City trips Germany
We wanted to find out whether city trips to Germany only have to be big cities. Therefore we asked around among travel bloggers. And lo and behold! They beat us the most beautiful Cities in Germany that are not among the best known. On the contrary, we wanted to know which small towns are in Germany are worth seeing. Most of the cities in Germany that you present here do not appear in travel programs or travel guides. However, that doesn't mean they aren't worth seeing. There are insider tips. We invite you to one Road trip through the most beautiful small towns in Germany. Some of these places are starting points for hiking trails. Do you already know the suggestions for Hiking trails in Northern Germany? This enables short trips, RV travel and weekend trips can be combined well. So, quickly that Backpack for your city trip pack or yours backpack and let's go.
City trips Germany to the most beautiful cities in Germany
The Staufer town Waiblingen - one of the small towns in Germany
The small Staufer town of Waiblingen is located at the gates of Stuttgart. The journey by S-Bahn from Stuttgart takes less than 15 minutes. If you arrive by car you can park in one of the many parking garages for little money.
Once the second most important count city after Stuttgart waiblingen Burned down almost completely in 1634. In the subsequent reconstruction, today's old town was created in the baroque style within the city walls of that time. Today Waiblingen is part of the German Half-timbered Road.
The many half-timbered houses, winding streets, small - often owner-managed - shops and cafes give the city its flair. History comes to life again within the city walls. In many places you will find information signs, on which you can learn a lot about the city, its history and this special place. The most famous sights are the old wall passage, the Beinsteiner Tor or the old town hall. But it is worth strolling through the winding streets and looking at the lovingly restored half-timbered houses. Tip: Be sure to watch out for the "envious heads"!
Art lovers don't miss out in Waiblingen either. There is a multitude of outdoor works of art to discover in the city and in the floodplain. A visit to the Stiehl Gallery is not only worthwhile on rainy days.
If you love nature, you will also love the floodplain. A large park has been created next to the Rems, which is ideal for strolling and is home to many animals, including highland cattle and kingfishers.
As you can see, Waiblingen really offers everything - history, nature and culture, plus good food. What more can you ask for?
About Tanja 'LIFE in a Box
Tanja Laudien writes on her blog “Tanja's LIFE in a box” primarily about travel and photography. She not only explores the distance - Japan is her favorite country, and not just since she lived there - but also the immediate area around her home. You will always find helpful tips on photography with her.
The Eulenspiegelstadt Mölln - city trips Germany into the world of legends
We have to start our tip with a little confession: We could never agree on THE one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany! We have simply seen too many cute cities in our home country that have cast a spell over us. One of the cities that we particularly liked? That was the city of Mölln in Schleswig-Holstein!
For orientation: We are around 50 kilometers northeast of Hamburg and around 30km south of Lübeck. You can travel to Mölln either by car, or alternatively, in a relaxed manner, with a direct train connection from Hamburg or Lübeck.
What can you expect on site? On the one hand, there is a small but fine historic old town here. You will come across a nimble guy particularly often: Till Eulenspiegel. Apparently the fool died in the local city. Today, in addition to a memorial stone, you will also find the Til Eulenspiegel fountain and the museum in the center of the city.
In addition to the old town, you should definitely visit Mölln for a break in nature. The unbelievable number of lakes in the area makes the city a great destination, especially in summer. We grabbed our SUPs on site and first explored the city on its waterways.
By the way, you can find detailed information about Mölln and the surrounding area on our blog `` Holidays with a difference ''.
A different kind of vacation
Hey, we are Isi and Angie! Not in the mood for the absolute mainstream vacation as you get it presented by so many influencers every day? We didn't have that either, so we launched our blog vacation with a difference! Take a look at us and collect a little unusual inspiration for your next trip.
The Faust city of Staufen im Breisgau on the Baden Wine Cycle Path
The Faust city of Staufen is located at the foot of the Black Forest, south of Freiburg at the exit of the Münstertal. With a total of almost 8.000 inhabitants, the city can be easily explored on foot.
