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25 Things to Do in Germany
Ah, Germany. Everyone knows it’s there, but few people put it on the top of their travel list, preferring the standard France, Italy or Greece, or going more exotic to eastern Europe or up to Scandinavia. And that’s a pity because there is just so much to see and do in Germany. I lived there for two and a half years (and married a German, so we return regularly) and still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. In case you need more convincing, here are 25 tips for what to do in Germany to prove that there is definitely something for everyone. Some are very well-known activities like Oktoberfest in Munich or visiting the Berlin Wall remnants; others are well off the beaten tourist track; but all of them are well worth a look.
A view of Bacharach along the Rhine by Jeremy Branham
The Berlin Wall
I could write a book about the Berlin Wall, but instead I’ll just heartily encourage you to take advantage of any Berlin Wall-related sightseeing spots in Berlin. The Eastside Gallery is a great way to see some of the famous artistic moments of the wall, and the Topography of Terror exhibition located at the old SS headquarters gives some scary history from those times. My favourite Berlin Wall attraction is probably the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie museum which includes incredible stories (and artefacts) about those who escaped or attempted to escape into the west.
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie exhibit by boreritos
We’ve lots more tips on things to do in Berlin.
Cologne Cathedral
Without the cathedral, Cologne is a pretty city on the Rhine with some interesting museums. But being home to Koelner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) makes it a must visit. This is a towering cathedral that must surely impress everyone, and both inside and outside it’s utterly photogenic. I first visited as a teenager and have been captivated by it ever since.
We’ve some more suggestions on things to do in Cologne.
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
One of the most well-known castles in Germany is Neuschwanstein, near the town of Füssen in Bavarian, south-east Germany. Many say it’s even the model for the famous Disneyland castle and there are definitely similarities. It can be, in my opinion, a little too overrun with tourists and the tours through the castle whisk you through at quite a cracking pace – so my suggestion is to spend more time at its “brother” castle Hohenschwangau , walking distance from Neuschwanstein, and take a walk around the grounds of both, because it’s really a picturesque area.
Hohenschwangau Castle by Amanda Kendle
Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden
You can’t go too far in Germany before World War Two history confronts you. One fascinating place I visited was Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) near Berchtesgaden. Just getting there is interesting as you end up taking a lift up through the rock to the top of a hill and the views are fantastic. Built as a retreat for Hitler, he apparently didn’t end up going there much and since it wasn’t such an important Nazi site it wasn’t destroyed at the end of the war. Nowadays there is a restaurant up there, and you can take some great hikes, but for me it was still a little spooky to think of Hitler having been there at all.
Sanssouci Palace
A popular day trip from Berlin is a visit to Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam. This palace was the summer residence for Frederick the Great and you can take a tour of the inside or simply enjoy exploring the gardens and other features around it.
At Schloss Sanssouci by Amanda Kendle
Oktoberfest in Munich
Mention Germany and many people will want to time their visit for Oktoberfest, with the biggest festival happening in Munich. (Remember, though, that most of Oktoberfest actually happens in September!). Central Munich is home to the Hofbrauhaus and regardless of what time of year you arrive, you can pop in there for a beer and some good German food and get some of the Oktoberfest atmosphere.
We’ve more tips on things to do in Munich.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If you’re after a picture-book German town, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the one to visit. The only drawback is a lot of tourist buses stop there – but that’s because it is so typically German-looking and photogenic – so it might be better to spend the night there and take a good look around earlyin the morning or late in the evening when it’s a little emptier. And if you’re there at night you can also try the Night Watchman’s tour.
View to Rothenburg’s main square by Amanda Kendle
Off the Tourist Track in Dinkelsbühl
For those who prefer to stay off the beaten track, a similar typically German experience can be had by visiting a town like Dinkelsbühl in the south of Germany. With plenty of Fachwerk-style buildings and little shops to explore, you may not find too many tourists but you will find olden days Germany!
