Three places you really need to visit in Germany

Got itchy feet? Think Germany might be right up your Strasse? Then we’ve got good news. The Great Exhibition Road Festival is on its way – and while that means lots of great things to do and see, there’s one marquee that we’re fawning over. Curated by the German National Tourist Office, the Albertopolis marquee is going to be full of awesome gadgets. For example, you’ll get to pop on some virtual reality glasses and experience the bike ride of your life, then watch a video of all the cool spots to visit this summer before posing for that all important selfie at the photo booth.

Yep, there’s a lot on offer in Germany, and whether you dream of weekends dedicated to cutting-edge techno or prefer digging into the country’s rich historical and cultural past or trekking through scenic woodlands and mountain landscapes, there’s plenty to get your teeth into. So, if you’re ready to be delighted by Deutschland, then here are some reasons you might want to dig out that passport soon. We’ve teamed up with the German National Tourist Office to wet your Euro-travel whistle. Here are three German regions that are well worth visiting.

For more information about The Great Exhibition Road Festival, the Albertopolis marquee and how to win a holiday to Germany, click here. 

Berlin

It’s hard to factor in a trip to Germany’s capital when you’re working out a summer itinerary. But Berlin isn’t just about the incredible sights, museums, historic places of interest and parties. Berlin is also full of lidos and surrounded by urban beaches that open up for the summer, so taking a dip is easy-breezy. Our top pick? Head to Badeschiff  – it’s located on the East Harbour section of the River Spree and was made out of the hull of a vessel, by local artist Susanne Lorenz. Prefer to pedal? Hire a bike and enjoy a ride spotting monuments around Tiergarten or simply enjoy a calming ride through town or through the surrounding woodlands. Plus, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall, so if you fancy heading across in November, get ready for some very memorable celebrations.

Find out more at www.visitberlin.com

Stuttgart

You’ll find Stuttgart just north-east of the Black Forest – and if you’re a petrol head, you might well love it here. If the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz museum and the futuristic Porsche museum don’t do it for you, we’re thinking that nothing will. Not interested in das auto? Willhelma is the pretty, 19th-century home of a zoo and botanical garden, Baroque beauty Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is the largest estate in the entire country, and for the square-eyed amongst us, you can visit the Fernsehturm Stuttgart, an iconic TV tower with even more astonishing views. Oh, and don’t miss the Schlossplatz. It’s an airy, bloom-filled square with promenade which transforms into an elegant backdrop for several events throughout the year. The city centre provides a colourful background for all manner of outdoor events and wine festivals in the summer but have we mentioned shopping yet? It’s world-class – and that’s before you even get to the Hugo Boss Outlets.

Find out more at www.stuttgart-tourist.com

North Rhine-Westphalia

When it comes to culture, this western region is one of the richest parts of Germany, with modern art, festivals and German fashion powerhouses all calling this area home. Its cities are prime examples of industrial chic done very well, with Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Bonn seriously worth a visit. Aachen is one of our faves – it’s a historic spa city, so if you drop by don’t miss the stunning Aachen Cathedral (a total landmark and the burial site of various rulers) and bring a fluffy robe for the Carolus Thermen hot spring, too. Bonn is home to Beethoven House, a spot that documents the achievements of the celebrated composer. And while we’ve already mentioned Düsseldorf, Cologne has the Cologne Botanical Garden (with more than 10,000 species of plants), Odonien, which is the place to be if you wanna throw shapes into the AM and the Schokoladen Museum, where you can satisfy your sugar cravings. Sweet as, mate.

Find out more at www.nrw-tourism.com and www.dus.com

For more information about visiting Germany check out German Summer Cities