This page is divided into to sections. The first section contains general information about Denmark and the second part contains information about all the cities I have been to. In November 2024 I did a round trip in Germany visiting ~25 cities. Because of that trip this article got an extensive rewrite.
General information about Germany
Germany is the largest country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and The Netherlands. Germany is a federation of 16 states, with their own distinct and unique cultures. The states also have their own laws, parliament police and such. The federal goverment decide foreign policy and such.
The region now known as Germany was originally inhabited by various Germanic tribes. The Roman Empire's influence extended into parts of what is now Germany, but after the fall of the Roman Empire, the region saw the rise of the Holy Roman Empire in 962 AD, under the rule of Otto I. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther's Reformation led to significant religious and political upheaval. The Thirty Years' War, which lasted from 1618 to 1648 devastated much of Germany and ended with the Peace of Westphalia, which redefined the political landscape of Europe.
Since the early Middle Ages Germany was split into hundreds of small states. It was the Napoleonic wars that initiated the process of unification. Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian Prime Minister, played a crucial role in the unification process, culminating in the establishment of the German Empire in 1871. A large number of previously independent German kingdoms united under Prussian leadership. The German empire ended in 1918 when Emperor Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate the throne at the time of Germany's defeat at the end of World War I. Germany's involvement in World War I led to significant losses and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which imposed heavy reparations. The Weimar Republic was established in the aftermath, but it was marked by economic hardship and political instability.
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s led to World War II and the Holocaust. Germany was ultimately defeated in 1945, leading to its division into East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War. After the devastating defeat in World War II, Germany was divided into four sectors, controlled by the French, British, US and Soviet forces. United Kingdom and the US decided to merge their sectors, followed by the French. Silesia, Pomerania and the southern part of East Prussia came under Polish administration according to the international agreement of the allies. With the beginning of the Cold War, the remaining central and western parts of the country were divided into an eastern part that felt under Soviet control, and a western part which was controlled directly by the Western Allies. The western part was transformed into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), a democratic nation with Bonn as the provisional capital city, while the Soviet-controlled zone became the communist / authoritarian Soviet style German Democratic Republic (GDR). Berlin had a special status as it was divided among the Soviets and the West, with the eastern part featuring as the capital of the GDR.
Lots of German cities were destroyed during Wold War II. 5.5 million homes had to be rebuilt and lots of German cities look the way they do today because of the rebuild as they needed to be rebuilt fast and cheap in concrete. This documentary explains how Germany rebuild their cities. After doing Germany extensively I think Hamburg and Berlin are the "coldest" cities when it comes to architecture. There are several smaller cities that has really neat architecture and are worth visiting.
Germany was reunited peacefully in 1990, a year after the fall and collapse of the GDR's Communist regime and the opening of the iron curtain that separated German families by the barrel of a gun for decades. The re-established eastern states joined the Federal Republic of Germany on the 3rd of October 1990, a day which is since celebrated as the national holiday, German Unification Day.
Since the unification, Germany has become a leading economic and political power in Europe, playing a significant role in the European Union and on the global stage.
Germany as we know it today is fairly young in an international scale, as it was united in early 1870s. Because of this Germans often have more loyalty to the region they live in rather than the German state itself.
The official language is German. The standard or "official dialect" is called "Hochdeutsch" (High German), which can be understood by all mother-tongue speakers and spoken by almost all when necessary. However, every region has its own dialect, which might pose a challenge sometimes to those who speak even good German and even to native speakers as well. This is usually noticeable only in the south, but not too much in big cities such as Stuttgart or Munich though, and rural areas of the north and east. Thus, when travelling in Bavaria, Saxony and Baden, you are stepping foot in places where dialect remains a strong part of the local identity. The general rule is that south of the Main River divides north Germany from the south, both when it comes to local dialects and local culture.
If you intend address the person you're speaking to in German, refer to the person as "Sie" if you aren't acquainted with that person yet. "Du" can be used if both of you are already close. "Hallo" is used as an informal greeting and "tschüs" is used as informal goodbye in daily life. Guten morgen / tag / abend is used in more formal settings. If you use "Du" where you obviously should have used "Sie" you get the German stare, and you really dont want that. In the catholic parts of Germany, especially older people, may greet you with "Grüß Gott", which may be translated to something like "God's greeting". It is just their way of saying hello. They are not going to try to convert you or such.
I rarely give out warnings in any of the articles I have on this page but here is a first: you may get the German stare combined with some badly chosen words if you do something they look upon it as somewhat strange, weird or such. Even if it is perfectly legal and normal in your country, they gladly tell you how wrong you are for doing it as it isn't up to their high German standards. They will most likely tell you this in a very harsh and direct way. Acting in such a way is extremely German behaviour and part of their culture, and they don't think upon this as bad behaviour as this is normal behaviour to them. One thing I have notices is that Germans often raise their voices when they are enthusiastic about something. It's not a sign of aggression, just a part of their culture when they are very involved in or enthusiastic about what they are talking about.
All young Germans learn English at school, so you should be able to get by with English in most places, especially in the former West Germany. Many people, especially in the tourism industry and higher educated persons, also speak French, Russian or Spanish, but if you can't speak German, English remains your best bet. Especially older people and people in small towns, villages etc are not really fluent in English so you get along learning some phrases in German.
German is of course the main language in Berlin, but you can easily find information in English and sometimes in French. Due to the football World Cup in 2006 all public transportation staff got language training and should be able to help you in English, although probably with a strong German accent. If you seem to be lost or hesitating in a public transport station a member of staff could come to your assistance but don't count on that. You can easily approach a group of (preferably young) bystanders and ask for advice in English.
The power supply runs at 230V/50Hz. Almost all outlets use the Schuko plug, most appliances have a thinner but compatible Europlug. Adapters for other plugs are widely available in electronics stores.
Travel to Germany
Flying can be the cheapest way to get to Germany and from there to other European countries, especially if the flights are booked well in advance. The most important international and domestic airports in Germany are Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart. Frankfurt is Germany's main hub - one of Europe's four major hubs - and the destination of most intercontinental flights but Munich is a growing secondary hub. Travellers can easily fly in from most places of the world and then connect with Germany's biggest and most respected airline Lufthansa, which is a member of the Star Alliance.
The airports of Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Köln/Bonn are connected to the InterCityExpress high speed rail lines. The others all feature either a commuter rail station or some sort of connection to the nearest rail station as well as public transport to the central station of the respective cities. Lufthansa's passengers travelling from Frankfurt Airport have the option to check-in their luggage in Cologne, Düsseldorf or Stuttgart train stations and connect to the airport by ICE (AIRrailservice). If doing so, be sure to book the train journey like a Lufthansa connecting flight (ie in advance together with the flight), otherwise you will be responsible for a missed connection.
Regular train services connect Germany with all neighbouring countries - most operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB). Almost all neighbouring countries and even some non-neighbouring countries are quite well connected with "EuroCity" (EC} trains. They are a little bit slower and slightly less comfortable than the European high speed trains but nevertheless reach up to 200 km/h. They are a worthwhile way to travel - not only for budget travellers or landscape viewers. There are also several European high-speed trains to cross into or get out of Germany.
International ferry services exist, notably to Scandinavia. Depending on the country you are leaving from towards Germany, different companies offer tickets. Eurolines, a cooperation of European bus companies, sells tickets to and from almost any other European country. The German partner is called Touring.
Travelling within Germany
German transportation runs with German efficiency, and getting around the country is relatively easy, although you'll need to pay top price for top speed. The most popular options by far are to rent a car or take the train. If the train is too expensive for you, travelling by arranged ridesharing is often a viable alternative in Germany. Domestic flights are mainly used for business, with the train being a simpler and often (but not always) cheaper alternative for other travel.
All major cities are linked by DB's InterCity Express (ICE) and regular InterCity trains. ICE is a system of high-speed trains going up to 300 km/h within Germany (the top speed of 320 km/h is only reached in France, when going to and from Paris). Top speeds are only reached on newly built or upgraded parts of the network; on "old" tracks the ICE will only go as fast as regular IC trains. On most main lines you will arrive significantly faster than by car.
If a German city is of a certain size, it has several train stations in it. The Haubtbahnhof (HBf) is the main train station in the city, whilst Bahnhof is one of the smaller train stations. This article on Wikipedia describes the different types of stations in Germany. The city of Basel in Switzerland has two train stations. There is the ordinary Swiss main station, and then there is the Basel Badischer bf, which is the only train station operated by another country than the one it is located in. It is an enclave of the EU Customs Union of Germany, with German rules applying to its rail traffic and infrastructure, the latter owned and operated by the respective German entities so that, for example, the station's clocks bear the "DB" logo of Deutsche Bahn.
Germany has a world-famous network of excellent roads and Autobahn (motorways) with no toll or fees for cars (trucks have to pay), but gasoline prices are kept high by taxation. Ride-sharing (or pre-arranged hitchhiking - MFZ) is popular in Germany and the fare for a ride is often much cheaper than the railway fare.
Germany offers a fast and, if booked in advance, affordable railway system that reaches most parts of the country. Unless you travel by car, rail is likely to be your major mode of transport. Crossing Germany from Munich in the south to Hamburg in the north will usually take around 6 hours, while driving by car will take around 8 hours.
