Just a 2-3 hour flight from Ireland, the home of bratwurst and the Black Forest is the ideal place for a quick weekend getaway. Although, if you decide to stay longer, there’s plenty of fantastic places to visit in Germany that will keep everyone entertained. From a scenic road trip along the Romantic Road to a beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest, choose any of these top 10 things to see and do and we guarantee, you won’t want to say auf wiedersehen when the time comes to leave this beautiful country.
10 best places to visit on your holiday to Germany
1. Oktoberfest in Munich
Pack your finest pair of lederhosen and get down to one of Germany‘s most famous festivals. Munich‘s annual Oktoberfest beer festival (September 21 – October 06, 2019) is a celebration of one of Germany’s most successful exports. From weiss wheat beers to alt dark ales, you’ll be able to sample any type of tipple that takes your fancy. You’re best to book early though, as tourists flock here from all over the world to raise a glass and get merry.
Read more: Top 10 Oktoberfests around the world
2. Explore the Romantic Road
Rekindle an old flame, keep the fire burning, or simply head out for a nice afternoon spin. Check out one of the country’s most scenic driving routes, the Romantic Road. Running 400km from Wurzburg to Fussen in southern Germany, this great road trip route is lined with chocolate box towns and little hamlets worth pulling over for. Make a pit stop in the picturesque town of Görlitz, which remains intact in its pre-WWII state having escaped major bombing. Famed for its beauty and celebration of German culture, the Romantic Road will have you falling in love with Germany, beer-goggles not required.
3. See a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
An amazing cultural gem in Berlin, the Philharmonic Orchestra is considered one of the best in the world. Once the home to famous composers including Beethoven and Wagner, it’s no surprise that musical traditions thrive and there is no better place to sample the delightful sounds of classical and contemporary German music than in Berlin’s opera house. Take a private tour of the world-class concert halls, but book early to avoid disappontment as this is a popular must-see.
Read more: Top 10 things to do in Berlin – a local’s guide
4. Explore the Düsseldorf Altstadt
The Altstadt (Old Town) region in Düsseldorf is full of great bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It’s the place to try the region’s famous alt beer, a type of dark ale, brewed in many local traditional German breweries around the city. One of the most famous is Uerige, which employs Düsseldorf’s only beer sommelier. Clear your head after all those brews with a stroll along the Rhein River, before grabbing a plate of Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated beef with raisins) in one of the waterfront restaurants.
Read more: 8 best things to do in Düsseldorf
5. Appreciate art and architecture at Frankfurt‘s Stadel Museum
A beautiful blend of classical European art and architecture, the Stadel Museum in Frankurt showcases more than 700 years of artwork all under one roof. In 2015 the museum aptly celebrated its 200th birthday. It’s also quite possibly the only museum in Europe to have a beer garden, the perfect spot to refresh after a morning of masterpiece appreciation.
6. Drink beer at Hofbrauhaus in Munich
You may have already heard, but Germany takes beer brewing pretty seriously. One of the country’s most famous places to enjoy a pint is Hofbräuhaus, the royal brewery in Munich. Founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, they serve a wide range of brew, from hoppy maibock beer to Oktoberfest lagers. A watering hole with history, it’s educational and good fun. Make sure you supplement the booze with a Brotzeit plate of cold meats and cheeses.
7. Visit Dresden‘s art galleries
Not widely known for its art galleries, Dresden is a great place to check out German art without the queues and crowds. The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, or Dresden art collections, began life as the private artworks owned by Germany’s 16th century aristocrats and today holds priceless pieces from all over Europe. The collections are spread across a number of galleries in Dresden, including the New Masters Gallery, the Royal Place and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Make a day of it and pack a picnic to enjoy in the gallery grounds.
8. Drive the Autobahn
Germany’s famous toll-free Autobahn highway (although charges for passenger cars will be introduced in October 2020) snakes its way across the entire country, attracting petrol heads and road trippers who fancy getting behind the wheel and exploring the country on four wheels. Parts of the highway have no speed limit, but be careful not to let that inner speed demon loose and always drive carefully. Watch out for the phrase bei Nässe on road signs, indicating that a speed limit applies when the road is wet. Other areas may have enforced speed restrictions to help reduce noise pollution.
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9. Neuschwanstein Castle
One of the dreamiest places to visit in Germany is the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle. You’ll find the former home of Ludwig II up in the Bavarian Alps, looking like it might belong in the pages of a fairytale book. This beautiful castle is a throwback to the romantic period in German history, and is a great place to take your little princes and princesses for a day of magical fun.
10. The Berlin Wall
An iconic historical monument, no visit to Germany could be complete without seeing the famous stone structure that divided a city, symbolising a divided nation. Erected by Germany’s leading communist powers, the Wall today stands in ruins after it was torn down by Berliners in 1989. Tour what remains and see the murals that local artists have painted on its crumbling brickwork. It has been transformed into an outdoor gallery, but it is still a sombre reminder of the city’s turbulent past.
Read more: Top things to do in Berlin
Some content in this article was taken from the original article written for Skyscanner.com by Richard Munassi.
*Updated July 2019. Prices correct at the time of publication but are subject to change and/or availability.
10 best places to visit in Germany in 2019
| 1. Oktoberfest in Munich |
| 2. Explore the Romantic Road |
| 3. See a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra |
| 4. Explore the Düsseldorf Altstadt |
| 5. Appreciate art and architecture at Frankfurt‘s Stadel Museum |
| 6. Drink beer at Hofbrauhaus |
| 7. Visit Dresden’s art galleries |
| 8. Drive the Autobahn |
| 9. Neuschwanstein Castle |
| 10. The Berlin Wall |
Want to read more about Germany? Then check these out:
10 best beaches in Germany – in pictures
Top 10 things to do in Cologne in 2019
5 of the best winter city breaks 2019
Some content of this article taken from the original written for Skyscanner.com by Richard Munassi.
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