7 Things to Do in Germany
Things to do in Germany, see castles!
There are many beautiful castles to visit in Germany. One of the most popular ones to visit is Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. It was built for King Ludwig II and started construction in 1869. It is known as the Disney Castle because Walt Disney used it to model the castle in Sleeping Beauty.
Because it is such a busy tourist destination, I recommend buying a tour in advance. Otherwise, the lines to get in are very long. I did a tour through Grayline tours from Munich. This tour included the transportation to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, the guided tour, a tour of another King Ludwig II castle, Linderhof, and a side trip to a quaint town, Oberammergau. Oberammergau is known for its Passion Play Theater, which occurs every ten years.
While traveling around southern Germany, you will come across many castles. Many sit atop a hill above the town and are a great place to take pictures of the views. Some other castles with beautiful views are in Nuremberg and Heidelberg. Nuremberg is a beautiful town known for its Christkindlmarkt at Christmas time.
When I was traveling with my mom, we traveled around Germany for about a week. So, we were due to find a laundromat. After finishing our laundry, we happened to walk through the castle grounds on the way back to our hotel. That’s what I love about Germany. You are walking around and stumble into a beautiful castle. Amazing!
Salzburg, Austria, has a beautiful castle at the top of a hill! Check it out in 5 Things to Do in Salzburg Austria!
Another thing to do in Germany is to take a stroll through historic old towns
In addition to seeing castles, I recommend walking through the old towns. My favorite thing to do when I am traveling is to walk around the towns and cities I visit. I love taking in the sights, sounds, and smells. You can see so much this way.
Germany has beautiful old towns or “Altstadt” in German. After World War II, the buildings were rebuilt to look just like before the war. The Altstadt in Heidelberg has a long main street with tons of shops and restaurants. Bamberg has beautiful buildings, great for taking pictures. And Nuremberg has a beautiful street called Weissgerbergasse, with buildings that were not destroyed during the war.
Go to Oktoberfest!
What to say about Oktoberfest!? It is loads of fun! Oktoberfest was on my bucket list. It is a great time to get dressed in traditional German clothing, Lederhosen for men, and dirndls for women. Many people wear traditional clothing, so I recommend purchasing or renting it in advance. It is held every year in Munich from mid-September to early October. People come from all over the world to drink German beer at this festival. Therefore, it is important to reserve a table in advance in one of the tents. Check out the official Oktoberfest website for up-to-date information.
An important thing to do in Germany is to see historical sites
While visiting a new place, it is important to learn about its history. Germany is full of history, some of it dark. However, the German philosophy is not to forget the past in hopes of never repeating it. While visiting Germany, learn about their history. Some important places to see include the Dachau concentration camp. Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp, which started in 1933. While it is a somber visit, it is an important place to visit and learn about. If staying in Munich, it can be a day trip by car or public transportation.
Another historical site is the Nazi Documentation Center and Rally Grounds in Nuremberg. This is a museum that follows the evolution of the National Socialist movement. It analyzes how the Nazi phenomenon occurred and how to prevent it from re-occurring.
Travel the Romantic Road
While visiting Germany, it is amazing to see some of the scenic countryside and small towns. The Romantic Road is a great way to visit some smaller towns in Germany and see some scenic views. It was created in the 1950s for tourists to enjoy a scenic driving route and is the oldest of Germany’s two dozen scenic, signposted routes.
The road travels between Frankfurt to Füssen. If you want to visit only a few towns along the way, you can take the autobahn (A-7), which runs parallel to the Romantic Road. We stopped in Würzburg and Rothenburg ob de Tauber. If you don’t have a car, there is a Romantic Road bus from mid-April to mid-October.
One of my favorite things to do is to try the cuisine
In addition to seeing the sights, I love trying the food where I travel. Germany is probably most known for sausage and sauerkraut. Or at least, that is what I think of when it comes to German cuisine. And yes, there are a lot of sausages here; each region of Germany has its specialties. For example, in Nuremberg, they are known for their Nürnberger, short and spicy grilled pork sausages, eaten 3 or 6 at a time, sometimes lined up in a bun, or with potato salad.
Also, while visiting in April and May, white asparagus is in season, and you will see it on all the menus and in the markets around Germany. White asparagus is similar to green asparagus, but the flavor is milder. Here is a recipe for Simple Roasted White Asparagus with Chives!
There is also spätzle, little noodles served with melted cheese and fried onions, almost like macaroni and cheese. And while walking around towns, you will see some amazing bakeries. A variety of beautiful pastries fill the cases. Share some with your travel partner, and you won’t be disappointed.
Finally, check out my blog about things to eat in Switzerland if you want to read more about food in this part of Europe!
And last but not least, tour beautiful churches
Europe, in general, is home to some amazing, beautiful churches. Even if you are not religious, churches and cathedrals can still be a great place to see some stunning architecture. While in Munich, my mom and I toured some breathtaking churches. St. Peter’s Church is in the Altstadt, just off the main square. It is the oldest church in Munich. Today’s St. Peter’s was built in 1368 and replaced the original monastery church.
In addition to St. Peter’s, we visited the Asam Church. This tiny church was built in 1740 by the Asam brothers and is in Baroque style architecture. Finally, the Frauenkirche, Cathedral of Our Lady, is a gothic-style cathedral known for its two towers.
Image by Michael Siebert from Pixabay
