things to do and see

Lake Constance

Lake Constance is perhaps the largest aquatic tourist attraction in Germany. Shared with both Austria and Switzerland, over four million people rely on the lake—also known as Bodensee—for drinking water. The shallow, warm waters are a key element in the quarter million birds that inhabit the area either year-round or during winter migration. Bird watchers might spot some rare species such as cormorant.

The Black Forest

Don’t let the ominous name fool you, the Black Forest is a wonderful place to visit on your vacation and is quite sunny during the summer. The thick covering of dark fir and pine trees earned this stretch of hills and valleys its namesake. Those with a love for quiet hikes or cross-country skiing will make the Black Forest a priority. More over, travelers looking for reasonably priced accommodations will delight in the affordable country inns.

Cologne

Resting comfortably upon the River Rhine, Cologne (Köln) possesses a host of unique characteristics that are popular Germany attractions. The city has its own dialect and style of making beer. However, besides its beautiful riverside view, Köln is known for two things: its cathedral and its fragrance.

Köln received its French name, Cologne, due to an immensely popular fragrant water created by an Italian merchant who had traveled to Germany to make his fortune. Composed of lavender, rosemary, and a few other ingredients, the perfume was marketed as a cure-all and Eau de Cologne was in demand for many years.

The Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the biggest edifice of its kind in the country. Amazingly enough, the construction took place over the course of 600 years. While there were some pauses in building between 1248 and 1880, one look at the cathedral and its towers that spiral into the sky reveals why it took so many years to complete. Kölner Dom’s most treasured artifact is the Sarcophagus of the Magi, a great gilded piece that is the largest reliquary among the western world.

Heidelberg

A German vacation is not complete without a visit to Heidelberg. Its beautiful castle perfects the town’s skyline. From a scenic vantage point along the walls, you can get a tremendous view of Heidelberg. Yet those who seek the most picturesque vistas will go the extra mile up to Königstuhl. It’s a long way, but on a clear day you can see for miles and miles.

The Frisian Islands

At first glance, you might not think these North Sea islands worthy of mention as a tourist attraction in Germany. However, they offer a unique experience to anything else on this list: crisp sea air and miles and miles of sandy beaches.

Oktoberfest

Perhaps the signature attraction, each year Bavaria hosts several weeks of beer drinking and celebration. However, enjoying a liter of good German ale isn’t the only reason to attend; live music of all different genres can be found and costumed performers will certainly delight. The only warning is that parking can be a nightmare and it is advised that you take a bus or train instead of driving. No matter how you get there though, you can’t go wrong with taking part in this essential bit of German culture.