The 10 Most Picturesque Towns in Germany

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There aren’t many countries that have an architectural history as rich and diverse as Germany. Tribes have inhabited its lands as far back as classical antiquity and a region named Germania has been known to have existed since 100 AD. Depending on where you travel, traces of the Holy Roman Empire, the Renaissance and medieval times can be found throughout the country’s stunning natural landscapes.

The Guide

The Picturesque Towns

Lindau

The historic town of Lindau sits on Lake Constance near the Swiss and Austrian borders. The town is known for its iconic waterfront setting which features a lighthouse and Bavarian lion sculpture at its harbour entrance, as well as the Mangenturm tower and medieval town centre (left). Lindau hosts several Nobel laureates each year after the Nobel Laureates Meetings at Lindau began in 1951.

Meissen

Meissen is often known as the cradle of Saxony which is the tenth largest province in Germany. With a population of roughly 30,000 inhabitants, the town sits on the banks of the Elbe river with the famous white and orange Albrechtsburg castle dominating the skyline. Next to it is Meissen cathedral, an example of late Gothic architecture and one of the smallest cathedrals in Europe at the time of its construction.

Bamberg

For a short period of time, Bamberg was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. It lies at the confluence of the river Main on the river Regnitz and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Bamberg extends over seven hills, each with a beautiful cathedral at its peak which gives it its unique skyline.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg was a Free Imperial City in the late middle ages and is a popular tourist destination now due to its well-preserved medieval town. Following the end of the 30 years war in 1934, the city was left poor and the bubonic plague killed many of the townspeople thus preserving its 17th-century state. The town is known for its quintessential German look with its colourful buildings and red clay roofs.

For a less crowded visit to the area, nearby Dinkelsbühl offers equally compelling scenery without the hustle and bustle of summer tourists.

Ramsau

Ramsau is a small municipality in the Bavarian Alps close to the Austrian border. It stunning location offers picturesque views of the Watzmann, Germany’s third largest mountain, as well as Lake Hintersee and the town’s iconic church. Ramsau is very close to Berchtesgaden National Park (a UNESCO Biosphere reserve) and a short drive to Salzburg and Munich.

Cochem

Cochem lies on the left bank of the Moselle river, a tributary of the Rhine that connects Germany with France and Luxemburg. It was first mentioned in 886 during Celtic and Roman times and was an Imperial State in the Holy Roman Empire. Its most notable building is the former Imperial Castle that sits high above the town. It can be accessed via a chairlift and offers beautiful views of the region.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in the German Federal State of Bavaria (after Munich). It was first mentioned in 1050, as the site of an Imperial castle and is often referred to as the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Its main sites include the Nuremberg Castle, the Heilig-Geist-Spital (a large medieval hospital that treated lepers), and the Lorenzkirche (a church that dominates the southern part of the walled city.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a university town on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. It’s a popular tourist destination due its romantic cityscape which includes the Heidelberg Castle and Baroque Old Town. It is also the warmest place in Germany and has an oceanic climate thanks to its valley location and maritime air masses.

Monschau

Monschau is a small resort town in the western region of Eifel. Its historic town centre is filled with half-timber houses and narrow streets that have remained unchanged for over 300 years. Its most notable building is the Monschau castle that sits above the city’s historical walls. Today it operates as a youth hostel.

Lübeck

Lübeck sits on the river Trave and is a major port in Germany. Its old part is based on an island marked by the Holstentor (pictured), a western gate that forms the boundary to the old Hanseatic city of Lübeck and was built in 1464 in the Brick Gothic style. Its medieval appearance has been largely preserved with seven churches dominating its skyline including the Lübecker Dom and St. Mary’s church.