Fachwerk houses in Dinkelsbuehl by Amanda Kendle
Frankfurt Book Fair
If you’re a book lover, I can’t recommend strongly enough that you time a trip to Germany to coincide with the Frankfurt Book Fair. I’ve managed to get there a couple of times (so far!) and it is incredible! It’s usually held in October and two of the days (usually the weekend) are open to the general public. You’ll see new books before anyone else, get all kinds of free giveaways (haunt the cook book section when you’re hungry!) and be thoroughly entertained.
Bodensee – Lake Constance
The Bodensee, or as we English speakers refer to it, Lake Constance, is one of the jewels of Germany, and is a popular holiday destination for the locals as well. Apart from the scenic nature of the lake there are some other interesting attractions there too, like the Lake Dwelling museum and the Zeppelin Museum. It’s also popular to do a cycling tour around the lake and it’s a great place for it.
Lake Dwelling Museum on Lake Constance by Amanda Kendle
Rhine Cruise to Bacharach
The towns along the Rhine River are particularly beautiful parts of Germany and a good base for exploring some of these is Bacharach. From here you can take a cruise on the Rhine and you also have easy access to many nearby castles.
Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg is a very pretty city on the River Neckar, and the centrepiece is the Heidelberg Castle (or at least its remnants) which sit a little way up a hill above the main shopping area. You can also get great views to the castle from the other side of the river, by taking a stroll on the Philosopher’s Walk.
View to Danube from Heidelberg Castle by Amanda Kendle
Rhine River in Dusseldorf
If you’re looking for a busier place to appreciate the Rhine, try visiting Dusseldorf. As one of the financial centres of the country it’s bustling with all kinds of people and the promenade along the Rhine is an interesting way to see the river and the people who live and work near it.
Ulm Cathedral
The south-west city of Ulm is another great place for a visit and the highlight for me is the Ulm Cathedral. This Gothic building is the tallest church in the world! If you make it to the top (there are quite a few stairs!) you’ll have great views over Ulm and the Danube River and you’ll deserve a tasty treat when you get back to ground level.
View from Ulm Cathedral by Amanda Kendle
Becks Beer in Bremen
Obviously, there are plenty of places to get a good beer across Germany, but one of the best is Bremen, the home of Becks beer. Quite apart from the beer, Bremen is a lovely town to visit. If you remember your fairy tales and know about the Musicians of Bremen, you’ll be rewarded with a cute statue of the four animals involved (rub the lucky hoofs!).
Lubeck Marzipan
I’m not even a fan of marzipan but I became a convert when eating original Lübecker Marzipan. You can visit the spot in Lubeck where it’s made and stock up on all your favourite marzipan treats – it definitely tastes superior to pretty much any other marzipan I’ve ever eaten! There are also lots of other reasons to have a short break in Lübeck now that it’s very easily accessible.
Town Hall in Luebeck by Amanda Kendle
Holocaust Sightseeing in Berlin
There are an enormous number of sightseeing spots in Berlin that I think you can’t miss, but some of the most important are those related to the holocaust. The Jewish Museum is the first of these – although the Holocaust is only a small part of this museum, the rest is also incredible and you will learn a lot, as well as be fascinated by it. It’s one of my favourite ever museums! The relatively new Holocaust Memorial is also an important place to visit and have a quiet reflective moment. Finally, there is also an Anne Frank Museum which is especially suitable if you have children travelling with you.
Dachau Concentration Camp
You may not want to visit a concentration camp but I think it’s a useful and important experience. The Dachau Concentration Camp just outside Munich can be somewhat overwhelming but the history you find there should not be forgotten.
Entrance to Dachau Concentration Camp by Amanda Kendle
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
An alternative is the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp just outside Berlin. It is smaller and usually less crowded than Dachau, but will have a similar effect on you.
Bad Wimpfen Christmas Markets
I’m a huge fan of European Christmas markets and perhaps the loveliest I’ve ever experienced are those held in the village of Bad Wimpfen in south-west Germany. This is a picturesque medieval town where the market stalls are set up along windy cobblestone alleyways, with an emphasis on authentic, traditional gifts and food. Even if you miss the November/December Christmas market weekends, I thoroughly recommend stopping by Bad Wimpfen in any case.
