Germany has a reputation as a hard and cold country, and this may be true when you refer to its big cities, but not when talking about its small towns where you’ll meet the warm locals and be exposed to an extraordinary atmosphere that will bring you back hundreds of years. From the stunning views of the Bavarian Alps to the tranquility that surrounds the Rhine, these 12 picturesque towns in Germany will fascinate you and make you want to re-plan your next trip to Europe.
Although we have grown accustomed to growing crops on terraces, you can see orchards that look as if they are about to fall and roll from the hills. This little town stretches along the picturesque River Moselle, and when you stand between it and the orchards, you’ll feel as though you‘ve stepped into an illusion. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll see amazing examples of Baroque architecture, including wooden houses that remain to this day.
In Wertheim am Main there are many ships that cruise along southwest Germany, but you may want to spend more than a few hours on this picturesque towns’ beach. On the hill next to it is an ancient castle built in the 12th century and its pointed tower, also known as the "Wertheim's leaning tower" because of the floods that caused its foundations to weaken, is a mandatory stop for every tourist. In addition, you can find many shops selling glass souvenirs, as Wertheim is famous for its talented glass makers.
In this charming town you’ll find breathtaking color combinations; Red from the rooftops, green from the surrounding trees and blue from the clear lake water. The town is near the Austrian border and is a perfect holiday destination for those who want to cruise the river, hike some climbing trails or watch traditional cultural performances. With the Alps in the background, Egern is also a very popular destination for those looking interested in partaking in winter sports.
The harbor of the town of Binz was used in the 14th century and is located on the island of Rugen, which is the largest of all the German islands in the Baltic Sea. The town is known for its historical architecture and it was once a small fishing town, but all that has changed since 1875 when the first tourists arrived ... The first hotel was built in 1880 and when you see the abundance of old buildings dotting this town’s center, you’ll be taken a hundred years back in time.
When you visit Bad Wimpfen, you’ll think you’ve entered a fairy tale because of the pointed towers that seem to touch the sky. This old town was once home to the largest royal palace north of the Alps, and if you climb all 167 steps of the Blue Tower, you’ll see the most amazing view this medieval town has to offer. There are two events that shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting, and they are the Talmarkt, or Valley Markey - a fun festival that takes place in June-July - and the Christmas market, which is considered the most beautiful in all of Germany.
"A picture book come alive," German poet and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said of this town, and we’re sure you’ll agree with him if you ever have the chance to walks through Mittenwald yourself. Here you’ll see medieval buildings with colorful windows, streets filled with flowers and the river flowing between them. Here, too, you will see the Alps in the background as you stroll through one of the most important towns of medieval trade.
The appearance of this town hasn’t changed in 300 years - its streets are still paved with stones and many of the houses you’ll see here are made of wood. In this town, there is a classical music festival held every year in August, and even if you aren’t able to visit during this time, you can always enjoy the stream of the Rur River, which runs for hundreds and kilometers and right by the border with Belgium .
This charming town is surrounded by green fields and hidden among the tall trees of the Black Forest. This is the most popular town to visit in this region, known for its cuckoo clocks – Here you’ll be able to see Germany’s biggest cuckoo clock. This town is also home to the Black Forest Museum and is near hiking trails to Triberg Falls - one of the highest waterfalls in Germany.
If you want to taste a little German wine, Rudesheim am Rhein is the town for you! This picturesque place attracts about 3 million visitors each year, most of whom come to taste the white and red wine produced there. In addition to the wine, tourists also enjoy the simple and charming beauty of Rudesheim, as wineries fill it on one side and the Rhine River flows beside it on the other. The architecture of the town is particularly fascinating, there is also an ancient castle nearby, and if you feel like seeing things you probably won’t see elsewhere, you can visit the local torture museum...
If you sail along the Rhine, chances are you'll either pass by the town of Bachrach or even anchor in it. This town is considered one of the most beautiful along this river, surrounded by walls and houses partly built of bright red wood that highlights the colors of the flowers in every corner. After strolling through the streets a bit, let your feet rest have a drink of some famous local Riesling wine.
The town of Dinkelsbuhl adds character and beauty to the landscape of Germany, as it is one of the few remaining ancient towns with walls surrounding it. In the past, it was an important Roman city and today the townspeople celebrate its liberation after the Thirty Years War at the Kinsberg Festival held in July. Among the sites you’ll want to see here are the 15th century Church of St. George and the tower next to it, built in the 12th century.
If you have a particular picture of how medieval Germany should look, the town of Quedlinburg will probably fit that picture perfectly. You’ll see buildings with many floors built partly from woods, stone-paved streets, and horse-drawn carriages. In addition to all these, it is recommended that you visit the Collegiate Church, which is considered a magnificent creation of Romanesque architecture; It seems that in all of Europe you won’t find a preserved medieval town like Quedlinburg. As you’ve seen, Germany can become a warm and pleasant place if you only know where to visit, and these 12 old picturesque towns are definitely recommended for anyone looking to see another side of this wonderful country.
image source: barnyz, eddiemcfish, Polybert49,
globetrotter_rodrigo, Heribert Bechen 1, Heribert Bechen 2, Thomas Cloer,
horax zeigt hier, Polybert49, Olaf Peuss, Allie_Caulfield, Harald Henkel,
Harmen de Vries, Caitriana Nicholson, C. Nelson, Andrew Whitman,
Barry Lancaster 1, Barry Lancaster 2, Jiuguang Wang,
ilovebutter, Kimba Reimer, Christine Olson, Sergei Gussev, Michael Dernbach
