Germany is a sprawling European country with a unique agglomeration of landscapes, including dense forests, rushing rivers, mountain ranges and North Sea beaches. It is rich not just in natural landscapes but also in history. Berlin, its capital, is home to the Brandenburg Gate and many other sites relating to World War II. Munich, another major city in Germany, on the other hand, is known for its iconic beer festival Oktoberfest and many beer halls, including the Hofbräuhaus Hall which was built in the 16th century. If you are planning your next trip to Germany, below are 30 of the most amazing things you can do there. Be sure to check them out before your next trip to Germany!
1. Shop at the postcard-pretty Oberammergau (from USD 79.0)
The Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Tour from Munich features a fun-filled, packed day of sightseeing, activities and food. You can expect to see many historical castles along the way, including King Ludwig II’s Royal Castles, the Neuschwanstein Castle and the Linderhof Palace. The Neuschwanstein Castle is, according to common legend, used as the model for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle in Disney’s classic movie The Sleeping Beauty. One of the highlights of this tour for shopping enthusiasts is the final stop of the tour at Oberammergau, where you can purchase many lovely trinkets and gifts at affordable prices for friends and family back home.
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Royal Castles Tour from Munich
Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes
2. Visit Berlin's UNESCO-listed Museumsinsel (from USD 86.0)
This skip-the-line guided tour in Berlin includes a Museum Island Day Pass, which allows you full access to many of Berlin’s key museums. This three-hour guided tour is perfect for lovers of history and classical art, as you will get to gain a deeper understanding of Germany’s rich history through an in-depth tour of the historical New Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Both these museums are located in Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museumsinsel (Museum Island).
Museum Island Tour: Skip-the-Line Pergamon and New Museum
Duration: 3 hours
3. Explore the stunning Linderhof Palace (from USD 214.0)
Travel in comfort and style on this small-group Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle luxury coach day trip from Munich. If you are looking for a bit of legend and enchantment on your German vacation, look no further than this trip to the stunning Linderhof Palace, a 19th-century Bavarian treasure. This full-day trip brings you through the Bavarian Alps and two Germany’s former royal residences, the Neuschwanstein Castle and the Linderhof Castle, both of which are said to be key sources of inspiration for modern-day fairy tales like Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. In your small and exclusive tour group, you will get the coveted chance to tour the castle’s opulent halls, vast spaces and the incredible kitchens. Conclude this stunning tour with free and easy time in the charming and quaint village of Oberammergau.
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles Day Tour from Munich
Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes
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4. Check out the Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial, or the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer as it is known in German, is a cornerstone of Germany’s rich and complex history. It was built to commemorate the division of Berlin by the Berlin Wall and the many horrific deaths that occurred during that period of time. The Berlin Wall Memorial monument was built in 1998 by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Berlin.
Berlin Wall Memorial
Address: Bernauer Str. 111, 13355 Berlin, Germany
Website: Berlin Wall Memorial
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
Tip from tour guide
The most authentic remnant of the Berlin Wall is the "Berlin Wall Memorial" or in German, "Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer". It is located between the stations of Nordbahnhof and Bernauer Straße and is the only section where you can still see the so-called Death Strip, the Inner and Outer Wall, and an original Watch Tower. Lots of escapes took place here, and there's a memorial to all those who lost their lives trying to escape. There's also a free museum to visit and learn all about the Berlin Wall.
5. Admire views of the lake, waterfall gorge, and Hohenschwangau Castle (from USD 79.0)
This small-group day tour brings you from Munich to Bavaria’s stately Neuschwanstein Castle. This day trip includes round-trip transportation by train in the package. Referred to by the locals as Germany’s “Sleeping Beauty Castle,” Neuschwanstein Castle was purportedly the inspiration for the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ castle at Disneyland. Take an informative guided tour of the castle, hear stories about the “Mad” King Ludwig II who commissioned it and end the day off on a comfortable and speedy train ride back to Munich, Germany.
Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich
Duration: 10 hours
6. Visit a traditional beer garden and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus (from USD 68.0)
The Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich allows you to get a dose of Bavaria’s unique beer culture. Bavaria is the home of the iconic beer festival Oktoberfest and a wide array of famous beer halls and beer gardens. If you want to learn more about Bavaria’s rich beer culture, come along on this tour with a savvy tour guide. You will be able to visit many local haunts and enjoy Bavarian food and drink in the company of fellow beer enthusiasts.
