Experiences in Germany
Cycle paths for adventure seekers
Countryside, cities, cuisine or culture: every single one of the more than 250 long-distance cycling routes in Germany is packed full of its own unique highlights, with all categories of cycling-friendly accommodation options along the way. It’s time to hit the road!
Welcome to the land of hiking – Germany
Glorious routes of varying categories, hiking friendly accommodations, idyllic and diverse landscapes and a network of trails with excellent way-markers: unpacking your hiking boots in Germany is sure to put a smile on your face.
Health & Spas
If you want to get away from it all and relax, Germany is the place for you: health spas and resorts are just waiting to pamper you with sensational feel-good experiences in water, in the mountains or in the midst of green meadows and forests.
A place for recreation – German amusement parks
Although Germany didn’t invent amusement, it is certainly an expert in one of the best ways to experience it. This can be seen in the many indoor and interactive worlds and glorious zoos, as well as the more than 100 amusement parks, many of which hold tough-to-beat records.
A true culinary experience – German gourmet cuisine
More than 300 restaurants in Germany serve Michelin-starred cuisine, with concepts ranging from inspired new takes on simple and regional classics to new creations incorporating international influences. Have you acquired a taste for it? Go on, treat yourself.
Fine wines – something special thrives here
There’s something special about the places where German wines are made. Pampered by the climate, noble vines feel at home in the rich soils of the 13 wine-growing regions. Impressed? Why not cross the country, sampling everything from crisp Rieslings right through to floral Pinot Noirs along the way?
Shopping and discover
Shoppers will be in heaven in Germany. You can find everything you could ever wish for: from bargains to haute couture, from second-hand knick-knacks to futuristic finds, from international to typically German. Always efficient, easily accessible and, every now and again, at unbelievably great prices.
Or would you rather become an explorer? Then visit one of the numerous adventure worlds
Shopping in Germany: treat yourself. Chic shopping streets such as Königsallee in Düsseldorf or Kaufingerstraße in Munich are just as tempting as the fantastic outlets, factory sales by prestigious producers and architecturally show-stopping shopping centres. No matter where you go, there’s something for everyone. In many destinations, a stroll through the Old Town can also turn into a shopping trip. Traditional markets wow visitors with regional specialities. And if you have spare time to browse, why not seek out the many enchanting little shops off the beaten track. In the big cities such as Berlin, you will also find numerous flea markets, where many mementos from times gone by are up for grabs. As if that’s not enough, all these towns and cities also have impressive shopping areas, with store after store and label after label. With a few cafes and restaurants dotted in between – perfect for taking a break. Whether you are looking for typically German products, looks and designs by acclaimed local designers or international fashion at bargain prices, fulfilling your every need is always the top priority when shopping in Germany. So shop till you drop and experience limitless indulgence. From edgy to exclusive, you’ll find the German shopping experience hard to resist.
Germany – Country of castles and palaces
In all regions of Germany, historic castles, palaces and gardens are perfect for romantic trips, legendary tours and magical moments. From UNESCO World Heritage to hidden gems. We bet you’ll be beguiled.
Top tips for special holiday experiences
Enjoy open-air concerts, romantic evenings under starry skies or amazing discoveries in special exhibitions. Many of Germany’s castles and palaces are real hidden gems when it comes to unique holiday experiences.
From running shoes to royal cloaks
As the ancestral seat of the noble German dynasty, Hohenzollern Castle is renowned far beyond the Swabian Alb as an emblem of the region and one of the most famous castles in Baden-Württemberg. For over 30 years, this site that bore witness to the origins of the European power of Prussia in the Middle Ages has been the venue for a popular sports event. Every autumn, around 500 runners take part in the Hohenzollern Mountain Race, starting in the valley and covering 365 vertical metres over a distance of 8.1 kilometres to the finish line in the courtyard of Hohenzollern Castle.
Back in the Middle Ages, Kings and Emperors covered far greater distances. Rather than reigning from a capital city, they travelled through their kingdom accompanied by their families and royal households. Various palaces served as residences and staging posts – including the Imperial Palace of Goslar, which, together with Goslar Old Town and the former Rammelsberg Mine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can find out more about this itinerant empire on guided tours and at an extensive exhibition in the Imperial Palace.
Jack, Queen, King: design your own playing cards
Altenburg Residential Castle features a very unusual exhibition. This palace is home to the world’s first playing card museum. This is by no means a coincidence. The card game Skat was invented by Altenburg society back in the 19th century and is now played all over the world. In 2016, it was recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The production of playing cards is also part of the tradition of this Thuringian city. Alongside particularly noteworthy exhibits, visitors to the museum can also find out more about historical techniques for producing playing cards and even design their own Jack or Queen of Hearts at workshops in the castle’s media centre.
Music in a fortress under starry skies
Spandau Citadel, one of the most important and best-preserved fortresses of the High Renaissance period in Europe, is the jewel of the Berlin district of Spandau. It regularly serves as the backdrop for concerts and festivals, including the annual open-air Citadel Music Festival. The first “Spandau macht Alte Musik” festival here in 2020 will showcase a harmonious fusion of music played on instruments from different eras.
Just a few kilometres from the fortifications of the citadel is a building with a completely different vocation. The Belvedere was constructed as a summer residence on Pfingstberg hill on the north-west of the New Garden purely on the basis of the breathtaking view. The impressive villa with two towers, with its style reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance, is one of the most popular destinations for excursions from the city, with the particular attraction of special events such as theatre performances, seasonal markets and night concerts with atmospheric music. The observatory in the Bergedorf district of Hamburg also offers visitors a romantic view of the skies. Together with the Rieck House Open Air Museum and the only preserved castle in Hamburg, this forms the “Bergedorfer Museumslandschaft” association. First mentioned in the 14th century, Bergedorf Castle is now a museum showcasing the history of the region.
