Cities & Culture

Pop culture and traces of the Romans, spooky thrillers and regional cuisine: eight recommendations for themed city tours on fascinating aspects of German cities that you won't find in your average travel guide.

Europe is home to tens of thousands of museums, but only one per year is awarded the title of 'European Museum of the Year'. Such an award is therefore tantamount to a cultural knighthood, similar to achieving UNESCO World Heritage status.

Families and museums don't always go hand in hand – except when museums focus on children, through their topics and educational content. And some of them are so good that the kids don't want to leave at all.

Rare animals, impressive enclosures and up-close encounters: some zoos in Germany are so attractive that they alone are reason enough for a trip. And there's lots more beyond the zoo gates...

Founded in 1919, the Bauhaus is considered the 20th century’s most important school for design, architecture and art. No wonder, then, that the haunts of these artists have become pilgrimage sites for art lovers. Even more so since many cities revamped their Bauhaus heritage for its 100th anniversary.

Interaction instead of passive consumption, personal experiments instead of showcases and informational panels – that's the concept of science centers. Metre-high fire tornadoes and shadow plays with bizarre results are fun, and not just for kids.

Natural history museums fascinate young and old visitors alike. Some boast massive dinosaur skeletons, while others enjoy extensive collections of animals, minerals, or plants." The exhibitions, often housed in historical buildings, make use of modern presentation methods.

“So that’s how it works!” This sentence is surely uttered frequently in technology museums. After all, these museums vividly explain the beginnings, developments, and workings of important achievements, from computers to zeppelins. And it’s not just engineers who are inspired by this!

Germany: the land of the car The inventions of Benz, Daimler, Maybach and more all helped lay the foundations for Germany's reputation. The history of these inventors and their cars, extending even into the current electric age, can be traced within their famous cities.

Apart from the academic reputation of the university, what defines a great university city? Certainly, a thriving sports, leisure, and pub scene. This, along with the presence of many young people from all over the world, makes a city appealing to both students and non-students alike.

Since 1985, at least one, often two or even more EU cities have been in the cultural spotlight for a year – usually with top-notch exhibitions and various kinds of art projects. Some long-lasting achievements, however, mean these cities remain particularly attractive even after the event.

Curved buildings, playful lighting effects, generous gardens: the Baroque era is characterised by an extravagant variety of designs and historic splendour. This can still be admired today in castles and residences - even across entire city districts.

What exactly is modern art? And what defines contemporary? Not simple questions. The answers are explored by many exciting museums, showing the enormous wealth of styles, types of representation and experimental exhibits that have been created in the 20th and 21st centuries.

In an open Europe, neighbouring countries ensure a constant cultural exchange. Things were quite different in times gone by, such as during the Iron Curtain era, where many a town could well be sidelined because of its close proximity to the border.

Nowhere is opera more alive: around one third of all opera performances in the world are staged in Germany. The figure of more than 80 opera houses in the destination of Germany is unparalleled anywhere else, as is the number of premieres. Since Germany's first opera house opened its doors on Munich's Salvatorplatz in 1657, opera has become one of the pillars of national culture; a magnet for millions of visitors from all over the world – and for outstanding performers.

They're anything but an easy day out but are popular nonetheless: high visitor numbers at special museums and memorials prove there's a great interest in information about the heinous crimes of the National Socialists and the unjust GDR regime.

Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne are in every way the biggest cities in the country! The cultural, entertainment and culinary offerings are suitably diverse – there's something to suite every taste. And every length of stay...

History often has the reputation of being boring, especially among younger people. Many museums prove that this doesn't have to be the case by presenting the past in an exciting way, with innovative exhibition concepts as well as modern and interactive teaching methods.

Design determines our everyday life and yet all too often fades into the background. But not in these museums, which are explicitly dedicated to the beautiful forms of industrial, graphic and product design, and modern and applied art. Best of all: this love of design is often already evident in the museums' architecture.

Who lived on German soil hundreds, even thousands of years ago? And how? A fascination for the ancient Romans, Celts, Germanic tribes and Vikings continues to thrive, especially since dedicated museums are constantly excavating and gaining new insights to provide an ever more detailed insight into the past.

In some cities – or at least neighbourhoods – things really get going as the sun goes down. In the streets and, even more so, the bars and clubs, punk starts to play. And techno. And jazz, rock, blues and much more. The main thing: these cities don't sleep!

For many, football is the best pastime in the world – and a visit to a sensational match or stadium may even be the reason for a trip. Tip: it's best to schedule in some "post-match time" for culture and adventures beyond the pitch!

Seaside or city break? That's often the dilemma. If you're reluctant to choose between the two, you'll be pleased to hear that some destinations on the North Sea and Baltic Sea combine both. In addition to architecture, culture and urban flair, they also offer nearby beaches – seaside ambience in all its facets.

If you cycle along the German Fairy Tale Route from Hanau to Bremen, you'll travel from one fairytale setting to the next in the footsteps of the Brothers Grimm and their characters. But some towns also showcase other chapters aside from Grimms'...

Often, it is "only" individual buildings in a historic town that UNESCO declares a World Heritage Site. In the case of Lübeck, Goslar, Regensburg, Stralsund and Wismar, on the other hand, the entire Old Town has been recognised. And rightly so!

