3-Week Epic All Around Germany Tour

21 Day Tour of Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich and Heidelberg

Overview
Trip Map
Itinerary
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Castle overlooking Altstadt of Nuremberg

Katz Castle on the Rhine River in Germany

21 Days 20 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Cultural Exploration

WWII History & Communist Era

Get intimately acquainted with Germany in this 3-week itinerary, experiencing its regional cultures, rich history, and varied landscapes. You'll see picturesque towns as you cruise the Rhine, experience the urban pulse of Berlin, venture to a fairytale castle in Bavaria, and so much more. Nine private guided tours and our detailed travel directions will empower you to experience epic day trips, gorgeous hiking trails, and off-the-beaten-path attractions. You'll truly connect to Germany, as you encounter the scars of WWII and the splendor of medieval towns and baroque architecture, as well as the modern wonders of its cities.

Take a day cruise on the Rhine River, weaving through medieval towns and vineyard-clad hills.
Check out Hamburg's notorious Reeperbahn and soak in the atmosphere on bustling squares in Dresden.
Stroll Berlin's streets, where the Berlin Wall's remnants tell tales of division and reunification.
Delve into the somber history of the WWII era in Nuremberg, exploring the former Nazi Rally Grounds.
Venture to the Alps to see Neuschwanstein Castle, the epitome of fairytale fantasy.
Enjoy hearty cuisine and traditional Bavarian music in Munich's legendary beer halls.
Savor Heidelberg's medieval Old Town from its romantic castle ruins and explore the Black Forest.

Take a day cruise on the Rhine River, weaving through medieval towns and vineyard-clad hills.
Check out Hamburg's notorious Reeperbahn and soak in the atmosphere on bustling squares in Dresden.
Stroll Berlin's streets, where the Berlin Wall's remnants tell tales of division and reunification.
Delve into the somber history of the WWII era in Nuremberg, exploring the former Nazi Rally Grounds.
Venture to the Alps to see Neuschwanstein Castle, the epitome of fairytale fantasy.
Enjoy hearty cuisine and traditional Bavarian music in Munich's legendary beer halls.
Savor Heidelberg's medieval Old Town from its romantic castle ruins and explore the Black Forest.

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

Hamburg Rathaus (Town Hall)

Historic Landmarks

The Brandenburg Gate

Historic Landmarks

The Reichstag

Architecture

Zwinger

Museums & Galleries

Nuremberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Nazi Rally Grounds

The Great War & WWII

Old Town

Architecture

Heidelberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Must see sights

Cologne Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage

Hamburg Rathaus (Town Hall)

Historic Landmarks

The Brandenburg Gate

Historic Landmarks

The Reichstag

Architecture

Zwinger

Museums & Galleries

Nuremberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Nazi Rally Grounds

The Great War & WWII

Old Town

Architecture

Heidelberg Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Starting from

$5899

per person

Not included

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3-Week Germany Trip - Map & Itinerary

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3-Week Germany Trip Timeline

Arrival

2 nights

Frankfurt

Germany

Train: 1.5h

2 nights

Cologne

Germany

Train: 4.5h

2 nights

Hamburg

Germany

Train: 2h

3 nights

Berlin

Germany

Train: 2.5h

3 nights

Dresden

Germany

Train: 1.5h

Train: 2.5h

2 nights

Nuremberg

Germany

Train: 1.5h

3 nights

Munich

Germany

Train: 4h

Train: 0.5h

3 nights

Heidelberg

Germany

Departure

Day-By-Day Itinerary of 3-Week Germany Trip

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

To Be Determined

Airport Transfer

Frankfurt has one main airport, Frankfurt Airport, where most visitors arrive. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. The cheapest and fastest way to reach central Frankfurt is by train, as there is a train station located within the airport (just follow the signs). The highspeed InterCity trains, Regional trains, and SBahn trains all have direct routes from the airport to the main train station in Frankfurt (Frankfurt Hbf). Tickets for the ICE trains cost about 15 EUR while tickets for Regional trains and Sbahn are only about 5 EUR. The journey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. From the Frankfurt main rail station, you can take a much cheaper taxi or Uber to your hotel, or perhaps even walk. Please note that if flying into the somewhat deceptively named Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, you will need to arrange bus or other transportation to Frankfurt. This airport is actually located about a 90 minute drive from central Frankfurt.

Arrival in Frankfurt Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — City Center

Frankfurt survived the ravages of WWII to resurrect itself as the financial capital of continental Europe and combines traditional timber German buildings with modern glass and metal skyscrapers. Discover Frankfurt's New Old Town with a square that is lined with reconstructed timber houses. Surrounding Altstadt is the Innenstadt, the beating heart of both Frankfurt's and Germany’s finance industry, as well as being a business district full of bars, restaurants, and upmarket clothing shops. While there, enjoy a breathtaking view of Frankfurt and its surroundings from the Main Tower restaurant and observation deck.

Römerberg

Walk through a town square whose existence was nearly obliterated from history during WWII.

This historic town square was completely destroyed during bombing raids in WWII, but the structures have been reconstructed in their original form, including the medieval half-timbered burgher homes lining the square, the City Hall, and the Gothic-style Emperor’s Cathedral of St. Bartholomew. The cathedral is certainly worth a quick visit into the interior.

