Find the best Historical places to visit in Germany
From medieval city centers to Fairytale Castles - Germany's history of over a millenium is as rich as it is diversified. Out of the many historical sights in Germany, we have picked the ones you simply cannot miss.
Neuschwanstein Castle
The 19th century lifework of King Ludwig II of Bavaria in Southern Germany has been the archetype for Disney's Castle of Sleeping Beauty, has starred in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and still draws milions of tourists into its romantic charm.
Hohenzollern Castle
The Castle near Stuttgart, ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern Family, is a prime example of the 19th Century Gothic Revival. Come and see for yourself, how people back then imagined the ideal medieval castle to look like.
Sanssouci Palace
The Sanssouci Palace, also called the “Prussian Versailles” in Potsdam near Berlin is a must for tourists. The pleasure palace of Frederick the Great from the 18th century with its magnificent gardens is a myth waiting for you to explore it.
Bacharach
The small town of Bacharach is located in the Unesco World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. With Stahleck Castle and numerous old half-timbered houses, Bacharach is an exceptional testimony to regional architecture dating back to the 12th century. The sheer number of historic buildings makes this place seem almost out of time. All this is embedded in a dreamlike landscape between vineyards and the Rhine, which invites you to explore the region.
Linderhof Castle
This castle, also known as the royal villa, is built in the neo-Roccoco style and served as a retreat for its builder, the Bavarian King Ludwig II. The interiors are designed with ornate wall paintings and richly decorated interiors. The park surrounding the castle invites visitors to take a stroll and is home to smaller buildings and sights. In addition to the daily guided tours, it is also possible to book themed special tours that provide extraordinary insights into the life of the Bavarian fairytale king.
Herrenchiemsee Castle
The New Herrenchiemsee Palace is located on the largest island of the same name on Lake Chiemsee. The entire complex is modelled on Versailles, which is why it is also called the Bavarian Versailles. King Ludwig II of Bavaria had this castle built, but it was only completed after his death. Today, parts of it are home to the King Ludwig II Museum, where the important stages of his life can be seen.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is as much a town as it is concentrated history. The old town is still largely of medieval origin, newer buildings fit very well into the overall picture. The historic city fortifications can be walked through and there are numerous other historic buildings to discover. In addition, Rothenburg ob der Tauber has several museums, some of which have a medieval connection, making it the perfect place for your very own history lesson.
Lübeck
The city of Lübeck achieved great wealth between the 13th and 16th centuries, which only began to wane with the end of the Hanseatic League.
From the city's landmark, the Holsten Gate, to St. Mary's Church, to historic merchants' houses and the Lübeck Salt Warehouse, history becomes visible here. Discover the old town of Lübeck, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. More than a thousand historic buildings in the medieval old town alone make the Hanseatic city of Lübeck one of the best cities to visit in Germany if you are interested in history, the Hanseatic League or architecture. Here you will experience a city full of unique buildings and historical significance from the 12th century onwards.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg offers stunning views in a fantastic landscape right on the Neckar River together with the rich history of the region, as well as art and architecture from several centuries.
Enjoy a walk across the old bridge into the fascinating old town with its baroque buildings or book a city tour to make sure you don't miss a single detail. Discover the oldest university in Germany as well as five churches in different architectural styles and with an eventful history. Explore Heidelberg Castle and visit the annual Heidelberg Castle Festival, where the castle becomes an open-air stage. If you want to immerse yourself in history, this is the place to be.
Bamberg
The city of Bamberg is more than just remarkable. A fascinating old town awaits you, 140 hectares of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.The oldest buildings are almost 1,000 years old, such as the core of the St. Jacob's Church or the medieval Altenburg, which is excellently preserved for this great age.
Various tours offer you the opportunity to let yourself be completely enchanted by Bamberg. Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages and experience parts of history. Find out how the Bamberg witch trials took place and why they happened. Or how about visiting places that Henry II, the future Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, had visited 1000 years earlier?
Weimar
The city of Weimar stands in particular for art and culture, as well as their history. Numerous artists spent part of their lives in the city. Among the most famous are Goethe, Schiller and Nietzsche.
Today you can visit Johann Wolfgang Goethe's residence. Together with its annexe, it forms the Goethe National Museum, which deals in particular with Weimar Classicism.
If you are specifically interested in history, there are four museums to choose from:
The Museum of Prehistory and Early History of Thuringia, which displays archaeological finds such as Stone Age tools to 3rd and 4th century burial sites.
There is also the Weimar City Museum and the Weimar House History Experience Museum. While the latter is an easy introduction to the city's history, using elaborate dioramas, the former gives a detailed account of the history.
Last but not least, Weimar also has the House of the Weimar Republic, which focuses on the first German democracy.
The rich offer of art and culture makes every day in Weimar a new experience for you.
Regensburg
Regensburg achieved great wealth in the High Middle Ages, as the city was for a long time a hub of long-distance trade, for example with Paris, Kiev and Venice. This wealth led to the construction of numerous Gothic and Romantic buildings, which still characterise the historic city centre today. The Stone Bridge, which was completed in 1146 and is still in use, is a rare masterpiece of medieval architecture.
Cross the Danube on the bridge that allowed the crusading armies led by Konrad III and Emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa to cross the river. Walk in awe through one of the two most important Gothic cathedrals in all of Germany. Take time to enjoy the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. Follow the history of the city in the Regensburg Historical Museum from its beginnings to modern times.
Bremen
Bremen offers much more than the world-famous Bremen Town Musicians. As a city that opposed the church in its quest for freedom as early as the Middle Ages and experienced a great economic boom when it joined the Hanseatic League, it is characterised by the buildings of wealthy citizens from several centuries.
Explore an entire historic district whose oldest houses were built around 1400. Learn more about the history of the Roland statue on a guided tour, experience the atmosphere in Bremen Cathedral with its breathtaking Romanesque, partly Gothic architecture. Or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Bremen's ramparts before taking a break at the Wallmühle café.
