Experience the whole world in Germany - 6 surprising locations

Experience the whole world in Germany! Germany is a large and varied country, with many different landscapes and all kinds of architecture. Do you like the canals of Venice, the wine country of Tuscany or maybe the skyscrapers of Manhattan? In fact, you only have to go to Germany to find the right vibe. Today we present 6 surprising places in Germany.

Table of contents

The whole world in Germany

If you follow our blog, you may know that during the year we have collaborated with the German Tourist Board, and written one post a month about different things to see and experience in Germany. We have developed the post ideas together, and this particular post I was a little extra excited to write. What are the places in Germany that remind you of other places in the world?

We ourselves were reminded of the Dutch neighbourhoods of Potsdam, which we visited in the summer of 2018. Really fascinating! The German Tourist Board had even more fun and exciting suggestions, which we present below.

Världen i Tyskland: De holländska kvarteren i Potsdam — The Dutch Quarter in Potsdam

READ MORE: 10 amazing natural areas in Germany
READ MORE: 10 magical castles in Germany you won't want to miss

1. Instead of Switzerland - Saxon Switzerland

Switzerland is known for a landscape full of mountains, alpine peaks, lakes and charming little villages. The German name for Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz) came about in the 18th century when author Wilhelm Lebrecht Götzinger used the term in one of his books. He must have simply thought that this part of Germany was so similar to the neighbouring country.

Hela världen i Tyskland: Saxiska Schweiz — Saxon Switzerland © gettyimages / Westend61

Saxon Switzerland is a mountainous landscape and national park located around the Elbe valley near Dresden in the federal state of Saxony. One of the most characteristic formations here is the so-called "Bastei Bridge". Created by erosion millions of years ago, this rock formation rises 195 metres above the River Elbe. Since 1851, a stone bridge has held the rocks together, allowing the dramatic passage to be crossed by train.

Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony
Camping: Bergoase (Obere Strasse 19, Sebnitz)
Read more: Saxon Switzerland National Park
See more in the neighbourhood: Dresden

2. Instead of Manhattan - Frankfurt

Manhattan is an island in New York City known for its skyscrapers. But did you know that there is a 'Mainhattan' in Germany? Frankfurt is a centre of economic activity and home to many large international companies, such as the European Central Bank. The city, which is the fifth largest in Germany, is home to almost 800 000 people. Frankfurt is a multicultural city, with a mix of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The central business district of Frankfurt is called 'Mainhattan', which is a mixture of the River Main running through the city and Manhattan in New York. The similarities with Manhattan include the tall skyscrapers that have been in the city since the 1960s. Frankfurt is also the birthplace of the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Federal Republic of Germany: Hesse
Parking space: City Camp (An der Sandelmühle 35B, Frankfurt)
Camping: Campingplatz Maaraue (Maaraue 48, Mainz-Kostheim)
Read more: Frankfurt - where tradition meets modernity
See more in the neighbourhood: Wiesbaden

3. Instead of Tuscany - Saale-Unstrut

Italian Tuscany is a hilly landscape known for wine production, charming stone farmhouses, medieval castles and fascinating Renaissance cities like Florence. But is it possible to find something similar in Germany? Saale-Unstrut is a German wine region, named after the two rivers Saale and Unstrut.

Hela världen i Tyskland: Saale-Unstrut — Saale-Unstrut wine region, Klinger winery © DWI/German Wine Institute

Saale-Unstrut is the most northerly wine region in Germany and has been producing wine for more than 1000 years, mainly in the local monasteries. Because of the hilly landscape with its terraces and winding stone walls, the region is sometimes nicknamed the 'Tuscany of the North'.

Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony-Anhalt
Camping: Camping and leisure centre Schaepmann (Am Schwimmbad 4, Bad Bibra)
Read more: Saale-Unstrut winegrowing region
See more in the neighbourhood: Leipzig

4. Instead of Venice - Hamburg, Spreewald and Bamberg

Italian Venice is built on more than a hundred small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Here the canals act as a kind of road, lined with beautiful Renaissance and Gothic palaces. A bit like a fairy tale! But, if you like this kind of fairy-tale waterside setting, you can also visit Hamburg, the Spreewald or the Spreewald. Bamberg in Germany.

