6 picturesque towns in Germany - along holiday routes

If you like picturesque towns, Germany is the place for you. Germany is full of charming small towns with half-timbered houses and canals. In collaboration with the German Tourist Board, we recommend 6 picturesque towns along some of Germany's famous holiday routes.

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Picturesque towns in Germany

Don't make the mistake of just speeding through Germany on the Autobahn to get down to southern Europe! We did that for many years, but it meant we missed all the picturesque towns in Germany.

There are still quantities of cities that we haven't visited, but the ones we've stumbled upon have really given us a taste for it. Some great German cities we can recommend include Greifswald, Stralsund, Wismar, Goods and Trier. Here are six picturesque towns in Germany along the German holiday routes.

Tyskland — Waren in Germany, which we visited in 2019

1. Papenburg on the Marsh and bog road

The charming city of Papenburg is located on the river Ems in the federal state of Lower Saxony. The cityscape is made up of many historic buildings, and there are also constant reminders of maritime life in the form of both historic ships and modern boat building. The town also has a popular open-air museum.

Ships in Papenburg harbour © Lookphotos / Christian Bäck

Papenberg is located on the 170 kilometre long German Fehn Route, which begins and ends in Papenburg. The name 'fehn' refers to a method of cultivation used in the 16th and 17th centuries, when channels were dug up and drained.

Today, 40 kilometres of canals run through the area, with locks and romantic little bridges adorning the canals. All around is an environment of meadows and windmills, where cycling is very popular.

View of the "Devil's Moor" in sunshine © GNTB Francesco Carovillano

Federal Republic of Germany: Lower Saxony
Camping: Ems Marina Camping (Marinastrasse 14-16, Leer)
Parking space: Papenburg car park (Rathausstrasse, Papenburg)
Read more about Papenburg: Discover Papenburg
Read more about the Marsh and bog road: German Fen Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Bremen

2. Magdeburg on the Romantic Road

Magdeburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany's eastern federal states, dating back 1200 years. Located on the Elbe River, the city is filled with various historical buildings and memorials. Emperor Otto I is buried here and is depicted on the Alter Markt square.

The main attraction of the city is Magdeburg Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with its impressive towers. Other points of interest include the Monastery of Our Lady and the very special building known as the "The Green Citadel”.

Magdeburg Cathedral in the evening © www.AndreasLander.de

Magdeburg lies along the Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse), perhaps one of Germany's most popular holiday routes. Along the route you can experience both nature and culture, and nowhere else can you find so many examples of the Romantic era as here.

Flowering cherry trees on the Holzweg in Magdeburg © GNTB Felix Meyer

Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony-Anhalt
Camping: Camping Barleber See (Wiedersdorfer Strasse 30, Magdeburg)
Parking space: Am Yachthafen (Am Winterhafen 1, Magdeburg) or Stellplatz Petriförder (Petriförder 1, Magdeburg).
Read more about Magdeburg: Magdeburg: City of Otto the Great on the Elbe
Read more about the Romantic Road: Romanesque Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Hanover

3. Fulda at Allévägen

Fulda is a quiet little town located next to a river of the same name. The most iconic building in the town is Fulda Cathedral, which has ten bells hanging from its two towers.

There are also many other interesting sights in this small town. For example, there is a castle built in the early 18th century. The castle now serves as both a town hall and a museum. Other attractions include the castle garden, the baroque quarters and the charming old town. Part of the old city wall is still intact and within it you will find charming neighbourhoods with old half-timbered houses.

Fulda Cathedral in winter © Christian Tech / Tourismus Fulda.

Fulda is located along the German Avenue, which is a 3000-kilometre-long road that runs through Germany, from Rügen to the monastery island of Reichenau in Lake Constance. The area offers beautiful nature and various cultural attractions and can be explored by car, bike or on foot.

Old Town Hall in Fulda © Christian Tech / Tourismus Fulda

Federal Republic of Germany: Hesse
Camping: KNAUS Campingpark Hünfeld (Dr.-Detlev-Rudelsdorff-Allee 6, Hünfeld)
Parking space: Reisemobilplatz (Weimarer Strasse, Fulda) or Wohnmobilpark Johannisau (Johannisstrasse, Fulda).
Read more about Fulda: Welcome to Fulda
Read more about Allévägen: German Avenues Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Frankfurt

4. Kassel at Sagovägen

Kassel, the third largest city in the federal state of Hesse, is perhaps best known for being the home of the Brothers Grimm 200 years ago. The brothers' memory is commemorated through the GRIMM WORLD museum, but also through annual exhibitions and events.

