When it comes to visiting Germany, most travelers stick with the big cities. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt often come to mind first. But Germany offers much more.
There are many great German cities (read smaller, cheaper and less touristy) that are well worth a visit. Here are the best underrated German cities you shouldn’t miss on your next trip.
Potsdam
Potsdam is just a short train ride from Berlin, and most of the city’s parks and palaces have UNESCO World Heritage status. The most famous sites are the Rococo palace, Sanssouci, and its ornate royal park that is filled with cascading terraces, fountains and statues.
Another must-see is Cecilienhof, a rustic palace and the site of the Potsdam Conference. It was here in 1945 that Stalin, Churchill, and Truman decided to divide Germany into different zones of occupation.
Bremen
Bremen is often associated with four animals on horseback – the characters from the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale “The Town Musicians of Bremen.” Its iconic bronze statue stands in Bremen’s main square and is one of the most photographed attractions in the city.
But Bremen offers much more. The city, located in northern Germany, was a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and has a unique street built entirely in the Art Nouveau style, a medieval quarter, one of the best art museums in Germany ( Kunsthalle Bremen ), and the Town Hall Bremen, one of the most important examples of brick Gothic architecture in Europe.
Bamberg
This small Bavarian town has a perfectly preserved and fully walkable city center that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cobbled streets and medieval buildings are around every corner. A massive cathedral dominates the horizon and a rose garden offers views of the monastery and castle on the hill. The river runs through the city with the Altes Rauthaus in the middle of a bridge.
When you tire of walking through the fairytale atmosphere, stop at one of the town’s local taverns and sample the signature brandy of its famous Rauchbier, a smoked beer.
Sort
On the banks of the Moselle River in southwestern Germany is Trier, the oldest city in the country. Founded as a Roman colony in 16 BC. Trier quickly became the favorite residence of several Roman emperors and was called “The Second Rome.”
Nowhere else in Germany is the evidence from Roman times as vivid as here. You can visit the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps, a 2nd century Roman bridge, the ruins of one of the largest Roman baths of its time, and the oldest church in Germany.
Nuremberg
Bavaria, and particularly the cities of the Romantic Road, are full of charming cities. While everyone knows about Munich, its neighbor two hours north offers some of the best stories from WWII and medieval architecture in Germany.
Its Altstadt (Old Town) is home to the famous Kaiserburg Castle, as well as churches, towers, statues and fountains, and intricate half-timbered houses from that time. Walk through the bustling Hauptmarkt (central square) to the hilltop castle, stopping along the way at one of the many biergartens plus the namesake Nuremberg sausage.
The city is still somewhat infamous as the former capital of National Socialism. The planned Nazi assembly grounds and documentation center are a must-see for history buffs.
If you visit at Christmas, be sure to explore one of the best Christmas markets in the country.
Gorlitz
Travel further east past Dresden and Bautzen (two other underrated cities you must visit) to find Görlitz on the German-Polish border.
One of Germany’s easternmost cities, posh Görlitz has been through boom times and downtime and is currently on its way back. It features a variety of architecture from Renaissance to Baroque, from Late Gothic to Modernism.
Its spectacular backgrounds are picture-perfect, and they make their way into movies like The Reader , Inglorious Basterds, and The Grand Budapest Hotel . Venture into your storybook environment with a visit to the Oberlausitzische Bibliothek der Wissenschaften Görlitz, one of the most beautiful libraries in Germany, or an intricate milk bar.
Freiburg
Located in the southwestern corner of Germany, across the border between France and Switzerland, the thriving university city of Friborg is famous for its spas, cuisine, and wines.
The city is the gateway to the Black Forest, but before heading to Germany’s most famous holiday region, take your time and explore Freiburg. It has a spectacular cathedral (cathedral), historic merchant houses, medieval squares, and many restaurants, wine bars, and cafes.
Lübeck
Lübeck is an idyllic city in northern Germany founded in the 12th century. Once part of the Hanseatic League, it is located on the Trave River and is Germany’s largest port city on the Baltic Sea.
Its red brick Altstadt (Old Town) has UNESCO World Heritage status with impressive city gates and seven Gothic church towers. Historic ships such as the Fehmarnbelt and the Lisa von Lübeck moor on the waterfront. To dive into the water, visit one of Germany’s best beaches in nearby Travemünde.
Erfurt
The capital of Thuringia in eastern Germany was founded as a Catholic diocese in 742. Filled with historic houses, cathedrals, monasteries, and the oldest inhabited bridge in Europe, the Kraemerbruecke , Erfurt still has the feel of a medieval university town. .
The most famous resident of the city was Martin Luther, who studied at the University of Erfurt and lived as a monk in the Augustinian monastery.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Located on the border of Germany and Austria, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Bavarian city par excellence. Yodeling, slap dancing and lederhosen are characteristic of this German city to end all German cities. And of course there is easy access to skiing.
Garmisch (west) is modern and urban where Partenkirchen (east) retains the old-school Bavarian charm. Above the city, the majestic peaks of the Alps reach the skies with the Zugspitze , Germany’s highest peak, towering prominently above.