Paulskirche

Visit one of the most politically symbolic places in all of Germany.

The red brick church of St. Paul (Paulskirche), located just off the Römerberg, is seen as a memorial to the start of democracy in Germany. This is because it was the seat of the 1848 Frankfurt Parliament, the first freely-elected German legislative body. As with most buildings in Frankfurt, this church was completely destroyed in 1944 but was quickly rebuilt after the war. It was inaugurated on May 18, 1948, on the 100th anniversary of the German National Assembly. 

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt

Indulge all your desires for fresh produce and other delicacies in this 16,000 square foot (1500 sqm) indoor culinary paradise.

This market, with over 150 stands, is the place to find fresh produce, flowers, meats, and more. Be sure to sample all of the regional culinary delicacies including Frankfurt’s “Green Sauce”.

Main Tower

Enjoy a long afternoon lunch or a romantic dinner overlooking the city from one of Germany's tallest buildings.

Reaching a height of 285m/935ft, the Main Tower is Germany’s fourth tallest building. The observation deck provides visitors with outstanding panoramic views of the city and the surroundings. The Main Tower Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, but it is recommended to make reservations on the website (https://www.maintower.de/en/observation-deck-more/restaurant-lounge/).

Day 1

Arrive Frankfurt

To Be Determined:

Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon:

City Center

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

Overview

Airport Transfer

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — City Center

Römerberg

Walk through a town square whose existence was nearly obliterated from history during WWII.

Paulskirche

Visit one of the most politically symbolic places in all of Germany.

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt

Indulge all your desires for fresh produce and other delicacies in this 16,000 square foot (1500 sqm) indoor culinary paradise.

This market, with over 150 stands, is the place to find fresh produce, flowers, meats, and more. Be sure to sample all of the regional culinary delicacies including Frankfurt’s “Green Sauce”.

Main Tower

Enjoy a long afternoon lunch or a romantic dinner overlooking the city from one of Germany's tallest buildings.

Day 2

Frankfurt

Day 2

Frankfurt

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Rhine River, Guided

Journey along the romantic Rhine on a full-day guided excursion from Frankfurt and take in the UNESCO-listed wonders of the Rhine Valley. Set sail on a river boat from the town of Rüdesheim and cruise past sweeping vineyards, medieval towns and mountaintop castles.

Guided Excursion to the Rhine River

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Rhine River Gorge

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

Guided Excursion to the Rhine River

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Rhine River Gorge

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

Guided Excursion to the Rhine River

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Rhine River Gorge

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM — Rhine River, Guided

Rhine River Gorge

Floating a boat is the best way through the German lore of this UNESCO-protected valley

The UNESCO-protected Rhine River Gorge, between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. Its inspiring natural beauty, steep vineyards, many castles, and Roman-founded towns that dot its banks draw foreigners and Germans alike. Picturesque views, fairy-tale castles perched on high cliffs, and the Lorelei Rock, where legends say a siren lured sailors to their doom await you. Well, except the siren...

Late Afternoon — North & South Banks

You can explore Frankfurt's Financial District and Jewish museums on the northern bank of the Main River and then spend some time walking along the river in Nizza Park. Once you're ready, cross the pedestrian Iron Bridge, weighted down with love locks, to the South Bank and Sachsenhausen, a district of Frankfurt that is renowned for its riverside museums dedicated to the arts and film as well as its lively restaurants and nightlife.

Sachsenhausen

Take a trip across the river to see Frankfurt's laid back side.

The city of Frankfurt protected itself with a wall from 1390, and the village of Sachsenhausen was fortunate enough to be enveloped within the walls. This district still has a village atmosphere thanks to its cobblestone lanes and small squares. The Alte Sachsenhausen is located on the eastern part of the district close to the river. It is here that visitors can find traditional pubs, half-timbered houses, and narrow alleyways, and can choose from a good selection of bars and restaurants as well as music and nightlife. Be sure to try some of the famous Aplfelwein (apple wine or cider), that Sachsenhausen is famous for, with a plate of Frankfurt Green Sauce. 

Nizza Park

Find a nice bench to relax and take in the river view, and then go for a stroll with the locals.

The park is the perfect place to experience the river bank while taking in the optimistic, can-do atmosphere of this business-focused city. The park runs for 2.5km between the Lower Main Quay and the Friedensbrücke (Bridge of Peace). The park dates all the way back to the 17th century, and due to the moderate climate along the river, it's even possible to grow Mediterranean plants such as figs and olive trees. In warm weather, you'll find beer tents and other opportunities for refreshment and socializing.

Iron Bridge (Eiserner Steg)

Capture the best view of Frankfurt's skyline from this charming iron bridge.

The Eiserner Steg is the 170m/557ft iron footbridge that connects Frankfurt’s north and south banks. The bridge offers scenic views of both sides of the river, and undoubtedly the best view of Frankfurt’s famous skyline is from the Eiserner Steg looking north. Be sure to go in the evenings for the best lighting.

Dreikönigskirche (Church of the Three Kings)

Check out the lovely mid-century stained-glass windows in this riverside church.

