Looking for the top German landmarks to visit? Check out this post for 8 top German landmarks every traveler should see.
Germany, a vast and beautiful country, is bound to be filled with lots of landmarks that attract tourists from all over the world. Whether you’re the kind of tourist who enjoys immersing him or herself in culture and history or the more adventurous type, there are landmarks for everyone that can suit your travel style.
However, if you’re having a hard time narrowing down what kind of landmarks you want to see, keep reading! This post highlights 8 top German landmarks every traveler should visit so that you can create the ultimate itinerary while you’re in Germany.
Germany Travel Series
P.S. This is a post in my Germany Travel series. Here is the complete series:
Cologne Restaurants: Where To Find the Best Restaurants in Cologne Germany
Prettiest Cities: The Top 8 Prettiest Cities in Germany You Need To Visit
Uber: Is There Uber in Germany?
Beer Festivals: 10 Top German Beer Festivals in Germany Other Than Oktoberfest
The East Side Gallery (german landmarks)
The East Side Gallery, for example, is a great landmark in Germany you should visit. It’s an open-air art gallery painted on a preserved section of the Berlin Wall and it showcases a diverse collection of murals by artists from around the world. On its own, the landmark even offers a visual representation of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany, and the freedom that came with it, all while serving as a historical reminder of how the country was divided in the past. Some people have even gone as far as to say the landmark is a place to experience art, history, and the spirit of change in one location.
Speicherstadt (german landmarks)
The Speicherstadt is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! It’s a well-preserved historic district in Hamburg that was once a major industrial and commercial port on the Elbe River. It’s even known for its neo-Gothic brick buildings, gabled roofs, and ornate facades.
Some attractions you can do in Spiecherstadt as a tourist include but are not limited to visiting the Hamburg Dungeon or the International Maritime Museum. Visiting the Hamburg Dungeon is a great way to learn more about Hamburg’s dark history. Visiting the International Maritime Museum is a great way to see the world’s largest private collection of maritime treasures.
The Cologne Cathedral (german landmarks)
The Cologne Cathedral is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that’s known for being one of the world’s tallest twin-spired churches. The cathedral even has the largest facade of any church in the world.
In fact, as a tourist inside the cathedral, you will come across many artistic masterpieces that include but are not limited to the largest existing cycle of early 14th-century stained-glass windows in Europe, the Shrine of the Magi, and the 4th-century St. Peter’s Staff.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. Visitors are even welcome to climb to the top of one of the cathedral’s spires for spectacular views.
Marienplatz (german landmarks)
The Marienplatz is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! It’s a square in Munich, Germany that dates back to the 12th century and was once the location for a salt and grain market. The square is now dominated by the New City Hall, which has a viewing platform in its tower. There’s even a monument in the center of the square called the Marian Column that commemorates the end of the 30 Years’ War.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. The Marienplatz also hosts many events throughout the year that include but are not limited to the Christmas market, the city’s anniversary celebrations, and the FC Bayern championship celebrations.
Neuschwanstein Castle (german landmarks)
The Neuschwanstein Castle is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! It’s a castle built in the 1860s that’s known for its fairytale beauty, hence the nickname “The Cinderella Castle”. In fact, the castle has even been an inspiration for so many artists and photographers for over 150 years, due to its picturesque white exterior, turrets, and setting in the Alps. Disney was even so influenced by the castle’s design that he used it as a model for the Disney Castle in the company’s logo.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. The castle is about a two-hour drive southwest of Munich and it’s the most famous historicist building in the world.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (german landmarks)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! It’s one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities with towered walls, half-timbered buildings, and stone walls. Its architecture even stands out due to the Gothic and Renaissance city hall and the church of St. Jacob.
Some attractions you can do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber include but are not limited to the daily Night Watchman’s Tour and the Christmas shops. The Night Watchman’s tour is where you follow a night watchman as you walk across quiet squares and through barely illuminated lanes in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This is supposed to set the mood as you learn about the town’s local legends. Visiting the Christmas shops in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is another activity you can do while you’re there since they are open all year round. This is obviously not as common anywhere else in Germany so many people take advantage of it.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. You can actually walk the walls that fortify the small town and it’s also known for being a part of the famous Romantic Road.
Bodensee (german landmarks)
Bodensee is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! The lake, also known as, Lake Constance, is surrounded by volcanic rock, orchards, vegetable gardens, and colorful woods. People even come to the German landmark to do a load of outdoor activities that include but are not limited to hiking, cycling, swimming, sailing, and skiing. There’s even a cross-border flea market near the lake that’s one of the largest in southern Germany.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. There are several museums you can visit while you’re there including the Zeppelin Museum and the Dornier Museum which are both dedicated to showcasing the history of flight.
The Black Forest (german landmarks)
Lastly, the Black Forest is another great landmark in Germany you should visit! It has stunning natural landscapes with dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, and rolling hills. Thus, making it the perfect place for hiking since there are abundant trails everywhere for all skill levels. The cuisine in the area is even known for being very delicious with sample traditional dishes like the Black Forest cake and local meats.
So, if this German landmark sparks your interest, I highly recommend visiting. The forest was the inspiration behind many Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales like “Hansel and Gretel” and it has many charming towns and villages nearby.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed this post on the top 8 German landmarks every traveler should visit! Please let me know in the comments below if you’ve been to any of the landmarks I mentioned and what your experience was like. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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