33 Things to do in germany
Whether this is one of your first trips to Germany or not, there is no shortage of things to do and see. From history to art to culture to the outdoors, Germany attractions are plentiful. In an effort to help give you an idea of what you could do on a vacation, here is a list (in no particular order):
1. Enjoy German Jazz
In terms of music, Germany has always been legendary country. Jazz is particularly famous in the country and the world. Jazz clubs and Jazz festivals are what you will enjoy a lot.
2. Wagner Opera Festival
Germany is one country which provides you with class operas. So visit Bayreuth and witness the famous Wagner Opera Festival. And spend quality time at a number of museums having excellent collection.
3. Chart Berlin's history in one street
Start your visit with a stroll down the Unter den Linden: its monuments trace the city's evolution, from the Hohenzollern dynasty through to the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich and the GDR. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate, installed as a triumphal arch to mark Prussia's capital city in 1791, with the Quadriga statue on top.
The Gate of Peace was a scene of celebration when the Wall came down. To the west of the gate is the picturesque Tiergarten; to the north is the Reichstag, housing the German parliament; to the south is the main shopping street of Friedrichstrasse and to the east is Museum Island.
4. Neuschwanstein Castle
The most famous of Germany's castles, and one of the three commissioned by King Ludwig II, overlooks the gorgeous Hohenschwangau valley. Hundreds of artisans from around the globe took sixteen years to build but a third of the planned castle, and it was never finished. However, its sweeping turrets and alabaster walls still make Neuschwanstein a beautiful sight and a prime tourist attraction in Germany.
5. Beer festival
A visit to Germany is incomplete without having a sip of beer which is famous around the world. Munich hosts the best-known of all German events, the beer festival. The Altstadt is more renowned for its 300 plus discos and bars than it is for typical old world sightseeing. The Altstadt is often referred to as “the longest bar in the world” in reference to the many bars crammed into a relatively small borough.
6. Berlin
Berlin, a draw in of itself, contains a myriad of individual sights to see. The last remaining gate, the Brandenburg Gate, can be found along the western end of Unter den Linden Boulevard. Those with a fondness for Prussian history will want to visit the Charlottenburg Palace; it's the oldest surviving Prussian palace.
The Soviet War Memorial and its statues bearing tribute to the Russian soldiers who died fighting Hitler is another must-see. Beyond the immense amount of history available, Germany's capital city also offers a remarkably diverse zoo which features over 13,000 different species.
7. Sprint around the Olympic stadium
The Olympiastadion illustrates what Nazi architecture was like. It's a simple, arcaded classical oval of light-coloured Franconian stone, which is open to the elements. But perhaps it's best remembered as the spot where Jesse Owens incurred Hitler's wrath by winning four gold medals, proving that his Aryan race lacked superiority. The original design survived Second World War bombs and demolition threats, before undergoing a major refit for the 2006 World Cup, whereby a hovering disc leaves the central structure open to the sky.
8. The Romantic Road
The Romantic Road is one of the most picturesque of Germany attractions with over 220 miles of enchanting vistas. It ranges from the River Main in the north and winds its way south to the Alps, passing through walled towns and villages. Originally a trade route during the middle ages, the remnants of the past can be found along its enchanted roads. Gothic cathedrals and ancient churches are nestled near quaint country inns.
9. Walk the Berlin wall, what’s left of it
Although the majority was demolished between June and November 1990, a small stretch remains on the southern border of Wedding. Along the way, you can see a restored segment at the Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer, next to a documentation centre that charts the stories of escapees who attempted to cross the divide.
At the Sandkrugbrücke, located on a former border crossing, a stone commemorates the first person to be shot dead trying to escape to the West. Pause to see Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, where a museum display about the history of the Wall marks the spot of the once forbidding border, which was only open to non-Germans and Allied forces.
10. Stroll around the Charlottenburg gardens
On a sunny day, visit this sumptuous palace and garden complex of Schloss Charlottenburg, which was built as a summer home for Queen Sophie-Charlotte by her husband Friedrich III in the 17th century. The highlight is the Neue Flügel (New Wing), which contains Frederick the Great's opulent rococo state apartments.