Lots of Germans makes joke about DB often being delayed and has cancelled trains, but after traveling throughout Germany it isn't as bad as the reputation says. DB has an app called DB navigator (Google play / Apple store) thats fairly good for buying tickets and planning your journey. They have the Deutschland ticket, which lets you travel trams, busses, regional trains for an affordable amount of money. The ticket is not usable on ICE rains on and fast trains. From January 2025 the price of this ticket is changed from 49 to 58 Euro. Customers can purchase the Deutschland-Ticket via DB sales channels such as bahn.com and the DB Navigator app, as well as at DB Travel Centres throughout Germany. Many other transport companies will also sell the Deutschland-Ticket in their sales channels.
Paying for the Deutschland ticket in the app from DB Navigator you have to use a SEPA direct debit card. I could not pay using my Norwegian credit or debet cards. SEPA is a Europe-wide Direct Debit system that allows merchants to collect Euro-denominated payments from accounts in the 36 SEPA countries and associated territories. SEPA Direct Debit has now been implemented in all eurozone countries and non-eurozone SEPA countries. In these countries all Euro-denominated payments must be collected via the SEPA payment scheme.
Sidewalks normally has a normally white stripe separating it into two parts, and it is important to walk on the right side of this stripe. If you dont, except to get the German stare.
Places to visit and when to go there
Germany offers a mix of cultural, historical, and outdoor activities that cater to all interests. I am not a huge fan of TripAdvisor but they have several informative pages about different things you may do.
If you are into carnivals look for carnivals in the catholic parts of Germany. The carnival in Mainz is renowned for being good. Mainz holds extensive carnival celebrations, that are known as the second-most important in Germany, after the celebrations in Cologne.
Oktoberfest in Munich is probably one of the most famous festivals in Germany. It is the world's largest beer festival, complete with traditional Bavarian music, food, and of course, beer. It starts in the middle of September, lasts for 16 days and ends on the first Sunday in October. Whilst you are in Bavaria you could visit Neuschwanstein Castle. It is a fairytale castle that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Germany also hosts some of the world's largest wine festivals, perfect for wine enthusiasts.
Traveling to Berlin you should see remains of the Berlin Wall. There are sections of it in other German cities as well. Explore the remnants of the Berlin Wall and learn about its historical significance.
In Hamburg you find the Miniatur Wunderland. It is the world's largest model railway exhibition, featuring incredibly detailed miniature scenes.
Europa-Park is the largest theme park in Germany, offering a variety of rides and attractions for all ages.
In Cologne you may see the Cologne Cathedral. it is a stunning Gothic cathedral with breathtaking architecture and a challenging tower climb. Magdeburg became the first protestant city in Germany, after Martin Luther preached there in 1524. The cathedral there is also amazing. And the ne in Mainz. There are basically lots of beautiful churches and cathedrals in Germany. In Konstanz they held a synod in early 15th century, and this have had a great impact on how the city looks today.
In the Black Forest you can enjoy scenic trails, charming villages, and the famous Black Forest cake. This is also possible in the Alps.
From one month before Christmas, you may experience Christmas Markets in most German cities and villages. In addition to gifts and Ferris wheels they also serve local food. Here is a list for the most important Christmas markets.
Places to sleep
There are many types of tourist accommodation, ranging from hotels, pensions and villas, to camping and even monasteries. You may use i.e. hotels.com, booking.com or hostelworld.com to find somewhere to sleep. If you want to rent a private home Airbnb.com is somewhere you could check out.
Money and banking
Germany is part of the European Union and the Eurozone. Euro replaced Deutsche Mark in 2002. If you want to exchange money, you can do so at any bank where you can also cash in your traveller's cheques. Currency exchanges, once a common sight, have all but disappeared since the introduction of the Euro. Credit cards are well accepted in Germany. Most ATMs will allow you to withdraw money with your credit card, but you'll need to know your card's PIN for that.
Vaccine and health
If you have an non-urgent medical problem, you may choose from any local doctor. The German health system allows specialists to run their own surgery so you usually will be able to find every discipline from Dentistry to Neurology on duty within reasonable reach. In remote regions finding a doctor might require a ride to the next town but the German infrastructure allows fast connections. GPs/family doctors will usually describe themselves as "Allgemeinmediziner" - meaning "general practitioner".
Pharmacies are called "Apotheke" and are marked by a big, red "A" symbol. At least one pharmacy in the area will be open at all times (usually a different one every day), and all pharmacies will post the name and address of the pharmacy-on-duty in the window. Some medication that is sometimes freely available in other countries (e.g. antibiotics and the "morning-after pill") needs a prescription in Germany, so you may want to check before your journey. The staff of an Apotheke have specially trained personnel, as it is mandatory to have a university degree in pharmaceutics to run an Apotheke in Germany. A German pharmacist and his staff is not only able to offer advice on medications but also obliged to do so. Thus, expect them to ask which person the medication will be intended for, and to give some mostly helpful advice on it. In Germany, it is not considered shameful to talk about disease, thus, the dialogue might be quite straightforward. Waiting other customers will usually wait behind a line painted on the floor as a measure to increase discretion.
In Germany pharmaceuticals tend to be expensive, so it might be wise to ask the pharmacist for "Generika" (generic drugs): A "Generikum" is virtually the same produce, often even produced by the same pharmaceutical trust, just lacking the well-known brand name and being considerably cheaper.
EU citizens that are members of any public health insurance can get a European Health Insurance Card. The card is issued by your insurance provider and lets you use the public health care system in any EU country, including Germany. If you are an EU citizen, you simply have to tell a doctor or the hospital that it goes through the 'AOK', the German state health insurance scheme. If doctors and hospitals don't accept this, go to the local AOK office and they will usually telephone them to confirm.
If you're from outside the EU, or if you have a private health insurance, check if your insurance is valid in Germany. If not, get a travel health insurance for the trip - German health care is expensive.
Foreign insurance, even if it covers travel abroad, may not be accepted by local hospitals, i.e. you may have to pay up front and claim it back from the insurance company. (Be sure to keep the originals safe.) Alternatively, you might be sent a bill in the post.
You should be aware of rabies (Tollwut) which has been a problem in some areas in the past, even if forestry officials combat it very seriously. If you want to go to Germany for hiking or camping you should inform yourself about the situation at your destination and take appropriate precautions. Normally, you won't have to worry about it because the main transmitting animal is the fox.
The biggest risks hikers and camper face are two diseases transmitted by ticks. In some parts of Germany there is a (low) risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis; vaccination is advised if you plan out-door activities in high-risk areas. The risk of Lyme disease is higher, and vaccination is not available. Therefore, you should try to prevent tick-bites by wearing long trousers and appropriate shoes. Chemical repellents can also be effective. You should also check for ticks afterwards since the risk of transmission is lower if the tick is removed early. The safest way to remove a tick is by using a credit card sized device called a "Zeckenkarte" (tick card), wich you can get at most pharmacies. Other methods (fingers, using glue, etc.) might lead to the tick injecting even more infectious material into the wound. If in any doubt consult a doctor.
Visa
There are no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented this treaty - the European Union (except some few countries). Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But be careful: not all EU members have signed the Schengen treaty, and not all Schengen members are part of the European Union. This means that there may be spot customs checks but no immigration checks (travelling within Schengen but to/from a non-EU country) or you may have to clear immigration but not customs (travelling within the EU but to/from a non-Schengen country). The police can check people from a certain distance from the borders.
Crime
Germany is a very safe country. Crimes rates are low, and the rule of law is strictly enforced. Violent crimes (homicide, robberies, rape, assault) are very rare compared to most African and American countries. For instance, 2010 homicide rates were, with 0.86 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly lower than in the UK (1.17), Australia (1.20), France (1.31), Canada (1.81) and the US (5.0) - and they continue to decline. Pickpockets may sometimes be an issue in large cities or at events with large crowds. Begging is not uncommon in some larger cities, but not to a greater extent than in most other major cities, and you will rarely experience aggressive beggars. Some beggars are organized in groups. Be aware that flashing any cardboard sign very near to your body could be a pickpocket trick.
If you stay in Berlin or Hamburg (Schanzenviertel) around the first of May, Tag der Arbeit, expect demonstrations that frequently evolve into clashes between the police and a minority of the demonstrators.
Take the usual precautions, such as not walking in parks alone in the early hours, not leaving your camera unattended or bicycle unlocked, and not flashing around a big fat wallet, and you will most likely not encounter any crime at all while staying in Germany.
Prostitution (including brothels and non-exploitative pimping) is a legal business in Germany and is a common sight, especially in cities like Berlin and Hamburg.
German Police officers (Polizei) are trained to be always helpful, not corrupt, professional and trustworthy, but tend to be rather strict in enforcing the law, which means that one should not expect that exceptions are made for tourists. When dealing with police remain calm and courteous and you will be treated calm and courteous. Avoid getting into any confrontation since you may be fined for insulting or even physically resisting police officers. Most police officers should speak/understand at least basic English or at least have colleagues who do so. The younger they are, the better the chance to catch one who speaks good English.
The police can ask you for identification anytime. However if you refuse to identify yourself, the police can only enforce this if they have a reason to suspect you are a danger for public safety or public order, that you committed a crime or are in an area where crimes are typically committed, at the border, within 30 km from the border, at airports, railway stations, in public transportation and in some more circumstances. As this is a long list of reasons to enforce identification, police can easily find (or invent) one that applies on you.
If you are a victim of crime (for example robbery, assault or theft in public) and wave down an oncoming patrol car or officer, it is not uncommon that the officers will (sometimes rather abruptly: "Einsteigen") command you to enter the back seat of the police vehicle. This is an action to start an instant manhunt to identify and arrest the suspect. In this case remember that you are not under arrest but there to help the officers enforce the law and, hopefully, recover your property. In general, if police ask you to enter some police car, to attend them, or to follow them to some station, and you have not committed any offence, you are not under arrest. This even applies if they body search you before entering the police car, because, in some states, police are simply ordered to routine search any person who enters a police car.