Christmas markets in Bad Wimpfen by Amanda Kendle
Nuremburg Christmas Markets
A good alternative – and a bigger set of markets – can be found at the Nuremberg Christmas markets. They have great food stalls with all the traditional German foods available and the possibilities for shopping are incredible, as the Nuremburg Christmas markets are said to be the largest in the country.
ZKM in Karlsruhe
If you’re in the south-west of Germany, a stop in at the ZKM Museum in Karlsruhe is an interesting distraction. This gallery includes a range of interactive art installations which gave me hours of amusement, I have to admit!
ZKM Exhibit in Karlsruhe by Amanda Kendle
Fraueninsel in Bavaria
Bavaria (or Bayern as the Germans say) is a popular destination for a German holiday and one of the prettiest parts is a beautiful lake, the Chiemsee, not far from Munich. Visiting one of its islands, the Fraueninsel, makes for a fantastic day trip.
Blühendes Barock in Ludwigsburg
Garden lovers need to swing by the small town of Ludwigsburg, just north of Stuttgart, to check out the Blühendes Barock - home to beautifully kept gardens along with a special section highlighting fairy tales we all know and love. My husband enjoyed visiting this as a child, but as an adult the gardens are just as impressive.
Gingerbread house at Bluhendes Barock by Amanda Kendle
Currywurst in Koblenz (or anywhere!)
I don’t think it matters where you try a Currywurst – the famous German snack of sliced up sausage covered in a curry sauce, and usually served with chips – but my recent experience was in Koblenz, a charming city that’s not too big and not too small – and I can vouch for the fact that there is delicious Currywurst there!
Your German tips
I could go on and list a hundred things to do in Germany instead of twenty-five, but I’ll stop there! What’s your favourite place to visit in Germany? Let me know in the comments.
25 Things to Do in Germany
Tips on what to see in Europe. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.
Up Close Picture of the Week: Hamburg, Germany Christmas Market
Some of the most wondrous sights and cheeriest cultural celebrations in Europe can be found at the Christmas markets. Held every year from the end of November to the end of December, these festive markets showcase local crafts and traditional foods while turning the city squares into fairy-tale wonderlands. If you want to get in on the fun, its time to plan and book now. Some of the most elaborate markets are held in Germany, so here is a rundown of the largest Christmas Markets in Germany.
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com
Related posts:
- Up Close Picture of the Week: Market Stand in Florence, Italy
- Up Close Picture of the Week: Wurtzburg, Germany
- Up Close Picture of the Week: Regensburg, Germany
Tips for Things to Do in Cologne
Cologne, or Köln as the locals call it, is one of my favourite German cities – not too big, not too small, lots of interesting stuff to see and do. It also has its own unique culture within German, being famous (or sometimes infamous) for its strong dialect – although I can speak German fluently, “Kölsch” sounds almost like another language to me! This list of things to do in Cologne should enable you to get a taste for this special German city.
Cologne at Night by James Cridland
Sightseeing in Cologne
Easily the most impressive landmark in Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom. It’s a UNESCO-listed building dating back to the thirteenth century and it’s one of the largest gothic churches in Europe. Just looking around inside is impressive enough but if you’re feeling fit you can also climb the tower for views over the Rhine River and the city of Cologne.
Cologne Cathedral by Amanda Kendle
Dating back to the times of a Roman governor in Cologne, the Praetorium is an amazing array of Roman ruins found underneath the city – in fact, just under the Town Hall. You can also see parts of the old sewer system and archaeological finds.
Cologne Praetorium by Jen Guttman
Of course, you also can’t forget the fact that Cologne lies on the Rhine River. If you cross the main bridge across the Rhine, you’ll find many thousands of padlocks have been attached to the bridge by couples hoping for good luck for their relationship. You can also cruise the Rhine to various destinations from Cologne using KD boats.