Here, the Golden Gallery is dripping in gilt, in contrast to the restrained classical winter chambers of his successor Friedrich Wilhelm. At the end stands a Pavilion designed by Schinkel, the architect of the Altes Museum. Outside, the lush gardens, modelled on a French style, are the perfect place for a stroll.
11. Test your vertical limits
Berlin's skyline offers a number of places that have fine city views. At the Reichstag by Foster and Partners, it's worth taking a trip to the playful glass dome at the top, in which a funnel of mirrors sheds light on the workings of democracy below.
For a leisurely view, climb the picturesque 'cross hill' of Victoriapark in Kreuzberg, where landmarks of East and West will spread out before your eyes. Also visit the Panoramapunkt in Potsdamer Platz, which will welcome you aboard the fastest elevator in Europe.
12. Lake Constance
Lake Constance is perhaps the largest aquatic tourist attraction in Germany. Shared with both Austria and Switzerland, more than 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.
13. Dachau
Built in 1933, it's unique among the concentration camps as it served as a training ground for those that would staff the other camps, such as Auschwitz in Poland. A guided tour is available and recommended for visitors to fully grasp the horrors that took place there. The inscription in a statue, "Never Again," reminds the German people that while some of their history might be dark, they have resolved to prevent such things from reappearing.
14. Catch avant-garde theatre
If avant-garde theatre is your thing, it's here in Berlin. The city has a thriving fringe scene, whose pace of change leads to a blurring of boundaries between the performing arts. This artistic fusion sizzles at the HAU and Sophiensaele: dance mingles with theatre, while literature and visual arts mix in the background. The HAU is an artistic powerhouse, where internationally renowned guest ensembles are presented alongside the innovative contemporary theatre projects and dance productions.
15. The Black Forest
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.
16. Conquer Museum Island
From the eastern end of Unter den Linden, you're only a stone's throw away from a museum - five in total. They inhabit an island on the river Spree called Museumsinsel (Museum Island). Designed as a sanctuary for arts and science that was modelled on ancient Greece, it included the first public museum of Prussia, the Altes Museum (1830).
A cluster of museums soon inhabited the island, including the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, the Neues Museum (Bodenstrasse 1-3, Mitte) and the Pergamonmuseum. The treasures of the Pergamonmuseum should not be missed; they include a magnificent altar and frieze dating from 170-159 BC, which is one of the greatest legacies of Classical antiquity.
17. Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
The K20 Kunstsammlung and the K21 Kunstsammlung are more than just catchy names, they are both famous and world renowned for their exceptional collections of modern international art. The K20 is located at 5 Grabbeplatz and houses art of the 20th century. It has a very impressive collection of works by Paul Klee and some individual pieces by Picasso and Beuys. The K21 features international art from 1980 onwards and is located at 1 Standehausstrabe.
18. Cologne
Cologne (Koln) 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. Koln 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.
Kolner Dom's most treasured artifact is the Sarcophagus of the Magi, a great gilded piece that is the largest reliquary among the western world.
19. Make peace with the past
Although Berlin was heavily bombed during the Second World War, the defining moments of history remain etched in stone and concrete. It was in Wannsee, near Grunewald, that Nazi commanders drew up plans for the Final Solution, and today the Gedenkstätte Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz marks this place with a photographic exhibition on the consequences of the conference.
At the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst, you'll find the spot where the German commanders signed their unconditional surrender after the Soviets took Berlin. Divided into 16 rooms, including the one where the Nazis surrendered, it takes you through a vast sweep of history: two World Wars and one cold one, plus assorted pacts, victories and capitulations.
20. Potter around Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz was one of the Continent's busiest squares in the 1920s. Interestingly, Europe's first-ever traffic lights were put up here in 1924, of which you can see a replica. Then, the square was bombed flat during the Second World War and bisected by the Wall, paving the way for a US-style development of high-rise blocks.