The neo-Gothic church is a Lutheran parish located directly on the south bank of the river. Visitors come mainly to enjoy the wonderful stained-glass windows by artist Charles Crodel, which were installed in 1956 to replace those destroyed in the war.

Städel Museum

Make a visit to Frankfurt's most important art collection.

Städel is an art museum with 2,700 paintings, 100,000 drawings and prints, and 600 sculptures, including many masterpieces. The museum was founded in 1815 when the banker Johann Friedrich Städel left his priceless personal art collection to the city in his will. The exhibited art stretches back into the middle ages, however, the museum has worked hard to continuously increase its contemporary art collection as well. 

Early Evening/Evening — Dining Out

Energetic Innenstadt makes up Frankfurt’s financial and commercial center, and is packed with outdoor cafes and swanky restaurants. The fun lies in diverse cuisines, sky-high views, and ample people-watching – suited bankers, shoppers, and tourists doing their thing, framed by the contrast of high-rises and medieval Altstadt buildings. Nearby attractions such as the Goethe House museum, Oper Frankfurt, and MMK Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, mean dining can be somewhat expensive in Frankfurt’s Innenstadt, but after all the sightseeing you’ll be doing around here anyway, you might as well enjoy one of the many worthwhile restaurants in the area while taking in the downtown bustle. Feel like some Japanese, Greek, Indian, African, or German cuisine with an avante garde twist? You'll find it here, along with many more options.

Day 2

Frankfurt

Day 3

Frankfurt to Cologne

Day 3

Frankfurt to Cologne

9:15 AM

Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Frankfurt hbf (i.e. Frankfurt Main Station) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

9:15 AM — Transfer to Rail Station

10:14 - 11:39 — Train to Cologne

The rail journey to Cologne only takes an hour on the fastest trains. You will speed past the scenic landscape of the Rhine Valley and arrive before you know it. The journey is especially convenient since you can take a direct train.

11:39 AM — Transfer from Rail Station

There are two main rail stations where visitors arrive in Cologne. You will likely arrive in the Cologne main station (Köln hbf, i.e. hauptbahnhof) although keep in mind that you amay arrive in the Messe/Deutz station just across the river from the main station.. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are an option. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM — Highlights Walking Tour of Cologne

Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel. During this 2-hour walking tour, you will have a chance to get to know many interesting facts about the history of Cologne and visit the biggest highlights of the town. Among the others you will see: Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Roncalliplatz, Rheinboulevard, Heumarkt & Alter Markt, Hänneschentheater, Cologne City Hall, Typical Kölsch brewery. After the end of the tour the guide will be happy to give you the recommendations for the rest of your stay in Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral

See Germany's most visited landmark for yourself and then climb a tower that was once the tallest in the world.

Construction began in 1248 but was paused in the 1500's and did not continue until the 19th century. Once completed in 1880, it was the tallest building in the world and to this day it has the tallest twin spires of any Gothic church in the world. The towers’ spires reach a height of 157 m (515 ft). The cathedral is as large as it is strong. During WWII the church was struck with 14 aerial bombs; its enormous size made it a good landmark for the Allied aircraft bombers. Although it was badly damaged by these attacks, it remained standing. The cathedral is home to many treasures, such as the high altar which was constructed in 1322 and is made out of solid black marble. Its most celebrated work of art is the Shrine of the Three Kings. The golden structure is believed to hold the remains to the Three Wise Men, whose remnants were brought from Milan in 1164. Those with a strong constitution can climb 533 steps to a viewing platform on the south tower.

Late Afternoon — Nazi Documentation Center, Self-Guided

Cologne’s National Socialism Documentation Center is the largest regional memorial site in Germany for the victims of Nazism. Housed in the city's former Gestapo Headquarters, the Center is a place of commemoration, learning and research all in one, with a highly effective and evocative interactive permanent exhibition at its core.

Evening — Kölsch Beer Culture

Kölsch beer is a special beer only brewed in Cologne. It's a light ale and is served in traditional tall and cylindrical 0.2 litre Kölsch glasses which waiters carry around in purpose-built circular serving receptacles that look like communion trays. Beer lovers often find that the regional specialties are the brews that are most distinctive and memorable, and no style better exemplifies that spirit of community pride and distinction than Kölsch. Indeed, Cologne boasts more breweries than any other major city worldwide. You can taste for yourself and get to know the etiquette associated with Kölsch beer during an evening out in Cologne's bars and brew houses.

Day 3

Frankfurt to Cologne

Day 4

Cologne

Day 4

Cologne

Morning to Afternoon

Bonn Excursion

Take a less than half hour train ride to what was until the fall of the Berlin Wall the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Bonn has reverted back to provincial status, but plenty remains to see of its former capital status, including the modern government district and a general spread of fascinating museums, all located near a very attractive stretch of the Rhine River. The city also makes the most of its associations with Beethoven, who was born here and whose birthplace has been turned into a museum also. You can also embark upon the Weg der Demokratie ("Path of Democracy"), a signposted walkthrough of sites associated with Bonn's period as the federal capital.

City Hall (Rathaus)

See one of the Bonn's liveliest squares in front of the historic town hall.

Haus der Geschichte

Take a trip back into the recent past and learn about the old West Germany.