Padlocks on the bridge by Amanda Kendle
Museums in Cologne
In light of Cologne’s deep Roman ties, it’s no surprise that the Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) is an impressive one, with numerous Roman artefacts from the Cologne area and along the Rhine River on display. The Praetorium mentioned above is adjacent to this museum.
Roman-Germanic Museum in Cologne by Eoghan OLionnain
For art lovers, the Museum Ludwig, easily found in central Cologne, is a must visit. It’s most famous for its postmodern art collection but it’s actually got a bit of everything from the 20th century. For those who like their art a bit older, the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum features art from between the 1200s and 1800s; both of these museums feature both local German artists and numerous famous international artists, too.
Museum Ludwig by mueritz
And finally, one museum which I’ve often been told of (given my well-known sweet tooth!) but never had the chance to visit, the Chocolate Museum (Schokolade Museum) in Cologne is trying to document the “cultural history of chocolate”. You can also see some great examples of how chocolate is made and importantly, there is a cafe offering (naturally enough) plenty of chocolate-based treats.
Chocolate Museum by Accidental Hedonist
Culture in Cologne
Cologne is famous not only for its historical past but for its modern day culture too, and it’s well known as the gay capital of Germany. Every year, the Cologne Gay Pride parade takes place with up to a million people attending (in 2011, the parade will take place 1-3 July).
Gay Pride Parade by norbert_blech
However, the biggest parade of the year comes with Karneval. Usually held in February, Karneval can attract almost two million people with a very colorful street carnival, plenty of wild costumes, and all kinds of related celebrations.
Crazy costumes for Karneval by avatar-1
And in late November and December, Cologne is one of the best places to come to in Europe for Christmas markets. With no less than half a dozen separate markets, you can easily spend a long weekend there and still not enjoy the Gluhwein from every Christmas market!
Traditional gifts at Cologne Christmas Markets by timo_beil
Last but not least, it’s important that you try the local German beer, named (like the dialect) Kölsch (and sometimes seen as Koelsch). There are several varieties of it, available everywhere and you’ll be well-respected if you drink the local beer rather than some other kind of German beer while in Cologne!
Kölsch beer by sights set
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Your Cologne Tips
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Tips for Things to Do in Cologne
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Best of Munich Tips
Munich is probably one of everybody’s favourite German cities (and one of mine, too!). With all the stereotypical Bavarian traditions and plenty of good beer (heard of Oktoberfest?!), it is easily one of Germany’s most-visited cities and it’s easy to spend a few days or a week there enjoying different Munich attractions. This collation of Europe a la Carte’s best tips for things to do in Munich will help both persuade you to add Munich to your must-visit list and give you ideas for planning your trip once you’re there.
Munich’s famous Glockenspiel by Amanda Kendle
Podcast on Things to Do in Munich
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Beer and Oktoberfest in Munich
Munich is certainly well known amongst beer lovers and is synonymous with the excitement of Oktoberfest. Fortunately, if your visit doesn’t coincide with late September and early October for Oktoberfest, you can visit the Hofbrauhaus all year round. It’s an enormous pub in the centre of Munich with plenty of character and, of course, plenty of beer!
Beer at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich by Jeremy Branham
If you are able to time your visit for the Oktoberfest fun, be prepared for Munich to be pretty crowded but for your trip to be memorable (well, depending upon how much beer you consume!). Located on the Theresienwiese, all the major beer companies set up their tents and it’s advisable to get a seat in a tent as early in the day as possible – in many tents you’ll only get served beer if you’ve got a seat. Then sit back and enjoy the traditional costumes, music and good German beer.
Museums in Munich
Munich is particularly rich in interesting museums and their themes are truly many and varied. Perhaps one for the men (or, at least one I’m not particularly intrigued by!) is the BMW Car Museum. However, the museum does sound particularly well put together with interesting and interactive displays on the development of BMWs over the years and just the building it’s housed in is worth a look in itself.