Particularly worth seeing are the Staufen castle ruins, which are enthroned on a hill above the city, the historic town hall and town hall square as well as the beautiful streets of the old town, which are great for strolling. There are numerous nice shops, cafes and restaurants around the main street in the center. There are also several museums in Staufen: the city museum, the ceramic museum, the tango and bandoneon museum (bandoneon = harmonica instrument) and the permanent literary exhibition "Peter Huchel - Erhart Kästner" in the parlor.
Auerbach's cellar theater, which is located in an old vaulted cellar, is known nationwide. Because in the Staufener Gassen the alchemist and magician Dr. Faustus, who is described in Goethe's tragedy “Faust” and who was also brought to Staufen by Mephistopheles. For this reason, Staufen is also known as Fauststadt.
By the way: Staufen Geographically, it is in the Breisgau, but in terms of wine law, the city belongs to the neighboring Markgräflerland. That is why it appears when describing both regions. As the city is located in a wine region, my tip is: definitely try the regional grape varieties when you visit. Above all, the different types of Burgundy, Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc are grown in the region.
About People Abroad
Heiko writes on People Abroad about individual and active travel, hiking, cycling, outdoor adventures, city trips and road trips as focal points. Destinations are regions in Germany, Europe and countries on other continents.
Nideggen: City trips to Germany with a medieval feel in the Rureifel
The village of Nideggen with the castle ruins of the same name is located on the edge of the Eifel National Park, to be more precise, in the Rureifel. A trip here is worthwhile due to 3 things: an old town, a medieval castle ruin and hikes through the Rureifel with its red sandstone rocks. I was in Nideggen for a weekend in early June and found the mild temperatures and the lush green of the forests perfect for a weekend full of hikes.
The picturesque old town from the 12th century enchants with its well-preserved medieval charm. Despite its eventful history, the city gate and city wall are still very well preserved. The center of the village is the small market square with a fountain, a very photogenic bakery and a few cafes, restaurants and local shops. The castle ruins of Nideggen, which were considered impregnable up until the 16th century, towers above the old town. It shows all its beauty at sunset with a view of the valley. The great thing about Nideggen is also its location! The Rureifel attracts with easy hikes along beautiful red sandstone rocks. If you pay attention, you will find the red rock all over Nideggen - among other things in the city wall and the St. Johannes Baptist Church. My favorite hike leads from the reservoir in Obermaubach through the Rureifel forest to Nideggen. Worthwhile stops are: the Obermaubach forest chapel, the view from the Eugenienstein, the natural Hindenburg gate and the many red sandstone rocks.
Coming from Cologne: one hour train ride with the RE 9 towards Aachen, change in Düren and continue with the Rurbahn RTB RB 21 towards Heimbach. Destination: either Obermaubach for the hike or directly Nideggen-Brück
Do you fancy a short trip to Nideggen? Then you can find them all here Nideggen highlights, Hiking recommendations around Nideggen in the Rureifel and a hotel tip.
Via Travellerin.de
Travel blog with a difference! Every time Lisa is on the road, she takes you with her live in her travel diary blog Travellerin. Day after day there are travel reports and tips for your vacation in Germany, Europe and the world (especially: Asia).
Bingen am Rhein - city trips Germany to the most beautiful cities in Germany
Bingen is located where the Nahe flows into the Rhine. The city in Rhineland-Palatinate looks tranquil today. It wasn't always that, because even in Roman times the trade route connecting Mainz and Trier led along here.
With the location on the Rhine, two trade routes crossed here, what Bingen brought a time as a trading city for many centuries. The town houses in the old town still bear witness to trade today. Those who could afford it did not build from the usual half-timbering, but treated themselves to a stone house. The Rhine crane also dates from that time.
Bingen is known for the Mouse Tower, which stands on a cliff in the Rhine. It used to be used as a customs post. Legend has it that the evil Bishop Hatto was eaten there by mice.
A famous daughter of the city - at least in name - is Hildegard von Bingen. The monastery she founded was near Bingen, but is no longer preserved today. A section in the “Museum am Strom” is dedicated to the abbess. There you will find information about their life and work.
The oldest stone bridge of the Middle Ages is another attraction in Bingen. It dates from the 11th century. It leads over the Nahe on seven pillars.
