Unique things to do in Germany aren’t just about bratwursts and beer (though, let’s admit, they’re pretty great!). Imagine yodeling atop a neon-lit techno club in Munich, or joining a medieval flash mob in the heart of Berlin. Ever fancied a moonlit waltz with statues in Dresden? Or perhaps a quirky UFO-spotting picnic in the Black Forest? Buckle up, dear wanderluster, because Germany’s offbeat adventures are about to make your traditional travel bucket list look like child’s play. Ready to dive into the whimsical side of Deutschland?
I found the right blend of cultural elements and modern artifacts when I visited Germany. If you are looking for a modern city to spend your vacation in, Berlin is the ideal destination. For a historical touch, visit Munich, which is the ideal location.
Then again, if you’re looking for a vacation in the beautiful countryside or want to experience the beauty of a medieval fortress, Baden-Baden and Rothenburg should be on your list of favorites.
No matter what kind of experience you are looking for, Germany travel will give you precisely what you expect.
1 Unique things to do in Berlin
Berlin is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe and a must-visit destination. The capital city has many places to dine, shop, and visit. I loved the details Berlin has regarding art galleries and museums. Further, it was a fantastic experience visiting the many museums in the city, including The Altes Museum, Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum, and Neues Museum. In 1999, the museum complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can view an extensive collection of artefacts at these museums, some dating from World War II and even before.
| Museum | Price |
| Altes Museum | US$ 10.73 |
| Bode Museum | US$ 10.73 |
| Pergamon Museum: | US$ 12.88 |
| Neues Museum | US$ 12.88 |
You can easily spend a day or two exploring Museum Island, open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. It is best to visit during the off-season when few tourists are roaming around, from October to January during the winter season. Besides, get there early to avoid the crowds that build up as the day progresses.
Head over to Charlottenburg to spend some quality time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can visit the many parks and outdoor areas, including the Zoological Garden, where you can also glimpse the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace of the 17th century.
2 Unique things to do in Munich
Next, after exploring the capital, head over to Munich via train, which would take approximately 4 hours. The capital city of the Bavarian state is bordered by the picturesque Bavarian Alps and is a crucial center point in Germany’s political arena.
Visit one of Munich’s surviving churches, Peterskirche, the only inner church built during the 1300s. Children can enter for free, while an adult should pay $5.37.
Also, remember to catch a glimpse of the Frauenkirche and Michaelskirrche, recognized buildings in the city. Moreover, entrance to these sites is free.
The city’s large open square, the Marienplatz, is where you can explore medieval history and architecture at its finest.
Spend a day exploring the beautiful churches and head to the open square the next day for the best experience.
3 Unique things to do in Medieval Rothenburg
Rothenburg is the region to be in if you crave towns with buildings that display the beautiful medieval architecture of olden Europe. Hop on to the train from Munich to reach Rothenburg within 2.5 to 3 hours.
Reaching the region, you’d be awed by its marvelous structures of medieval history, including the 13th-century Town Hall, Imperial City Museum, and the historical Castle Gardens. The Town Hall is free to enter and is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. The Imperial City Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from April to October and from 1 pm to 4 pm from November to March. It costs $4.29 for adults and $3.22 for children to enter. The Castle Gardens is open every day and is free to enter. You can easily spend close to two hours in each of these places.
4 Unique things to do in Cologne
Cologne is a beautiful city and one of my favorites in Germany. It has a touch of modernity, with a remnant of the past still lagging in the city’s buildings, structures, and other places. A train ride from Rothenburg to Cologne would take approximately 4 hours.
The Old Town in Cologne is home to 12 classic old churches, including the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. You can spend hours exploring these churches, their architectural elements, and everything about this beautiful city. The cathedral is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except on Sundays, from 1 pm to 4 pm. The best thing is that you can visit these splendid cathedrals in Cologne for free!
Apart from this, you can shop in traditional marketplaces where you can buy everything from fragrances to food and fashion items. Remember to try out the signature Cologne-made chocolate, which is decadent and is available in many places in Old Town.
Finally, Cologne is a popular stop for its significant location on the Rhine River. You can even go on a cruise that lasts from several hours to several days during your Unique things to do in Germany.