Another attraction that draws visitors to Kassel is documenta, one of the world's largest exhibitions of contemporary art. It is also popular to visit the city's very special baroque park Wilhelmshöhe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kassel is located along the so-called Fairy Tale Route, a 600-kilometre holiday route that runs from Hanau to Bremen. The route revolves around the story of the Brothers Grimm and takes you to various places connected to the fairy tales. You can also visit the Grimm World Museum in Kassel.

The Brothers Grimm © Deutsche Märchenstrasse

Federal Republic of Germany: Hesse
Camping: KasselCamping (Giesenallee 9, Kassel)
Parking space: Caravan park (Giesenallee 9, Kassel)
Read more about Kassel: Kassel: a city of fairytales and works of art
Read more about Sagovägen: German Fairytale Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Leipzig

5. Bamberg at Porslinsvägen

Bamberg, located in Bavaria, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 due to its historical value. The Old Town is densely packed with historic buildings and offers a medieval atmosphere with baroque architecture and alleyways filled with cafes and pubs.

The most important buildings in the city include the magnificent cathedral and the old town hall. Other attractions include Altenburg Castle, the Old Court and St Michael's Abbey.

City Hall and the centre of Bamberg © Bamberg TKS, Michael Heger

Bamberg lies along the holiday route known as the Porcelain Route. This is a 550-kilometre-long road that leads to the Czech Republic and offers the history of porcelain. Here you can learn all sorts of things about the so-called 'white gold' and visit museums, outlets, shops and manufacturers.

Porcelain production © jahreiss. kommunikation foto film, Hohenberg a. d. Eger.

Federal Republic of Germany: Bavaria
Camping: Camping Insel (Am Campingplatz 1, Bamberg)
Parking space: Motorhome site Heinrichsdamm (Rhein-Main-Donau-Damm, Bamberg)
Read more about Bamberg: Bamberg's sights
Read more about Porslinsvägen: The Porcelain Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Würzburg

6. Hillesheim at Vulkanvägen

Hillesheim is the third largest town in the Vulkaneifel region. Here you will find, among other things, a beautiful old square and a surrounding city wall, which is largely preserved.

Malberger castle outside Hillesheim © Tourist-Information Bitburger Land

As the name Vulkaneifel suggests, the region was largely created by volcanic activity. Most of the volcanoes in the area are no longer active, but there is still some geothermal activity, such as gas intrusion and cold water geysers. The Volcano Road is a 280-kilometre route, which takes you through the volcanic area, which can showcase many special landforms including bubbling springs.

Laacher See, Vulkaneifel © Lookphotos Christian Bäck

Federal Republic of Germany: Rhineland-Palatinate
Camping: Campingpark Dockweiler-Mühle (54552 Dockweiler)
Parking space: Am Viehmarkt (Trierer Strasse 1, Hillesheim) or Birkenhof (54576, Hillesheim)
Read more about Vulkanvägen: German Volcanoes Route
See more in the neighbourhood: Koblenz

Which picturesque towns in Germany have you visited?

Which picturesque towns in Germany have you visited? Which ones can you recommend?

We end with a photo of the beautiful German city of Trier, which we visited in 2018.

Helena

08 December 2020 6:00

Germany

Motorhome holiday Germany, attraction

Helena

Administrator

23 Comments

Add yours →

Amanda (Swedish Passport) says:

But then oh my! That I still have never been to Germany is a bit of a mystery! May definitely write down these cities on the bucket list and make a proper tour of Germany one day 😉.

08 December 2020 - 8:44

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Then you still have a lot to discover, up close and personal, too.
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:32
  
  Reply
Only British says:

I recommend the little-known World Heritage town of Quedlinburg and the beautiful but better-known Goslar and Wernigerode nearby, with steam trains up to the Harz mountains. Along the Rhine, Bacharach is a gem. Where the Danube meets the Inn is the baroque gem of Passar and the over-touristy Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber is sugar-sweet. Also love Trier as you already mentioned.

08 December 2020 - 8:45

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Very interesting tips, thank you! 🙂
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:33
  
  Reply
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Now we have six new reasons to go to Germany. We totally agree with 'Just British', as we also love the half-timbered towns of Quedlinburg, Goslar, Celle and Wernigerode. Then there are plenty of gems along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, and along the Baltic Sea coast.
Hope, hope it is ok to travel again in 2021!

08 December 2020 - 9:00

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Very interesting tips, thank you! We have heard about some of the cities you mention, but we haven't visited them. After this post, we will have a long list I realise 🙂 And yes, you hope that you will be able to travel! Maybe not at the beginning of the year, but hopefully it will be easier in the spring!
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:34
  
  Reply
Hasse says:

There are several nice towns in Northwest Germany, such as Friedrichstadt. Not so far to go, if you live in southern Sweden, or stop in on the way home. Regensburg was fun, not very picturesque, but wonderfully German. Above Rostock is Warnemünde, along the harbour entrance. Somewhat touristy but nice to spend some time in when you have landed or are leaving on the ferry. There is so much to see and do, the list could be long.

