit in Germany (that few people know about)
Germany is one of our favorite countries. I’m lucky – my mother is German and over the years I’ve travelled Germany with her and discovered a few German towns and cities that most people wouldn’t think to visit. Lissette and I also have a few favorite towns from our own travels, in fact I actually proposed to Lissette in Germany back in 2009 (in the most romantic German town we’ve come across. I tell you where that is below).
This post covers 5 great – and little known – towns and cities to visit in Germany.
I’m counting down to our favorite.
# 5. Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital of the German state of Thuringia and the largest city on this list with a population slightly above 200,000. It is a very pretty, very scenic city with a well preserved medieval center (Erfurt suffered very little damage in World War II) where you’ll find a colossal Cathedral (Erfurt Cathedral) and large fortress (Petersberg Citadel) in addition to lots of those half-timbered buildings so typical of Germany. We loved the canals running through the center – you’ll see lots of little bridges including the famous Merchant’s bridge (Krämerbrücke) which is the few remaining bridges in the world that have inhabited buildings (it has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years, longer than any other bridge in Europe). There are many highlights, including the Augustinian Monastery (where Martin Luther became a monk in 1505) and the Old Synagogue, the best preserved medieval synagogue in Europe.
I actually think Erfurt might be the most underrated tourist destination in Germany.
A lot more about Erfurt and its highlights.
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#4. Coburg
Coburg is a very small town located in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria. Despite its size (a population of 42,000) it has a lot of history and attractions. Its castle, Veste Coburg (located on a hill outside town), is one of the largest castles in Germany. Ehrenburg Castle (its actually a palace and not a castle) is in the heart of the town and is where Prince Albert grew up (Prince Albert was the husband of Queen Victoria, the British Queen between 1837 – 1901. He was born in Coburg). Coburg also has one of the prettiest and largest main squares (called “Market Square”) in Germany.
Coburg is interesting for a few other things: it was the first town in Germany to elect a Nazi mayor (in 1929), it holds the largest Brazilian Carnival outside of Rio (every July over 3,000 performers come to this town), and it has its own special delicacy, the Coburger Bratwurst.
I love small German towns and Coburg is one of my favorites.
More on Visiting Coburg.
#3. Regensburg
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Regensburg (pop 152,000) is one of the oldest towns in Germany and was once the capital city of Bavaria. Its history dates back to the Romans (you’ll still see some Roman ruins) and its famous stone bridge (Steinerne Brücke, which crosses the Danube) was used by the Knights of the 2nd and 3rd crusades on the way to the Holy Land. The Dom, Regensburg Cathedral, is huge and imposing, the best example of Gothic architecture in southern Germany.
On top of all the above, Regensburg is a scenic place with lots of nature centered on the river. The beer garden (Alte Linde) is on an island in the middle of the Danube, a great place to drink beer while enjoying the great views of the city on the other side of the bridge.
A great city that I enjoyed discovering with my mom. I plan to be back with Lissette.
More: Why you should Visit the beautiful Bavarian city of Regensburg.
#2. Bamberg
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bamberg (pop 77,000) is probably the most recognized name on this list. It is a gorgeous town with what’s likely the most photographed Rathous (town hall) in Germany. And for its size there’s lots to see: Bamberg Cathedral, St. Michael’s Monastery, the Neue Residenz (with it’s beautiful Rose Garden). But just walking around town is enough to see what a charming and cozy town Bamberg is.
On top of it all, Bamberg is famous for its beer. The town has 11 breweries! We’ve never had better beer anywhere (Including the Czech Republic) then we’ve had in Bamberg.
Bamberg also makes for a good base to explore nearby Würzburg and Nuremberg. The town of Coburg which I detail further up is also very close by, about 25 minutes away by train.
More: Lots more on Bamberg and on why it should be your base in Franconia.
#1. Bacharach
Even Germans have never heard of Bacharach. It’s a very small town (pop 2,000) on the Rhine river in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. If you’re looking for a town to fulfil your German fairytale fantasies it might be Bacharach with its half-timbered buildings, an imposing castle on a hill, and its small cobblestone streets (which can seem almost spooky at night).
