Germany’s capital is a 24-hour entertainment mecca. Stroll elegant shopping streets, visit glorious Charlottenburg Palace, check out Prenzlauer Berg’s alternative art scene, then take in the nightlife around Kollwitz Platz. See our Berlin Travel Guide
Munich
Staid and traditional, yet still modern, Munich effortlessly blends art, culture, music (everything from classical to grunge), shopping and sports. Beer fans find nirvana at the original Oktoberfest. See our Munich Travel Guide
Hamburg
The old merchant town of the former Hanseatic League makes a point of its historic cosmopolitanism by being especially friendly to visitors. Two must-sees: the harbor and the old merchant houses. See our Hamburg Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
Set cheek-by-jowl with Germany's mega-industrial “Ruhrpott” region, the capital of the state of North Rhine–Westphalia is renowned for its style and cultural venues. Its Old Town is filled with restaurants and bars.
Leipzig
Arrive at Europe's largest terminal train station, in a hub of trade and business. History looms large: in 1813, the Battle of the Nations here ended Napoleonic rule in Germany.
Dresden
The old town is Dresden’s main draw – visit the Church of Our Lady, until recently a grisly ruin testifying to the city’s firebombing in February 1945. Climb the 300-foot Palace Tower (Schlossturm) for city views.
The Black Forest
Quirky half-timber houses, chic spas, and fairytale landscapes comprise that land that birthed the cuckoo clock. Stop in Baden-Baden for the high life, or the bustling university town of Freiburg.
Lake Constance
All manner of sports enthusiasts, from skiers to windsurfers, flock to this great lake in the shadow of the Alps. Cultural fare is in ample supply, notably in Konstanz and Lindau.
The Rhineland
Germany’s wine capital boasts fertile vineyards climbing up steep hills that lead to old, imposing castles and charming wine villages, each of which has at least one wine festival per year. Though the Rhine Valley is only as wide as the little towns on either side of the riverbank, the region stretches nearly 134 miles long. See our Rhineland Travel Guide
Frankfurt
Germany’s 5th-largest city and Goethe’s birthplace, Frankfurt is a friendly Hessian town with all the trappings of a big city. The city’s international trade fairs bring in millions of visitors several months out of the year, and Frankfurt’s museums, operas, and ballets are second only to Berlin’s. See our Frankfurt Travel Guide