They came, they saw – they founded. First a camp, then sometimes a city. We're talking about the Romans, who also left impressive traces of their lives north of the Alps. In some cities, these are still clearly visible today.

In some towns, it's not the individual "stars" that impress, but the whole sky. These are the Old Towns whose medieval and/or baroque collections of half-timbered houses, turrets, churches and alleyways create a harmonious picture.

The industrial revolution changed many things in the 19th century, sometimes even the face of entire cities. And many industrial sites have undergone a fresh transformation again, after the end of coal and steel production, becoming instead leisure centres, art venues and museums.

Faust, Werther, Götz von Berlichingen: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's works are among the most important in world literature, and hardly any other poet is held in such a high regard, both at home and abroad. No wonder that the places he went are also places of pilgrimage.

Colourful facades, crooked gables, wooden beams, golden inscriptions, ornaments and carvings: some half-timbered houses are true works of art and shape entire villages and Old Towns with their charm.

"Out in the countryside" doesn't have to mean "out of the city". After all, parks, botanical gardens, meadows and the like provide plenty of recreation even within the "urban jungle". Kassel, Essen, Halle and Osnabrück stand out in that regard ...

Tsars, princes, great poets – they all loved the public baths. The fascination for spas continues to this day. After all, in some cities you are immersed not only in mineral-rich pools of water, but also in a glorious history, even outside the spa buildings.

The fact that some of the works in art museums are several centuries old does not mean that they are just dusty cultural artefacts. On the contrary! Most museums display their treasures to their best advantage, be it in refurbished spaces or via digital media devices.

The ensemble of five museums, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be described without exaggeration as one of the highlights of European cultural tourism – for example, the Bust of Nefertiti and the Pergamon Altar. Significantly, within the framework of a massive master plan, the venerable buildings are being renovated step by step – and expanded.

Whether musicians, scientists or inventors: many Germans have achieved international fame. Some of them even have their own museum, where their lives and works are on display. Visitors can discover many fascinating facts about these famous personalities, including some that are rarely revealed.

Sleek sports cars with plenty of horsepower under the hood, groundbreaking classic cars and the "models of tomorrow" make car enthusiasts' hearts beat faster at these interactive motoring experiences. Because, as well as watching, active participation is also encouraged...

Luxury labels, vintage, jumble sales, pretty accessories or young designer fashion: in these German cities and streets you will find what you are looking for. Guaranteed.

You only have two days to go to a German city? Let's go: our 48-hour proposal will take you to the most exciting sights, surprising places and popular in-places. Dive into the city of your choice!

Germany is characterised by its poets and thinkers. Those who want to follow in the footsteps of Goethe, Thomas Mann, and other famous figures can embark on a literary journey.

What was it really like in the good old days? Germany's open-air museums invite you to gaze into the past. Celtic tombs, Roman temples and a reconstructed Viking settlement are waiting for you.

Berlin's cultural scene is constantly introducing fresh new trends. Whether theatre fan or museum visitor, clubber or cabaret lover: everyone will find the right event here - and something new every day!

It's difficult to believe, but there are around 6,800 museums in Germany – world-famous buildings and hidden collections featuring everything from ancient history right through to retro computer games. Here's a look at just some of them...

From Schinkel to Foster, Baroque to modern: Germany is a country of architecture. Architects left their mark here, Bauhaus was founded here and there is a wide variety of icons, both great and small, to choose from.

No more hanging around on draughty platforms: Germany's train stations have branched out to become a haven for (window) shoppers and diners. And, of course, there are still places to buy snacks and reading materials for the journey.

The “Jewish Traveler” e-brochure highlights 65 cities and towns with special travel tips and contact details of Jewish organizations and institutions.

When a thick blanket of snow covers the country, lights sparkle on Christmas trees and the air is filled with aromas of cloves and cinnamon, the festive season has arrived. From baking cookies to making Christmas decorations or singing songs: Germany's many Christmas traditions create a very special atmosphere in December and help children in particular to pass the long days until Christmas Eve when the 'Christkind' or Father Christmas delivers their presents.

Fancy paying a visit to film sets where the likes of Brad Pitt and Halle Berry do what they do best? Think that means you need to hop on a plane and travel all the way to Hollywood? Think again! You may not have realised it until now, but there are plenty of German towns and cities that double up as film sets for major cinematic releases. Here's a look at just some of them...

The "Historic Highlights of Germany" are 17 cities combining historical heritage with modern urban lifestyles, each making its own specific contribution to culture, business and science.

From Old Masters to modern masterpieces, Germany is home to extraordinary treasures of the art world spanning every period and century. Guests marvel at fine art in all its forms of expression and discover architectural wonders that defined their eras.

Many stories, tales and legends exist about the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval association of merchants and cities. Even today, some Hanseatic cities in northern Germany present themselves as stunningly beautiful.

Germany's museums set the bar high. With an unparalleled variety of themes, genuine treasures, unique concepts and internationally renowned collections that open up completely new perspectives.

More than 10,000 German towns and cities between the North Sea and the Alps are just waiting to be discovered. Each and every one of them has its own unique character and impresses visitors with unforgettable highlights.