The park at the Mäuseturm is ideal for relaxation. There are also plenty of excursion destinations in the vicinity of Bingen in the regions of Rheinhessen, Rheingau, Nahe and Binger Wald.
You can easily reach Bingen by train or by car. You could even travel there by boat on the Rhine.
About 2 on the go
Gina and Marcus write on their blog 2 on the go about individual trips and are particularly aimed at middle-aged people. In 2016 they embarked on a year-long trip around the world, which they report on on the blog. In addition to the report on your trip around the world, there are articles on long-distance trips, short trips, hiking and lots of tips on the subject of travel.
The city of four castles Neckarsteinach
The city of Heidelberg with its castle ruins and the old town is a magnet for visitors and one of the cities in Germany that is known far beyond the country's borders.
What many visitors do not suspect, however: only 15 km away is one of the small towns in Germany that has something special to offer. We are talking about Neckarsteinach. The city with around 4000 inhabitants is located on a bend in the river Neckar and is the southernmost city in the state of Hesse.
The highlight and the unique thing about Neckarsteinach are the four castles that are lined up above the city. The Vorderburg and Mittelburg were built in the middle and end of the 12th century and are still inhabited today. The Hinterburg (13th century) and Schadeck Castle (14th century), however, are ruins that can be visited free of charge.
From both castles you have a view of the city, the Neckar and the Odenwald. Especially in autumn when the mountains of the Odenwald shine in bright colors, the view is downright picturesque.
On a tour of the old town you can discover many half-timbered houses from the 16th century as well as remains of the city wall. Restaurants and cafés invite you to linger on the Neckar Promenade.
Marc Twain, who visited the city in 1879, raved about the beauty of Neckarsteinach. If you haven't had enough of medieval cities, you should take a look at the Dilsberg castle fortress on the opposite side of the Neckar or the city of Hirschhorn with its old town and castle.
Further information, pictures and suggestions about Neckarsteinach are available in the blog post: Out and about in Neckarsteinach, the city of four castles
About 2Coins Travel
2CoinsTravel.ch is a hiking and travel blog from Switzerland. A German and a Thai woman, who have found their new home in Switzerland, will take you on their tours through Switzerland and around the world.
Schwabach in Bavaria
An insider tip among the small towns in Germany is Schwabach in Bavaria. The town with around 40.000 inhabitants is famous above all for the production of gold leaf, which is sold worldwide and is omnipresent in many places in the old town. 5 companies still master the craft of gold beating, and even sights such as Buckingham Palace in London, Orthodox churches in the Ukraine, palace domes in the Emirates, the Sultan's Palace in Brunei and many other attractions around the world have already been decorated with Schwabach gold leaf.
Of course, the old town of Schwabach is all about gold: for example, the town hall with the golden roof, which is one of the most important sights of this town, is wonderful. But also in the Golden Hall, decorated with 14.000 sheets of Schwabach gold leaf, and at the high altar of the town church, you can marvel at Schwabach gold leaf.
It is interesting to visit the city museum, where you can visit exhibitions on various topics. For example, this museum presents Europe's largest egg exhibition with over 10.000 specimens. Another part of the city museum is devoted to model railways, another part of the city's history and the goldsmith's craft.
The market square in Schwabach invites you to linger, with many shops and coffee houses in the half-timbered houses. The 300-year-old fountain in the middle of the square also contributes to the cityscape.
About Places of Juma
On In PlacesofJuma Martina & Jürgen write about their travels around the globe. The two love photography and are therefore always on the lookout for the most beautiful spots and locations.
Ansbach - a gem in Middle Franconia
In Germany there are many beautiful small towns to visit, some of which are even world famous. Ansbach is certainly not one of them, but for us it is one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany. We love the old town with the colorful facades and the extraordinary architecture. Since Ansbach is the former residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach, the small town also has a large number of historical sights.
The Bavarian town of Ansbach is located in Middle Franconia very close to Nuremberg and is therefore perfect for a day trip when you are on holiday in Nuremberg. It is especially pretty in Ansbach when the atmospheric Christmas market is set up, but basically it is a destination that is worth visiting all year round.