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
7. Plan to hike the Black Forest
The Black Forest is a natural marvel that is definitely worth a visit when you are in Germany. You can boat and fish in the glacial lake of Titisee, take a hike up to the majestic Triberg Waterfalls or have a picnic with friends and family by the deep lake of Mummelsee. Whether you are a nature lover or simply an enthusiastic traveller looking to experience all the key highlights that Germany has to offer, this is a great place to visit.
Black Forest
Address: Baden-Württemberg, Southwest Germany, Germany
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
8. Walk around Alexanderplatz in Berlin
Alexanderplatz is a vast public square and major transport hub in the central district of Mitte in Berlin. The square was named after the Russian Tsar Alexander I and is usually referred to simply as Alex by the locals. If you are looking to do some last-minute shopping for gifts and souvenirs for loved ones back at home, you can hop by to one of the many shops located around the town square selling authentic local items.
Alexanderplatz in Berlin
Address: 10178 Berlin, Germany
Website: Alexanderplatz
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
9. Explore Nymphenburg Palace in Munich
Nymphenburg Palace in Munich is a royal residence with a rich and vibrant history. It was founded as a summer residence to the long-awaited heir to the Bavarian throne, Max Emanuel, who was born in 1662 to the Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide, after 10 years of marriage. It was subsequently passed down the generations and is currently being used today both as a museum and a function room for key political events.
Nymphenburg Palace in Munich
Address: Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 München, Germany
Website: Nymphenburg Palace in Munich
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Soak in the scenic beauty of Romantic Road
Southern Germany’s Romantic Road, or the Romantische Straße, as it is known by the locals, is a picturesque route through the forests and mountains of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg that never seemed to end. It is perfect for a road trip across the expansive natural landscapes of Germany. Its northern starting point is Würzburg, a city known for its great wines and friendly locals. It ends at Füssen down South, near King Ludwig II’s iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and a short distance away from the majestic Alps.
Romantic Road
Address: Mottingen, Germany
Website: Romantic Road
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
11. View Berlin from the platform of Victory Column
The Victory Column is one of the key monuments in Berlin’s rich history. It was designed by Heinrich Strack after 1864 to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Danish-Prussian War and has become a popular tourist destination today for history buffs and keen travellers alike. You can snap a photo with the iconic structure for the ‘gram, or simply admire its majestic architecture as it stands tall amidst lush greenery and sprawling yards of lawn.
Victory Column
Address: Großer Stern, 10557 Berlin, Germany
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
12. Wander the English Garden in Munich
The English Garden is the perfect place to admire majestic sculptures of important personalities in history in a picturesque setting of lush greenery and beautiful flowers. The English Garden also happens to be one of the largest gardens in the whole of Berlin. You can book an hour-long tour of the English Gardens through the official ‘Visit Berlin’ website, where an experienced tour guide will bring you through the garden and give you more details on the interesting lives of royalty and other important figures of Germany’s past.
English Garden
Address: Altonaer Str. 2, 10557 Berlin, Germany
Website: English Garden
Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm (daily)
Price: 6 USD
13. Ride a cable car across Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain (from USD 131.0)
The Zugspitze day tour is a full-day excursion that begins at Bahnhofplatz, Berlin, a popular location for shopping and fine dining. A luxurious and spacious tour bus will then drive you through many quaint towns, including the Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Eibsee and then finally on to Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. The highlight of your tour comes during the cable car ride, where you will be able to enjoy incredible, breathtaking views from the summit. On a clear and sunny day, it is possible to see over a thousand Bavarian, Swiss, Austrian and Italian mountain peaks at once from the viewing decks.
Zugspitze, Germany's Highest Mountain, Day Tour from Munich
Duration: 8 hours
14. Take a tour of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp (from USD 966.0)
Take a full-day tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, where you will be able to gain better insight into the Holocaust events which took place at Sachsenhausen, one of the first concentration camps the Nazis built. You will also be able to learn more about life in Berlin during the Third Reich on a guided tour to Checkpoint Charlie and Brandenburg Gate, ending off your tour with a comfortable drive back to Berlin.
Sachsenhausen Memorial, Berlin Private Tour From Warnemuende
Duration: 12 hours
15. Admire preserved medieval and Gothic architecture at Nuremberg (from USD 79.0)
The Nuremberg day trip from Munich includes in the tour package a lovely 1.5-hour train journey from Munich to Nuremberg and back again. At Nuremberg, you will be able to visit the locations of the iconic scenes featured in films like “Triumph of the Will” - the rally grounds where Adolf Hitler addressed the crowds, the majestic Congress Hall and the small town designed by Albert Speer as the “New Rome”. If you are interested in the sobering yet fascinating stories of the Nuremberg Trials and life as a commoner during the Nazi era in Nuremberg, this is the perfect day tour for you.
