Where are the best places to visit in Germany this summer? You'll likely get a variety of answers because, honestly, there are so many great places to explore.
There are national parks, beaches, forests, lakes, mountains, modern cities, charming old towns, and historical places – so it all depends on what you’re looking for on vacation.
If you need some inspiration, here are some of my favorite places to visit in Germany.
11 of the best places to visit in Germany
- Elbe Sandstone Mountains
- Walchensee
- Wadden Sea
- Eifel National Park
- Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park
- Freudenberg, Siegerland
- Ravenna Gorge, Black Forest
- Lusatian Lake District
- Phantasialand
- Siebengebirge
- German Toy Street
The best places to visit in Germany for nature
From hiking to swimming and beaches, these are my top places to visit in Germany this summer to embrace nature.
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains are part of the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany's only rock national park. Impressive sandstone rock formations and the famous Bastei Bridge await climbers and photographers. Hikers can explore the Malerweg, offering incredible views. If you visit in the summer you can explore the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from the water by canoe, followed by a cultural visit to Dresden.
Lake Walchensee
Known as the “Bavarian Caribbean,” Lake Walchensee is a deep Alpine lake near Munich. Enjoy turquoise waters, natural swimming areas, and beaches. Dive to explore cliffs, car wrecks, and a sunken city. My favorite hike in this area is the Herzogstand to Heimgarten ridge walk.
Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea is a coastal destination comprising Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein. Explore mudflats and treasures revealed by tides in places like Sankt Peter-Ording, Cuxhaven, and Norden. Surfing, wellness, and bird watching are popular activities. From Amrum, take an 8 km mudflat hike to Föhr.
Eifel National Park
Start your holiday in the Eifel in Monschau, known for its picturesque old town. Explore themed trails like Eifelsteig and the wilderness trail. Then at night, experience the starry sky at Vogelsang Square Observatory, an International Star Park since 2019.
Off the beaten track destinations to visit in Germany
If you've been on vacation in Germany before, then you are probably already familiar with big cities like Berlin or Hamburg. Here are a few destinations to delve deeper and explore more of Germany.
Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park
Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park is one of the coolest travel destinations in Germany. The park is a monument to industrial culture, a natural experience, and an amusement park all in one. There's plenty to keep you occupied for an entire vacation here. Kick off with a tour of the park, either on foot or by bike. If you're interested, you can also take a guided tour and delve into the history of the region.
For children and teenagers, there's an extensive adventure playground, a high ropes course, and a climbing garden. The best part about the park? Even if the weather isn't ideal, there's a lot to experience as numerous activities are housed in the decommissioned halls and the ironworks while evening visits offer a light installation by British artist Jonathan Park.
Freudenberg
Freudenberg is located between Frankfurt and Cologne, and if you're not from the area, you probably haven't heard of it. It's a shame because the historic old town, Alter Flecken, is incredibly charming. It is characterized by a collection of over 80 black and white half-timbered houses.
The entire city has a rich and lengthy history. You can embark on a little journey through time at the city museum. Afterward, try out one of the three themed hiking trails in Freudenberg and the Siegerland. Exciting for a day trip and very close by is the National Geotope Druidenstein.
Ravenna Gorge, Black Forest
In winter, the Ravenna Gorge is no longer a hidden gem, thanks to its enchanting Christmas market. But it’s also a great summer vacation too.
Here, the rather wild Ravennabach flows through the gorge, including some waterfalls. The highest is the Great Ravenna Falls, standing at 16 meters tall. If you want to see the whole thing up close, then it's best to hike the Heimatpfad Hochschwarzwald route. In addition to the gorge, you will also pass old saws and mills. The entire path is considered an open-air museum for the preservation of listed buildings.
Lusatian Lake District
Between Berlin and Dresden lies the Lusatian Lake District, a former mining area. Today, there are over 20 flooded lakes here, making the lake district the largest man-made water landscape in Europe.
The region is a wonderful place to visit in Germany during the summer. On the one hand, you can follow in the footsteps of the local industrial culture. Old power plants and factories now function as museums and venues that tell history. On the other hand, there are not only lakes and beaches to discover in the Lake District but also numerous cycling and hiking trails, gardens, and parks.
Travel destinations in Germany with children
Planning a vacation with the whole family? In addition to the above destinations, you might also like these places in Germany.
Phantasialand, Brühl
A favorite for children, Phantasialand in Brühl offers rides and magical, themed worlds. Highlights include the Black Mamba ride and the award-winning water ride, Chiapas. Stay directly in Phantasialand at Hotel Matamba or Hotel Ling Bao.
Siebengebirge
I spent parts of my childhood in Siebengebirge and the Drachenfels mountain always captivated me. If you decide to hike it halfway to the ruins of Drachenfels Castle lies the Nibelungenhalle. There, you can immerse yourself in the world of the local Nibelung saga and visit ‘Fafnir’, a dragon guarding the famous Rhine gold. There's even a reptile exhibition which the whole family can enjoy.
Back at the foot of the Drachenfels, you can also have a great holiday in the Siebengebirge Nature Park. Hiking, cycling, and horse riding are on the program. There is the well-known Beethoven hiking trail, but also several themed hiking trails such as the Zeitsprung adventure trail.
German Toy Street
The German Toy Route takes you through Bavaria and Thuringia, exploring toy culture. Designed around various themes, one of the most exciting routes for families with children is the German Toy Route.
From Schwabach, the route spans approximately 300 km to Erfurt. En route, you can explore the Thuringian Forest, Coburger Land, Upper Main Valley, and Franconian Switzerland. Along the way, there are well over 20 museums dedicated to the theme of toy culture, waiting to be discovered by you.
A highlight is the German Toy Museum in the toy metropolis of Sonneberg and the doll town of Neustadt. If you visit in the summer, you'll find plenty of opportunities to stay active along the way too. In the Thuringian Forest, you can hike or cycle, there are a few amusement parks in Upper Franconia, and there are several castles to explore along the route. The perfect place to go in Germany with kids.
For more advice on where to go in Germany check out the best places to visit in Germany during the winter and these tips on how to explore Germany by train.
