Germany is considered a leading tourist destination in the list of European countries (and even in the list of destinations from all over the world) and for good reason. A trip to Germany, short or long, will bring you together with large, lively and very colorful cities, with ancient buildings and a rich history (and not simple, sometimes), with charming side roads near which are picturesque villages and huge castles and with a unique local culture that preserves, And with great success, on an ancient tradition. There are countless attractions in Germany, scattered throughout the country. Some of them mainly attract families with children, some are more suitable for the adults in the group, there are the attractions that are mainly intended for those interested in art, culture and its history and there is also the great nature, which is perfect for those who like hiking.
Berlin and its surroundings
The city that has no second in Germany and perhaps also among the most visited cities in the world. Berlin is a must-stop and this is also the reason why many choose to start their trip in Germany precisely there. There are those who dedicate the entire planned trip to it, while others combine it with visiting other destinations. Berlin and its immediate surroundings have a huge variety of attractions, suitable for every type and style of vacation and for a wide range of ages.
In the list of the main attractions in the city, you can find Paris Square and the famous Brandenburg Gate, the remains of the Berlin Wall with its spectacular murals and graffiti, the Reichstag Building – an impressive building that houses the Parliament, the Konzerthaus Theater, Potsdam Square which attracts crowds, Berlin’s tallest television tower – Marienkirche, Checkpoint Charlie – an important historical point and the multitude of museums in the city, the central and most important of which are focused on two sites: the Culture Forum – Kulturforum near Potsdam Square and the Museum Island, where there are five fascinating museums, such as the National Gallery The old, the Pergamon museum, the new museum and the old museum and the Buda museum.
Even outside the city itself you can find a selection of attractions and points of interest that justify leaving the city. At a distance of only 60 km from Berlin, there is a huge building in a charming rural area, called “The Tropical Islands” – it simulates a real Thai village, surrounded by tropical vegetation, waterfalls and beautiful sandy beaches. There is a selection of activities for children, a pampering spa complex and sometimes held there Also various performances. You can stop at one of the restaurants there and enjoy a wonderful day trip outside the big city. Bernau is a small town, adjacent to Berlin (at a distance of 20 km from it). It is a picturesque town highly recommended for a visit, which has managed to maintain over the years its special appearance and its Gothic buildings. You can reach it by car or train. The city of Dresden is another place worth visiting. Although it is 190 km away (about a two-hour drive by car or less if you choose to travel by train), many combine it with a visit to the capital. Dresden is located near the Elbe River and includes charming architectural buildings and a unique stately atmosphere.
Munich and Bavaria
In the southeastern part of Germany is one of the most beautiful regions of the country, otherwise known as Bavaria, whose capital is the great city of Munich. Similar to Berlin, Munich also attracts crowds and is actually also considered the official and main gateway to this part of the country. Every October, large celebrations are held there as part of the Oktoberfest (a huge beer celebration), which attract crowds of people to the city, as well as quite a few Israelis, who want to have this one-time experience, unique to the city itself. Beyond that, there are quite a few points of interest in Munich that also warrant a stop, such as its old town with its impressive architectural buildings, such as its city park which is considered a beautiful green bubble right in the center of the city, such as Marian Square, aka the central square and one of its well-known tourist spots, and of course a building The new municipality that is hard to ignore. The English Gardens of Munich are an attraction that must be included during your stay in the city, as well as the Nymphenburg Palace with the adjacent park that was used by the Bavarian royalty in the summer months.
In the region of Bavaria itself, apart from Munich, you can find a selection of attractions and above all – a spectacularly beautiful nature. The Bavarian Alps are part of the story, and under their highest peak lies a charming town called Garmisch Partenkirchen. The famous romantic road also belongs to this rope and along it, besides the small picturesque villages and magical roads, which justify a short stop for a picnic, you can also find several castles, which are considered an unusual attraction, such as: Neuschwanstein Castle and Nymphenburg Castle. You can go on a guided tour in each of them and be impressed by the luxurious rooms that have been invested in, which tell the story of the residents. It is very worthwhile to dedicate at least three days to the entire romantic route (of course more is recommended, if possible) and to stop along the way in the ancient towns from the Middle Ages. Particularly recommended is the city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber with its old quarter and the tall towers that offer a beautiful view of the city and its immediate surroundings.
Lake Constance – on the border with Austria and Switzerland
It is a very prominent tourist attraction in Germany, one that includes an environment with quite a few options, for those planning a stop there. Lake Constance, known as one of the three largest lakes in Central Europe, is shared by three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You can dedicate a few hours to a trip there or only one day trip or even more. The best time to visit this area is in the spring and summer months, although it should be taken into account that between June and August this area may be crowded with quite a few tourists. One of the ways to experience the area is on a bicycle trip on the route that surrounds it. A visit to the old castle in Meersburg is a must, if only to be impressed by the large number of magnificent rooms and also by the strange rooms, in the small town (such as the torture rooms and the dungeon).
Other points of interest in the area are: the water world in Konstanz, where there is a variety of marine animals and the Papander cable car in the city of Bregenz (on the Austrian side of the lake). Mainau Island is a very popular tourist attraction for those who come to the lake, and is also known as Butterfly Island and Flower Island. It includes an area of 45 dunams, where there are beautiful gardens, a spectacular butterfly house and large and impressive lawns. The ferries that cross the lake are a very convenient and enjoyable means of transportation and you can get on them both to get to Minao Island and to enjoy an experiential cruise that passes by beautiful spots near the lake. The city of Konstanz itself also deserves a stop and is located in Germany, near the border with Switzerland. The ancient part is one of the most beautiful areas in it and also its port. Close to the border with Austria is the picturesque town of Lindau, whose old town is connected to the mainland by a bridge, intended exclusively for pedestrians.