The BMW Museum by arwa
For something totally different, you can try the Munich Toy Museum, located in one of the towers of the Rathaus (Town Hall). There are toys of all kinds from Europe and America from the past two centuries and even an impressive Barbie doll collection.
One of my favourite museums in Munich (or perhaps the world) is the Deutsches Museum. It’s an enormous science and technology museum with excellent interactive displays and exhibitions on a huge range of topics from art to computers to toys – you should certainly allow yourself a good few hours to have a look around.
An old computer in the Deutsches Museum by Amanda Kendle
Landmarks in Munich
It’s not just beer and museums that will keep you busy in Munich. The Tierpark Hellabrunn is the main Munich zoo and it has plenty of natural habitats for its large variety of animals. I’m a bit fussy about zoos but really enjoyed this one!
Zebras in Munich Zoo by Amanda Kendle
You can get right on top of Munich, literally, by climbing the St Peter’s Church Tower near Marienplatz, the heart of Munich. The view really is impressive and it makes the climb up the claustrophobically narrow staircase well worth the effort.
View from St Peter’s by Heather Cowper
Sports fans and lovers of green open space alike will be keen to visit the Munich Olympia Park, constructed for the 1972 Olympic Games. You can go up in the Olympic Tower for more great views over Munich, enter the Olympic Stadium, and look around the park areas too.
View from the Olympic Tower in Munich by arwa
And finally, if you are in Munich in late November or December, you won’t be able to miss the Christmas markets, spread from Marienplatz through to other smaller squares in the town centre. As you’d expect from a German Christmas market, there is Gluhwein and other drinks to warm you up, plenty of traditional gift ideas and some snacks for sustenance as you browse.
Christmas markets in Munich by Heather Cowper
Day Trips from Munich
Inka recommends a day trip to Prien am Chiemsee where you ride on the old steam tramway and visit the Heimatmuseum Folklore Museum, before taking a ferry over to HerrinInsel to visit Schloss Herrenchiemsee, the most lavish castle built for of King Ludwig the 1st of Bavaria.
Schloss Herrenchiemsee by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
A heavier going but interesting Munich day trip option is Berchtesgaden, where you’ll find the Institute of Contemporary History Muncih-Berlin, home to a permanent exhibition documenting all many aspects of the Nazi period in Germany.
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Your Tips for Things to Do in Munich
If you’ve got some recommendations for other great things to do in Munich – or a special tip on enjoying Oktoberfest – then do let us know in the comments below.
Best of Munich Tips
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Top Ten Things to do in Dusseldorf
In the far west of Germany not too far from the Dutch border, the financial centre Düsseldorf is attractive not just to business people. Some of the most interesting things to do in Düsseldorf include:
Altstadt/Old Town
Like so many German cities, the Old Town or Altstadt is a particularly interesting part of town. Düsseldorf’s Old Town is famously known as “the longest bar in the world”: there are over 250 bars and coffee houses within just a square kilometre, so you’ll have no shortage of places to hang out at night. The Old Town was almost completely rebuilt after World War Two but in typical old style, so it looks quaint and charming.
Old Town by Effervescing Elephant
Rhine River Promenade
Many German towns and cities can be found on the Rhine, but the promenade where the river meets Düsseldorf is a particularly pretty walk and very popular with tourists.
Rhine Promenade by Eichental
Marionette Theatre
Inside the Palais Wittgenstein close to the centre of the Old Town, the Marionette Theatre puts on performances for adults and children alike. The theatre is small – less than 100 seats – so it’s an intimate performance space and certainly not always “just for kids”.
Rhine Tower
The tallest building in Dusseldorf is the Rhine Tower, a 234 metre tower which includes a restaurant and viewing platform near its peak. As you’d expect, the views are fantastic, and on a clear day you can even see as far as the gorgeous Cologne Cathedral in the next city!
View towards Rhine Tower by Gunnar Por Hafdal
St. Lambertus Basilika
The St. Lambertus Basilika is famous for its unusual twisted, winding tower – even after it was destroyed in the war, it was reconstructed in the same way. Many would consider this the symbol of the city. The church itself is pretty and there are numerous legends from the city’s history based here.
