The Corona crisis is still omnipresent and is shaking up the entire tourism industry. This year, it will probably be “only” a Germany vacation, if at all. But hey, what does “only” mean here? During our 2-month tour through the country, we realized what a beautiful country we live in. We have islands, mountains, villages, lake landscapes, cool cities, great national parks, beautiful beaches, the sea, and plenty of other highlights. A vacation in Germany is worthwhile, and we can only encourage each of you to get to know your own homeland better. In our article, we would like to inspire you and introduce you to some beautiful regions.
- Germany Vacation – Overview
- 1. Off to the Harz Mountains
- 2. Short break in Büsum (North Sea)
- 3. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- 4. Regensburg and surrounding area
- 5. Germany holiday on the island of Rügen
- 6. Holiday on Lake Constance
- 7. Holiday on Lake Walchensee
- 8. Relaxation on the Mecklenburg Lake District
- 9. Forest bathing in beautiful Saarland
- 10. Short trip to the island of Usedom
- 11. Fischland Darß-Zingst peninsula
- 12. Rostock and Warnemünde
- 13. Hiking in Saxon Switzerland
- 14. Hiddensee island
- 15. Berchtesgaden and surrounding area
- 16. Neuschwanstein Castle & Tegelberg
- 17. Relaxation in the Black Forest
- 18. Through the Baden wine region
- 19. Vacation in East Frisia
- 20. Explore the Spreewald by boat
- Travel reading for your vacation in Germany
Germany Vacation – Overview
On this map, we’ve marked numerous highlights and places in Germany that are worth seeing. There are, of course, many more, and we also have many more places and regions on our virtual list. If you can recommend a specific place for a vacation in Germany, please post it in the comments. We’d like to expand this map over time. By the way, we also have an article about the 15 most beautiful cities in Germany.
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1. Off to the Harz Mountains
We fondly remember our trip to the Harz Mountains . We started in Wernigerode and explored the beautiful surroundings from there. Here in Germany‘s most beautiful low mountain range, there are numerous highlights, such as a Brocken hike, the lush Bode Valley, the Rappbode Dam, the Hexentanzplatz, the Teufelsmauer (Devil’s Wall), numerous castles and churches, the Rosstrappe (Rosstrappe), a network of over 8,000 km of hiking trails, and plenty of pretty towns, such as Quedlinburg, Goslar, Schierke, and Stolberg. So, perhaps your Germany vacation could take place here in the Harz Mountains this year? Everything about a vacation in the Harz Mountains can be found here.
2. Short Break in Büsum (North Sea)
We love the sea and generally enjoy short breaks on the Baltic or North Sea. Just this year, we were in Büsum and enjoyed a fantastic wellness vacation there. Generally, there are many relaxing places in this region, such as Husum, St. Peter Ording, or the island of Amrum.
The feeling on the North Sea is different than on the Baltic Sea, although we can’t really describe why. You’ll find numerous modern and stylish hotels (such as the Lighthouse Büsum), cool vintage shops, cafés, restaurants, and, of course, expansive sandy beaches. The North Sea is always a good choice, no matter the region. Find out everything about our Büsum vacation here.
3. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This is THE chance to explore the otherwise very crowded town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (especially with foreign tourists) in a relaxed atmosphere. We really liked it here, especially because the surrounding area is so beautifully green and diverse. Whether hiking, cycling, or road tripping – the region has a lot to offer. And the town itself really surprised us too.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is known for its medieval old town with its beautiful houses and facades. After this trip, we also understood why this town is such a big highlight for foreign tourists. You simply have to see Rothenburg ob der Tauber! The mix of town and nature is simply magnificent! All about it here: Highlights & Sights of the city and surrounding area.
4. Regensburg and Surroundings
Regensburg – what a charming, lively, and cultural city on the Danube. During our time in Bavaria, we realized how beautiful this federal state really is. The nature, the beautiful towns, the charming old towns, the proximity to the mountains, and the water. The medieval city center of Regensburg is particularly beautiful, with some great highlights, such as the Trinity Church, from which you have a magnificent view over the rooftops of Regensburg.
In the old town, there are numerous charming cafés, cool shops, and hip locations. A trip to Walhalla should definitely not be missed on your trip. You can take a boat along the Danube to the historic building (a kind of temple made up of many columns). More about it here: Our best tips for Regensburg.