Kunstmuseum Bonn

Experience a unique gallery space filled with groundbreaking modern art.

Excursion to the former West German capital of Bonn

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Beethoven-Haus

See the home where Ludwig van Beethoven was born in an attic room in 1770.

City Hall (Rathaus)

See one of the Bonn's liveliest squares in front of the historic town hall.

Haus der Geschichte

Take a trip back into the recent past and learn about the old West Germany.

Kunstmuseum Bonn

Experience a unique gallery space filled with groundbreaking modern art.

Excursion to the former West German capital of Bonn

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Beethoven-Haus

See the home where Ludwig van Beethoven was born in an attic room in 1770.

City Hall (Rathaus)

See one of the Bonn's liveliest squares in front of the historic town hall.

Morning to Afternoon — Bonn Excursion

Beethoven-Haus

See the home where Ludwig van Beethoven was born in an attic room in 1770.

Beethoven was born here thanks to his father's position as court musician with the Electorate of Cologne, whose capital Bonn was at the time. You'll see family portraits, pianos, Beethoven's death mask and ear trumpets, and the room he was born in. Other than the very creaky wood-floors, the museum is without listening stations as you'd expect, so you have to be a true Beethoven admirer to truly appreciate the exhibits by themselves. But thankfully there is music and his life story told on the audio guide, which we highly suggest if you want to get the most out of the museum.

City Hall (Rathaus)

See one of the Bonn's liveliest squares in front of the historic town hall.

The Bonn town hall is an attractive 18th century roccoco building. Visiting VIPs during the town's halycon days as federal capital, like Charles de Gaulle and John F. Kennedy, would roll out in front of the crowds on the Rathaus steps. Today the square in front of the town hall is filled with cafes and is a favorite gathering place for both locals and visitors.

Haus der Geschichte

Take a trip back into the recent past and learn about the old West Germany.

For modern history buffs, the Haus der Geschichte is a museum dedicated to the story of the German state since 1945, looking at the social and economic rebirth of a nation in ruins. 

Kunstmuseum Bonn

Experience a unique gallery space filled with groundbreaking modern art.

The Kunstmuseum is a splendid hub of German art, showcasing bright works by Rhineland expressionist August Macke, challenging pieces by abstract painter Ernst Wilhelm Nay, and slabs of contemporary colour by modernist Thomas Rentmeister. Its starkly beautiful modernist interior also contains a substantial collection of post-1945 German art. 

Late Afternoon — Old Town

Cologne has a history stretching well back into Roman times, and it is most famous for its massive Gothic Cathedral. While the Altstadt, i.e. the Old Town, is full of small alleyways and historic buildings, many are not in their original form because nearly three quarters of the city was leveled by WWII bombing raids. Indeed, in many ways Cologne feels like a modern city built onto the bones of an ancient city. With that said, there are many sites well-worth seeing, as well as great museums, such as the Romano-Germanic and Ludwig Museums. Taking a walk along the promenade on the Rhine River is also a must.

Cologne Cathedral

See Germany's most visited landmark for yourself and then climb a tower that was once the tallest in the world.

Modern Art Museum/Ludwig Museum

Explore a tremendous collection of modern art from greats such as Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

The Museum of Modern Art is a former collection of Peter Ludwig, a German chocolatier who is said to have had the largest private collection of art until his passing in 1996. Ludwig also helped many other museums by donating or lending them pieces from his collection after WWII. In 1976 Ludwig donated 350 art pieces, then valued at $45 million, to the Wallraf-Richartz Museum. The collection donated was so large that the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art was constructed. The collection ranges from Pop Art to Abstract and Surrealism. It is also said to be the largest collection of works by Pablo Picasso in all of Europe. The Cologne Card provides a 20% discount on entrance.

Church of Great St. Martin

Descend into the basement to find the Roman origins of this distinctive church.

The unusual crossing tower of the Church of Great St. Martin has shaped the Cologne skyline since the middle ages. Built on top of the remains of a Roman warehouse, it actually incorporates the remains. The church was severely damaged during WWII and during the repairs many archeological excavations took place. The reconstruction created a smooth transition from the foundations of the Roman warehouse to the walls of the church aisles. The church is open to the public and the Roman remains may be seen in the basement.

Chocolate Museum

Visit the real-life Willy Wonka Chocolate factory on an island in the Rhine River.

Founded in 1993 by Hans Imhoff and his wife, this museum is dedicated to the history and production of chocolate. The large complex sits on an island in the Rhine. It not only displays the discovery and history of chocolate as it was used by the Mayans and the Aztecs but also includes a walk-through palm house to show the environment in which cocoa beans are grown. The museum is also a working chocolate factory and visitors can see the production of chocolate from start to finish behind glass walls. Visitors even have the opportunity to create a custom bar of chocolate. As one of the most visited museums in the city, the Chocolate Museum is not to be missed. The Cologne Card provides a 25% entry discount.