Lambertus Basilika’s twisted tower by hAdamski
Koenigsallee
Koenigsallee is the place to go in Dusseldorf if you want to indulge in some retail therapy! Since Dusseldorf is famous for the Igedo Fashion Fair, it’s also home to a huge number of boutiques and luxury retail stories. It’s also a pretty place for a stroll as a canal runs down the middle.
Konigsallee sign by dirk@vorderstrasse.de
Geothe Museum
Housed in the Schloss Jagerhof, the Goethe Museum Düsseldorf contains all kinds of Goethe-related paraphernalia, but also has a section devoted to Faust.
Benrath Palace
The Benrath Palace is a beautiful rococo palace, and the park that surrounds it complements it perfectly. At the moment they’re trying to get listing as a UNESCO Heritage site. As well as admiring the architecture and gardens, you can visit one of several museums housed within the palace buildings.
Schloss Benrath by morgaine
Japan Center
For something a little different, the Japan Center features traditional Japanese markets, restaurants and gardens – for a little taste of Asia within Dusseldorf!
Alter Golzheim Cemetery
As with many old cemetries in Germany, the Alter Golzheim Friedhof (Cemetery) in Düsseldorf is both a tranquil green space suited to a quiet stroll, as well as a historical landmark with the graves of quite a few famous German artists and architects.
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Your tips for Dusseldorf
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Top Ten Things to do in Dusseldorf
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Exploring Rheinfels Castle on the River Rhine
One of the more fascinating aspects of Germany are the many castles throughout the various regions of the country. Germany wasn’t united until the late 19th century, until then independent city states ruled various regions. Since the Rhine was a major trading route, many castles were set up along the river to collect taxes for those passing through and helping these small city states prosper.
Rheinfels castle (Flickr: Nigel’s Europe)
One of the biggest of these castles along the Rhine is Rheinfels castle in St Goar. Built in 1245, this castle was a menacing fortress which not only intimidated with its presence but also provided a strong defense when called upon.
In 1692, it withstood a siege of thousands of French troops as it withstood a fierce attack. The castle employed many people and with its size and location, was tough to overtake. In 1797, the French Revolutionary Army finally overcame the castle with barely a fight and destroyed most of it leaving what we now see today.
The castle, with its size and accommodations, is quite impressive even in its current state. Even its location is part of the attraction as it rises high above the Rhine. The castle sits high upon the hill of St Goar and is a 15 minute uphill hike or a few minutes ride on the tourist train to the castle entrance.
The interior remains of Rheinfels castle (Flickr: pixie_bebe)
Like many famous fairytale castles, the entrance includes a bridge and a moat which leads to the ticket office. From there, you can call in advance to book a tour or round up enough people to request a tour from an English or German (and other languages) guide.
You can begin the tour of the castle with a stop in the museum to see a model of the castle during its glory years. The fortification of this castle was impressive and the museum details the strength of the castle. After its defeat by the French, it served as a quarry for many years. The castle has stood ever since and unlike much of Germany, wasn’t subject to bombing in WWII.
Wandering deep inside the castle, you begin at the Medieval Castle Courtyard which served as a market and home for some servants. Livestock, bread, fruits and vegetables, and more were inside this courtyard. From there, wander through the castle garden and up to the highest lookout tower to see the view of the Rhine.
A view of the Rhine from the castle (Jeremy Branham)
Near the lookout tower were the soldier’s quarters, catapult areas, and slits in the tower for crossbows. The soldiers were kept close to the primary areas of defense so they could get to their posts at a moment’s notice. Other areas of the castle include a prison, slaughterhouse, a cellar, and even mine tunnels used to detonate explosives to unsuspecting invaders.
After touring the castle and its impressive views of the Rhine, enjoy a walk through St Goar with its many shops and eateries. While the town is a fun stroll, the main attraction is one of the mightiest castles on the Rhine. While Rheinfels is no longer a functioning castle, its place in history and its significance along the Rhine is worth making a visit if you love German castles.