When strolling through the colorful houses of the small town, you should definitely visit the TOP 6 sights of Ansbach. The most striking of these is the construction of the Protestant Sankt Gumbertuskirche, which is also impressive inside, but here in stark contrast to its exterior view with its simplicity.
Right next to it are the old town house from 1532 and the Sankt Johannis Church, which completely surprised us with its size. If you look closely, you will discover a special feature of the church: the two towers are built completely differently!
A little history should not be missing on a visit to the small town, as it had a special inhabitant: Kaspar Hauser. You can find out more about the history of the city and the life of Kaspar Hauser in the Margrave Museum.
The sights that are in Ansbach Not to be missed are the Ansbach Residence with its state rooms and the courtyard garden.
Via Urlaubreiseblog.de
Manfred and Tina write on Urlaubreise.blog about their numerous trips across Germany and the world. In every travel report you can find tips and information that are useful for your vacation.
Schwäbisch Hall - city trips Germany to one of the most beautiful small towns in Germany
For me the beautiful small town is Schwäbisch Hall a real insider tip in Baden-Württemberg that is often (wrongly) overlooked. Because especially the old town with its historical buildings and streets is worth a visit. You should definitely not miss the half-timbered houses on the market square and the famous St. Michael Church with the outside staircase. You also get a great view of the city from the bell tower.
But that's not all! In good weather, I recommend a walk along the Kocherufers, from where you can catch great views of the historic buildings from the Kocher Islands Unterwöhrd and the Grasbödele. If you still have enough time, a detour to Großcomburg Abbey is also worthwhile.
The Wackershofen Open Air Museum, just a few kilometers outside Schwäbisch Hall, is also particularly worth mentioning. Here you can admire historic houses from the Hohenlohe region and get an impression of life and everyday life in the last century.
As you can see, you won't get bored easily in Schwäbisch Hall. That's why I recommend that you stay in the city for two days to explore all the sights. Incidentally, you can easily reach Schwäbisch Hall with the regional train, for example from Stuttgart.
About German Backpacker
Patrick is a travel blogger at germanbackpacker.com, where he reports on travel destinations in Germany and around the world.
Einbeck
The town of Einbeck, located in southern Lower Saxony, approx. 30 km south of Hildesheim, is a great destination for a weekend trip with its more than 150 late medieval half-timbered houses, its neat little center and the city wall that surrounds it. Not only fans of half-timbered architecture, street art fans and classic car lovers will also get their money's worth in the city.
The historic city center is clearly laid out and can be easily explored while strolling through the old town. You should, however, take a whole day to visit the PS store, which not only delights car enthusiasts.
You can end the evening comfortably with an Einbecker bock beer, which goes back to a centuries-old brewing tradition.
There are various events throughout the year (e.g. the Bockbieranstich in April, the street art festival in August, the owl festival in October and finally a wonderful Christmas market in front of the historic town hall.
Einbeck is conveniently located and only 30 minutes by car from the A7. If you want to stay longer than just a weekend, you can visit the Harz Mountains, which are only 20 km away, or Solling, which is 15 km away. In the immediate vicinity of Einbeck is the district of Salzderhelden, whose name goes back to the salt production. Here is the Heldenburg, the ruins of a hilltop castle from the 13th century, which can be visited.
In my detailed blog article I show which ones Sights in Einbeck not to be missed and how to best organize a weekend getaway.
About North Star Chronicles
Miriam writes about traveling with toddlers in connection with history and culture on her blog North Star Chronicles. As an archaeologist, she has a penchant for historical cities and buildings as well as art and culture on all trips.
Goslar
Germany is undoubtedly full of cities with alleys, half-timbered houses and inner cities. My hometown Goslar is such a city. It is located in Lower Saxony, at the foot of the Harz Mountains.
Filled with unique buildings and half-timbered houses, a medieval atmosphere spreads across the small town. During your visit you should therefore not miss the opportunity to take a stroll through the alleys of the old town and experience the architecture of bygone times in the city.
