The most beautiful cities for a short trip that you must see
What are the most beautiful cities in Germany? Which city has the most exciting history, historical buildings, most beautiful old town, or most popular attractions? There is no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and world-famous attractions in Berlin, Cologne, or Dresden.
There are really numerous cities worth seeing in Germany that you can explore on a weekend or on a short trip without a long journey. Regardless of whether they are in northern Germany, eastern Germany, southern Germany, or western Germany.
We have listed our personal favorites here. However, the list of the most beautiful cities in Germany is not yet complete, as we have of course not yet visited all cities in Germany.
That is why this list is constantly being added to.
Have fun with our list of the most beautiful cities in Germany and explore these beautiful places!
PS: Do you have any tips on which city we should visit next? Just leave us a comment and tell us the highlights and sights of your recommended city. Maybe also your insider tips for the best cafés, restaurants, or an old town that we should take a look at!
My personal top 10 of the most beautiful cities in Germany
List of the most beautiful cities in Germany (my personal ranking)
I’ll show you my personal list of the ten most beautiful cities in Germany. These cities are always worth a city trip for me and are among the major cities in Germany.
1. Heidelberg
2. Hamburg
3. Munich
4. Freiburg
5. Wismar
6. Berlin
7. Leipzig
8. Dresden
9. Bamberg
10. Trier
Northern Germany
Hamburg
You just have to love Hamburg, the city on the Elbe, with the Alster and the fish market. In all surveys, Hamburg is one of the most livable and popular cities in Germany.
Also to the locations mentioned above, the highlights also include the Speicherstadt (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Elbphilharmonie, and HafenCity as well as the Reeperbahn. Furthermore, Hamburg also offers a particularly wide range of culinary delights. You can find out more about this in the Hamburg Food Guide.
With Hannah, Hamburg would probably have ended up at number 1. Actually not for me because I simply like the warmer weather in southern Germany more.
Don’t miss the following in Hamburg:
- Go to the fish market early in the morning after a night of sleep
- Miniature Wonderland – ideal in bad weather and not only worth seeing for children
- Eat fish sandwiches in the harbour
Population: 1.822 million
- Hamburg sights: 11 tips for a city trip – weekend
- Hamburg: The best restaurants and cafes
- The best city tours in Hamburg
- Hamburg insider tips from locals
Luebeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the largest city in Schleswig-Holstein. Lübeck has one of the most beautiful medieval old towns. And it is so compact that you can easily explore it on foot. Do you know “The Buddenbrooks” by Thomas Mann? The Nobel Prize winner comes from Lübeck and also set his novel here!
Tip: Ideal as an excursion if you are on holiday on the Baltic Sea coast in Schleswig-Holstein (e.g. Fehmarn )
In Lübeck you should not miss:
- The Holstentor, the symbol of Lübeck
- Small shopping street Hüxstraße with many small shops and bars to browse, eat and drink
- The view from St. Petri Church
Population: 217,198
Bremen
One of the most neglected most beautiful cities in Germany is the Hanseatic city of Bremen! The city offers really great places and neighborhoods. Everything is cozy in Bremen and it never seems crowded or overcrowded.
Under no circumstances should you miss these sights in Bremen:
- The historical part of the city center: is Schnoor, also known as the Schnoorviertel. Here you will also find the Bremen Town Musicians
- Loriot’s bulbous-nosed man on Loriot Square
- The beautiful town hall on the market square
Population: 682,986
East Germany
Berlin
Many assume this city to be higher up, correct? We also love the German capital and the most populous city in Germany. Every year I’m in Berlin several times to visit friends and new cultural highlights. Because you will find them in abundance in Berlin.
In addition to the well-known historical sights such as the Bundestag, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, or the Jewish Museum, there is so much more that you have to visit. The most exciting of all German cities.
Under no circumstances should you miss these places in Berlin:
- Ride your bike along the Spree. Alternatively, a Spree tour by boat!
- Experience hidden bunkers on an underground bunker tour. Super exciting!
- Street art in Berlin. Best explored with a local.
Population: 3.769 million
Schwerin
The state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is simply a highlight in the northeastern state of Germany. Above all, you should not miss the old town, Lake Schwerin and Schwerin Castle.
Here you can find my sights in Schwerin
Wismar
For me, Wismar is the most beautiful city on the Baltic Sea. Above all, the old town, the market square with the town hall, water art, and “Alter Schwede” as well as the World Heritage House and the old harbor are great places. You should definitely explore Wismar.
All Wismar sights with tips can be found here.