German cuisine and drink
Tap water has a good quality, is very strictly controlled and can be freely used for consumption. Exceptions have to be labelled ("Kein Trinkwasser" = not drinking water), usually found on fountains and in trains.
Low strength alcohol like beer and wine may be bought and consumed if you're 16 years and older. However, spirits and drinks mixed with those (including the popular 'Alcopops') are available only at 18. It's not technically illegal for younger people to drink, but it is illegal to allow them to drink on premises. Parents can allow their children to drink alcohol within the limits of good parenting and child's welfare.
Being a federal republic, Germany is very much a decentralised country, which embraces the cultural differences between the regions. Some travellers will perhaps only think of beer, Lederhosen and Oktoberfest when Germany comes to mind, but Germany's famous alpine and beer culture is mostly centered around Bavaria and Munich. Here the beer is traditionally served in 1 litre mugs (normally not in pubs and restaurants, though). The annual Oktoberfest is Europe's most visited festival and the world's largest fair. Germany's south-western regions, however, are well known for their wine growing areas (e.g. Rheinhessen and Palatinate) and Bad Dürkheim on the 'German Wine Route' (Deutsche Weinstraße) organises the biggest wine festival worldwide with over 600,000 visitors annually.
German food usually sticks to its roots and a typical dish will consist of meat with some form of potatoes and gravy, accompanied by vegetables or salad. Modern German cuisine has been influenced by other European countries such as Italy and France to become lighter. Dishes show a great local diversity which is interesting to discover.
Since most bigger employers have a canteen for their employees, you will find relatively few sandwich shops and takeaways, and eating-out culture in Germany is dominated by the Gasthaus/Gasthof and restaurants. Starting from the north of Germany going south you will find a tremendous variety of food and each region sticks to it origins. The coastal regions are fond of seafood and famous dishes include “Finkenwerder Scholle”, going south to the region of Cologne you will find Sauerbraten (a roast marinated in vinegar), if made really traditionally it's from horse meat.
Germans are very fond of their bread, which they make in many variations. This is the food that Germans tend to miss most when away from home. Most people like their bread relatively dark and dense and scorn the soft loaves sold in other countries. Bakeries will rarely provide less than twenty different sorts of bread and it's worth trying a few of them.
For centuries, beer-making in Bavaria has been governed by the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) that was made national policy with the unification of Germany in 1871, which states that German beer may be made only from hops, malt, yeast and water. The Reinheitsgebot has come down with the European integration, but German breweries still have to stick to it since for them, national law applies.
The domestic beer market is not dominated by one or a only a few big breweries. Even though there are some big players, the regional diversity is enormous, and there are over 1200 breweries with most of them serving only local markets. Usually bars and restaurants serve the local varieties that differ from town to town. When sitting in a German Kneipe, a local beer is always an option, and often the only option.
Undisputed capital of "Apfelwein" cider in Germany is Frankfurt. Locals love their cider and it is very popular around there. There are even special bars ("Apfelweinkneipe") that will serve only "Apfelwein" and some gastronomic specialities. Cider is often served in a special jug called "Bembel". The taste is slightly different from Ciders in other countries and tends to be quite refreshing.
Germans are just as passionate about their wines as they are about their beer. The similarities don't stop here, both products are often produced by small companies if not by families or individuals, and the best wines are consumed locally and only the remaining ones are exported. The production of wine has a 2000 year old history in Germany as learned from the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, but of course this was a roman settlement at this time. Sunshine is the limiting factor for the production of wines in Germany and therefore the wine production is limited to the south. White wine plays a main role in the wine production, but some areas produce red wines (Ahr, Baden Württemberg). White wines are produced from Riesling, Kerner and Müller-Thurgau grapes (there are a lot more, but to name them all would be too much), and produce generally fresh and fruity wines. German wines can be rich in acid and are quite refreshing. It is generally accepted that Riesling grapes produce the best German wines, but they demand a lot of sunshine and they grow best in very exposed areas such the Mosel, Rheingau, Bergstrasse, Kaiserstuhl and Pfalz.
The best way to learn about wines is go to the place where they are grown and taste them on the spot. This is called "Weinprobe" and is generally free of charge though in touristic areas you have to pay a small fee. Good wines usually go together with good food and therefore it is well worth it to visit some of those places.
Another nice opportunity to get a taste of local wine is the so-called Straußenwirtschaft, Besenwirtschaft or Heckenwirtschaft. These are little "pubs" or gardens where a wine-producer sells his own wine, normally with little meals such as sandwiches or cheese and ham. Normally, they are open only in summer and autumn, and not longer than 4 months a year (due to legal regulations). As they are sometimes located in the vineyards or in some backstreets, they are not always easy to find, so you best ask a local for the next (or best) Straußenwirtschaft he knows.
During the fall you can buy "Federweisser" in south-western Germany. This is a partially fermented white wine and contains some alcohol (depending on age), but tastes very sweet. It is also available from red grapes, being called "Roter Sauser".
Cities I have been to in Germany
This section contains descriptions of some of the cities I have been to in Germany. The cities mentioned in this article are listet alphabetically. I have made many travel maps for German cities in Google MyMaps and you can see them by opening this link. To save some space in this article I am not displaying all here, but there are more maps than the cities described here.
Bremen
Of all the cities I have been to in Germany Bremen is one of my favourites. I have been there several times. It really is a charming city with a rich history and plenty of activities to enjoy that offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. It is one of three city states within the German federation and situated in north-western Germany. It was once a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and is still one of the most important cities in northern Germany. Together with the city of Bremerhaven on the North Sea it forms Germany's smallest state. The city has has more than 1200 years of history, and was for a long time, an independent city-state. Bremen is a rather long and narrow city, lined along both sides of the river Weser. Along the north-west / south-east axis it stretches about 10 km, but across only 2 km. The entire city is located on flat plains.
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Town Musicians of Bremen) are perhaps the most well known figures associated with Bremen and are the characters from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Their image adorns many of the souvenirs in the city. Next to the Town Hall is a much photographed statue of them. The Bremen Cathedral is also situated right next to the statue and you should really see that as well. The actual name of the cathedral is St. Peter's Cathedral. It has over 1,200 years of history and a mix of architectural styles. There is a treasury displaying the collection of the cathedral. Entrance is free, and for €1 you can climb the Southern Tower offering nice views over the whole city.
You should also Walk through this medieval neighbourhood of Schnoor Quarter with narrow streets, quaint houses, and unique shops. On the main square is a statue of the Knight Roland who was a protector of trade. Bremen City Hall is an UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its beautiful Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Also enjoy a peaceful walk through Rhododendron-Park, which is a beautiful park. It is especially nice during the blooming season.
Schlachte Embankment, along the Weser river, is where you can find restaurants, bars, and scenic views. If you're visiting in October, experience Freimarkt, which is Germany's oldest fair. It's been held since 1036.
Theater am Goetheplatz is a Theater / Opera House and is one of the oldest buildings in Bremen and is renowned for its austere look. Under the name Schauspielhaus am Ostertor, the theatre was founded as the second establishment of the private firm Bremer Schaubühne. In so doing, the firm's directors Eduard Ichon and Johannes Wiegand, who in 1910 had opened the Schauspielhaus am Neustadtwall, widened competition with the municipal theatre, Stadttheater am Wall (now destroyed). Adapting their prices and presentations to suit all segments of the community, they were particularly successful in attracting audiences in the years following the First World War. On October 1, 1941 the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, personally visited the Theater and attended a showing of Die Valkyrie with his lover Eva Braun. However it was after the municipal theatre had suffered serious war damage during World War II, that it was decided the Schauspielhaus am Ostertor should be rebuilt as a fully-fledged three-genre establishment extending the seating from 804 to 1,111 while significantly altering the facade designed by August Abbehusen and Otto Blendermann in 1913. In keeping with the practices of the 1950s, the architects Werner Commichau and Hans Stormraising raised the height of the colonnade and eliminated the high hipped roof, successfully simplifying the facade and giving it a more austere appearance . The Rathaus (Town Hall) this is one of the finest in Europe and as such has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Building work started in 1410 and it is seen as an important display of the wealth and freedom of the city. Tours of the interior are conducted by the Tourist information office at 11AM, noon, 3PM and 4PM.
Böttcherstrasse is the street that runs from the main square towards the river. There are many nice façades and courtyards all with large amounts of design detail. There is an impressive Glockenspiel that chimes at regular intervals. There are lots of shops and several Museums in the areas as well. Haus Atlantis (now the Hilton) has an impressive spiral staircase inside. Am Wall is a lovely park next to the former defensive moat which offers a nice place to sit and relax.
The Bürgerpark was created in the second half of the 19th century not far from the main train station as a classic public garden with lakes, coffee houses and sunbathing lawns within the wooded areas. In the period after 1900, the approximately 65-hectare city forest was created north of it. Together, they now offer visitors numerous leisure activities with attractions as diverse as animal enclosures, boat rental, a Finnish railway, nature trails as well as mini golf and boules courts. They have lots of animals in the park as well, and it's definetly worth a visit. Both in the city forest and in the Bürgerpark, there are numerous sculptures and monuments, some of which are more than 130 years old, as well as several listed buildings in coordinated natural ensembles. To this day, maintenance is carried out without regular funding from public coffers by the Bürgerparkverein, which is financed exclusively by contributions and donations. One of its most important sources of income is the "Bürgerpark Tombola", which has been held annually since 1953 from the beginning of February to May.