5. Germany Holiday on the Island of Rügen
Rügen is the largest island in Germany and impresses with more than just its many beautiful beaches. The island is home to one of the country’s 16 national parks, namely the Jasmund National Park with its famous chalk cliffs and the Königsstuhl. The surrounding rustic beech forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Various hiking trails lead through the forest and along the sea. The Hochuferweg promises numerous breathtaking views of the sea and the steep coast of the chalk cliffs. Because rocks keep breaking off and falling into the water, you can expect a beautiful turquoise sea. Popular holiday destinations in the region include the Baltic Sea resorts of Binz, Sellin, and Sassnitz. More information here: Rügen Highlights & Travel tips.
6. Vacation on Lake Constance
From the far north, we now head to the deep south, to Lake Constance. Germany’s largest lake (together with Lake Müritz) meets all the requirements for a successful and relaxing vacation in Germany. Lake Constance is located in the foothills of the Alps and has a shoreline length of around 273 kilometers.
Of this, 173 kilometers belong to Germany, 28 kilometers to Austria, and 72 kilometers to Switzerland. Popular travel destinations around Lake Constance include the flower island of Mainau, the islands of Lindau and Reichenau, Konstanz, Friedrichshafen, Bregenz, and the wine-growing village of Hagnau. More about our first trip here: Kosntanz am Bodensee.
7. Vacation at Walchensee
Numerous beautiful areas await you in the state of Bavaria. Highly recommended is Walchensee, which offers several highlights. A hike to Herzogstand offers stunning views of the crystal-clear, turquoise Walchensee and the majestic Alpine mountain range.
If you don’t feel like hiking, you can also take a boat trip across the lake and enjoy the sun. The scenery is truly unique and, in many places, somewhat reminiscent of Canada. A vacation in Germany here in Bavaria is highly recommended. More about this here: Hiking to Herzogstand & Walchensee.
8. Relaxation at the Mecklenburg Lake District
When traveling through Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, you shouldn’t miss the Mecklenburg Lake District. This lake landscape awaits you with 1,117 lakes, the Müritz National Park, and seven other nature parks. Whether on the water or on land, the leisure and sports opportunities are endless. Rent a houseboat and explore parts of the region on your own.
Popular lakes include the Müritz, Lake Schwerin, Lake Plauer, Lake Fleesen, Lake Kölpin, and Lake Schaal. A full 85% of the lakes are connected by canals and rivers. Amazing, right? So nothing stands in the way of a boat tour. More about this here: Explore the Mecklenburg Lake District by houseboat.
9. Forest bathing in beautiful Saarland
We were truly surprised by the state of Saarland. Saarland is green! Incredibly green! No wonder, after all, 40% of its area is covered by forest. Together with Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, Saarland has the largest percentage of forest area in Germany. Did you know that? And Saarland is really small! It fits 27 times in Bavaria.
We explored parts of the Hochwald-Hunsrück National Park and were deeply impressed by the beautiful forests. In addition to a great hike, we also cruised through the national park on mountain bikes and learned a lot about nature. We stayed in the enchanting Seezeitlodge at Bostalsee. Everything about this vacation here: Short vacation around the Hunsrück-Hochwald.
10. Short trip to the island of Usedom
Germany not only has beautiful forests to offer, but also a wealth of islands. After the island of Rügen, Usedom is the second largest island in Germany and boasts a 42 km long coastline, which is also the longest in all of Europe. The sun also shines year-round on the island.
Zinnowitz is actually the sunniest region in all of Germany, with around 1,200 hours of sunshine per year. On the island of Usedom, you can expect the charming imperial spas of Ahlbeck, Herigsdorf, and Bansin, as well as endless sandy beaches. We highly recommend a holiday here on the island of Usedom.
11. Fischland Darß-Zingst Peninsula
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has numerous highlights, such as the Fischland-Darß-Zingst Peninsula on the Baltic Sea coast. The Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, which boasts a unique natural landscape, is also located here. If you’re lucky (we haven’t been yet), you might even see deer on the beach.
We love the maritime flair of the peninsula, the beautiful beaches, the vastness and authenticity of the region. A vacation on the peninsula is a highlight at any time of year, whether summer, spring, autumn, or winter. Recommendation: Be sure to take a trip to the beautiful artists’ village of Ahrenshoop.
12. Rostock and Warnemünde
We’ve lived in Rostock since 2011 and simply love this city. We feel at home here, we feel completely at home here. This student city captivates with its proximity to the water, its maritime flair, and the many great highlights in the surrounding area. We love the city harbor with its countless boats and ships, as well as the charming old town with its Hanseatic houses. Click here for our Rostock Guide.
The Warnemünde beach and the Alte Strom are also within easy reach and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The mix of city and sea makes Rostock our absolute favorite city! A visit to the Rostock Heath, one of Germany’s largest coastal forests, is also highly recommended. Hiking trails lead not only through the lush forest but also along the sea. Tour: Experience Rostock & Warnemünde*. You can find out more about Warnemünde here: Our top highlights in Warnemünde.