Day 4

Cologne

Day 5

Cologne to Hamburg

Day 5

Cologne to Hamburg

8:10 AM

Taxi Dropoff at Rail Station

There are two main rail stations where visitors depart from Cologne. You will likely depart from the Cologne main station (Köln hbf, i.e hauptbahnhof), but be careful to check that you should not depart from the station Messe/Deutz, which is located just across the river. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Rail Taxi Dropoff

8:10 AM — Taxi Dropoff at Rail Station

09:09 - 13:14 — Train to Hamburg

Your approximately 4-hour rail journey to Hamburg will speed past the pleasant countryside of northwest Germany. First you will travel north through the Rhine Valley, and then cross Germany's industrial heartland. You will then enter the flat coastal plain of northern Germany where Hamburg lies.. The journey is especially convenient since you can take a direct train.

1:14 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Hamburg Hbf (i.e. Hauptbahnhof - Main Rail Station), the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are an option. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Highlights Walking Tour

During this privately guided tour you will visit a lot of the important places and monuments of Hamburg. You will get a unique view of the city, explore the town center, the warehouse district, the new city planning project HafenCity and the port area.

Aussenalster Lake

Enjoy a peaceful walk, rent a boat, or take a bike ride around the public parks surrounding the Außenalster Lake just to the north of the old town.

The banks of the Außenalster, or Outer Lake, are the perfect spot for a gentle stroll at any time of the year.  During the summer, make like a real Hamburger and take to the  placid water by boat; there plenty of lakeside rental sites.  In cold winters, you can follow the Hamburgers out onto the ice. The lakeshore is also populated by a number of restaurants and cafes; if you want to go fully native, try the beer garden at the Alsterperle on the eastern side of the lake, though the best food is at either Alster Cliff or Portonovo. But, whatever you do, don't eat the Hamburgers, they're generally quite pleasant people.

Speicherstadt Museum

Make a quick stop at this small museum showcasing the history of the district.

The Speicherstadt Museum is on the small side and quite edifying. This is where you can find out more about the history of the Speicherstadt district, the reasons for its construction, the industries that were headquartered here, and its reconstruction after WWII. 

Early Evening/Evening — St. Pauli

St. Pauli is known best for its Reeperbahn street, one of Hamburg's main centers for nightlife. The district is also infamous for its red-light districts and the amount of erotic entertainment and retail outlets available for those so inclined. Notwithstanding this, however, the area is safe and well-policed and has much to offer for those of more conventional tastes, including parks, museums, the fish market and decommissioned Soviet U-Boat along the river, and many types of more family-friendly entertainment. St. Pauli and especially the Reeperbahn are also bound up with the Beatles' genesis, with John Lennon having declared "I might have been born in Liverpool - but I grew up in Hamburg." For this reason, you can find a monument to the group on the eponymous "Beatles-platz" as a testament to the impact they and the city had on each other.

Reeperbahn

Check out the nightlife where Hamburg attempts to combine Bourbon Street, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas in one street.

The street is filled with nightclubs and restaurants, as well as strip clubs, brothels, and similar businesses. There is plenty to do in the way of more innocent entertainment, however, as there are theaters, musicals, and other attractions to enjoy. One should be aware that while the area is safe, travelers, especially unaccompanied males, are often approached by sex workers.  At the far western end of the Reeperbahn, before entering the neon-lit Große Freiheit street, you will find the Beatles-platz, a circular plaza designed to look like a vinyl record in its dimensions and coloring.

Red Light District (Hamburg)

Take a cautious peek at the "not-so-family-friendly" side of Hamburg.

While there are numerous clubs spread around the area, you will find the core of the Red Light District on Herbertstraße. A barrier blocks the view of the street, and signs advise women and underage men not to enter. While this is not legally binding, prostitutes have been known behave aggressively and chase out women. If you do enter, be prepared to be loudly solicited. Try to keep your wits about you, not to mention your valuables and even your scruples.

Hamburg Fischmarkt and Harbor

Stroll Along the Boat-lined Harbor and See Where Locals Go for Fresh-Caught Fish.

For a change of scenery from the Reeperbahn, you can head down towards the Fish Market. This market operates every Sunday morning throughout the year, starting at 5am in the summer (April-October) and 7am in the winter (November-March), ending in both cases at 9:30am. Even if you don’t manage to get there for the market itself, however, the walk and view along the harbor is well worth it, and the Reeperbahn party can continue with live music and dancing in the Fischauktionshalle (the Fish Auction Hall).

U-Boat Museum

Descend beneath the surface in the steel bowels of a Soviet submarine.

A former Soviet U-434 submarine has rested in Hamburg’s harbor in front of the Fischmarkt market hall since 2002, having been built in Krasnoe Sormovo in 1976 and subsequently serving the Russian North Sea fleet. The submarine museum is a great way to experience the claustrophobia and the uncomfortable living conditions that came with being housed underwater among dozens of other sailors. 

Day 5

Cologne to Hamburg

Day 6

Hamburg

Day 6

Hamburg

Morning/Mid-Day

Speicherstadt

The warehouses of Speicherstadt helped make Hamburg a world-class port in the late 19th century, and despite severe damage in Allied bombing raids during the WWII, it's been restored to its pristine best. Here you'll find the incredibly instructive nine-floor Maritime Museum, the world's largest model railway exhibition at Miniatur Wunderland, and the city's latest architectural icon, the Elbphilharmonie. Literally "Warehouse City," Speicherstadt contains the world's largest complex of warehouses, spanning an area of 260,000 square meters (a little over 64 acres). It was built on the Elbe river between 1883 and the late 1920s on thousands of oak piles. Its beautiful neo-gothic brick architecture makes for a curious contrast to the modern steel-and-glass constructions of neighbouring HafenCity.