Dresden
Dresden became a city in 1206, and is the capital in the German state Sachsen (Saxony in English). It is one of the German cities I have liked the most, and I am definetly visiting again. Dresden has about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. The level of international tourism is growing, especially from the US and China since Dresden is a stop between Prague and Berlin. The city is situated in Eastern Germany, approximately 30 kilometers from the border to the Czech Republic.
The city is served by two big train stations, one on the northern side of the Elbe river, Dresden Neustadt, and one on the southern side of the Elbe, Dresden Hauptbahnhof. Be sure to check which of these your train is gping to. The Dresden Hauptbahnhof is situated at the southern end of Dresden's main shopping street, Prager Straße, and is a short walking distance from most central attractions in Old Town. Everything is really close to each other in Dresden, and if you want to see the old town and other sights, you really dint have to take bus or such to get around.
75% of the historical centre of Dresden was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945. These events have left deep scars on the city and are still remembered each year with processions and ceremonies. More than 30,000 people died in the bombing but the exact number is unknown. The historical centre is nowadays largely restored to its former glory, however some parts are still under reconstruction. The Frauenkirche was rebuild in 2005 after being destroyed during Allied bombing raids. It's gold cupola donated from the UK, acts as a call for peace among the different nations of the world. The Zwinger was rebuilt in 1964 and the Semper Opera house in 1985. When asked what they like most about their city, Dresden citizens reply the compact Old Town and Dresden-Neustadt (an alternative central quarter).
In addition to the previous mentioned places you have The Royal Palace and Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden Baroque Quarter, Elbwiesen (the River Banks) and Großer Garten. Fürstenzug is the biggest porcelain painting of the world and shows (almost) all Saxon princesses and kings on their horses and splendid parade uniforms. It leads to the "Stallhof", which is the last preserved tournament place contained in a European castle. In Winter, Fürstenzug is the location of a very romantic Christmas market with a big fireplace.
Dresden has been home to many Saxon princes and kings, the most famous of them being August der Starke (Augustus the Strong), whose kingdom included Poland as well. They appertained to the family of the Wettiner and were closely related to many other European royal families. Many buildings date from their reign. The rich art collections are testimony of their extreme wealth. The "Madonna Sixtina," for instance, was bought by the son of August the Strong.
Architecturally, Loschwitz is the most interesting living quarter, despite it being a hilly landscape.
Some people think that the sand stone buildings look black because of burnings or pollution. This is not true. Sandstone turns naturally dark as it ages. You can see the dark stones as well in the near by Saxon Switzerland and on pictures of Dresden from the 18th Century, where the sandstone-buildings are black as well.
Dresden lies in the former German Democratic Republic and the GDR architecture is still easily visible in the city. In the city center The "Prager Straße" and the "Kulturpalast" are examples for classical GDR architecture. If you leave the center you will find a lot of apartment blocks, called "Plattenbau" as they are typical in Eastern Europe and Russia. Traces of World War II are not visible in the city anymore.
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in the state after Cologne and the seventh-largest city in Germany. The Düssel, from which the city and the borough of Düsseltal take their name, divides into four separate branches within the city,each with its own mouth into the Rhine (Lower Rhine). Most of Düsseldorf lies on the right bank of the Rhine, and the city has grown together with Neuss, Ratingen, Meerbusch, Erkrath and Monheim am Rhein.
Düsseldorf is the central city of the metropolitan region Rhine-Ruhr, the second biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the European Union. The -dorf suffix means "village" in German; its use is unusual for a settlement as large as Düsseldorf. Linguistically, Düsseldorf is the largest city in the German part of the Low Franconian area, dialects that are closely related to Dutch.
The city was largely destroyed in World War 2, and there were very few old buildings left. The city was a target of strategic bombing during World War II, particularly during the RAF bombing campaign in 1943 when over 700 bombers were used in a single night. Raids continued late into the war. As part of the campaign against German oil facilities. People interested in modern architecture will have much to see in Düsseldorf. Also, there are many pieces of modern art in the public, and on Stresemannplatz Square and the Rhine Bank, there are palms, not really the first thing you'd expect to see a cold day in October.
The city is famous for its nightlife, carnival, events, shopping and for fashion and trade fairs like the Boot Messe (one of the world's best trade fairs for boats and watersports) and Igedo, which is a world leading excibition of fashion.
Foreign guests might not know that there is rivalry between the citizens of Düsseldorf and their neighbours in Cologne. So never ever order a “Kölsch” (a light beer brewed in Cologne) in Düsseldorf. If you do, some people might become very unfriendly. If they see you are a foreigner they will no doubt forgive you, but might be trouble.
The tourist information offer a lot of brochures: a monthly calendar of events, a city guide and free maps with walking routes designed around a specific theme (e.g., "Art Route", "Düsseldorf in 1 Hour"). You can also book their guided tours, and note that there are also tours for disabled and deaf people.
The Old Town of Düsseldorf is famous. Almost completely destroyed during World War 2, it was rebuilt according to historic plans on its foundation walls, which makes it look like a real historic town. Today the old town is a popular shopping mall, and at night and on weekends it turns into the so-called “longest bar of the world”. Inside the old town, but everywhere in the city also, you will find lots of marvellous old gas lamps. Düsseldorf has more gas lamps than any other city in Germany outside Berlin.
The Burgplatz (Castle-Square) is situated at the old town limits next to the Rhine. One upon a time here was the castle of the Earls of Berg, the later duke of Jülich-Kleve-Berg. Later the castle was reconstructed to a baroque palace, which burned down in 1872. In 1888 the ruins were removed completely, leaving only a single tower. Today the tower houses an inland navigation museum. The coffe-shop in the tower's top offers a grand view onto the Rhine and the ships passing by. The square was named one of the nicest squares in Germany after WW2. The promenade on the bank of Rhine is one of the most beautiful in Germany; St. Lambertus Basilika, built with bricks in the Lower Rhine Gothic style, is a landscape of Düsseldorf. Particularly characteristic is the winding tower.
Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital of the German state of Thüringen. Because the city is situated in the geographical centre of Germany it was an important trading town during the Middle Ages, and has many beautiful old buildings and parks. Erfurt's cityscape features a medieval core of narrow, curved alleys in the centre surrounded by a belt of Gründerzeit architecture. Compared to many other German cities, little of Erfurt was destroyed in World War II. This is one reason why the centre today offers a mixture of medieval, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture as well as buildings from the last 150 years.
The city centre is quite compact so walking is often the best way to explore the city. Regular tram services run all around the city, with service intervals of at least every 10 minutes during most of the day. Much of Erfurt's charm is found in its narrow streets, many of which are pedestrianized, with their beautiful old houses, green areas and little bridges across the Gera river and the Stadtpark and the Nordpark on different sides of the city center.
Erfurt's old town is one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Germany. The city also has the oldest university in Germany. Martin Luther studied law and philosophy at the University of Erfurt from 1501. He lived in St Augustine's Monastery in Erfurt, as a friar. He lived in Augustinerkloster when he lived in Erfurt.
When it comes to churches both the Erfurt Dom (Cathedral) and Severi Kirche are worth a visit. They both overlooking the Domplatz, where there is a Christmas marked every December. Petersberg Citadel, a historical defense system and a great lookout over the city, is situated really close to the churches. Krämerbrücke is a bridge with medieval houses, and the most important landmark in Erfurt. Other places worth a visit are Fischmarkt with its Burgerhouses and town hall. The main square is named Anger and the old Post Office building cloe to the square.
The Old Synagogue is the oldest surviving European Synagogue. Today it's a museum that has an impressive collection of 14th century Jewish jewellery.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany. It is a city state, just like Bremen and Hamburg so in many ways it is a state of itself. It is the largest city in Germany and has a population of 4.5 million within its metropolitan area and 3.5 million from over 190 countries within the city limits.
Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs, bars, street art, and numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin's architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city centre, from a few surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighbourhoods. Brandenburger Tor is a symbol of division during the world war, which now shows German reunification. It was built after the Acropolis in Athens and was completed in 1799 as the royal city-gate.
Germany was later on divided into east and west, In August 13,1961, East Germans permanently closed the border between East and West. The wall had 45,000 sections of reinforced concrete and included 79 miles of fencing, nearly 300 watchtowers and 250 guard dogs. Still more than 5,000 people escaped to freedom.
The foundation of Berlin was very multicultural. The surrounding area was populated by Germanic Swabian and Burgundian tribes, as well as Slavic Wends in pre-Christian times, and the Wends have stuck around. Their modern descendants are the Sorbian Slavic-language minority who live in villages southeast of Berlin near the Spree River.
In the beginning of the 13th century, two towns (Berlin and Cölln) developed on each side of the river Spree (today the Nikolaiviertel and the quarter next to it beyond the river). As the population grew, the towns merged and Berlin became a centre for commerce and agriculture. This area stayed small (about 10,000 inhabitants) up to the late 17th century, because of the 30 years' war in the beginning of the 17th century, which led to death of about half of the population.
Since the late 17th century, when large numbers of French Huguenots fled religious persecution, Berlin has welcomed religious, economic and other asylum seekers. In 1701 Berlin became the capital of Prussia and in 1710 Berlin and surrounding former autonomous cities were merged to a bigger Berlin.
In 1871 Berlin became the capital of the new founded German Reich and a few years later, it became a city with more than one million inhabitants because of the immensely growing industry.
Shortly after the first World War, in 1920, the last of the annexations of surrounding cities of Berlin led to the foundation of the Berlin as we know it now. After the coming into power of the National Socialists ("Nazis"), Berlin became the capital of the so called Third Reich and the domicile and office of Hitler (although the triumph of Hitler and his henchmen started in the south of Germany).
