2.) Rothenburg ob der Tauber<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
One of the most vibrant and colourful places in Germany is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Well, in my opinion at least!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Perched within the fringes of Northern Bavaria, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the best places in Germany to visit and has been included in the route of the Romantic Road for many years.<\/p>\n
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Honestly, there is so much history in this relatively small town. In fact, the towers and walls of the place have remained untouched since the 1600s.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so beautiful and almost feels like time has stood still in the historic centre.\u00a0In fact, I\u2019d go as far as saying that Rothenburg ob der Tauber is perfectly preserved, making it an incredible place to visit for a day trip.<\/p>\n
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After arriving, be sure to ramble across the town on foot, especially around Pl\u00f6nlein. It\u2019s the best way to explore Rothenburg ob der, Tauber. Just make sure you take some really comfy shoes with you! Oh yeah, and make sure to pop inside the Rothenburg Museum and see the Castle Gate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whilst exploring Germany, you can easily visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber whilst travelling between Nuremberg and Stuttgart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best German cities to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Hamburg<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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One treasure of the Elbe River is the city of Hamburg. Trust me when I say, there are so many epic spots to see in Hamburg!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although it might not seem to have the \u2018edge\u2019 of Berlin \u2013 it packs a hefty punch as one of the best places in Germany to visit for a city trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Traditionally known as an important and busy port, Hamburg is now the second largest city in Germany and a spot we\u2019ve always loved visiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To get a good feel of the city, book this Hamburg City Cruise before arriving. This way, you\u2019ll get to see the city from a whole different perspective and won\u2019t have to join the queues for tickets once you arrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, head inside the Elphi (Elbphilharmonie Hamburg) to catch a performance in one of Hamburg\u2019s most iconic buildings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Also, don\u2019t forget about the Neo-Renaissance Rathaus is one specific landmark in Hamburg that you can\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you fancy a more relaxing day, check out Planten un Blomen and explore the city\u2019s park on foot. It\u2019s like a little oasis.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Hamburg<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Dresden<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Right inside the Saxony region of Germany, Dresden is a city that\u2019s about the size of Edinburgh in the UK. This makes it big enough to be totally vibrant and filled with things to do \u2013 but also small enough to get around on a long weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Formerly known as the Jewel Box, Dresden houses several lavish collections of architecture and art. This is especially true within the palatial estate of Zwinger.<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget about Bruehl\u2019s Terrace\u2019s beautiful plaza and F\u00fcrstenzug which shows off historical Saxon rulers in mosaics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, be sure to see the Dresden Frauenkirche reconstruction. Sadly, the original was destroyed in the war \u2013 but the new one has followed the same architectural style and materials as the original. It\u2019s stunning.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best German cities to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Munich<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Known as Bavaria\u2019s capital, Munich is certainly a totally beautiful city and one of the best places in Germany to visit. Not only that, Munich can be your gateway to the wider region of Bavaria and can easily be the starting or ending point of your trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After arriving, head over to the Baroque beauty of Nymphenburg Palace. It\u2019s the historic summer home of Bavarian rulers and is totally beautiful inside. Yes, you\u2019ll pay a small fee to enter \u2013 but it\u2019s totally worth it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For its cafes, ornate buildings and little shops, head over to Marienplatz. It\u2019s the bustling historic centre of Munich and a spot you likely won\u2019t miss. You\u2019ve also got Victuals Market close by which is a great place to try local produce and sweet treats. They\u2019re all so yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget about the beautiful Schleissheim Palace. It\u2019s just outside the city centre and is stunning to see. In fact, I\u2019d go as far as saying it\u2019s one of our favourite palaces we saw in all of Munich.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Finally, don\u2019t forget you can book this Neuschwanstein and Linderhof ticket that will take you on a day trip from Munich. It\u2019s well worth it as they take all the stress out of travelling through Bavaria and they include entry into the main spots.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Munich<\/b><\/p>\n6.) Bamberg<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Often called the Rome of Franconia, Bamberg is a town built on seven hills which is a stunner to explore \u2013 especially in the historic centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Filled with magnificent mansions, preserved timber-framed dwellings, cobblestone streets and the beer culture make this a firm favourite when road-tripping across Bavaria.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After arriving, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the colourful fishermen\u2019s houses and the City Hall of Bamberg. It stands on its very own little island.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Bavaria to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n7.) Nuremberg<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Nuremberg is a gem of a city to explore at any time of year and we\u2019ve visited in both summer and winter. That being said, there\u2019s something very special about a wintery trip to this German city.<\/p>\n
You see, during the festive period, Nuremberg holds its grand Christkindlesmarkt. This is one of the most-awaited markets in the region and the most visited in Germany.<\/p>\n
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Make sure to stock up on some gluhwein, grab some toffee apples and gorge on the cinnamon-toasted waffles. Yum!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Though don\u2019t fret if you\u2019re visiting Nuremberg in the warmer months, you can also explore St. Lorenz Church and the medieval Imperial Castle.<\/p>\n
