14 Top Tourist Attractions in Germany

The ultimate fairytale castle, Neuschwanstein is situated on a rugged hill near F?ssen in southwest Bavaria. It was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty castles in the Disneyland parks. The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria who was declared insane when the castle was almost completed in 1886 and found dead a few days later. Neuschwanstein is the most photographed building in the country and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany.

The Brandenburg Gate is the only surviving city gate of Berlin and symbolizes the reunification of East and West Berlin. Built in the 18th century, the Brandenburg Gate is the entry to Unter den Linden, the prominent boulevard of linden trees which once led directly to the palace of the Prussian monarchs. It is regarded as one of the most famous landmarks in Europe.

Located in the Neckar river valley, Heidelberg is one Germany?s most popular tourist destinations. During WWII, the city was almost completely spared by allied bombings which destroyed most of Germany?s larger inner cities. As a result, Heidelberg has retained its baroque charm of narrow streets, picturesque houses and the famous Heidelberg Castle.

The Holstentor is one of the two remaining city gates of the city of L?beck. Built in 1464, the gate now serves as a museum. Because of its two captivating round towers and arched entrance it is regarded as a symbol of L?beck. Together with the old city center (Altstadt) of L?beck it is one of the top tourist attractions in Germany.

Easily the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany, Cologne Cathedral (K?lner Dom) has been Cologne?s most famous landmark for centuries. Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, more than 600 years to complete. It is dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary and is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne.

The Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest Volksfest in the world with over 6 million visitors annually. Despite the name, the Oktoberfest starts at the end of September until the first weekend in October. An important part of Bavarian culture, the festival has been held since 1810. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of traditional fare such as Hendl, Schweinebraten, W?rstl, Kn?del and large quantities of German beer.

The historic city Lindau is located near the meeting point of the Austrian, German and Swiss borders in the eastern part of Lake Constance (Bodensee). The city is connected with the mainland by bridge and railway and has about 3,000 inhabitants. Full of medieval and half-timbered buildings, Lindau is quite a popular tourist attraction.

Located in Dresden, the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is a Lutheran church that was completely destroyed during WWII. The church reconstructed using original plans from the 1720s and reopened in 2005. The city of Coventry, which was raided by the Luftwaffe donated the golden cross for the dome of the church. Since its reopening, the Frauenkirche has been a hugely popular tourist attraction in Dresden. In 2009 the church was visited by President Barack Obama.

The Romantic Rhine is the most famous section of the Rhine, running between from Koblenz to Bingen. The river Rhine carves its way here through steep vineyard-covered hills topped with countless castles and ruins. The river has been an important trade route into central Europe since ancient times and a string of small towns has grown up along the banks. Constrained in size, many of these old towns retain a historic feel today.

The Schwarzwald, or Black Forest, can be found in the southwestern corner of the country. The name comes from the thick tree canopy, and the forest is a mecca for those who love beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation. Hiking, swimming in chilly Alpine lakes and mountain biking are popular pastimes, but the Black Forest also has some urban alternatives. Within the forest are several towns and cities. Baden-Baden is a world-famous spa retreat perfect for relaxation, and Freiburg is a bustling university town with amazing cuisine and nightlife.

A true storybook village brought to life is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Straight from the pages of a fairy tale, this Franconian town has a remarkably well preserved medieval center. Overlooking the Tauber River, many of the churches and residences date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. A highlight of the town is the Market Square, which is flanked on one side by the 13th century Town Hall Tower.

German Christmas markets are known the world over, and arguably the best of all is found in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg. The annual Christkindlesmarkt is held throughout the Advent season in Nuremberg?s old town, and it has been in place since the 17th century. Visitors should visit after dark, when lights illuminate the vendors selling traditional German handicrafts, Christmas tree ornaments, mulled wine and lebkuchen, a German gingerbread cookie beloved during the holidays.

The highest mountain is Germany is the Zugspitze, located above the town of Garmisch. Although the peak is a world-renowned spot for serious skiers, a trip to the top is worthwhile whatever the season. From a lake at the base of the mountain, hop aboard the Zahnradbahn, a cogwheel train that heads partway up the mountain. Then, it?s onward on the cable car called the Eibsee-Seilbahn. At the summit, it is possible to view the landscape of four countries at once.

The neo-Gothic Hohenzollern Castle is perched on a bluff overlooking two small towns at the foothills of the Swabian Alps. Constructed in the 19th century, the castle is the third to stand in the same spot over the last one thousand years. Hohenzollern Castle is situated with sweeping views over the landscape, and it boasts opulent rooms filled with stained glass windows and decorative frescoes. Family jewels and artifacts can be found in the Schatzkammer, or treasury.