WW II led to destruction of most of central Berlin, thus many of the buildings which we see nowadays are reconstructed or planned and built after the war, which led to a very fragmented cityscape in most parts of the inner town. Berlin was divided into four sectors (West Berlin into the French, American and British sector, East Berlin belonged to the USSR). In 1949 the German Democratic Republic ("East Germany") was founded with East Berlin as its capital. West Berlin remained occupied by the western Allies and kept a close relationship with West Germany (with Bonn as the capital) and was an exclave (political island) in East Germany. Because of the growing tensions between West Germany and the GDR, the GDR built a militarized and increasingly impassable border between the states, and then in 1961 surrounded West Berlin with a wall.
In late 1989 East German citizens began to peacefully demonstrate in increasing numbers; this led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1990 West Germany and East Germany were united. Berlin became once again the capital of Germany.
After WW2 and the building of the wall, large numbers of immigrants from Turkey were invited to West Berlin to work in the growing industry sector; in East Berlin the jobs were done mostly by Vietnamese immigrants. But also people from other communist countries, including the former Yugoslavia, not to mention Soviet soldiers who refused to return home, have helped to make Berlin more multicultural than ever.
Berlin is also a youth-oriented city. Before German unification, West Berliners were exempt from the West German civil/military service requirement. Social activists, pacifists and anarchists of all moved to Berlin for that reason alone. Musicians and artists were given state subsidies. It was easy to stay out all night thanks to liberal bar licensing laws, and staying at university for years without ever getting a degree was a great way to kill time. In contrast with most of Germany, Prenzlauer Berg is said to have the highest per-capita birth rate in Europe (in fact it just seems so because of the high percentage of young women in the district).
After the fall of the wall, Berlin - especially the former East - has evolved into a cultural hub. Artists and other creative souls flocked to the city in swarms after reunification, primarily due to the extremely low cost of living in the East. Despite the increased prices and gentrification as a result, Berlin has become a centre for art, design, multimedia, electronic music, and fashion among other things. The particularly high number of students and young people in the city has only helped this cause. Just stroll down a street in Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, or Mitte to get a glimpse of the new East Berlin.
Rave the planet is a huge festival or parade that takes part in Berlin. It is considered a spiritual successor to the Love Parade, which was held annually in Berlin from 1989 to 2003. The parade is organised by the non-profit company Rave the Planet GmbH, which was founded by Dr. Motte, the original creator of the Love Parade, along with other techno enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Berlin is a relatively young city by European standards, dating to the thirteenth century, and it has always had a reputation as a place filled with people from elsewhere. It may seem tough to find someone born and raised here! This is part of Berlin's charm: it never gets stuck in a rut.
Berlin is a huge city. You can make use of the excellent bus, tram, train and underground services to get around. Taxi services are also easy to use and a bit less expensive than in many other big Central European cities. You can hail a cab (the yellow light on the top shows the cab is available), or find a taxi rank (Taxistand). Taxi drivers are in general able to speak English. If you ask for a short trip (Kurzstrecke), as long as it's under 2km and before the taxi driver starts the meter running, the trip normally is cheaper, €4. This only applies if you flag the taxi down on the street, not if you get in at a taxi rank. Also, some online services like Talixo facilitate online and in-app booking.
Check the Berlin route planner (in English) to get excellent maps and schedules for the U-Bahn, buses, S-Bahn and trams, or to print your personal journey planner. The route planer can also calculate the fastest door-to-door connection for you destination for any given day and hour. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) have a detailed fare list on their web site.
If you like walking tours Sandemans New Europe have several walking tours in Berlin.
Berlin has a vast array of museums. Most museums charge admission for people 18 years of age or older - usually €6 to €10 for the big museums. Discounts (usually 50%) are available for students and disabled people with identification. Children under 18 years free. A nice offer for museum addicts is the three-day pass Museum Pass for €24 which grants entrance to all the normal exhibitions of the approximately 55 state-run museums and public foundations. Most museums are closed on Mondays; notable exceptions include the Neues Museum and the Deutsches Historisches Museum, which are open daily. Museumsportal Berlin, a collective web initiative, offers easy access to information on all museums, memorials, castles and collections and on current and upcoming exhibitions.
I haven't been there, at least yet, but Berliner Unterwelten is recommended. Berlin's surface is just the visible part of the city: among the large squares and streets, relics, tunnels and secret passages from Berlin's changing history slumber. Particularly impressive are the ruins of bunkers. Since 1997, the Berlin non-profit Underworlds Association has managed these fateful buildings. 1999 is the first time that visitors are taken on guided tours through the extensive bunker complex in Gesundbrunnen U-Bahnhof. The Association is formed to explore, document and preserve Berlin's underground infrastructure and make it available to the public.
The Boros bunker is a bunker made during WWII to protect the civilians from bombing. It still stands and is today housing an art exhibition. You should make buy ticket(s) before you arrive as it is a popular place to visit. I haven't visitehttps://www.sammlung-boros.de/d it myself, but I have been told it's definitively worth a visit.
As Berlin is a city of art, it is quite easy to find an art gallery on your way. They provide a nice opportunity to have a look at modern artists' work in a not-so-crowded environment for free.
Checkpoint Charlie is one of the most famous crossing points through the wall that divided east and west back in the days and it is still standing. Right next to it is Mauermuseum which tells about the daily life in Berlin during the cold war.
For mode information about what to see in Berlin, check out my visual guide / map above.
Hamburg
Hamburg, officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and 6th-largest city in the European Union. The official name reflects Hamburg's history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. At the southern tip of the Jutland Peninsula, Hamburg stands on the branching River Elbe at the head of a 110 km estuary to the North Sea, on the mouth of the Alster and Bille rivers. Hamburg is one of Germany's three city-states alongside Berlin and Bremen, and is surrounded by Schleswig-Holstein to the north and Lower Saxony to the south. The Port of Hamburg is Germany's largest and Europe's third-largest, after Rotterdam and Antwerp. The local dialect is a variant of Low Saxon.
The allied forces bombed Hamburg back to the stone age during World war II and I think Hamburg is one of the "coldest" cities in Germany when it comes to architecture. The main railway station is huge, and has 500.000 users every day. For comparison 300.000 use the main train station in Berlin every day, and 100.000 uses the main railway station in my hometown, Oslo. In the area around the main train stations you find people of all walks of life. Sometimes we saw people being quite aggressive, but I although always felt quite safe in that area.
The harbour is the heart of the city, however, Hamburg is also one of the most important media hubs in Germany. Half of the nation's newspapers and magazines have their roots in Hamburg. And, unknown even to some locals, is the fact that, with one of the Airbus aircraft assembly plants, Hamburg is a major location of the world's aerospace industry, right after Seattle (USA) and Toulouse (France). Der Spiegel and Die Zeit are based in the city. Hamburg is the seat of Germany's oldest stock exchange and the world's oldest merchant bank, Berenberg Bank.
If you have the time you should be able to do most of the sights in central Hamburg by foot. The mercantile background reflects in the city's architecture. The most notable palace in Hamburg is the town hall, which houses the citizen's parliament and the senate. The only other palace of the city is located in the urban district of Bergedorf. The area west of Hamburg's central railway station is mainly a shopping area with the streets Spitaler Straße and Mönckebergstraße, leading to Hamburg's town hall. Close to the Mönckebergstraße you find the churches St. Jacobi (at road Jakobikirchhof) and St. Petri (at road Bergstraße), two of Hamburg's five main churches. But in contrast to the other four, St. Nikolai has not been re-erected making it a memorial against war. The steeple is still standing and visitors can take an elevator to the top for a view of the city. The price to take the elevator is €3.70. At the side of St. Nikolai, there is the hop market ("Hopfenmarkt") with its fountain Vierländerinbrunnen. Directly beside St. Petri there is the Hulbe-Haus, originally built as an arts and crafts house and dating from the beginning of the 20th century as most buildings around, but looking much older.
Behind the Hulbe-Haus, under the building of "Radio Hamburg", you can visit the remains of the bishops tower, from the 11th century. On the other side of the road, you can currently see excavations in progress, seeking the remains of the small fortress Hammaburg, which was erected in the 9th century giving Hamburg its name. The Mönckebergstraße ends at Hamburg's impressive city hall. It was built in 1897 out of sandstone in Neo-Renaissance style, including a 112 m tower. From the House of Commerce into the road Börsenbrücke, you get to the house of the Patriotische Gesellschaft. Behind the building to the right, you'll find the bridge Trostbrücke with the statues of Graf Adolf III and Bishop Ansgar on both sides. Following the water to left, there is Hamburg's oldest remaining bridge, Zollenbrücke, from the 17th century.
Following the bridge over the huge street Willy-Brandt-Straße and keeping right takes you into the road "Alte Deichstraße" with its ensemble of traditional half timbered merchant houses and the canal Nicolai Fleet at the rear. This is the site where Hamburg's harbour was some centuries ago. At the southern end of the Alte Deichstraße, you see where the harbour moved afterwards. There is a canal called Zollkanal. Looking to the left, you see the Speicherstadt, a large district of warehouses from around 1900. Some are still in use, but others have been converted to apartments. It's a 'typical' location and worth a visit. It houses museums (International Maritime Museum, Speicherstadtmuseum, Spice Museum, Automuseum Prototyp) and also attractions, such as the "Hamburg Dungeon" and the "Miniatur Wunderland".