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Get lost in the dizzyingly labryinthine Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

See one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the entire world, built on top of an old warehouse.

Cap San Diego

Experience a by-gone era of the high seas on this former cargo ship.

Wander the Warehouse District of Speicherstadt

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Minatur Wunderland

Experience the world in miniature on the planet's largest model railroad system.

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Get lost in the dizzyingly labryinthine Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

See one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the entire world, built on top of an old warehouse.

Cap San Diego

Experience a by-gone era of the high seas on this former cargo ship.

Wander the Warehouse District of Speicherstadt

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Minatur Wunderland

Experience the world in miniature on the planet's largest model railroad system.

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Get lost in the dizzyingly labryinthine Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind.

Morning/Mid-Day — Speicherstadt

Minatur Wunderland

Experience the world in miniature on the planet's largest model railroad system.

Whether you're a model train enthusiast or not, you can't help but be mesmerized by the world's largest model railroad system at Minatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland). This mind-boggling exhibit goes into breathtaking detail to create a bewildering number of scenes. If you're well traveled in Europe, you'll instantly recognize some of the most iconic places on the continent. Tiny, and humourous, details populate the exhibit, such as the man leading his pigs into Rome's Termini rail station, or the nude flash mob on a Swiss mountain side. The Wonderland includes a restaurant and one of the best gift shops in Hamburg. 

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Get lost in the dizzyingly labryinthine Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind.

You could spend several days on the nine "decks" of the Maritime Museum, exploring three thousand years of extraordinarily precious exhibits. Highlights include the deck dedicated to German military navel history, and the exhibit explaining the Cape Horn Captains' Brotherhood - captains who sailed a commercial sailing ships around the notorious waters at Cape Horn. Pick up some brilliant trivial knowledge as well, including the tale of Mississippi boat pilots who would measure the river depth beneath them; when they had 3.65m, indicating there was no danger of grounding, they would exclaim "Mark twain!" One of those pilots was then know as Samuel Langhorne Clemens. 

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

See one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the entire world, built on top of an old warehouse.

Hamburg boasts one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world in the Elbphilharmonie. Built onto the top of an old warehouse at a cost of 789 million EUR (a bit more than the estimated 200 million EUR) and opened in 2017, you can be sure to get your money's worth from a performance here. The glassy construction resembles a hoisted sail or a wave. The Elbphilharmonie has three concert venues, including the illustrious Great Concert Hall that accommodates 2,100 visitors seated to surround the performers. About 10,000 individually installed microshaped drywall plates disperse sound waves.  It's a sight, and sound to behold. 

Cap San Diego

Experience a by-gone era of the high seas on this former cargo ship.

The ship is docked on the Elbe River within a short walk of the Speicherstadt. Built in 1961, it has been converted into a maritime museum having been made obsolescent by the massive container ships of today. Visiting the ship is a must for those that have a technical interest in sea-faring and naval engineering, but it is also interesting for those with a more general interest in how life was lived on the high seas. So in addition to massive engine and mechanical rooms, you'll also see cabins, dining quarters, a swimming pool, and much more.

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Hamburg Altstadt

Ravaged by floods and fires, the story of old Hamburg is one of disaster, persistence, and regeneration. Following heavy bombing during World War II, the city has rebuilt itself again with an emphasis on economy and pragmatism. At a glance it would appear little remains of the Hamburg Altstadt, making what does all the more significant. The burnt remnants of St. Nikolai's church stands as a lasting monument to Hamburg's wartime events. while many cherished fragments of Hamburg’s lively past hide throughout the city center, awaiting discovery. Keep your eyes open, and an illustrious past will open up to you.

Hamburg Rathaus

Take a tour of the ornate town hall or explore the ground floor and courtyards on your own.

Completed in 1897, the Rathaus (Town Hall) tells the story of Hamburg in ornate detail. A phoenix symbolizes the renewal of the city follwing the Great Fire of 1842.  Other sculptures represent important virtues. Ribboned around the building are twenty kings and emperors, but above windows rest "everyday folk", such as fishermen and merchants; the Rathaus serves all. In the main courtyard, one can find the "wedding gate," a door carved with an oafish husband and henpecking wife. Originally intended as the exit for the newly-wedded, this inauspicious door has never been used, lest it curse the just-married with  the fate of the aged spouses.

St. Nikolai Memorial

Experience a somber reminder of the horrors of war.

The charred remains of St. Nikolai loom over the Altstadt, a haunting reminder of July 1943 when Allied bombers attacked Hamburg for 8 relentless days. Upwards of 42,600 civilians were killed, much of the city decimated. The resulting inferno created tornadic fires with flames reaching an estimated thousand feet - twice the height of St. Nikolai’s spire. The accompanying stories are grisly. Preserved as a memorial against conflict, the remnants of the church house a museum that explains Hamburg’s role in WWII. Included with admission is access to the observation tower; an elevator can take you up the structurally secure old spire.