Nuremberg Day Trip from Munich by Train
Duration: 10 hours
16. Walk around Marienplatz in Munich
Marienplatz is a town square in the city centre of vibrant and bustling Munich, Germany. In the 12th century, Marienplatz, or St Mary’s Square, was founded by Sir Henry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria. Today, the Marienplatz is home to the Mariensaule, otherwise known as the column of St. Mary. The column is topped by the golden statue of Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, a symbol of peace, divinity, and love in the Catholic faith.
Marienplatz
Address: Marienplatz, 80331 München, Germany
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
17. Explore the Hamburg Dungeon (from USD 30.0)
Hamburg Dungeon is widely considered to be one of the must-see attractions in Hamburg for history buffs and keen travellers alike, as it takes you through 600 years of Hamburg’s rich and complex past. Interactive exhibits and professional local actors will guide you through the difficult years of the plague in Germany, the Great fire of 1842, and the Brawn Riots from 1919.
Hamburg Dungeon Admission Ticket
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
18. Get to see over 1300 species of animals at Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo is Germany’s oldest, most established zoological garden and a popular tourist attraction for families with young kids. Almost 1,300 species of animals adding up to 20,000 live in the spacious zoo. A key feature of the Berlin Zoo is that they house Germany’s only giant pandas, a fascinating attraction in the zoo definitely worth catching sight of.
Berlin Zoo
Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany
Website: Berlin Zoo
Opening hours: 9am - 6:30pm (daily)
Price: 17 USD
19. Say a prayer at Cologne Cathedral in Cologne Old Town (from USD 320.0)
Explore the rustic Old Town of Cologne in an authentic manner with an experienced local guide. This entertaining walking tour brings you through well-known sites in the Old Town such as the Cologne Cathedral, while you hear interesting stories about the city and its inhabitants. The Cologne Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making this destination on your trip to Germany one that cannot be missed!
Cologne - Old Town Private Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
20. Catch the fascinating 360-degree view of Berlin (from USD 271.09)
On the walking tour across the German Government District and the Reichstag building with Dome, enjoy a detailed guided tour of the esteemed parliament arena in Berlin and learn more about the complex and eventful history of the country’s capital. You will get to see the House of Representatives and the Chancellery, listen to a detailed presentation in the Plenary Hall of the German Bundestag and bask in the panoramic view atop the glass dome and viewing terrace of the Reichstag building.
Berlin: Government District around the Reichstag Guided Tour
Duration: 75.0 to 1.5 minute
21. Admire the unspoiled beauty of Lake Mummelsee (from USD 325.0)
You can get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore beautiful and picturesque Strasbourg and the magnificent Black Forest on this day tour from Frankfurt. The first stop on this comprehensive tour is in the spa town of Strasbourg, where will get to learn about Strasbourg’s famous thermal baths and see iconic historical landmarks like Kurhaus Casino. The highlight of the tour then comes when you will enter the Black Forest with an experienced local guide, where you will get to snap a photo with a lush and dense black wood forest and admire the unspoiled beauty of Lake Mummelsee.
Baden-Baden, Black Forest and Strasbourg Day Trip from Frankfurt
Duration: 10 hours
22. Explore the ruins of Heidelberg Castle (from USD 131.0)
Start your day off in Frankfurt on a half-day tour of beautiful, rustic Heidelberg, and see the world’s largest wine barrel! You will learn the historic anecdotes as you travel leisurely through Old Town, visit the classic ruins of the medieval Heidelberg Castle and pay a visit to the esteemed Heidelberg University. Lucky travellers dropping by over Christmas will get transported by a luxury AC coach to the Heidelberg Christmas Market during the month before Christmas.,
Heidelberg Castle and Old Town Tour from Frankfurt
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
23. Take a guided tour of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam (from USD 61.81)
On this beautiful tour of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, take a leisurely stroll past the stately buildings that were once the focal point of Prussia’s imperial grandeur. You will also get to take in an eyeful of the stunning gardens of Friedrich II’s legendary Sanssouci Palace, which is a true piece of history. Its beautiful park grounds are truly going to be the highlight of this tour. After that, take a short bus ride and arrive in Potsdam for a guided tour of the vibrant city. Your experienced and knowledgeable tour guide will show you to all of the city’s best sights and sounds, and your guide is sure to tell you many fascinating stories.