Behind the warehouse district Speicherstadt a totally new quarter, the HafenCity, is being shaped and erected on unused industrial ground, nerved by channel, docks and basins. It is Europe's largest project of city development, creating a whole new quarter from scratch in a former harbour region. Outstanding architecture of, among others, shipyard museum, concert hall - the Elbphilharmonie, new 'architectural lighthouse' of Hamburg by 2012. On the top of a huge old warehouse a 110 metres tall modern philharmonic hall with glass facade and wave-shaped roof is being built. You can find information about the new buildings and whole district in the HafenCity Kesselhaus InfoCenter, Elbphilharmonie Information Pavilion and look at the erecting process from an orange observation tower called HafenCity View Point, which allows nice views on the HafenCity, the harbour, and the river.
Another Hamburg landmark is the Reeperbahn in a poart of the city called Sankt Pauli. It's probably one of the most famous red-light districts in the world. From vaudeville to prostitutes, from bars to sex-shops, you can find an assortment of attractions.
If you are into electronics you should definitely check out Media Markt tech village, which situated across the street from the main train station. It has 5 floors and the top floor is dedicated to gaming. This is a must-see place if you are into electronics.
Hannover
Hannover is the capital of state Lower Saxony in Germany. Having a huge exhibition complex built for the World EXPO in 2000 and being host to several of the biggest exhibitions in the world, Hanover calls herself the "EXPO City" or "Exhibition City". Hanover also was a host city to the 2006 Football World Cup.
Don't expect to see beautiful centuries-old buildings; this city was one of the hardest hit during World War II, leaving it with only a few historical landmarks. Even the Old City area is "new", all the old houses left standing after the wa were taken from throughout the city and deposited here. This area is surrounded by grey 1950's buildings that give a somewhat heavy atmosphere to the streets. However, there still are several residential neighborhoods consisting of late-19th-century housing stock with often elaborate historicist and Jugendstil decorations just outside the downtown area. The city lies at the confluence of the River Leine and its tributary the Ihme, in the south of the North German Plain. The city is a major crossing point of railway lines and motorways, connecting European main lines in both the east–west and north–south directions.
Kröpcke is a large pedestrian area in the heart of Hanover. It is Hanover's major shopping spot, home to the Opera house and has lots of places to eat. The main station in the Hanover Stadtbahn network, is also located here. All Stadtbahn lines except the 10 and 17, call at the station and it is the main interchange point for the network.
At the Neues Rathaus you can see the models of Hanover at four different points in history: 1689, 1939, 1945, and 2000. The Stadtpark is worth visiting on a nice sunny day. Good place to relax with a good book and a perfect place to escape the city centre.
The Great Garden of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten). The world-famous baroque gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century to copy the Versailles Garden in France. A must see! Even in the winter one can still see its beauty, but it reaches its best at the end of spring until end of summer. Schloss Marienburg is situated 20 kilometers south of Hanover and considered one of the most important neo-Gothic historical buildings in Germany.
Konstanz
Konstanz, traditionally known as Constance in English, is a university city located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south of Germany. The lake is called Bodensee in German and marks along with the Rhine river a natural border between Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The river Rhine, which starts in the Swiss Alps, passes through Lake Constance and leaves it, by flowing under a bridge connecting the two parts of the city. Although the Rhine is the usual border between Switzerland and Germany, the historic part of Konstanz lies on the south ("Swiss") side of the Rhine and is more or less an enclave. North of the river lies the larger part of the city with residential areas, industrial estates, and the University of Konstanz; while south of the river is the old town, which houses the administrative centre and shopping facilities. Car ferries and a Katamaran. The Germany–Switzerland border runs along the southwestern and southern edge of the old town, demarcating it from the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen. From the harbour on a clear day, you can see the Swiss and Austrian alps across the lake. At the harbour you find the Imperia statue. it is made my artist Peter Lenk. The statue is of a woman holding two naked men, Pope Martin V and Emperor Sigismund, in her hands. The men wear only the papal tiara and the crown, respectively.
The city houses the University of Konstanz and was the residence of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Konstanz for more than 1,200 years. The city is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Konstanz has traces of civilization dating from the stone age and was settled by the Romans in about 50 CE. Konstanz was an important trade centre and a spiritual centre. At the council of Konstanz in 1414-1418, a papal election was held, ending the papal schism.
Konstanz attempted to join the Swiss Confederacy in about 1460 but was voted down. Due to its proximity to Switzerland, Konstanz was not bombed during world war II and its historic old town remains intact. It is a historic city with a charming old town and could be called the jewel of the region.
Of sights in Konstanz the cathedral Münster is worth a visit. The Archaeology Museum of Baden-Württemberg uses Playmo to some extent as part of their exhibition. The Council building is situated at the harbour. This building was built in 1388 and originally used as a warehouse. From 1414-1417 the council of Konstanz was held here to elect a new pope. It currently contains a restaurant and concert hall, and is undergoing restoration work.
Visiting Konstanz you should definitely visit the Imperia statue at the harbour. The statue is commemorating the Council of Constance that took place there between 1414 and 1418. The concrete statue is 9 metres high, weighs 18 tonnes, and stands on a pedestal that rotates around its axis once every four minutes. It was created by Peter Lenk and clandestinely erected in 1993. The erection of the statue caused controversy, but it was on the private property of a rail company that did not object to its presence. Eventually, it became a widely-known landmark of Konstanz.
Imperia shows a woman holding two men on her hands. Although the two men resemble Pope Martin V (elected during the council) and Emperor Sigismund (who called the council), and they wear the papal tiara and imperial crown, Lenk has stated that these figures "are not the Pope and not the Emperor, but fools who have acquired the insignia of secular and spiritual power. And to what extent the real popes and emperors were also fools.
The carnival Fastnacht, is held all over Konstanz, but primarily in the old town. This week-long event involves parades, costumes and parties. It takes place in the week preceding Ash Wednesday. Carnival is an old tradition in southern Germany, made up a mix of pagan and Christian beliefs, whose main purpose is to chase out winter. The secondary purpose is, of course, to dress up in a costume and party. The Konstanz Oktoberfest is rather smaller than the one in Munich but can be worth attending if you're in town and you want the experience. It features the usual Oktoberfest-style beer, food, and live bands, and has a small midway. It takes place over 3 weekends: the last 2 weekends in September and the first weekend in October.
The Mainau flower island is situated somewhat outside the city centre, but is easy accessible with bus and car. It is open every day from sunrise until sunset and contains flower gardens and parks, butterfly house, greenhouse.
Leipzig
Leipzig is the largest city in the German federal state of Saxony, with a population of approximately 560.000. It is the industrial centre of the region and a major cultural centre, offering interesting sights, shopping possibilities and lively nightlife. First documented in 1015, and endowed with city and market privileges in 1165, the city of Leipzig has fundamentally shaped the history of Saxony and of Germany. It was founded at the crossing of two ancient trade routes, Via Regia and Via Imperii. Leipzig has always been known as a place of commerce and still has large trade fairgrounds and exhibition halls known as the Leipzig Messe and located north of the city. Before it became common to dedicate a specific area to trade fairs, they took place in the city itself. Which is why many of the historical buildings were constructed by merchants, as well as Leipzig's unique system of arcades and courtyards.
Other forms of exchange soon followed the trade of goods. The University of Leipzig was founded in 1409, which makes it the second-oldest university in Germany. University facilities are scattered throughout the city, and you cannot miss the central campus at Augustusplatz with the new main building. Leipzig acquired the nickname Klein Paris in the 18th century, when it became a centre of a classical literary movement largely led by the German scholar and writer Johann Christoph Gottsched. The city is also the home of the Nikolaikirche (Church of St. Nicholas), which is the starting point of peaceful demonstrations against the communist regime which led to German Reunification. The collapse of communism hit Leipzig's economy very heavily, but after being on the mend for over twenty years, it has emerged as one of the success stories of the "New German States".
Traces of Leipzig's history are everywhere: the ring of streets around the city center marking the former course of the city wall, the city trade houses, abandoned and repurposed industrial buildings in Plagwitz, small town structures in the outskirts where surrounding towns were incorporated during phases of rapid growth, the battlefields of the Napoleonic wars in the south and southeast of the city, and much, much more.
The Old Town Hall was built in 1556 in the Renaissance style and remains one of Germany's largest town halls. The position of the tower follows the ancient ideal of "golden mean". Located on the pretty main square of the city, it is a good orientation point. The Old City Hall was built 1556 by Hieronymus Lotter on basements of two Patrician houses. It is a beautiful Renaissance style building. Other notable places to see is Nikolaikirche, Russische Gedächtniskirche, University of Leipzig Botanical Garden, Romanushaus and Fregehaus and Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations) are all places worth a visit. And when you are visiting you should definetly visit the main train station. The station has a really cool architecture.
Magdeburg
Magdeburg used to be one of the most important medieval cities of Europe. During the Cold War era Magdeburg's population increased rapidly and the city became a socially and economically important center of the GDR. After the German reunification, however, most of the city's economy was shut down. Although Magdeburg is in a continous modernization process and its cityscape changed rapidly, it has to face the same problems like almost all cities of the same size in Eastern Germany: a decline of population due to more attractive jobs in western Germany. The division of Germany is still visible in some ways.
Nonetheless Magdeburg has become a modern city with numerous interesting sights of high importance and uniqueness, as well as many parks, which make Magdeburg the third greenest city in Germany. New shopping malls and other attractions have changed the cityscape enormously. Today Magdeburg has the largest retail area in relation to its overall area of whole Germany. Magdeburg is one of the German cities I have been to that I liked the most.
