Germany travel blog: cities, coasts and landscapes

Germany rewards curious travellers with very different kinds of short breaks: medieval old towns, waterways, mountain scenery and coastlines shaped by the North and Baltic Seas. This collection brings together personal travel inspiration from across the country, from compact city trips to slower journeys through distinctive regions. Browse the linked stories to find a destination and style of trip that suits your plans.

City trips with history and character

For a city break, start with Freiburg im Breisgau, where medieval landmarks meet a largely car-free centre and the Black Forest is close by. In Ulm, the Minster, Fisherman’s Quarter and Danube promenade provide a compact route through the old town. Potsdam adds palaces, parks and the cultural landscape along the Havel.

Coast, islands and waterways

Germany’s north offers a different pace. Follow the Baltic Sea coast through Hanseatic cities, fishing villages and natural landscapes, or head to the North Sea island of Föhr for sandy beaches, Frisian villages and views across the Wadden Sea. Around Lübbenau, the Spreewald’s network of waterways offers a gateway to its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Regional routes and active breaks

For a journey that combines culture and time outdoors, explore the Upper Swabian Baroque Road between Lake Constance and Ulm. The route connects castles, monasteries, churches and villages, while the surrounding area can also be discovered by train or bicycle.