Deichstraße

Wander down the oldest street in Hamburg and follow the alleyways to the canal.

From Deichstraße (‘Dike street’), the oldest street in Hamburg, began one of the city's greatest tragedies. On May 5th, 1842, a fire started in a cigar factory at 42 Deichstraße; little could be done and the fire consumed the Altstadt.  You will see, the area has recovered. If you would like to stop for lunch or dinner, the restaurants on Deichstraße are generally of high quality and reasonably priced. Follow the alleyways between the restaurants to the canal where you can see the old merchant houses as they were rebuilt after the fire. These half-timbered houses were historically used as warehouses on the lower floors, while a family lived above.

Church of St. Michel

Visit the sea-shell like interior of one of Germany's most beautiful Lutheran churches, and climb to the observation deck for a city view.

Unlike older churches in Hamburg originally Catholic, St. Michel’s was built in Baroque after the Reformation, as a Protestant church. The 132-meter-high steeple has been a constant landmark for sailors on the Elbe since its construction in 1786. Covered in copper, it gleams in the sunlight, and the clockface is the largest of its kind in Germany. Inside the church gives the impression of a curled seashell. Boasting 5 organs, concerts at St. Michel’s are renowned for their acoustics. The church is free to enter. For 10 €, you can visit the tower's observation deck, which offers the best views over Hamburg, and the crypt as well.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Alster Wander Way

The Außenalster, or Outer Lake, is the perfect spot for a gentle stroll or cycling trip at any time of the year since it provides respite from the city crowds while remaining within the city. It's a walk of approximately 5.5km/3.4mi around the lake. During the summer, it's covered in pleasure craft as the Hamburgers take to the water with a vengeance. There are also plenty of boat rental sites should you feel drawn to the lake's placid waters yourself. The lakeshore is also populated by a number of restaurants and cafes, and if you're wanting to go fully native, then we recommend the beer garden at the Alsterperle on the eastern side of the lake, though the best food is at either Alster Cliff or Portonovo. In cold winters, the lake sometimes freezes over and thousands of Hamburgers swarm onto the ice.

Jungfernstieg

Take a stroll down Hamburg's most stylish promendade and stop for coffee and people-watching.

Reclining along the southern shore of Binnealster Lake, the Jungfernstieg boulevard elegantly wears its banks, art galleries, and high-end shops. Its name originates from when the city's elite families accompanied their unmarried daughters along the boulevard, seeking a suitable matrimonial partnership; hence, Jungfernstieg derives from Jungfern (i.e. maiden) and Stieg (i.e. stair, walk). For dining out and a quiet drink - well, darling, it's simply a must.  At least take a coffee at Café Alex, located inside the atmospheric Alsterpavillon; it has been serving coffees since 1799.

Early Evening/Evening — Dining Out

Eating out in Hamburg has never been more popular as it is now due to all the new hotspots in the district known as HafenCity. Hamburg’s former industrial port area was largely in disuse for many years – and now it’s home to Europe’s largest urban renewal project and is the city’s most exciting district. It is flourishing with new hangouts set against a scenic waterfront and a warehouse quarter. Along with such sparkling new structures, the area’s industrial bones, like old freight and railway buildings, are also getting a second life as some of Hamburg’s coolest havens. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! You can also make your way along the Elbe river towards St. Pauli. There you will find plenty of riverside fish restaurants where you can watch the boats pass. In the streets nearby, there are plenty of affordable spots, representing cuisine from all over the world, but popular with the locals for everyday dining. .

Day 6

Hamburg

Day 7

Hamburg to Berlin

Day 7

Hamburg to Berlin

Morning

Emigration Museum

The BallinStadt Emigration Museum, located in the Veddel quarter of the borough of Hamburg Mitte, is a testament to Hamburg's importance in the 19th and 20th centuries as a marine gateway to the rest of the world. Around five million European emigrants left their homes at this port during that time to travel to greener pastures in America and other parts of the New World. This museum stands in order to tell their story and, perhaps, that of your own ancestors.

Visit to the BallinStadt Emigration Museum

Morning — Emigration Museum

2:35 PM — Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Hamburg Hbf (i.e. Hauptbahnhof - Main Rail Station), the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

15:37 - 17:22 — Train to Berlin

You will likely be traveling on the high-speed inter-city express train (ICE), which reaches speeds up to 300 km/h when traveling from Hamburg to Berlin. This means you can reach Berlin in under two hours, and you will have a free Wifi connection, a socket at your seat for charging your electronic devices, and the option of onboard catering with meals, drinks, and snacks. After departing Hamburg you will travel through the flat but pleasant countryside of northern Germany before reaching a region of thick pine forests surrounding Berlin.

5:22 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Berlin Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. The station is well connected by public transport to all of central Berlin; U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and bus all service the station. This means public transport is often the fastest and easiest way of reaching the station. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest, so if you prefer the convenience of not carrying your bags on public transport, they are a good option. Uber is also a good option, and some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags.

Early Evening/Evening — Courtyards of Berlin

With booming 19th-century population growth, nearly every unoccupied space in Berlin was filled by tenement buildings surrounding small courtyards. The Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood possesses some of Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards, the Hackesche Höfe, as well as other courtyards which better recall the crowded conditions of industrial Berlin. Here you can discover the partially reconstructed New Synagogue, the former site of the Jewish cemetery, and many hidden reminders of a once vibrant community.