Hamburg is known as the maritime capital of northern Germany. Throughout history, water has played a major role here and has been important for transport and trade. Today, water forms a large part of the city and Hamburg actually has more bridges than Venice - around 2,500! The Speicherstadt district is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Two other places worth mentioning as alternatives are the Spreewald and Bamberg. Spreewald is a green area southeast of Berlin with both the river Spree and several canals. Bamberg is located in the northern part of Bavaria, in a beautiful mountainous landscape, where the rivers Regnitz and Main meet and flow through the city.

Federal Republic of Germany: Hamburg (Spreewald is in Brandenburg and Bamberg in Bavaria)
Parking space: Elbemeile car park (Grosse Elbstrasse 3, Hamburg)
Camping: Hanse Camping (Hochschulring 1, Bremen)
Read more: Hamburg - a maritime metropolis
See more in the neighbourhood: Bremerhaven

5. Instead of Versailles - Ludwigsburg Castle

The Palace of Versailles in France is listed as a World Heritage Site on UNESCO's prestigious list, and served as the royal residence from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. The castle is known for its magnificent baroque architecture and its beautiful ornate rooms. But, can you find something similar in Germany? Yes, you can if you visit Ludwigsburg Castle in Baden-Württemberg.

Världen i Tyskland - slottet Ludwigsburg — Ludwigsburg Castle and Castle Garden © Tourismus&Events Ludwigsburg / Joachim Mende

Ludwigsburg Castle is an impressive and powerful palace that has sometimes been called the 'Versailles of Swabia', where Swabia stands for a historical region in south-west Germany. The palace complex, which dates from the early 18th century, includes no less than 18 buildings and 452 rooms and is surrounded by huge palace gardens. The style is Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism.

Federal Republic of Germany: Baden-Württemberg
Camping: Campingplats Waldsee (Am Waldsee 17, Murrhardt)
Read more: Ludwigsburg Palace
See more in the neighbourhood: Stuttgart

6. Instead of Athens - Walhalla

Want to see impressive Greek temples? One option is of course to go to Greece, but you can also satisfy your hunger by visiting the German Walhalla. This mighty structure overlooks the Danube River, not far from the city of Regensburg in Bavaria.

The name Walhalla alludes to the Norse mythology of Valhalla, where Odin and the fallen warriors met in Asgard after their death. The temple was commissioned in the early 19th century by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. The intention was to emulate the Parthenon temple in Athens, while free design makes the building more than a copy. The aim was to honour German-speaking artists, writers, philosophers, scientists and other historical figures.

Världen i Tyskland - Walhalla — Panoramic view of the Danube and Walhalla © GNTB / Deutschland abgelichtet Medienproduktion

Federal Republic of Germany: Bavaria
Camping: Azur Camping (Weinweg 40, Regensburg)
Read more: Valhalla
See more in the neighbourhood: Regensburg

Have you experienced the world in Germany?

Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the post? Do you agree with the parables? Or perhaps you have experienced the world in Germany in a different way?

Hela världen i Tyskland med FREEDOMtravel — A selfie in 30 degree heat in Potsdam (Those were the days!)

Helena

26 December 2020 6:00

Germany

Motorhome holiday Germany

Helena

Administrator

22 Comments

Add yours →

Ama de casa says:

We usually saw Germany as a thoroughfare to get to France at the time we drove from Sweden to camp on the continent. Have clearly missed a lot of places - what nice places!

Good luck!

26 December 2020 - 9:43

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  In the beginning, when we were travelling in Europe, we probably thought that way too, but we have changed our minds. There is really a lot to discover in Germany!!!
  
  26 December 2020 - 20:23
  
  Reply
Monica says:

Love Germany since I spent a whole long and different summer on a county estate outside Göttingen when I was in high school. Great way to learn German that is still going strong. We have sometimes done like many others, just driven through but just as many times stopped, travelled small roads, visited small towns, stayed in wonderful small hotels and stood on wonderfully beautiful campsites. As usual - when you know the language and so does Bengt since we had the advantage of going to the "old style" high school - the experience deepens when you get in close contact with the people. One of the sons lived in Stuttgart for a few years and we were often there and I have a German-born friend on Blidö - who knows your Harald family - so it's really a country in my heart!

26 December 2020 - 10:54

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Funny that you have been so much in Germany Monica! Very fun also with our common contacts on Blidö, the world is not that big 😉 Wish you good continuation!!!
  
  26 December 2020 - 20:24
  
  Reply
Only British says:

I have always called Saxon Switzerland the Wyoming of Germany because the cliffs are more coolly eroded and detached I think.
It's funny about Germany's Tuscany because there are at least three more. One east of Cologne around the Sieg Valley, one south of Freiburg down to Switzerland and then in the neighbourhood of historic Worms and Speyer.