Potsdam: Sanssouci Palace Guided Tour from Berlin
Duration: 4.0 hour
24. Explore the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle (from USD 436.0)
This Frankfurt super-saver tour brings you to visit two of Germany’s most popular attractions in one day - the marvellous Neuschwanstein Castle and the fascinating town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Neuschwanstein Castle was one among the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and arguably the most opulent and lavish. The quaint town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is widely considered to be the most well-preserved medieval old town in all of Germany, so if you are interested in medieval history, this will be an interesting place to go.
Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg from Frankfurt
Duration: 14 hours
25. Check out murals at the open-air East Side Gallery in Berlin (from USD 258.0)
Check out murals at the open-air East Side Gallery in Berlin on this three-hour private bike tour. You will be able to explore historic streets and see the city’s major attractions, including the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, the tallest building in Berlin and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, where you can learn more about the complex history of Germany in the context of the World War.
Berlin Highlights Private Bike Tours
26. Check out Museum Island in Berlin
Skip the long queues with this special museum pass and visit the Pergamon Museum, Middle East Museum and the Islamic Art Museum on Museum Island with speedy efficiency. You will be able to admire distinguished collections of Ancient Greek and Roman art at the Pergamon Museum and gaze in wonder at the richly decorated stone walls of the Mshatta Palace in front of the Islamic Art Museum and Middle East Museum.
Skip the Line: Pergamon Museum & Asisi Panorama Tickets
27. Swing by the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (from USD 28.0)
On this short, 90 minute tour named Berlin: Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Dome, you will get the chance to learn about Berlin’s colourful and turbulent history while admiring the majestic Brandenburg Gate and visit the glass dome on top of the Reichstag, where you can admire many of the city’s key attractions such as the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz and the Berlin Cathedral, from high up above.
Berlin: Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Dome
Duration: Wheelchair accessible
28. Take your children to Europa-Park in Rust (from USD 52.0)
This one-day admission to Europa-Park in Rust allows you to avoid the cash desk lines at the main entrance with a pre-booked ticket and eschew snaking lines in the park in favour of a convenient and seamless experience. You will be able to skip the lines with your fast-access ticket and fully enjoy the amazing rides, adventures, and myriad attractions of the 15 Europe-themed zones in the park for a full day. Take a chance on the rollercoasters, discover the mystic city of Atlantis by submarine, tour the spooky Ghost Castle and enjoy 4D movies, carousels, miniature kingdoms, parades and boat trips. The theme park is ideal for all ages, making it the perfect thing to do in Germany if you plan on bringing your family along for a vacation.
Europa-Park Admission Ticket
29. Enjoy the view from the top of the Oktoberfest Ferris wheel (from USD 209.0)
Immerse yourself in Munich’s famous beer culture with an Oktoberfest tour and reserved seating in the festival’s largest Hofbräu tent! You will start your tour off with a walk through the Oktoberfest festival grounds and, thereafter, take a slow spin on the Ferris wheel. The key highlight of this entire tour is the historical walking tour of the grounds with a local guide, where you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of Oktoberfest. This is a perfect thing to enjoy with your family
Munich Oktoberfest Tickets & Tour with Hofbrau Seating
Duration: 7 hours
30. Treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience at Telecafe (from USD 118.0)
Dine atop the Berlin TV Tower at Telecafe, a restaurant in the sky. You will be seated at the Berlin TV Tower’s revolving restaurant and enjoying access to the tallest building in Berlin without having to queue. It is not just the view you will definitely be raving about - the delicious three-course dinner at a guaranteed window-seat table, accompanied by three wines is also a key reason why you should sign up for this unique experience at Telecafe. You will be treated not just to a feast for the taste buds but also for the eyes!
Berlin TV Tower Skip-the-Line Access with Dinner & Wine
Duration: 2 hours
Many great things to do in Germany
This comprehensive guide on the many things to do in Germany is but the tip of the iceberg in terms of the variety of great activities and places of interest you can participate in and visit on your trip to Germany. Be sure to check out the above 30 best things to do in Germany before your next trip there. That would help you prepare your itinerary accordingly as you will be able to tell the solo activities from those that would be fun to do with your family.
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