If you want to explore more of the area, St Goar is just a few minutes boat ride from the town of Bacharach where you can explore more of the Romantic Rhine in a beautiful, German town.
Exploring Rheinfels Castle on the River Rhine
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Floating Past the Castles on the Rhine
I took a cruise from Rudesheim to Koblenz with my grandparents one summer and there are three things that I remember very 
clearly: craning my neck up at the Loreley Cliff face, walking through a winery slightly tipsy despite a belly-full of potatoes, and my Opa (grandfather) wrapping a shawl around his head and speaking Arabic on the top deck of the boat.
There are several companies that offer tours of the Middle Rhine Valley, most of them visiting one or two of the more famous castles along the way — Marksburg or Ehrenbreitstein for example — and stopping along the way to sample some of the Rheingau’s famous wines. This section of the river is known as the Romantic Rhine and if you have a free summer and a significant other on your arm, a week on a boat between Koblenz and Rudesheim can provide you with your own wine-soaked memories.
My Opa is a big history buff and he felt that one or two castles and an afternoon drinking wine was insufficient, so we ended up disembarking and taking our own tour of the castles that involved a lot of walking and talking. I would recommend this for anyone with the time to do so. There are more than 40 different castles, estates and fortresses along this stretch of the Rhine and at least as many 
vineyards with attached restaurants serving up steak and schnitzel, and there is not a single tour out there that can do them all justice.
You know, it is possible to hike all the way from Koblenz to Rudesheim.
If you are driving, you might consider parking in some tiny little village, perhaps a place like Niederheimbach, and then walking a bit to the nearby ferry and crossing the river into Lornhausen and staying a night after a huge meal of meat and potatoes.
Maybe you would rather drive straight up to the Lorelely Cliff, look out over the river toward St. Goarshausen, then park and keep heading north — take the ferry part of the way, drive a little more of the way, walk another bit of it; double back and visit a bed and breakfast that may have caught your eye.
Every single castle (or ruin of an old castle) has a museum telling the history of that particular edifice. Most of the time the museum is tucked away on the castle grounds, usually next to the gift shop, and you can slowly browse the many picture books and outright historical treatises (in many languages). Hopefully, you will come across museums that are locked away in some old man’s head and you will have to pry it out of there with well-placed orders of local wine.
Written by Sascha Matuszak for EuropeUpClose.com
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A visit to Munich’s Toy Museum
A visit to Munich’s toy museum is a pleasure for children from 8 to 80. Get into the spirit of things by going to the Marienplatz shortly before 11am. Line up in front of the Neue Rathaus and wait for the world famous carillon (Glockenspiel) to begin.
Neues Rathaus at Munich's Marienplatz
The Rathaus was built between 1867 and 1909 in a Flanders Gothic style and is dominated by the tower with its spires. Crane your neck and discover the upper part of the carillon which displays a joust arranged in honor of the marriage of Wilhelm V and Renate von Lothringen.
The fun part is the lower part. At the stroke of the clock, historical figures come out and perform the Schäfflertanz. Round and round they go until they return to their ‘house’ to await their next performance.
Then turn to your right and make you way to another Rathausturm and enter the world of toys. The museum is located in four levels of the narrow tower, which means you climb up a spiral staircase and look at the exhibits in small rooms just off the stairs. It’s a very cosy museum with wooden floors and showcases which allow a close inspection of the collection.
Toy museum located in this Rathaus Turm
Ivan Steiger, a cartoonist, writer, filmmaker and journalist, born in Prague, has collected toys mainly from Europe and the USA going back two centuries and made his collection accessible to the public in this beautiful museum.
It’s as much a joy to observe the kids as it is to look at the doll houses, dolls, teddies, toy trains and of course, a superb Barbie collection.
Teddy bears by Margarete Steiff
Dolls from Käthe Kruse
Dollhouse with Biedermaier furniture
Barbie collection
The museum is open from 10.00 to 17.30. If you feel hungry afterwards, make your way back to the Marienplatz and to one of the many cafes and restaurants around the square to enjoy a Bavarian feast. Bear in mind that Weisswurst is best eaten before noon, but everything else is delicious all day.