Magdeburg is home of two of Germany's top ranking universities, which make it attractive to college students from all over Europe. Other scientific insitutions, like the Max-Planck-Insitut, and one of the largest sites of the Fraunhofer Institut, make Magdeburg an important city for international research. Today's industry includes traditional and also new branches. The company "Röstfein" is one of the best coffee brands in eastern Germany, and the company "Abtshof" is known for its traditional and unique vodka production. The world's first artificial sweetener was produced in Magdeburg and is still in production. The production of wind energy is one of the newer industry branches.
You could visit Magdeburg on a day trip for Berlin as it doesn't take long to travel there by train. Especially the old town in Magdeburg is easy accessible by foot and just a short walk from the main train station. The Gothic Magdeburger Dom (cathedral of St. Maurice and St Catherine), is possibly the most well-known sight in the city. It was built on the remains of a roman cathedral from 1209 to 1520. Currently covered with unsightly scaffolding but this is normal as this church is always covered with scaffolding. The romanesque Abbey Kloster unser lieben Frauen (Cloister Our Dear Woman), founded in the 11th century, is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Germany. Today it is, amongst other things, home to an art gallery. Also worth seeing is Johanniskirche (St. John's Church), recently rebuilt as a multipurpose space after being severely damaged in WW II. The south tower has an observation platform offering a panoramic view of the city. MAgdenburg was the first city to become protestant after Martin luther had a preach there. Otto den første var fra Magdeburg.
In the city centre near the Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen and the cathedral is the Grüne Zitadelle (Green Citadel), a pink house designed by the famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Kanalbrücke / Wasserstraßenkreuz Magdeburg (Magdeburg Water Bridge) – Europe's longest water bridge, a navigable aqueduct crossing of waterways. It connects the Elbe-Havel Canal to the Mittellandkanal, crossing over the Elbe River.
Mainz
Mainz is the capital and largest city of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It lies in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region—Germany's second-largest metropolitan region after Rhine-Ruhr. The city is located at the northern end of the Upper Rhine Plain, on the left bank of the Rhine river, opposite the Hessian capital of Wiesbaden and the mouth of the River Main into the Rhine. Mainz was heavily damaged in World War II; more than 30 air raids destroyed around half of the old town in the city centre, but many buildings were rebuilt post-war. Mainz holds extensive carnival celebrations, that are known as the second-most important in Germany, after the celebrations in Cologne.
Mainz is the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, who introduced letterpress printing to Europe with his movable type printing press, starting the global spread of the printing press, and in the early 1450s manufactured his first books in the city, including the Gutenberg Bibles, two of which are kept at the city's Gutenberg Museum. The Gutenberg museum is worth a visit.
The centre of town is accessible on foot from main train station. All the major attractions are easily reached on foot, on nice days walking & sitting along the Rhine river is a great way to pass an afternoon. There are signposts and maps throughout the city centre, or you can pick up a map from the DB information desk in the station. Things to see in Mainz include Dom St. Martin, which is a Romanesque cathedral. The cathedral is over one thousand years old, one of Germany's oldest, and is currently partially covered with scaffolding for renovations. It is definetly the largest cathedral I have been to. The "Stephanskirche" has world-famous Chagall windows. Other religious places include Christuskirche, which is an Italian renaissance on the Rhine, and the Mainz Synagogue, which is one of the most interesting new synagogues recently constructed in Germany, and maybe even worldwide.
The 'Theodor-Heuss-Bridge' is situated in the centre of Mainz and connects Mainz and Mainz-Kastel. It is one of three Rhine bridges that connect Mainz with Wiesbaden and the neigbouring state of Hesse. Like almost all other German Rhine bridges, the former bridge had been destroyed in World War II. The bridge was rebuilt in the early 1950s and named after the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss. Kastel, a former Mainz suburb and several other villages on the right side of the Rhine, has been separated from the city after the war, as the Rhine was the border between the French and American occupation sectors. Even today, Kastel, Kostheim, Amoeneburg, Ginsheim, Gustavsburg and the other former suburbs consider themselves part of Mainz, although they are administered by Wiesbaden and Hesse.
The Mainz City Hall was built in the early 1970s by Danish architects, who used many tons Swedish marble for the facade. Considered modern at the time it was built, the city hall is not very popular today, many consider it too monumental, some even ugly. From the extensive city hall platform there is a beautiful view on the Rhine promenade and the river. Schillerplatz is a beautiful, leafy square in central Mainz with the fountain said to represent the jesters and fun of Mainz's Fastnacht celebration.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of the German state Bavaria. Within the city limits, Munich has a population of more than 1.6 million, making it the third-most populous city in Germany. Greater Munich including its suburbs has a population of 2.7 million. Munich is located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is known for its architecture, fine culture, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration, its vibrant cultural scene, and its museums. Although the city was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings in the old city center have been rebuilt including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus).
Munich has the strongest economy of any German city and with the lowest unemployment rate of major German cities, it is very prosperous. Seven out of the thirty companies listed in the German blue-chip stock market index DAX are headquartered in Munich. This includes luxury car maker BMW, electrical engineering giant Siemens, chip producer Infineon, truck manufacturer MAN, industrial gas specialist Linde, the world's largest insurance company Allianz and the world's largest re-insurer Munich Re. The Munich region is also a center for aerospace, biotechnology, software, and service industries. It is home to the aircraft engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines, the aerospace and defense giant EADS (headquartered in both Munich and Paris), the injection molding machine manufacturer Krauss-Maffei, the camera and lighting manufacturer Arri, lighting giant Osram, as well as the German and/or European headquarters of many foreign companies like McDonald’s, Microsoft and Intel. As the largest publishing city in Europe, Munich is home to Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of Germany's largest daily newspapers. Germany's largest public broadcasting network, ARD, its second largest commercial network, ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG and the Burda publishing group are also located in and around Munich.
Munich International Airport is the second busiest airport in Germany and ranks seventh in Europe, handling 38 million passengers per year. Munich airport, which has been named for former Bavarian prime minister Franz Josef Strauß, is a major hub for Lufthansa and the Star Alliance. The airport connects to central Munich by suburban train (S-Bahn) on the S1 and S8 line. The S1 runs to Munich Central Station via the northern and western districts of Munich, while the S8 serves the eastern districts before arriving at Munich Central Station. Please note that the S1 line splits at Neufahrn station. The first half of the train goes to Freising, whereas the rear continues onto the airport. Please make sure you're in the correct portion of the train if you take the S1 line.
The best way to travel around Munich - without using your own feet - is the public transportation system consisting of suburban trains (S-Bahn), underground trains (U-Bahn), streetcars (Tram), and buses. There is only one ticket system, called MVV, which means you can use all modes of transportation with the same ticket. You can get individual, group, daily, weekly, and monthly tickets. The underground stations, i.e. U-Bahn, are marked with a white capital "U" on the blue quadratic ground. The suburban train stations, i.e. S-Bahn, are marked with a white "S" on green circular ground. All S-Bahn lines traverse the city in a single tunnel (Stammstrecke) between stations Donnersbergerbrücke and Ostbahnhof. When all this is said much of the city center is available by foot.
Bavaria was the longtime antipode of Berlin: while the protestant Prussian kings focused their energy and resources on building military strength, the catholic Wittelsbacher were more interested in creating a centre of arts and science following the examples of cities in northern Italy. And even today, Bavaria takes a unique position among the German states with a strong emphasis on its independence, e.g. Bavaria calls itself Freistaat (free state) and has its conservative party, the CSU, which strongly advocates Bavarian interests in Berlin. Bavaria's transition from an agricultural society to Germany's most successful high-tech state as well as the dominance of Bayern München in German soccer has further increased the pride of its residents in their state and its traditions and dialect.
Munich offers visitors many sights and attractions. There is something for everyone, no matter if you are seeking arts and culture, shopping, fine dining, nightlife, sports events, or a Bavarian beer hall atmosphere.
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital of the German state Brandenburg that surrounds Berlin. Many of the buildings in Potsdam that are visible today have been reconstructed after the bombings of the Second World War and after the lax care of the East German Government. The city as we see it today is the work of five architects Peter Joseph Lenné, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, Carl Phillipp Christian von Gontard, Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Friedrich Ludwig Persius, in addition to King Frederick the Great and Emperor Wilhelm II.
Potsdam is, together with Berlin and parts of Brandenburg, part of the VBB transportation network. That enables you to change trams and buses pretty much at will, as long as your ticket is valid for the zone you're in.
Most of the tourist attractions in the city are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of these are the Sanssouci Park and the Crown estate of Bornstedt, the New Garden (including the Pfingstberg and the Russian colony of Alxandrowka), Babelsberg Park and the Sacrow Park. Other places to see are Alter Markt, the Stadtschloss (city castle), the Nikolaikirche and the Garrison Church. It is possible to walk to the top of the dome of the Nicolas' church. this costs t5 EUR, and note that you have to pay with cash. The Garrison Church contains a Coventry chapel, an exhibition about the history of the place and a viewing platform at a height of 57 meters. The Altes Rathaus has a changing exhibitions at the old town hall.
Gedenk- und Begegnungsstätte Ehemaliges KGB-Gefängnis Potsdam, Leistikowstr is literally the Memorial and Meeting-place Former KGB Prison Potsdam. From August 1945 it was occupied by Soviet forces who oversaw its reconstruction as a prison for the counter-intelligence services. Today it's been left standing to remind people of the depressing reality of dictatorships. Open from May to October, every Saturday and Sunday 11-17h.