We loved walking around the latter, which took a few hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Bavaria to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n8.) Stuttgart<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Over the years, we\u2019ve visited Stuttgart many times\u2026 and loved it!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Although its gem, for us, is the iconic Christmas Market, Stuttgart has so much more going for it. After arriving, check out the Mercedes Benz Museum, the art museum of Staatsgalerie Stuttgart and the Porsche Museum.<\/p>\n
Trust me, if you love cars, you will love Stuttgart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If cars aren\u2019t your thing, head to Ludwigsburg Palace (which is beautiful) or check out the medieval city of Esslingen which is really close by.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and if it\u2019s German castles you love, drive a wee bit from Stuttgart to check out Hohenzollern Castle which stands proudly overlooking the region.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s like something out of a fairytale and not too far from the centre of Stuttgart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Stuttgart<\/strong><\/p>\n9.) Quedlinburg<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
When travelling through the Saxony-Anhalt region, one great place to stop is Quedlinburg. It\u2019s honestly like stepping back in time.<\/p>\n
Unlike some cities in Germany, Quedlinburg survived the Second World War without serious damage, and there are numerous Renaissance and medieval buildings located that have been protected and still stand tall in the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walk along the cobblestoned streets and head off to see Falkenstein Castle which dates all the way back to the middle ages. Also, don\u2019t forget to check out the hiking trails around Hamburger Wappen.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s probably one of the area\u2019s most unusual geological features and well worth heading out to see on a sunny day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10.) Regensburg<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Marked as one of Bavaria\u2019s most beautiful towns, Regensburg stays is one of the best places in Germany to visit as you meander through the castles and palaces of Bavaria.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, for us, one of the best ways to explore Regensburg is by foot. Head across the Old Stone Bridge and meander the cobbled streets towards the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady Regensburg. It\u2019s one of the oldest catholic places of worship in all of Bavaria.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11.) Dusseldorf<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
People seem to either love or hate Dusseldorf\u2026 but I\u2019m gonna let you decide!\u00a0<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve stayed in the city on a number of occasions and, to be honest, we didn\u2019t mind it at all. It\u2019s got that lovely\u00a0mixture of modern and old vibes and a pretty young vibe. Which, if I\u2019m honest, makes it quite a lively city and totally fun.<\/p>\n
Love beer? Well, the cobbled alleyways of Dusseldorf are known today as the world\u2019s longest bar, catering to every palette with German beer and various brews from around the country.<\/p>\n
Once here, you can stroll the city, skate in the winter and festival in the summer. It\u2019s a city that\u2019s got something for every season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve got time, head out of the city centre and pop into the Baroque Schloss Benrath. It\u2019s a stunning palace built back in the 1700s.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best German cities to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n12.) Bavaria\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Although I\u2019ve mentioned places in Bavaria before, I have to admit, the whole region is just beautiful to visit. In fact, I\u2019d say it\u2019s one of the best places in Germany to visit for a road trip and well worth the drive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Of course, you have to explore the totally iconic Neuschwanstein Castle that was built by King Ludwig II. It\u2019s totally stunning to see and probably one of the world\u2019s most iconic castles.<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, make sure to see Schloss Hohenschwangau and check out the beautiful Linderhof Palace \u2013 which we loved. Yes, it might be one of the smaller palaces, but it\u2019s totally gorgeous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019re not all castled out, head on over to Herrenchiemsee Palace which is probably one of our favourite palaces built by King Ludwig II.<\/p>\n
Unlike Neuschwanstein Castle which is much more subdued inside, Herrenchiemsee Palace is even grander! it\u2019s his largest palace ever built and still stands proudly to this day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Fancy heading further south in Bavaria, head over to Zugspitze and scale the tallest mountain in Germany. Though fear not, you don\u2019t have to climb it, there\u2019s a cable car that will take you right to the top.<\/p>\n
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The views are honestly breathtaking and well worth going up for an hour to see the stunning Alps from above.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, spend some time strolling around the beautiful Eibsee Lake. We spent a whole day here and would definitely recommend it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Bavaria to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n13.) Black Forest<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Fancy getting out in the natural beauty of Germany? Then head over to the best spots in the Black Forest. It\u2019s one of the best places in Germany to visit and is so beautiful.<\/p>\n
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Now, if this sounds like your kind of trip, make sure to rent a car. This way, you can explore the Black Forest with ease \u2013 all without stressing about public transport, which is less developed in this region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Once here, check out the Wildline Suspension Bridge and head up to the Treetop Walk, Bad Wildbad. The views from above the forest are gorgeous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Also, head over to the historic city of Baden-Baden. An old gambling haunt for French visitors and royalty from centuries ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Now, to make things easier, we followed the Black Forest High Route (B500) and it made our road trip totally easy. It\u2019s around 80-90km in length and goes from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. We kept stopping every 10 minutes to see the views and little spots along the way.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in the Black Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n