Things to see & do in Germany
Wanderlust
No wonder they invented the word. Literally ‘a lust for hiking’, Germany’s long distance walking routes are not just tokens of this love, they are like Cupid’s arrows firing straight into every hiker’s heart. Such as the iconic Rennsteig, an ancient 170km trail through the Thuringian Forest and Highlands, in Central Germany. Not to be confused with the Rheinsteig trail, following the course of the Rhine. Which may sound like it should be flat, but in fact this is gorgeous gorge territory, so there are plenty of ups and downs, be it over vineyard bedecked hills, ancient forest covered escarpments or along river cliffs, such as at the famous Loreley. Walking through Saarland’s Bliesgau UNESCO biosphere reserve, or Wadden Sea World Heritage Site are also hidden hiking gems. And as for Bavaria, well, you will feel left out without a knapsack on your back and a pair of Meindls on your feet. The production of these fine hiking boots has been part of the Bavarian economy since 1683. These boots are made for walking, as is their country.
Our Germany Vacations
Germany walking vacation
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
US $1150 to US $1280
8 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, Germany and Austria
Follow the winding route of the Danube
From
US $1199
8 days
ex flights
Eifel hiking and culinary tour in Germany
Combine hiking and regional dishes in the Eifel
From
€459
5 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
From
US $2390
14 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in the Netherlands, Germany & Austria
European cycling at its best
From
£2045 to £2245
17 days
ex flights
Eastern europe by train, the Iron Curtain tour
Whizz around Europe's lesser-visited cities by rail!
From
£699 to £809
8 days
ex flights
Electric bikes are the norm in Germany and so I didn't feel like such a granny cycling on one.![]()
Get in German gear
Cycling has long been the chosen mode of transport for Germans and it is of no surprise that the country is falling down with cycling vacations. From the flatter, calf-friendly routes around Lake Constance, Schleswig-Holstein, Friesland, the Weser Valley, the North Sea and Baltic coasts and the Muensterland, to the more challenging ups and down of the Harz mountains and Black Forest.
Guten Appetit
Germany is like one big farmer’s market. You can fill a picnic pannier at the local butcher (metzgerei) which doesn’t just sell cuts of meat but, in most cases, also salami-filled rolls and all round deli deliciousness. The timelessly tempting Bäckerei and Konditorei, bakery and pastry shops respectively, will have your mouth watering and your brain unable to choose. And the markets themselves are always brimming with seasonal produce from white asparagus in spring, cherries, apples, plums and berries in summer to an eclectic array of mushrooms in autumn. Look out for Federweisser stalls at this time of year too, serving young, freshly bottled wine, often served with seasonal onion tarts.
So, think beyond the sausage and sauerkraut cliché associated with Germany. Food is a national obsession. Michelin Star restaurants abound, every dietary need is catered for, and regional specialties are, well, special. From superb fish on the island of Rügen, Black Forest smoked ham and trout (as well as cake for afters of course), Westphalia pumpernickel, Frankfurt asparagus with herb rich green sauce to Saarland’s fine cheese menu.
So, think beyond the sausage and sauerkraut cliché associated with Germany. Food is a national obsession. Michelin Star restaurants abound, every dietary need is catered for, and regional specialties are, well, special. From superb fish on the island of Rügen, Black Forest smoked ham and trout (as well as cake for afters of course), Westphalia pumpernickel, Frankfurt asparagus with herb rich green sauce to Saarland’s fine cheese menu.
Our top Germany Vacation
Germany walking vacation
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
US $1150 to US $1280
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 7 Jun, 8 Jun, 9 Jun, 10 Jun, 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 14 Jun, 15 Jun, 16 Jun, 17 Jun, 18 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 22 Jun, 23 Jun, 24 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun, 27 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 3 Jul, 4 Jul, 5 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 8 Jul, 9 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 12 Jul, 13 Jul, 14 Jul, 15 Jul, 16 Jul, 17 Jul, 18 Jul, 19 Jul, 20 Jul, 21 Jul, 22 Jul, 23 Jul, 24 Jul, 25 Jul, 26 Jul, 27 Jul, 28 Jul, 29 Jul, 30 Jul, 31 Jul ...
2023: 7 Jun, 8 Jun, 9 Jun, 10 Jun, 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 14 Jun, 15 Jun, 16 Jun, 17 Jun, 18 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 22 Jun, 23 Jun, 24 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun, 27 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 3 Jul, 4 Jul, 5 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 8 Jul, 9 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 12 Jul, 13 Jul, 14 Jul, 15 Jul, 16 Jul, 17 Jul, 18 Jul, 19 Jul, 20 Jul, 21 Jul, 22 Jul, 23 Jul, 24 Jul, 25 Jul, 26 Jul, 27 Jul, 28 Jul, 29 Jul, 30 Jul, 31 Jul ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Germany or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Why would you drive along a wine trail when you can hike it or cycle it? Saxony has a 55km wine hiking route. Always best to take your time when it comes to fine wine.![]()
Wine o’clock
It may be famous for beer, but the wine is sublime. And everywhere, with 13 wine growing areas, six of them in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Riesling reigns, with the Ahr Valley famous for reds, Franconia for its dry Silvaner, Baden for Pinots and Saxony for Müller-Thurgau. Sample some by cycling or hiking the Weinstrasse.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the German National Tourist Board for their sponsorship of this guide.
More about Germany
A wonderfully seasonal country and as such, the best time to travel to Germany depends on what tickles your fancy.
To think that Germany is all lederhosen and beer fests, is like saying India is all curry and Bollywood.
Citybreaks are still very high up the tourist wish list when it comes to places to visit in Germany.
Winter in Füssen is like a scene from Frozen but, because it's cold, the summer crowds are long gone.
With Bavaria’s plethora of mountains, lakes and forest, you realise why the Germans coined the phrase ‘wanderlust’.
If you have every thought about family vacations in Germany and then dismissed it for yet another trip to the Dordogne – don’t.
The most important bit of Germany travel advice we can give is, if you like hiking and biking, fine food and wine, then why haven’t you been there yet?
Responsible tourism in Germany is pretty much exemplary. In fact, if any other countries want to look and learn, start here.