Rostock
Most people only drive past Rostock if they drive to Rügen or Usedom on the Baltic Sea. I really liked Rostock. Perhaps an insider tip when it comes to the most beautiful cities in Germany.
Here you will find my most beautiful sights in Rostock.
Potsdam
Potsdam is known as the “city of palaces and gardens” and is right next to Berlin. Nevertheless, the city is often forgotten, especially by younger city travelers. Potsdam is best known for the Sanssouci Palace and the Potsdam Film Museum.
Under no circumstances should you miss these sights in Potsdam:
- Visit Sanssouci Palace with the Orangery Palace and the Royal Park
- Visit Filmpark Babelsberg as a tour
- Walk at the Holy Lake
- The Dutch Quarter, the most beautiful residential area in the state capital of Potsdam
Population: 178,089
Dresden
The numerous great historical buildings in Dresden make the city one of the most beautiful cities in Germany! The rebuilt Dresden Frauenkirche, the Semperoper, and the Zwinger are definitely worth a visit. Hardly any city in Germany (except Berlin) has such a moving history.
Don’t miss the following in Dresden:
- Visit the new town and the old town – a wonderful contrasting program
- Art and architecture in the Kunsthofpassage (Goerlitzer Strasse)
- Sights: Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Dresden Castle and Semperoper
- Tips with sights for Dresden
Population: 563,011
Leipzig
You simply have to count Leipzig among the most beautiful cities in Germany without hesitation. The Saxon city is an ideal destination to experience a mix of historical sights, old streets, and a lively hipster scene in the districts of Connewitz and Plagwitz. The “new” Berlin, as Leipzig has been called for the last 2-3 years, is nevertheless very different and unique.
You should not miss these sights in Leipzig:
- Visit the Monument to the Battle of the Nations
- Visit the Connewitz and Plagwitz neighborhoods
- Leipzig cotton mill, art scene, and the “New Leipzig School”
- Take a guided tour of the Waldstrassenviertel: Stately Gründerzeit houses and beautiful alleys
- Take a trip to one of the many lakes in Leipzig and the surrounding area
Population: 587,857
Southern Germany
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is the university town in Baden-Württemberg. That’s why I always like to go to the pubs in the old town or on theNeckarwiese. I love the view of the Neckar, the castle and the old town from the Philosophenweg. If you want to go all the way up, you have to climb the Heiligenberg to the Thingstätte on the sunny side and past the castle on the other side via the 1200-step ladder to heaven!
Don’t miss the following in Heidelberg:
- Hiking the Philosopher’s Path
- The old town, one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany!
- Chill out on the Neckarwiese in summer
- Visit the castle during the day, marvel at the Heidelberg Castle illuminations in the evening
Population: 160,355
- Here I have everything you should not miss in Heidelberg with tips at a glance
- See the top sights in Heidelberg here
Munich
The most beautiful city in Germany? The people of Munich are particularly proud of their homeland! Admittedly, we only learned to love Munich on our 2nd or 3rd visit.
Whether chilling out comfortably on the Isar, sitting in one of the many cafés, or enjoying a Bavarian beer in one of the numerous breweries: everyone has their favorites. The best way to explore the city is by bike.
Don’t miss the following in Munich:
- Surfers on the Eisbach wave in the English Garden
- Culinary stroll through the Viktualienmarkt
- Beer garden visit
- Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall on Marienplatz (near the Old Town Hall)
- The Werksviertel and its interesting concept
Population: 1.472 million
- Sights in Munich and what you can do
- Insider tips for Munich: Not everyone knows these places
- Tips for a weekend in Munich
- Our test for the Munich City Pass, so you save money
Freiburg
Freiburg is the city in Germany with the most hours of sunshine. Did you know that? There are over 1700 hours of sun here a year! The Baden green city is simply everything in one. Somehow rural and somehow hip, not too big and just cozy.
And above all, the small streams that flow through the old town are typical of the region.
When it comes to environmental protection, Freiburg im Breisgau is also way ahead of the game, adorning many roofs of public buildings with solar systems! Green City is a leader in Germany when it comes to sustainability. Wide cycle paths are a big plus that many other city dwellers dream of.
Under no circumstances should you miss these tips in Freiburg:
- The Freiburg Minster and the Minster Square
- The “local mountain” of Freiburg: Schauinsland . Leave the city and take the gondola to the top.
- Archaeological Museum Colombischloessle
Population: 230,241
Tubingen
The “little big city” of poets and thinkers: Tubingen. Only an hour by train from Stuttgart, Tubingen offers a lot of great places with one of the oldest universities in Germany, a lot of half-timbered houses, a picturesque old town with many cafes and bars to linger, and the natural Neckar with its famous punts. Incidentally, a total of 30% of the 91,000 inhabitants are students, which means that Tubingen has a particularly lively flair and I like it very much.