The Holländisches Viertel - Right in the middle of Potsdam, are the "Dutch Quarters", built in the 18th century by Dutch master builder Johann Baumann to attract other Dutch artisans. The quarters consist of 134 red brick houses, divided into four blocks. The history of the Dutch Quarters can be seen in the house in Mittelstraße 8. The Krongut Bornstedt is an architectonical complex in Italian style with a palace and a garden. The new Garden hosts the Marmorpalais and the Palace Cecilienhof. The New Market is an original preserved market square from the 18th century. Park Babelsberg is a beautiful park with a gothic-style castle. It is also part of the World Heritage site. One part of the university is placed here, so expect some students.
Sanssouci Palace has an immense park is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with all its outbuildings. Get there early as there is a 2000 person / day entry limit at Sanssouci Palace. The palace is a fabulous rococo palace with amazing interiors. One of the most noteworthy rooms in the palace is the Konzertsaal (concert hall) - dripping in rococo glory. On public holidays if you don’t buy tickets in advance online you may find yourself having to wait for many hours until you are able to enter Schloss Sanssouci, which only admits a limited number of visitors per hour. New Palace is also in Park Sanssouci.
The Potsdam Alexandrowka houses consists of a few "Russian Style" houses built for Russian immigrants during the reign of "The Soldier King". Haus 2 has a very interesting museum while Haus 4 has an excellent café. Haus der Brandenburgisch-Preußischen Geschichte is a museum about Prussia's history. Museum of Natural History is also worth a visit.
Schwerin
Schwerin is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is the state capital, and with fewer than 95,000 inhabitants is also the smallest German state capital. Nevertheless it is a very beautiful city with loads of things to do and see. It is a ideal base for trips to the surrounding lake landscape as well as to the Baltic Sea coast. Schwerin has a certain provincial charm that is very distinct from nearby cities like Rostock and Hamburg. As there is no major University in Schwerin, the city has a lack of young people as many have to leave for their studies. This makes Schwerin a beautiful, silent but not very young and hip administrative capital of the north eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Schwerin is one of the cities in Germany I have been to that I liked the most.
Schwerin has a population of about 95,000 and is the smallest state capital of Germany. In the East German era, Schwerin was an industrial city known for its leather products. In 1991, when Schwerin became the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state, it had a population of 126,000. After the German Reunification, Schwerin's population started to decline and fell below 100,000 in 2000, so that it lost its official status as a major city. Schwerin is also the only state capital that has no universitie
The centre can easilly be discovered by foot, and the rest can be experienced by bicycle. The romantic Schwerin Palace, situated on Castle Island between Lake Schwerin and Castle Lake, known for its golden dome, the Castle Church, the throne room. The Niklot statue, used to be the seat of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and since 1990, it is the seat of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Schwerin's silhouette is completed by the towers of Schwerin Cathedral, St Paul's Church and St Nicholas' Church. Because of only minor damage in World War II, the city has a largely intact building structure, both in the Altstadt (Old Town) and Schelfstadt (Reed City) quarters.
The Schwerin Art Collections Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater, the Palace Gardens, Alter Garten and the Market Square and the TV tower are all worth seeing
Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken is the capital and largest city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken has 181,959 inhabitants and is Saarland's administrative, commercial and cultural centre. It is located on the Saar River, directly borders the French department of Moselle, and is Germany's second-westernmost state capital after Düsseldorf. The modern city of Saarbrücken was created in 1909 by the merger of the three cities of Saarbrücken, St. Johann a. d. Saar, and Malstatt-Burbach. It was the industrial and transport centre of the Saar coal basin. Products included iron and steel, sugar, beer, pottery, optical instruments, machinery, and construction materials. In the 20th century, Saarbrücken was twice separated from Germany: from 1920 to 1935 as capital of the Territory of the Saar Basin and from 1947 to 1956 as capital of the Saar Protectorate.
In 1945, Saarbrücken temporarily became part of the French Zone of Occupation. In 1947, France created the nominally politically independent Saar Protectorate and merged it economically with France to exploit the area's vast coal reserves. Saarbrücken became capital of the new Saar state. A referendum in 1955 came out with over two-thirds of the voters rejecting an independent Saar state. The area rejoined the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 January 1957, sometimes called Kleine Wiedervereinigung (little reunification). Economic reintegration would, however, take many more years. Saarbrücken became capital of the Bundesland Saarland.
With population of about 180,000 people today Saarbrücken is the 2nd smallest German state capital after Schwerin. Historic landmarks in the city include the stone bridge across the Saar, the Gothic church of St. Arnual, the 18th-century Saarbrücken Castle, and the old part of the town, the Sankt Johanner Markt.
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is the capital of the German state of Hesse, and the second-largest Hessian city after Frankfurt am Main. Wiesbaden forms a conurbation with a population of around 500,000 with the neighbouring city of Mainz. This conurbation is in turn embedded in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region—Germany's second-largest metropolitan region after Rhine-Ruhr. The city is located on the Rhine, at the foothills of the Taunus, opposite the Rhineland-Palatine capital of Mainz, and the city centre is located in the wide valley of the small Salzbach stream. Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name translates to "meadow baths", and there are 15 mineral springs—14 of which are hot springs—in the city centre. Wiesbaden is one of the German cities I have been to that I enjoyed the most.
The city profits from its proximity to the Frankfurt Airport and the business centre of Frankfurt. During peak times a lot of business travellers stay in Wiesbaden instead of in Frankfurt and relax from the busy metropolis in this smaller city with a charming old city. Wiesbaden is very well connected by many highways from Frankfurt, Cologne or Mainz. Trains travel frequently and are very enjoyable. Once you are in the city centre it's pretty comfortable to just walk around. There's a main pedestrian area which is similar to an open-air mall, but more relaxed. Shops line the street and alleys, and it's mostly closed off to cars. Many shops, cafes and restaurants can be found in this area. Be sure to walk around the Altstadt as well. If you want to go further out of the city centre, you can use the developed bus system.
The Neroberg Mountain Train is a water ballast funicular railway. It is the last water ballast funicular in Germany. You can get tickets from the ticket controller. One of the most attractive buildings in Wiesbaden is the Kurhaus situated in the city centre. Built for Kaiser Wilhelm II around 1900 it serves as a wellness and leisure time centre. It also offers a pretty garden where you can walk around or relax. Next to it are two further important buildings: the famous casino and the theatre. other places that are worth visiting are the Hessian State Theatre, the Rathaus with its Neo-Renaissance facade. Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is also worth a visit, and the Stadtschloss (City Palace) is today's Hessian State Parliament building (Hessischer Landtag). Schloss Biebrich (Biebrich Palace) is a Baroque residence (Schloss) in the borough of Biebrich in the city of Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany. Built in 1702 by Prince Georg August Samuel of Nassau-Idstein, it served as the ducal residence for the independent Duchy of Nassau from 1816 until 1866. You should also visit the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Elizabeth on the Neroberg with its five golden domes (Russische Orthodoxe Kirche der heiligen Elisabeth) on the Neroberg. The common local name is Griechische Kapelle ("Greek chapel"}.
The Schloßplatz ("palace square") is situated in the centre of the city, surrounded by several outstanding buildings. The ducal palace was begun under William, Duke of Nassau. Its foundations were laid in 1837 and it was completed in November 1841 (two years after William's death). For the twenty-six remaining years of ducal authority it was the residence of the ruling family. It later served as a secondary residence for the King of Prussia 1866 to 1918. It was later used as a headquarters for French and British occupying forces after World War I, then as a museum. Since 1945, the building has served as Landtag (parliamentary building) for the state of Hesse.
The Protestant Marktkirche ("market church") was built from 1852 to 1862 in a neo-Gothic style. Its western steeple is 92 metres (302 feet) in height, making the church the highest building in the city.
Visit the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen's grave when you are visiting Wiesbaden. Von Richthofen famously flew a red Fokker Tri-plane in which he made eighty aerial kills during World War One and became the leading fighter pilot of his age in the fledgling "art" of aerial combat. Recent forensic study indicates he was killed by an Australian soldier's rifle shot during a low-level dog fight. Von Richthofen is buried along with other family members in a cemetery. As a result of de-emphasizing Germany's militaristic history many locals do not know of von Richthofen's presence in their community. Sabaton has made a song about The red baron, and it is a tribute to Manfred von Richthofen. The song highlights his impressive military career, including his 80 confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the most successful fighter pilots of the war. The lyrics celebrate his skills and bravery in the air, portraying him as a legendary figure in aviation history.
St. Bonifatius where the first church for the Catholic community after the Reformation, was built from 1845 until 1849 by Philipp Hoffmann in Gothic Revival style and dedicated to Saint Boniface. The Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Elizabeth, called Griechische Kapelle (Greek chapel) locally, was built on the Neroberg from 1847 to 1855 by Duke Adolf of Nassau on the occasion of the early death of his wife Elizabeth Mikhailovna, who died in childbirth.
Another building from the regency of Duke Wilhelm is the Luisenplatz, a square named for the Duke's first wife. It is surrounded by Neoclassicist buildings, and in the middle of the square is the Waterloo Obelisk, commemorating the 683 Nassauers who died on 18 June 1815 near Hougoumont Farm in the respective battle against Napoleon. Apart from the palace in the center, the ducal family had a large palace on the banks of the Rhine, known as Schloss Biebrich. This baroque building was erected in the first half of the 18th century.
North of the city is the Neroberg. From the top of this hill it is possible to view a panorama of the city. The Nerobergbahn funicular railway connects the city with the hill. South of it, the Nerotalanlagen are a park along a creek, created in 1897/98 as an English landscape garden.