One building in the city center is the Kaiserpfalz. The Palatinate, which sits enthroned by a palace garden and a meadow, is the city's attraction that attracts most visitors. Here you can see paintings and relics from the imperial era. Because the Palatinate was used as the summer residence of the emperors for a long time.
A visit to Goslar is worthwhile in every season. But the city is particularly popular during the run-up to Christmas. Because then there is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany in the imperial city. Its medieval charm and the forest that is built up every year add to its beauty and enchant visitors every winter.
If after exploring the old town you still feel like taking a trip into the countryside, Goslar is the place for you. Because with the Harz Mountains on your doorstep, you have a choice of hiking trails, ski areas and natural destinations. If you haven't had enough of medieval city centers, there are still plenty of places to visit in the region.
About Vicky Viaja
On Vickiviaja.com you can accompany Vicki and her husband Eduardo to places around the world and in their home city of Barcelona - also off the beaten track. In addition to travel tips, sights and travel routes, the two will help you save a lot of money, time and nerves during your trip - and all without missing a thing.
Saarburg
A waterfall in the middle of the city center, a castle with a view of the Saar and the vineyards as well as excursion destinations in the area: Saarburg in Rhineland-Palatinate is a destination for a city trip. I immediately fell in love with the town and was surprised that it wasn't much better known. Perhaps it's because the Roman city of Trier, which is only a good 20 kilometers away, attracts everyone's attention. If you are in the region, you should definitely not miss Saarburg.
The best way to explore the old town is with the “city tour”. A flyer is available from the tourist information office. Even if Saarburg is manageable, there is a lot to see. With the walking tour, you can make sure not to miss any of the sights in the old town.
One of my highlights is the waterfall. How the Leuk falls 18 meters right next to the buildings is impressive. The area around it with the butter market and "little Venice" invites you to stroll.
The ascent of the castle tower should not be missed either. The view of Saarburg and the surrounding area from above is worthwhile. On the way there, don't miss the “Staden” alley. The Saar boatmen used to live here, today visitors take photos of the colorful houses.
If you are in the mood for nature, you can take the chairlift to the Warsberg in a few minutes, where the summer toboggan run awaits you next to hiking trails. Or you can take the ship to the Saarschleife in just under two hours.
Other Saarburg tips and photos are available at Reise-mama.de.
About travel mom
At Reise-mama.de Wibke gives tips and inspiration for traveling with children. In addition to information on parental leave trips and travel hacks for parents, the travel reports are also helpful for travelers without children. The spectrum ranges from short trips in Germany to long-distance trips.
Schmalkalden - one of the small towns in Germany
Fancy a helping of the Middle Ages? Then you are right in Schmalkalden. The city is located in the southwest of Thuringia. It is not far from here to the Rhön, Oberhof and the Rennsteig are around the corner and a waterfall in the Trusetal is a hotspot for photographers and tourists.
Schmalkalden enchants us with a city center from the Middle Ages. Two rivers surround the town center, the Schmalkalde and the Stille. In the center of the GDR district town, half-timbered houses in all colors define the street scene.
We start our tour with a visit to the town church St. Georg. The reformer Martin Luther preached in the building from the 15th century. The late Gothic hall church has two church towers that differ from each other. So it is also worth seeing from the outside. Through Steingasse, past Lutherplatz with the bronze weather pillar, it goes through Schlossgasse up to Wilhelmsburg Castle. It has an outdoor area, wall paintings and is one of Germany's renaissance castles. From the outdoor area you have a view of the old town of Schmalkaldens and the mountains of the Thuringian Forest.
A visit to the castle museum is recommended for rainy days. You will find the tin figure museum in Stumpfelsgasse, not far from the Altmarkt. For lunch you should treat yourself to a delicacy. The original Thuringian Rostbratwurst is available in the city grill on the Altmarkt. Or you drive a few kilometers further north to Steinbach-Hallenberg to the restaurant of biathlon Olympic athlete Kati Wilhelm. She also serves specialties from Thuringia.
About MissesundMister
Nicole and Jörg from Berlin from the blog "miss and mister"Are traveling all over Germany and Scandinavia with their" Ellie "ambulance, which they have expanded. They like to take photos and tell about their experiences on their blog.