You should not miss these sights in Tubingen:
- Walk through the old town and admire the well-preserved buildings
- The town hall with the great facade and the astronomical clock
- The view from one of the bridges over the Neckar
- The pretty Neckarfront with great houses and punts
- Hölderlinturm at the Neckarfront (and visit the museum)
- Hohentübingen Castle with a museum and view from the 12th century
See all the highlights that you should discover in one day in Tübingen here
Heilbronn
Last but not least, my homeland (and also an underrated city!) Heilbronn makes it into the list of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Heilbronn is surrounded by vineyards and the Neckar. The city has so many beautiful places to offer that I would definitely recommend a visit.
You should not miss these sights in Heilbronn:
- The experiments
- Visit a “Besenwirtschaft”: Winegrowers’ pub, which serves wine and food once a Monday for a certain period of time. It doesn’t get any more rustic.
- A bike tour through the vineyards or along the Neckar
- City tour “quarter past six”
Population: 178,089
West Germany
Cologne
Even if Cologne looks a bit run down in many places: the city is a must! Old town, Cologne Cathedral, Rhine promenade with banks and many beautiful museums.
do you love carnival Even then, a visit to Cologne is a must! However, we avoid the cathedral city at this time of the year. During her many years in Cologne, Hannah also fled regularly.
Under no circumstances should you miss these sights in Cologne:
- Enjoy the view from the top of Cologne Cathedral
- Cologne old town and the banks of the Rhine
- Breweries for Kölsch beer
Population: 1.032 million
- View short trip tips for Cologne
- Sights in Cologne
- Insider tips for Cologne from Hannah
- 1 day in Cologne: highlights and walks
Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt is ugly and only has bankers and rascals? This is the well-known impression of many visitors. In our opinion, in Frankfurt am Main you just have to know where you are going! Because Frankfurt has really nice corners. Above all, the newly renovated streets of the old town around the Römer and the town hall are really worth seeing!
Under no circumstances should you miss these tips in Frankfurt am Main:
- Freshly renovated and newly built historic old town around the Römer and the town hall
- Bridge at the ECB – perfect skyline view
- A must when visiting: Meral’s kebab boat on the banks of the Main
- Feasting in the small market hall
→ You must not miss these places and sights in Frankfurt
Trier
Trier is the oldest city in Germany. Did you know that? Founded as early as 16 BC by the Romans under the name “Augusta Treverorum”. That’s why you won’t find so many buildings from Roman times in any other city. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage buildings in Trier!
Under no circumstances should you miss these sights in Trier:
- Porta Nigra, a landmark of the city and at least the name is known to every German
- Absolute “do” in Trier: St. Peter, the oldest bishop’s church in Germany
- Excursions to the Moselle valley and the well-known wine region or the nearby Eifel
Population: 111,138
Münster
Münster is known as a bicycle city and a student city. That’s exactly why I like it here so much. The sights are not as well known as those in other cities and sometimes that’s a good thing. Just let yourself go.
You should not miss these sights in Münster:
- The most beautiful park in Germany: Aaseepark, near the Mühlenhof open-air museum
- Kreuzviertel with its Art Nouveau villas
- Prinzipalmarkt and the oldest street in Münster.
Population: 178,089
FAQ about the most beautiful cities in Germany
Again and again, we receive messages with questions and hints. Why is our city (Görlitz, Wismar, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Erfurt, Bamberg, Nuremberg) not included?
Short answer: Because we haven’t been there yet or haven’t been for a long time. Or the city has less than 100,000 inhabitants. Our ranking for the beautiful cities in Germany with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants will follow soon. Then, Weimar, Rothenburg, and Bamberg are sure to be there too!
We have listed and answered further questions here:
Which are the top 10 cities in Germany for quality of life?
1. Munich
2. Erlangen
3. Stuttgart
4. Ingolstadt
5. Frankfurt am Main
6. Regensburg
7. Wolfsburg
8. Ulm
9. Hamburg
10. Würzburg
Which is the most beautiful city in Northern Germany?
Our ranking for the most beautiful cities in northern Germany is as follows:
1. Hamburg
2. Wismar
3. Schwerin
4. Lübeck
5. Rostock
Have we forgotten one of the most beautiful cities in Germany? What are your most beautiful cities in Germany?
Which is the most beautiful German city for you?
Tell us your travel destination with your best tips for the most beautiful places and what we absolutely must visit in your favorite city. We’re excited to hear your best recommendations and to visit these cities!
