COLOGNE

Cologne, in western Germany, spans the Rhine River. The 2,000-year-old city oozes culture, design, great food and gothic architecture. Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom is the focal point of the city overlooking the old town.

Contrasting the old with the new is the Rheinauhafen area where the architecture of the modern Crane buildings reflects the city’s industrial heritage.  For art lovers, the Museum Ludwig showcases a host of masterpieces and the city has one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe. Then there are coffee shops, great restaurants, beer houses and chocolate shops. Let’s explore…

MUST DO IN COLOGNE:

• Cologne Cathedral: Magnificent Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most visited single landmark in Germany.  Known as Kölner Dom (Köln is Cologne in German) the views from the south tower across the city and over the Rhine are stunning and well worth climbing the 533 steps to the top. Just try not to pass through the bell tower at noon…
• Have a Beer at Früh am Dom: It’s a tradition in Germany to visit a Brauhaus (beerhouse) on a Saturday afternoon. Früh am Dom is probably the most famous and lively beer house in Cologne and is the perfect spot to try Cologne’s Kölsch beer. The Kölsch is carried to your table in a special tray which holds around a dozen glasses. Every time your glass is refilled the tally will be recorded on your beer mat. When you’ve had your fill of Kölsch cover your glass with your beer mat and your waiter will sort your bill.
• KölnTriangle: To do this you’ll also get to cross Hohenzollern Bridge (the love lock bridge) and a stunning Cathedral view. On the other side of the bridge is KölnTriangle which has 360° panoramic views over the Rhine and the city. For €3 take the lift to the top and watch as the sun sets and Cologne’s famous landmarks light up and reflect on the river.

Read about more things to do in Cologne on Suzanne’s blog The Travelbunny

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Cologne Cathedral  |  Früh am Dom  |  Town Mill 

FREUDENBERG

What makes Freudenberg special is the old town part which has almost identical half-timbered houses all over town, all in black and white colour.

The major cities that are closest to Freudenberg are Cologne and Frankfurt, and the recommended way to get here is by rental car, although buses and trains are available with some stops along the way. It’s also possible to stay overnight in some of the historic houses, and there are two good hotels, Hotel Zum Alten Flecken, and Hotel Zur Altstadt, which has reasonable prices and rooms.

MUST DO IN FREUDENBERG:

• Walk up the stairs to the viewpoint: The stairs are located just outside the old town centre and lead up to a lush park on a hill. From here you get a panoramic view of the town where you see even clearer how well designed and coordinated Freudenberg is.
• Eat local food from the region: Visit Verity the 20-metre high statue that guards the harbour. You’ll love or hate the divisive statue and will appreciate the true Damien Hirst style when you see Verity up close.
• Walk around the old town centre: This is the highlight of any visit to Freudenberg. Stroll around the old half-timbered houses that ooze of history. Admire the beautiful and unique architecture.

Recommended by Alex of Swedish Nomad

AACHEN

If you are looking for a smaller German city with a significant history, look no further than Aachen. Located in the west, Aachen actually holds the title of Germany’s westernmost city! This makes Aachen great for visiting neighbouring countries like the Netherlands and Belgium.

The city is famous for being a spa city – meaning there are a number of natural thermal springs in the area. The spas are actually one of the reasons why Emperor Charlemagne made Aachen his official place of residence!

These days, Aachen has a beautiful old town (like many German cities). Here, you can wander the cobblestone streets and pass by shops, cafes, and a handful of great Aachen attractions. Be sure to also visit in the winter months when Aachen puts on its Christmas Market – it’s absolutely magical!

MUST DO IN AACHEN:

• Visit the Aachener Dom: Located right in the heart of the old town, the Aachen Cathedral is a must-see. Construction on the original building began back around the year 800! You can wander inside to check out the incredible stained glass and stonework of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Check Out the Rathaus: Also known as the Town Hall, the Rathaus is a Gothic structure located in the old town. Originally constructed in the 1300s, it sits on the same land as a previous building. The building barely survived World War II bombings and today you can do a tour of the various rooms with lavish decors and history.
• Eat Printen: Aachen is known for a specific kind of Christmas cookie when the holidays roll around – Printen! This gingerbread-like cookie is absolutely delicious and can be found at a bakery called Nobis, among others. Don’t worry, but you can enjoy Printen year round!

Recommended by Eric and Lisa of Penguin and Pia

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Aachener Dom  |  Rathaus  |  Nobis

MARBURG

MUST DO IN MARBURG:

• Climb up to the Schloss: Marburg’s Schloss (Castle) offers sensational views over the city. It’s a steep but rewarding climb up and on the way, you will be sure to pass by a few churches and a lot of references to the Grimm Brothers. Scale the castle walls, visit the museum or dine out at one of the cafes or restaurants at the top.
• Explore the Fairytale of the Grimm Brothers: The local council have designed an easy to navigate path through the city as part of the Grimm Brothers pilgrimage. You can mark off each spot as you visit these interesting landmarks. There are 15 points to check out, from a wall of flying horses to cinderella’s missing slipper to a mirror on the wall straight out of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. You can also visit the Grimm Brothers House where all this magic began.
• Pub Crawl by Night: At night, Marburg really comes alive with its vast array of diverse drinking dens. Head down the staircase into the basement of the famous Hinkelstein Pub and try the peach-infused beer, sip wine and indulge in the delightful food at Weinladele before retiring to Delirium on a special pub crawl. Once a year, Marburg also plays host to the famous 3 Day Marburg Festival and this is the perfect time to check out the lively atmosphere in the city’s many bars. A Marburg Pub Crawl is easy to organise and will be sure to have full of surprises.