13. Hiking in Saxon Switzerland
We recently visited this region and were blown away. The beautiful Saxon Switzerland is definitely one of the top highlights in Germany for us. The national park is an El Dorado for nature lovers, climbers and hikers, with numerous highlights awaiting you, such as the Bastei Bridge, the Sweden Holes or the Pfaffenstein. More about this here: Our top 15 highlights in Saxon Switzerland.
14. Hiddensee Island
We love the Baltic coast and are looking forward to discovering more and more beautiful spots here. The island of Hiddensee is definitely one of the most beautiful islands Germany has to offer. If you want to truly unwind, then this island is perfect for you. Cars are not allowed; you get from A to B on foot or by bike. Cozy villages, stunningly beautiful beaches, plenty of sheep and goats, and some really cool excursion destinations await you on the island. More about this here: Our best tips for the island of Hiddensee.
15. Berchtesgaden and Surroundings
Berchtesgaden in Bavaria is arguably one of the most beautiful regions in this federal state. No wonder, since there are so many highlights all in one place. For example, the beautiful Königsee, which is surrounded by the mighty Berchtesgaden Alps. Rent a boat and explore this beautiful mountain lake on your own.
In the Alpine National Park, you can go on long hikes and enjoy nature to the fullest. Breathtaking views, lush valleys, climbing walls, the 2,713-meter-high Watzmann mountain, as well as lakes and beautiful gorges await you.
16. Neuschwanstein Castle & Tegelberg
We highly recommend the Ammengau Alps in southern Germany. The region around the Tegelberg is particularly beautiful and offers fantastic hiking opportunities. If you’ve always wanted to see the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle, a combination of sightseeing and hiking is a great option. The path takes you past the castle and continues to the 1,720-meter-high summit. Up there, you can enjoy the view and watch paragliders. A 760-meter-long summer toboggan run is also located at the valley station of the Tegelberg cable car. The scenic backdrop is a delight even during the hike and is rewarded with a breathtaking view from the summit. Tours to the castle and surrounding area here*.
17. Relaxation in the Black Forest
We were recently in the Black Forest and have come to love and appreciate this region. Lush green valleys, babbling brooks, rustic hiking huts, stunning views, incredibly delicious food, and plenty of hiking and biking opportunities awaited us. We stayed in the beautiful Baiersbronn region in the Northern Black Forest. From there, we started our hikes and mountain bike adventures.
There’s an incredible amount to discover throughout the region, such as cirque lakes, viewing platforms, waterfalls, mountains, old farms, ruins, adventure trails, and much, much more. Be sure to read our post about it and learn all about our short break in the Black Forest. It really was a near-perfect trip, and we highly recommend this region to everyone.
18. Through the Baden Wine Region
Do you love wine? Then head to the unique wine-growing region of Baden, where nine wine regions await you. The diverse landscapes are also responsible for the region’s wide variety of wines. Wine lovers will certainly get their money’s worth here.
There are not only the major tourist destinations, such as Heidelberg, Freiburg and Baden-Baden, but also numerous idyllic excursion destinations, picturesque wine villages and historical highlights. Look forward to over 300 wineries and around 80 wine cooperatives, which represent the third largest wine-growing region in Germany.
19. Holidays in East Frisia
East Frisia is unique and captivates with its East Frisian Islands, lighthouses, maritime towns, the North Sea coast, and the green inland. The landscapes here are diverse, and the people are incredibly warm, humorous, and unique. “Bi uns prot wi Platt!” Almost everyone here speaks Low German, and it’s considered good manners.
Tea is also part of the daily routine here; at least 3 to 5 cups a day are a must. The East Frisian tea ceremony was even added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. Crazy, right?
20. Exploring the Spreewald by boat
Now we come to the last highlight of this article, the enchanting Spreewald in Brandenburg. Here in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, you’ll find a lagoon-like water labyrinth, long traditions, regional handicrafts and agricultural products, and, not to forget, the famous Spreewald pickle.
Grab a Spreewald boat, canoe, or bicycle and discover the region’s authenticity. Numerous Spreewald tours* are also offered if you prefer to travel with a guide.
Travel reading for your Germany holiday
- Just set off – 30 dream roads in and around Germany*
- Wild Germany: The travel guide for all national parks*
- Lonely Planet’s 500 Unique Experiences in Germany*
- Travel book Germany. Experience and discover the most beautiful destinations*
- Germany’s most beautiful long-distance cycle routes: 50 dreamy tours*
- Germany’s landscapes – A journey to our natural paradises*