Bacharach is a great base to explore the Rhine – this stretch of the river is dotted with castles and small towns that historically made its money from vessels passing down the river. The area is also know for its white wines (primarily Riesling) which are harvested from the vineyards that line the hills along the river. One of the things we enjoyed during our few days in Bacharach was wine tasting in the different wineries around town.
I mentioned off the top that I proposed to Lissette in Bacharach back in 2009. It’s that kind of place. We might be a bit biased but I can guarantee that if you want to visit a beautiful small German town that you can’t do much better than Bacharach.
Do you have your own favorite little-know German town or city?
Related: It’s not my favorite place. But here’s why Nuremberg is worth a Visit
Related: Why Erfurt might be Germany’s most underrated tourist destination
Related: Which city to Visit: Leipzig or Dresden?
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Thanks for your most interesting blog. I can only disagree with one point, as there are photos that suggest Erfurt was badly damaged during WW2 and many of its its historic buildings have been restored. I showed my father photos of a similar town with lovely old buildings, and he said when he was there in WW2 it had been “flattened”, so the restoration had been remarkable. The Marshall Plan did some good.
Thanks Peter. I guess it’s all relative:
“Of the 54 largest cities (>100,000 inhabitants) in Germany, only four survived without significant damage: Lübeck, Wiesbaden, Halle and Erfurt. Worst hit was Würzburg (75 percent destroyed), followed by Dessau, Kassel, Mainz, and Hamburg”. Link.
“During World War II, Erfurt experienced more than 27 British and American air raids, about 1600 civilians died. Bombed as a target of the Oil Campaign of World War II, Erfurt suffered only limited damage and was captured on 12 April 1945, by the US 80th Infantry Division”. Link.
Amazing to see outsiders showing so much love for the Franconia region, where I’m originally from.
Love the blog, keep up the good work.
Greetings from Hong Kong
Thank you for the kind words Florian! My mother originally from Erlangen, it’s part of the reason we really like the region 🙂
Thanks a lot for this wonderful information. I have heard that Coburg is such a beautiful place with many attractive spots. I have been catching up with different travel blogs. And looks like I have a list now! 😉
Too many to name! Idstein is definitely one of my favorites, as is Schwäbisch Hall. Others are Celle, Bad Camberg, Frankfurt Höchst, Dillenburg, Kirchheim unter Teck, Wernigerode, Goslar, Lübeck and Mittenwald. Can’t wait to get back to Germany!
Thanks so much Patricia. I know you spent a LOT of time living in Germany so I appreciate the feedback 🙂
Regensburg Its in an excellent location and offers lots of social and academic opportunities
I have always been fascinated by Germany and long to visit it someday. Your post outlines some amazing destinations that I have not heard of. Thanks for sharing your experience and this beautiful collection of attractions.
they all look amazing. I remember spending time in Bavaria and every little town is like a place created for tourists and photos. they maintain the towns so meticulously. it’s incredible!
you must visit the old roman town of AUGSBURG. too many great things to mention – get a city guide – a wonderful, historic town, the second oldest in Germany, after Trier. It is over 2000 years old and was founded by emperor Augustus, therefore the name . This lovely city beats many of those other so-called tourist places.
it is on the romantic road from rothenburg to fuessen.
Landsberg and Schongau on the way are also very interesting
Thank you very much Barbara. I’ve heard of Augsburg but have never been. And my mom has also mentioned Landsberg.
So Augsburg, Trier, Landsberg and Schongau – I’m keeping a mental list for the next time 🙂
Great article, we haven’t been to Germany yet but those towns sound like ones we would enjoy exploring with some slow traveling. Do you need a car to get to all of them or can you use public transportation. We haven’t been brave enough yet to rent a car internationally.
Love your blog and been reading it for years. I’m hoping in 2022 to do some long term traveling in Europe. I’m using your blog as my main point of inspiration and for different places to visit.
Very kind comment Mary, thank you. Feel free to write me privately if you ever have any specific questions.
As far as Germany goes, the train is the best way to get around. Absolutely great. I’ve never driven there (like you I don’t enjoy driving in places that I’m not familiar with)