Bavarian specilities
If you’re planning a trip to Munich you can find hotels using the Late Rooms search box below.
A visit to Munich’s Toy Museum
Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.
Europe’s Longest Wooden Bridge: The Dragon’s Tail, Germany
This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned, somewhat in jest, Europe’s need for longest/shortest/highest/lowest features, such as these “longest” streets in Europe. Today I’d like to suggest one reason to head to Ronneburg in eastern Germany, where you’ll find The Dragon’s Tail, claimed to be Europe’s Longest Wooden Bridge.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
The bridge was opened in 2006 as part of a gardens festival with the two towns nearby the bridge. They call it the “dragon’s tail” due to its unique look (some say best seen from afar). It is nearly 750ft long, and it is now part of the German cycling path network. It’s near Ronneburg, which has a beautiful castle that is also worth a visit. The town on the other side is Gera, a town full of beautiful churches and a few small museums. There’s a good selection of hotels in Gera.
The Dragon’s Tail took the claim from the timber bridge in Wyszogrod, Poland, which I believe was torn down and replaced in 1999. (I’m not sure who took the longest bridge claim from 99-’06.)
If you Google “longest wooden bridge in Europe,” you’ll find a number of other places that have bridges that lay to the same claim – including a bridge that connects Germany and Switzerland! Sigh.
Europe’s Longest Wooden Bridge: The Dragon’s Tail, Germany
Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.
Reliving recent German history in Berchtesgaden
During my two week stay in Munich and the Chiemsee this summer, I decided to visit one of the most important documentation centers about recent German history, the Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden.
Berchtesgadener Land
A trip to Berchtesgaden is feasible as a Munich day trip, the journey takes approx. 3 hours (each way) either by car or train. Once you arrive in Berchtesgaden take to RVO bus #838 to take you up the mountain to the Obersalzberg. The documentation is a permanent exhibition of the Institute of Contemporary History Muncih-Berlin and to date the only permanent exhibition worldwide to cover all the essential aspects of the Nazi period in Germany.
The halls are arranged around Wachenfeld House which Adolf Hitler purchased in 1933 and then converted into his holiday resort Berghof. And of course, Obersalzberg contains the Führerbunker underneath the exhibition halls.
Admission to the center is EURO 3 and you can either join a guided tour or walk around on your own, look at photographs, watch old Wochenschaus and videos.
Entrance to the documentation center
Then follow the signs and descend into the bunker. What struck me as chilling in the truest sense of the word was how vast, dark and very cold the many, many rooms are. Having to take refuge in a bunker this deep and big must be haunting, with water dripping off the walls and floors and not much by way of amenities.
Aisles in the bunker
Rooms were marked as office, guest quarters etc. but they resembled prison cells more than temporary living quarters. They are also all totally empty. I expected some sort of furniture or memorabilia of the times, but there is absolutely nothing.
Dripping walls
Another point of interest to visit in Berchtesgaden is the Eagle’s Nest, a big chalet which was a project of Martin Borman and presented to Adolf Hitler as a50th birthday present . It’s located high up on a mountain and there is an access road which was blasted out of solid rock and completed in only 13 months. Since 1952 the Eagle’s Nest road is closed to public traffic and a bus service takes visitors to a viewpoint. From there a stone lined tunnel leads straight into the mountain and an elevator which takes the visitor up another 406 ff straight through the heart of the mountain and into the building itself. The Eagle’s Nest is open from mid May until the end of October.
Footpath down from Obersalzberg to Berchtesgaden
I didn’t visit the Eagle’s Nest because after my visit to the Obersalzberg, I walked back into Berchtesgaden on a winding footpath which leads through dense forest and affords views of the beautiful Berchtesgadener Land. It was also a means to unwind after the truly moving experience of viewing the documentation.
Reliving recent German history in Berchtesgaden
Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.