Recommended by Jonny of Don’t Stop Living

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Landgrafenschloss  |  Hinkelstein  |  Weinladele  |  Delirium

FRANKFURT

Frankfurt is the fifth-largest city in Germany and is home to the European Central Bank, making it one of the largest financial centres in the world. Frankfurt is often referred to as Mainhattan, which is a combination of the River Main that flows through the city and Manhattan, another city with impressive skylines. Like many cities in Germany, many areas of Frankfurt were destroyed during World War II, and the city has since been re-built. 

Frankfurt is the busiest airport in Germany and the fourth busiest in all of Europe primarily due to it being a main hub for Lufthansa, Condor and AeroLogic airlines. As a result, travellers to Europe may begin or end their trip in this German city and should plan to spend at least 24 hours in Frankfurt. 

MUST DO IN FRANKFURT:

• Main Tower Observation Deck: The best views of the city and the River Main can be found at the Main Tower Observation Deck. The Main Tower is located in the Financial District and the observation is open daily to visitors. Adult tickets (as of August 2019) are €7,50 and ages 6-12 are €5,00. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
• Sightseeing Cruise: A great way to see the city of Frankfurt is by taking a sightseeing cruise along the River Main. There are two companies that offer relaxing, one-to-two hour sightseeing cruises: KD and Primus Linie.  Adult tickets (as of August 2019) through both companies are approximately  €10,00, with discounted pricing for children.
• Roemerberg: The old town square of Frankfurt was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt according to original plans following the war. The medieval-style square is popular to visit along with the shopping and restaurants near-by.

Recommended by Andrea of One Savvy Wanderer

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Main Tower  |  KD Day Cruises  |  Primus-Linie  |  Roemerberg

PADERBORN

Paderborn is a small city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. It gains much of its identity from its river, the Pader, which at 4km is the shortest river in Germany. The Pader rises from underground springs in the city centre at a rate of 5,000 litres per second and joins the River Lippe on the outskirts of the city at Schloß Neuhaus. 

Paderborn first appeared on the map in the 8th Century when Charlemagne had a castle built next to the Pader springs. Since then the city has played host to popes, emperors and royalty. Following World War II, Paderborn transformed itself into a centre for industry and technology, as well as a becoming a University town.

MUST DO IN PADERBORN:

• Schloß Neuhaus: With its stunning renaissance architecture, gardens and acres of water meadows Schloß Neuhaus is a fabulous day out. The moated Schloß can trace its history back to 1370, but it has been added to, damaged and repaired repeatedly in that time. The castle is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Pader, Lippe and Alme, creating the perfect space for a public park complete with playgrounds, wildlife areas and walks.
• Find the Souce of the Pader: There are over 200 spings in the city centre that combine to form the River Pader. Around the springs are a series of city parks which are fun to explore accompanied by the constant sound of fast-flowing water.
• The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF): This fascinating museum charts the history of computing from its birth to modern-day. The hands-on exhibits make the subject come to life, even for non-techy people.

Recommended by Liona of Travels with Ted

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Schloss Neuhaus  | Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

DUSSELDORF

Düsseldorf can be found in the West of Germany and is easily one of the best cities to visit in the region. Best seen in the European shoulder seasons (i.e. spring or autumn) when the cherry blossoms are in bloom or the fall tones turn the city pretty shades of umber, you can’t go wrong by dedicating a long weekend (or more if you have time) to exploring the city.

MUST DO IN DUSSELDORF:

• Drink beer at the “longest bar in the world”: In an area otherwise known locally as Düsseldorfer Altstadt, you’ll soon discover a particularly high concentration of micro-breweries, pubs, and inns, all selling delicious beers. If you so desire, you can even go on a pub crawl of sorts through this area of the city!
• Discover the glittering and modern Media Harbour (the Medienhafen): So-called thanks to the fact that it’s home to an abundance of media company headquarters, as well as its fair share of startups, the Media Harbour is home to some pretty unusual and quirky architecture, making it the perfect place for photography lovers to explore.
• Explore the historic district of Kaiserswerth: For those who are looking for a historical experience while in Düsseldorf, a trip to the district of Kaiserswerth is an absolute must. Once a town in its own right, though it has since been incorporated into the fabric of Düsseldorf, Kaiserswerth boasts a castle which dates all the way back to the 12th-century and a hospital where Florence Nightingale once worked.”

Click here for more great things to do in Dusseldorf.

Recommended by Sophie of Solo Sophie

Read Reviews for these Sights:  Altstadt  |  Medienhafen  |  Kaiserswerth

KOBLENZ

Koblenz is one of my favourite places to visit in Germany. It may not be on the radar of many travellers but that makes it a particularly authentic experience and suitable for those who want to avoid large crowds. Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle river, the medium-sized town boasts a particularly quaint setting. On top, its Ehrenbreitstein, one of the largest fortresses in Germany, creates a particularly quaint setting. 

MUST DO IN KOBLENZ:

• Visit the old city centre and “German Corner”: The city centre is characterized by its cobblestoned streets and half-timbered houses. There are plenty of shops waiting for you to be discovered. Make sure to head to the “German Corner”, the most famous spot in Koblenz where the Moselle meets the Rhine river.
• Ride a cable car: A cable car ride is a must in Koblenz. It takes you from the Rhine river bank up to the majestic Ehrenbreitstein fortress. From here you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over the Rhine and Moselle river.
• Do a Rhine River Day Cruise: Koblenz is the departure point of many river cruises which will take you to the most beautiful castles and Rhine villages such as Bacharach, Oberwesel or the Lorelei Rock. In one day you can easily visit several villages in case you are based in Koblenz.

Recommended by Paulina of Paulina on the Road

Read Reviews for these Sights:  German Corner  |  Cable Car  |  Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO GERMANY

These are a few tours we would recommend for your trip to Western Germany.