5 Koblenz
If you take a long cruise along the Rhine River when in Cologne, you may find yourself docked in the picturesque Koblenz city. One of the most remarkable things to experience in the city is the Deutsche Eck, which is the meeting of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. A statue of King Wilhelm I overlooks the landmark of this natural phenomenon. You can even take the Koblenz cable car to the magnificent Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. It’s open for viewing daily from 10 am to 6 pm in summer and until 5 pm in winter. Entrance tickets are priced at $13.47 for adults and free for children under 6 years old. The cable car ticket costs $9.47 for adults and $5.26 for children. Start early to avoid the crowds at these tourist spots.
Dotting the banks of the Rhine River are spectacular old castles. Koblenz is a beautiful city you can explore on foot or by bicycle during your Unique things to do in Germany.
6 Baden-Baden
From Koblenz, take a train to Baden-Baden, which is Germany’s famous spa capital. The Black Forest tourist region is famous for this in Germany. The train ride will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. A must-visit site is Kurgarten, the famous spa garden open 24 hours.
Also, in Baden-Baden, you can experience its exquisite boutique shops, art galleries, and decadent cuisines.
Kurgarten is famous as a venue for many events in Germany, including the famous Christmas Markets and classical and pop concerts. Furthermore, the region is also famous for its many sporting arenas, including golf clubs and race courses for horse racing. It’s best visited during the season, especially Christmas, mainly due to the spectacular Christmas Markets. However, it could also get pretty crowded at this time, so it’s best to go there at the start of the season during your planned trip of Unique things to do in Germany.
7 Nuremberg
Nuremberg is approximately 3 hours away from Baden-Baden and is another must-visit medieval old town region in Germany. The city reflects medieval architecture, which was once almost destroyed during World War II.
You can walk around the city exploring its medieval architecture with walls extending kilometers. The Nuremberg Castle is a stunning medieval castle dating back to the 11th century. It was one of the most beautiful castles I’ve seen in the country. The castle is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm from 1st April to 3rd October and from 10 am to 4 pm from 4th October to 31st March. Getting there as early as possible is better to avoid the crowds that flock in during the day. Afternoons are packed at the castle grounds. Tickets cost $5.79 for adults and are free for children under 18.
8 Frankfurt
From Nuremberg, head over to Frankfurt, which is approximately a 2 hour and 45 minutes drive. It’s the modern city of Germany where you’d feel closer to home. Moreover, it has a mix of old buildings and world-class architectural structures and is worth a visit.
You can wander around the delightful Römerberg, a pedestrian-friendly square with a beautiful fountain, medieval homes, attractive boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.
Frankfurt is the country’s leading business center and has its fair share of museums, including the Museum of World Cultures. The museum is closed on Mondays and open from 11 am to 6 pm every other day except for Wednesday when it is open until 8 pm. A ticket costs $7.37 for an adult and is free for children under 18.
Further, you can take exciting trips from Frankfurt to the romantic old city of Heidelberg and historic Mainz.
9 Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city, accessible from Frankfurt by train. Further, it is a vital shipping region in Europe so you would see an endless stream of vessels day and night in this city. The Port of Hamburg, sprawling over 100 square kilometers, is worth exploring any time of the year. You can have a peel at the Old Warehouse District. The former storage buildings in the district now house entertainment venues, concert halls, restaurants, and shops.
Visit the International Maritime Museum, which will help you learn more about how important Hamburg and Germany are in the shipping route. It’s open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance ticket will cost $11.59. Moreover, the best time to visit is in the morning when most tourists are yet to come.
Lastly, after visiting the museum for a couple of hours, hop aboard a harbor tour that will give you fantastic views of the port from the water.
10 Dresden
Take a train from Hamburg to Dresden, located a few miles from Germany’s border with the Czech Republic. Therefore, it’s the ideal place to explore Eastern Europe. Dresden is also great for a day out from Berlin as it is just 2 hours away from the capital.
Finally, remember to visit the famous cathedral, Frauenkirche, in Dresden. Back then, it was one of the most stunning Baroque churches in Europe. Also, you can explore the city square with its many museums and art galleries to awaken the creative child within you.
Germany is a beautiful country with fantastic cities and an excellent culture to explore. Have you ever been to Germany? In the comments below, let us know which city you loved the most in the country and why it is so.