Germany's most underrated delights, ranked

German gems

Germany’s major cities are always going to attract the crowds but the country also boasts an array of delightful lesser known towns, unique attractions and incredible historical sites that are well worth adding to your travel itinerary.

Click or scroll on to discover our well-travelled team's subjective ranking of Germany’s 30 most underrated gems…

30. Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt

29. Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate

28. Mount Brocken, Saxony-Anhalt

27. Dinosaurier Museum Altmühltal, Bavaria

A treat for dinosaur fans of any age, the Dinosaurier Museum in the Altmühltal Nature Park takes visitors on a mile-(1.5km)-long walk through a forest where they’ll encounter more than 70 life-size replicas of dinosaurs and other primeval animals, several of which tower over the trees themselves.

The park is the only place in the world where Archaeopteryx fossils, the link in the evolutionary chain that connects reptiles to birds, have been found, and specimens are on display in the museum hall. Another highlight is 'Rocky', the complete skeleton of a young Tyrannosaurus Rex.

26. Goslar, Lower Saxony

25. Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Thuringia

Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are a marvel to behold. Venture into the former mine and you’ll discover an array of colourful stalactites that will delight visitors of all ages.

Above ground is the Feenweltchen Fairyworld Adventure Park. Open from May to October little ones will adore the Garden of Fairy Plants, Grove of Light Elves and Empire of Forest Spirits.

24. Treetop Walk Saarschleife, Saarland

The Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park is one of the largest nature parks in Germany and one of the best ways to appreciate its natural wonders is by taking a stroll along the Treetop Walk Saarschleife. At a height of 138 feet (43m), the 4,101-foot-long (1,250m) trail meanders above the forest offering spectacular views.  

There are also fascinating facts about nature and wildlife in the park to discover along the way. During the festive season the Treetop Walk is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland, making for a truly magical experience.  

23. Frauenkirche, Dresden, Saxony

It’s something of a miracle that the Frauenkirche even exists today. Completely destroyed during the firebombing of Dresden in 1945, it was left in ruins for half a century as a war memorial. But between 1994 and 2004, the church was rebuilt using 8,000 original stones salvaged from the rubble.

Now restored to its former glory, this ornate Baroque masterpiece towers once again over the nearby Neumarkt as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Visitors should head up to the viewing platform for breathtaking panoramic views over the entire city.

22. Ludwigslust Palace, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Often referred to as the Versailles of the North, the undoubted centrepiece of Ludwigslust is its stunning Baroque palace, built around a magnificent, landscaped garden with elegant avenues, canals, fountains and artificial cascades. 

The highlight is the ornately decorated Golden Hall. Spread over two floors, it embodies the grandeur and pomp of the Louis XVI era with its Corinthian columns, crystal chandeliers, ornately decorated ceiling and enormous mirrors. But this splendour can be deceptive. Look closer and it becomes clear that much of the decoration is actually made of papier-mâché, known as Ludwigslust Board.  

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21. Gӧrlitz, Saxony

Gӧrlitz’s history as an influential centre of trade and science is evidenced by the stunning architecture on view. The mix of late Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings, lavishly restored and often listed, make the town a veritable work of art.

The buildings in the historic town centre with their richly decorated façades, elegant arches and frescoed ceilings spanning different epochs are a particular delight. Gӧrlitz’s beauty has seen it used as a backdrop in numerous films over the decades including Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. 

20. Römerkastell Saalburg, Hesse

The Limes Germanicus was a series of fortifications that marked the boundary between the Roman Empire's provinces and the Germanic tribes. Among the remnants of this historic frontier, the Saalburg Roman Fort stands out as the most comprehensively reconstructed site.

Originally built around AD 90 and expanded circa AD 135, the fort was abandoned in the mid-3rd century. It was meticulously reconstructed between 1897 and 1907 under Emperor Wilhelm II's directive. In 2005, the site became part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Upper German-Raetian Limes, and today it serves as a museum and archaeological park, offering deep insights into Roman military history.

19. Porta Nigra, Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate

18. Wismar, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

17. Bremmer Calmont Vineyard, Rhineland-Palatinate

16. Pirna, Saxony

15. Burg Eltz Castle, Rhineland-Palatinate

With its fairytale setting, perched on a rock in the middle of a densely forested valley, Eltz Castle has a magical aura which defies the passage of time. Its towering walls, pointed turrets and timber frame structures make it the quintessence of a medieval castle. 