Bad Essen - small towns in Germany
We are very enthusiastic about small towns and are always looking for excursion destinations with charm and history, but without the hustle and bustle of tourists. One of our discoveries in this regard is Bad Essen.
The half-timbered town is located near Osnabrück in the border area between Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It has become better known since the State Garden Show in 2010. The landmark of the exhibition was the Sole-Arena, a graduation tower that still serves as an open-air inhalatorium today. Bad Essen owes its status as a spa town to the salt spring that rises here. Nowhere in Europe is the brine naturally salty than here.
The brine arena is located in the brine park and is freely accessible. This applies to the entire spa park. There are art installations and playgrounds. The Wiehengebirge is directly adjacent. Short hikes into the forest start from the short park.
The city itself is also a gem. Bad Essen is small: only around 15.000 people live here. Many arable houses have survived the centuries. The half-timbered façades are lined up in the center. Thanks to spa operations and excursion tourism, there are restaurants and cafes here.
One of the sights of Bad Essen that shouldn't be missed is the dinosaur tracks. They are about ten kilometers outside the city center, but are well signposted. The area with the tracks from prehistory is tiny, but freely accessible and easy to recognize. The geological attraction is pepped up by two life-size dinosaur models.
A report on ours Family trip to Bad Essen is also available on our blog.
About family4travel
In her family4travel family travel blog, Lena writes about trips and excursions with her family in Germany and Europe. In over seven years reports from 33 countries have come together, including more than 150 reports from all federal states in Germany.
Burggemeinde Brüggen - one of the small towns in Germany
Alleys, brick houses, shops that are open for sale almost every Sunday: this is the inner city of Bruges, which is always a destination for tourists, especially from the Netherlands. The castle community, which was mentioned in a document in 50, is located directly on the border between Germany and the Netherlands on the Lower Rhine, 897 kilometers from Düsseldorf.
Even if the cafes and shops have their charm, the city's landmark can be found on the border of the pedestrian zone. The Bruges Castle. It was built in the 13th century by Count von Kessel to protect a ford over the Schwalm river. The castle, whose park with the nutrias attracts people especially when the sun is shining, is privately owned, but the city has leased it. There is an information center about the Maas-Schwalm-Nette Nature Park, a tourist information office and a hunting and natural history museum.
Right next to it is the Alte Brüggener Mühle. The watermill stood here as early as the 13th century and offers a panorama with a stream and lots of greenery. The water wheel is still in operation today and provides electricity in the building that is now a restaurant.
Despite the visitors, Brüggen is relaxing, precisely because there is so much greenery even in the city center. The Schwalm flows directly next to the castle and watermill. If you walk a few minutes along the bank to the east, you will find the most spectacular view of the city: there are hundreds of meandering trees, ducks, geese, nutrias and also beavers and otters live in the swamp.
A city trip close to nature, that's possible Bruggen. If you have more time, you can take the Planet Trail and learn about the solar system, watch wild horses, roe deer and deer in the Brachter Wald nature reserve or relax on a tour around Lake Borner.
Via North Cape to South Cape
Miriam blogs under North Cape to South Cape - as the name suggests from Norway and the north and south of Africa. Whether lion or northern lights safari, she takes you to her favorite places and shares her magical moments with you.
Conclusion: City trips in Germany to the most beautiful cities in Germany are worthwhile
There is a lot to discover in Germany. Not just the highlights. This is shown by these contributions from our travel blogger colleagues about small towns in Germany. Most of these places don't appear in travel guides. They are often only known in the area. Wrong, as we think. It is worth exploring Germany off the beaten track. You can experience great surprises. Often these places are not far from your home. So why not travel sustainably and plan and experience a weekend break or short break in one of these lovely small towns? Short journeys and stays of several days allow you to experience these places and their surroundings in an environmentally friendly way. That is slow travel par excellence.
We thank the participating travel bloggers for their suggestions.
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Text The most beautiful cities in Germany: © Copyright contributions by the participating travel bloggers and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright photos of the participating travel bloggers and Canva