The Black Forest – the southwestern edge
In the southwestern part of Germany is one of its most popular spots – the Black Forest, which attracts crowds of Israeli families and families from all over the world, offering its visitors countless great attractions throughout the year. At the same time, most of those who come to it choose to visit it in the summer months, between June and August or during the transition seasons, in spring and autumn. In the summer it is warm and pleasant, although it may be very busy with travelers and in the transition seasons, although it is cool and rainy from time to time, the number of visitors is significantly less and its attractions are less crowded. There are various accommodation solutions in the Black Forest, farms to stay at, guesthouses and of course hotels of various degrees. Places to eat are scattered in the area itself and the mobility options are varied. Most visitors to the Black Forest rent a car and travel independently.
One of the outstanding advantages of the Black Forest is the ability to travel through it on foot and without depending on organized trips and any external factors, who dictate the pace and nature of the trip themselves. In the Black Forest you can find many marked trails, intended for pedestrians, and it is highly recommended to have detailed route maps before you set off. Cyclists will find great organized routes in the Black Forest, and families with children will find plenty of attractions and activities mostly suitable for little ones. Europa Park is a famous amusement park in the Black Forest and is known as one of its popular attractions, as is the water park in Badeparadies. The Todnau mountain slides are another attraction that should not be missed, as is the ropes park on Mount Feldberg – Kletterwald. Lake Titisee is a must-stop and the Triberger Wasserfalle, which reaches a height of 163 meters, is a must-stop when traveling in the Black Forest.
The Rhine Valley – West Germany
Green hills covered with vineyards, small villages and picturesque towns on the side of the road, wine festivals and very pleasant and comfortable weather are all reasons why you should not miss the Rhine Valley, which is located in the western part of Germany and is considered a tourist area and loved by many. This is a place at the confluence of three rivers: the Rhine, the Moselle and the Saar and a beautiful area with spectacular nature. It is decorated with romantic castles and ancient towns from the Middle Ages and it even has an amusement park for children, pampering baths and countless attractions suitable for families and all ages.
The largest city in this region is the city of Frankfurt, which is located near the Rhine River. The city has many interesting tourist spots, a cinema museum, an archeology museum and also a fascinating Jewish museum. Those who are forced to include some shopping in their trip will find in Frankfurt a pedestrian shopping street crowded with people and full of shops, offering everything for sale. Cologne, which is also a large and prominent city in Germany, is also located in this valley and near the river. The magnificent Gothic cathedral is a highly recommended attraction, as is the chocolate museum. Other cities in the Rhine Valley that you should include a stop in during your vacation are the old city of Trier, known as one of the oldest cities in the country, and the city of Koblenz. Dusseldorf is a must visit and it also belongs to the list of prominent and touristic cities in Germany and for good reason. Mainz is the capital of the Rhineland that many people stop by for a day trip or as part of a sightseeing trip in the region.
Hamburg – Northern Germany
The northern part of Germany is a unique region that should not be missed as part of the trip to the country itself. Those who happen to visit it should not miss the city of Hamburg, the second largest in the country. The ancient buildings in it, the impressive churches and the beautiful cathedrals, the many attractions it has to offer and the pleasant atmosphere in almost every corner, all of these make it a wonderful city to visit, which should be combined with a visit to the other cities that are also in the northern part of the country. Although many buildings in Hamburg were almost completely destroyed during World War II, the city was restored and some of its oldest were restored. The port in Hamburg is a charming and very touristic spot and the shopping streets there are definitely a suitable place for anyone who wants to purchase an item of clothing or any other product before returning to Israel. Lake Alster (Alster) located in the center of the city adds quite a bit of beauty to it and Hamburg’s fish market, which has been operating there since 1703, is an unusual attraction.
Other points of interest in northern Germany are: the city of Hanover, the capital of the province of Lower Saxony, a city where quite a few fairs and conferences are held throughout the year and is known as a very prominent economic center in Germany, the city of Bremen, which is surrounded by the river Weser and offers a relaxed atmosphere and a town hall An ancient that is recognized as a heritage site by UNESCO, the Harz mountain range is another place in northern Germany that is full of magnificent rivers, lakes and huge cliffs and the city of Kiel, which is near the Baltic Sea and the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, is another very northern point that is recommended to stop at even Thanks to the Scandinavian fragrances that characterize it.
Ski resorts in Germany
Germany is known, among other things, for its excellent ski resorts, which attract many, both professionals and amateurs. The well-known German ski resorts are: Garmisch, which is at the foot of the Zugspitze mountain, the highest in Germany and part of the German-Bavarian Alps, Spitzingsee in the Tegenersee valley in Bavaria and intended for all levels of skiers, Sankt Englmar, which is also in Bavaria and the ski slopes where they reach a maximum height of 1,095 meters, Lenggries, the well-known As one of the largest and most prominent ski resorts in Bavaria, it is visited by quite a few families with children and Oberammergau in northern Bavaria with slopes designed for all levels and a maximum height of 1270 meters.
Important Jewish points
It is hard not to also mention the important Jewish points that are mostly focused on the big cities and especially on the touristy Berlin and Munich. These points tell the story of the large Jewish community, which lived in Germany for many centuries and was an important, central and very prominent part of it. Many of the members of the community perished during the Holocaust and those who survived the inferno remained, in part, to live there. Some of them left for other countries, including Israel, and those who remained continued to leverage and glorify the Jewish tradition also on German soil. Among the important centers of interest in Germany related to the Jewish community, one can find: the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, the New Synagogue in Berlin, Max Lieberman’s Villa, the Synagogue in Frankfurt, the Jewish Museum in Munich, the Jewish Cemetery in Worms ( Worms), which is the oldest in Europe as well as other more and less well-known sites.