Now, it looks rather like an isolated island with landmarks such as Helmut Jahn's Sony Center, the CineStar multiplex, the more offbeat Arsenal cinema and the Filmmuseum Berlin. Potsdamer Platz is the main venue for the Berlin International Film Festival every February. At almost 60 years old, it has become one of the world's major film award ceremonies.
21. 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.
22. Boat Tour on the Rhein
A great way to see Dusseldorf is by boat. Tours are frequent and usually last about an hour. Prices are very reasonable and for just a little more you can double your drift time to two hours. You will be cruised up and down the river, from Burgplatz where you will see what remains of a baroque palace, along the banks of the Altstadt and all the way down to the very modern Medienhafen harbour where world famous architects have created spectacular buildings.
23. 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.
24. Plastinarium
The Plastinarium is the only institution of its kind worldwide, which combines the exhibition "Body Worlds : The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies" with a "transparent laboratory" that is open to public. In the laboratory, visitors can experience firsthand how plastinates are produced. Every step of the Plastination process is explained in detail, from the anatomical preparation to the final specimen.
25. 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. 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.
26. Go wild at Germany's oldest zoo
Visit the Zoologischer Garten & Aquarium in the Tiergarten. This is the oldest zoo in Germany, having opened in 1841 with designs by Martin Lichtenstein and Peter Joseph Lenné. Situated in beautifully landscaped gardens with architectural oddities and plenty of places for a beer or snack, this important zoo houses almost 14,000 creatures, among them rare and endangered species. On a rainy afternoon, visit the aquarium, where you'll find extraordinary sharks, crocodiles, insects and amphibians.
27. Swim in the Grunewald forest
The Grunewald forest is the best place for a swim on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It's easily accessible via the S-Bahn, located to the west of Zehlendorf. For the energetic, it's ideal for cycling, walking, swimming and horse riding. A popular destination is the Teufelsee, a tiny lake packed with bathers in the summer. There's also a Swiss-themed restaurant with a zoo and playground.
28. Go clubbing Berlin style
At the kitsch old-school venue Clärchen's Ballhaus in the heart of Mitte, DJs play contagious tunes that get everyone grooving, from twenty-something hipsters to 75-year-old veterans. It's common to see a geriatric Fred Astaire-lookalike teaching a young pink-haired artist how to tango in this classic dance venue. For those who prefer a rebellious attitude, spend the night at White Trash Fast Food on Schonhauser Allee.
29. Leave time for Kaffee and Kuchen
Afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen is a popular Berlin tradition and most cafes will have at least a modest selection of cakes to choose from. Anna Blume is a cafe and florist named after a Dada poem by Kurt Schwitters, which serves fantastic pastries that you can savour on a lovely terrace during the summer time as the scent of flowers fills the air.
30. The Porsche Museum
On its 5,600 square meters of exhibition space in Stuttgart, the modern building provides space for approximately 80 historic vehicles and more than 200 carefully arranged small exhibits from the Company’s history. Spacious conference areas are available for events, including access to an impressive roof terrace. The exclusive restaurant “Christophorus” integrated into the exhibition, adds to the assortment of haute cuisine in Stuttgart.
31. The Bicycle Bar - Pedal Powered Pub
The Fietscafe is a mobile pub, for groups up to 17 people per bike, who can transport themselves by moving the pedals. Not all guests do have to cycle; the Fietscafe is provided with 10 freewheels, so you can change seats from time to time. You need a sober driver and of course, the best bartender looks after the beer and drinks. The Fietscafe's can be used for all events and success is always guaranteed.
32. Aqua Magis -
Aqua park in Plettenburg, is a huge aqua park consisting of a wide variety of waterslides. These include the incredible Aqua loop, the amazing looping water slide with a falling trap door start.
33. V8 Motoring Hotel
The ultimate place to stay for motoring fans and petrolheads, the V8 Hotel in Meilenwork, near Stuttgart in Germany is a stunningly different motoring themed hotel. Meilenwork covers an area of over 20,000m², where you can marvel at beautiful cars from the past, sporty modern motors, exclusive cars and special rare mnodels. The Meilenwerk is a magnet for automotive clubs and individualist enthusiasts.
- By Sunil R Yadav
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