26 December 2020 - 11:27

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But what fun with more tips about Tuscany in Germany! We have a lot left to discover I understand 🙂
  
  26 December 2020 - 20:24
  
  Reply
Snows says:

Many people probably just pass through Germany on their way south, which is a shame. Germany is a very interesting country and there is so much to see. In addition, it is close and good for us who live in southern Skåne.

26 December 2020 - 14:36

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Totally agree! We also only passed by in the beginning, now we have learnt that there is so much more to see and experience! 🙂
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:34
  
  Reply
BP says:

Somehow I think of Las Vegas here. But there the whole world is gathered in one place, but the one in Germany is spread all over the country. I haven't even heard of these places, but I fell in love with the Unesco world heritage site Speicherstadt in Hamburg. I wouldn't really compare it to Venice, which is totally over-advertised in my opinion. Speicherstadt is sooooo much cooler. And I guess it doesn't smell as bad there as in Venice...?

26 December 2020 - 17:02

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We have also become really hungry for these "Venice" places! Talked about it today when we were out walking 😉 Maybe not because they are exactly like Venice, but they seem very exciting!!!
  
  26 December 2020 - 20:26
  
  Reply
Hasse says:

All the best to you.
No, not these. Friedichstatt reminded me a bit of Amsterdam. Bamberg ifs is on the list.

26 December 2020 - 18:51

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you!!!
  
  26 December 2020 - 20:26
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Saxon Switzerland has been on my wish list for years. So many cool places. It will probably be a real long holiday in Germany when the car arrives and the vaccination may well be done....

26 December 2020 - 21:16

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Totally agree! And yes, it feels like it will be easier to travel if you can get vaccinated first...!
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:35
  
  Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

Wow, so many nice, beautiful and fun things to see in Germany. A road trip is being planned 🙂 .

Hug Lena

27 December 2020 - 7:05

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Great! 🙂
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:35
  
  Reply
Lisa says:

Fantastic what you find nice places in Germany. We have visited Spreewald and also bought their famous cucumbers. Many German crime series are filmed there and we liked this region very much despite a lot of mosquitoes. Hamburg is really also a fantastic city. I can recommend the Fischmarkt which takes place very early every Sunday morning. Here you can buy everything possible from carts that call out goods ex. Fruit. Flowers and cakes and sweets in large bags with some mixed content. In addition, dancing and drinking beer in a larger room and the visitors there are of very different kinds. Must be experienced on site.
Several of your tips will be tested once Covid has disappeared or we have been vaccinated.
Very nice blog post for which we thank you.

27 December 2020 - 10:04

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you for the great tips!!! We also hope to be able to travel more soon! And of course you hope that this with vaccination will make it all easier!
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:36
  
  Reply
Arne Lindh says:

Regensburg, one of our favourite places in Germany. Stop seeing Germany as a transit country. Few countries in Europe have so much to offer. Culturally, it's endless. It can be hot too. We had 36 in the shade in September in the Moselle.

27 December 2020 - 22:10

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Totally agree!!! It feels like we have a lot left to experience in Germany! 🙂
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:37
  
  Reply
Berit says:

Kiel is a city with a lot to offer and the 'Kieler woche' offers sailing races. With a small market where different countries sell some handicrafts. Also Laboe Naval Memorial with a visit in a submarine, exciting for children!

28 December 2020 - 10:55

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tips! We would love to experience more of Kiel!
  
  30 December 2020 - 20:37
  
  Reply

Experience the whole world in Germany - 6 surprising locations

The whole world in Germany

1. Instead of Switzerland - Saxon Switzerland

2. Instead of Manhattan - Frankfurt

3. Instead of Tuscany - Saale-Unstrut

4. Instead of Venice - Hamburg, Spreewald and Bamberg

5. Instead of Versailles - Ludwigsburg Castle

6. Instead of Athens - Walhalla

Have you experienced the world in Germany?

You might also like:

Subscribe to our newsletter

22 Comments

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

Only British says:

Helena says:

Snows says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Hasse says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

Lisa says:

Helena says:

Arne Lindh says:

Helena says:

Berit says:

Helena says:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

ABOUT FREEDOMtravel

CONTACT US

Social media and newsletters

SEARCH AND FIND ON FREEDOMTRAVEL

Categories

Archive