08 December 2020 - 10:11

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the great tips! We will have to make a list I think 🙂
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:35
  
  Reply
brass soap dispenser says:

I found nice posts here. I like the way you write. Perfect!

08 December 2020 - 10:30

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much!
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:36
  
  Reply
Maria's memoirs says:

I have also visited Bamberg, great city! 😊 Regensburg and Freiburg are also nice cities.

08 December 2020 - 11:33

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tips! There is really sooo much to discover in Germany! 🙂
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:36
  
  Reply
Arne Lindh says:

The list of cosy German cities never ends. We haven't stayed in any of the six you list and yet we are usually in no hurry in Germany. We have been to Greifswald and Stralsund. And in Wismar with you. How lovely. Other favourites are Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Regensburg. Hitzacker is a tiny cosy town on the Elbe. Free parking and nice restaurants. We drove into Nördlingen with a motorhome and did not get out again. Crowded! But nice. Ahrweiler in the Ahr wine district and Cochem in the Moselle. In that valley, all the cities and small towns are nice to stay in. This summer we hope to do other wine regions like Rheingau, Franconia, Pfalz and maybe a detour down to Alsace, which is almost German (Elsass).

08 December 2020 - 12:13

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We have seen pictures of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but we have not been there. Thanks also for all the other tips! Now you really get the urge to travel again. so much we have left to discover in Germany!
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:38
  
  Reply
BP says:

So these pictures are just what I needed in the grey and dark winter weather today. I see that 6 years in Munich was not enough to get to know Germany. Many of the cities I have never heard of. I have to blame that I mostly moved in Bavaria and in the Alps to ski during the winter.

08 December 2020 - 17:57

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Germany is big and there is certainly a lot to discover. We have plenty left. And just by reading the comments on this post, we can find many tips 🙂.
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:40
  
  Reply
Jessica says:

Stade, a few kilometres outside Hamburg, is a small gem dating back to Swedish times.

08 December 2020 - 20:04

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tips! Interesting history from the Swedish era!
  
  09 December 2020 - 6:40
  
  Reply
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

A lot of it is recognisable.
Have visited Magdenburg and travelled much of the Romantische Strasse as well as Kassel and much of the Märchen Strasse. I have been to Fulda, but only once, so don't remember much. Hildesheim I have visited a few times and stayed in a nice and pleasant hotel in the centre. Had a great room with a nice fruit platter and got a small backpack as a gift on the first visit and more stuff other times. Often tour guides get the worst rooms, but not here. Bamberg was also long since I visited.
I have not visited Papenburg, seems to have many Dutch influences, perhaps not so strange considering where the city is located.
Thanks for nice post and nostalgia for me!

09 December 2020 - 10:22

Reply
Lena - good for the soul says:

Oh how cosy it looks. In the future, when life is a bit more normal, we will take a trip "down". There is so much we want to see. Andreas hasn't even seen these small towns that you recommend, so it will be put on the wish list!

Hug Lena

15 December 2020 - 5:49

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Robbie65 says:

A tip is to drive the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße in German) and visit the towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber with its very worthwhile old defence wall and Dinkelsbühl with the beautiful St. George's Church. Very beautiful and picturesque little towns well worth a visit.

02 August 2021 - 14:37

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Irene Johansson says:

Don't forget Luneburg, incredibly beautiful with half-timbered houses and the river Ilmenau flowing there.
A visit on the way to Goslar and Celle. Absolutely marvellous!

10 July 2022 - 18:02

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Irene says:

Don't forget Luneburg, incredibly beautiful with half-timbered houses and the river Ilmenau flowing there.
A visit on the way to Goslar and Celle. Absolutely marvellous!

10 July 2022 - 18:07

Reply

6 picturesque towns in Germany - along holiday routes

Picturesque towns in Germany

1. Papenburg on the Marsh and bog road

2. Magdeburg on the Romantic Road

3. Fulda at Allévägen

4. Kassel at Sagovägen

5. Bamberg at Porslinsvägen

6. Hillesheim at Vulkanvägen

Which picturesque towns in Germany have you visited?

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23 Comments

Amanda (Swedish Passport) says:

Helena says:

Only British says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Hasse says:

Helena says:

brass soap dispenser says:

Helena says:

Maria's memoirs says:

Helena says:

Arne Lindh says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Jessica says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Robbie65 says:

Irene Johansson says:

Irene says:

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