Home to the Eltz family for 900 years, the castle’s interior retains much of the original furniture and decorations from centuries past, while the Treasury and Armoury house a magnificent collection of artworks, decorative objects, jewellery and weaponry acquired over many generations. 

14. St Michaelis, Hildesheim, Lower Saxony

13. Rügen

Spend a holiday on Rügen and you’re likely to wonder why you never thought to do so before. The island really does have it all, from the seaside resorts of Binz and Sellin, which ooze nostalgic charm, to stunning national parks and magnificent manor houses.

Then of course there are the chalk cliffs, which famously inspired the Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich. Every June to September the island is also home to the Störtebeker Festival. Theatre performances take place on a unique natural stage on the banks of the Great Jasmund Lagoon.

12. Margravial Opera House, Bavaria

Bayreuth is, of course, world famous as the home of Wagner’s Festspielhaus, one of the world’s great concert halls. Less well known, but equally stunning, is the Margravial Opera House. 

Built between 1745 and 1750, this masterwork of Baroque theatre architecture was designed by the Italian architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, and is the only perfectly preserved example of its type. The hall’s intricately decorated interior, with tiered loges of wood and illusionistic painted canvas, all lavishly highlighted in gold, is a wonder to behold. 

11. Rheinsberg House, Brandenburg

Situated on the banks of idyllic Lake Grienerick, and surrounded by one of Germany’s most beautiful landscaped gardens, Rheinsberg House was the home of Frederick the Great from 1736 to 1740. He described the years he spent there as the happiest of his life, and its Rococo stylings would influence the more famous Sanssouci Palace near Berlin.

Used as a diabetes clinic during the GDR years, it has now been restored to its former glory, recreating the elegance of its original Frederican interior design and giving visitors an authentic sense of its 18th century heyday.

10. Mecklenburg Lake District, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

9. Waldsassen Basilica, Bavaria

A truly macabre sight awaits anyone venturing inside Waldsassen Basilica. This ornately decorated Baroque church is impressive enough in itself, but what makes it unique is the collection of 10 richly dressed and bejewelled skeletons which are on display within its walls.

These 'Holy Bodies' are the remains of Christian martyrs exhumed from the Roman catacombs and elaborately adorned with precious gemstones and gold by Adalbart Eder, a Cistercian lay brother and skilled goldsmith, in the 18th century.

8. Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, North Rhine-Westphalia

7. Bastei Bridge, Saxony

6. Kromlau Rhododendron Park, Saxony

5. Harz National Park, Various

4. Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein

Surrounded by water, Lübeck’s Old Town is notable for its seven towers and five main churches and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander its narrow lanes and you’ll come across a magnificent mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical buildings.

St Mary’s Church, which contains the world's tallest brick vault, is considered a particularly fine example of Brick Gothic Architecture while the twin towered Holsten Gate (pictured) is the city’s most famous landmark. When you’ve finished exploring, try some of the world-famous Lübeck marzipan.

3. Hiddensee, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

2. Bad Kissingen, Bavaria

A bathing and drinking spa since the 16th century, Bad Kissingen became a fashionable resort from the 1830s onwards thanks in part to a visit by the Bavarian King Ludwig I. Otto von Bismarck, Empress Elisabeth ‘Sisi’ of Austria, George Bernard Shaw and Richard Strauss are just some of the illustrious names who came to take the waters in the decades after.

Today, Bad Kissingen is UNESCO listed as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Visitors can partake in treatments that will help them relax, recuperate and reinvigorate in a number of beautifully designed spas including the Fountainhall (pictured).

1. Leipzig, Saxony

Our number one underrated German attraction is Leipzig, a must visit for music lovers. Not only is it the birthplace of Wagner and the place where Bach, Mendelssohn, Bartholdy, the Schumanns and Mahler worked, it is also home to the renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra, the 800-year-old St Thomas's Boys Choir and the Leipzig Opera.

Regular festivals bring the city’s illustrious musical heritage to life and there is a thriving contemporary arts scene too. The Plagwitz quarter has a particularly vibrant selection of exhibition spaces and boutiques including the former cotton mill, which is now a living and working space for over 100 artists.

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