Hackesche Höfe

Stop for a drink or go shopping within Berlin’s most beautiful courtyards.

These nine courtyards are classic examples of Art Deco. Built in 1905-1907 to house businesses, flats and places of entertainment, Hackesche Höfe was conceived of as an antidote to the dowdy and overcrowded courtyards of working-class Berlin. They are elaborately decorated with blue mosaic tiles and other artistic finishes, but nevertheless preserve a layout that was highly typical of much of pre-war Berlin.

Haus Schwarzenberg

Explore a traditional Berlin alleyway courtyard which harbours a trio of small museums relating to the Jewish experience during WWII.

The courtyard's crumbling and grafittied facades give visitors a feel for Berlin tenement life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the museums is the fascinating Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Wendt (free; open 10am-8pm daily). It is located in the former rooms of a broom and brush factory run by one Otto Wendt, whose employees were mainly deaf, blind and Jewish. He managed to protect his workers from the concentration camps by having the factory declared essential to the war effort.  

New Synagogue

Visit one of the most important legacies of Berlin's pre-Holocaust Jewish community.

The partially reconstructed synagogue was damaged on Kristallnacht, an anti-Jewish Nazi pogrom. It was not completely destroyed thanks to the intervention of the local police chief. Its ultimate destruction was left to Allied bombers and reconstruction didn’t begin until the late 1980s. While large parts remain unreconstructed, it is still possible to visit the interior.

Day 7

Hamburg to Berlin

Day 8

Berlin

Day 8

Berlin

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Guided Walking Tour of Berlin

On this 3 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Berlin and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the boulevard Unter den Linden, the Gendarmenmarkt, Check Point Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Reichstag.

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Guided Walking Tour of Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

The Brandenburg Gate was built as a symbol of peace, perverted into a symbol of power by the Nazis, and became a symbol of division during the Cold War. Now, however, it is a symbol of reunification. Completed in 1791, it was topped by the quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by the goddess of peace. Napoleon seized the quadriga as a spoil of war, but after his defeat, it was returned to the city and met by cheering crowds along the way, transforming the goddess of peace into a goddess of victory, holding a  Germanic cross.

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Officially, the Reichstag is actually the Bundestag, which means the federal parliament. The Reichstag was reduced to a ruined shell by arson in 1933 and by World War II fighting, but it was rebuilt with a striking egg-shaped glass dome. Visitors are given a free audio guide that discusses the building’s history and architecture, while also orientating you to the sites of Berlin. It is an excellent introduction to the city. Note that it is usually necessary to book well in advance!

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Iconic Berlin

Many of Berlin’s most iconic symbols are found within a short walk of each other. Most famous of all is the Brandenburg Gate. First built as a symbol of peace, it became a symbol of division during the Cold War. A few steps away stands the Reichstag, which was destroyed in the climax of World War II but which has been beautifully rebuilt with a glass dome. Meanwhile, the modernistic Sony Center also symbolizes a revitalized and rebuilt Berlin. Also close by is the sobering Holocaust Memorial, with its more than 2700 concrete slabs creating an ominous impression of loss. Just beyond it is another reminder of Germany's darkest period - the site of Hitler's bunker during the seige of Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate

Quadriga. Hey, There's a Word to Know When Learning About this Historic Gate

Reichstag

Make your way to the top of the dome enjoying amazing views and looking down at debating members of the German Parliament below.

Sony Center

Check out the futuristic and ground-breaking Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz.

The visually dramatic and future-aesthetic Sony Center is a complex of entertainment, shopping, and office buildings surrounding a plaza canopied by a tentlike glass roof with supporting beams radiating out like bicycle spokes. It also integrates rare relics from Potsdamer Platz's prewar era, such as the opulent Kaisersaal – a fragment of the luxurious pre-war Esplanade Hotel.

Holocaust Memorial

Wander amongst 2,711 columns forming a vast mazelike Holocaust memorial.

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It consists of a 19,000 square meter site with over 2700 concrete slabs that grow larger and more ominous as you approach the center of the monument. Beneath the monument lies an information center. 

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — TV Tower & Old Berlin

The Television Tower and its surroundings in Alexanderplatz are Berlin's main architectural monument to the former East Germany. Despite the high-rent stores and offices that now fill the buildings, you can still detect quite a bit of that old communist character. Somewhat ironically, you'll find the medieval Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential area of Berlin, just a few steps away. You'll also find nearby the Marienkirche (Berlin's oldest parish church), the displaced Neptune Fountain, the Red Town Hall, statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the massive Loxx model railway that even non-model train enthusiasts will gasp at.

Television Tower

Soar to the top of this iconic symbol of Berlin in just 40 seconds, and enjoy amazing views from its observation deck.

The 1960s TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is possibly the best surviving example of East Germany’s architectural legacy. In total, it is 1,197 feet tall (368 meters), but you can only go 666 ft to the observation deck, or a bit higher if you have a ticket to the revolving Sphere Restaurant. You ascend in one of two 10-person elevators that take a mere 40 seconds to reach the observation deck.

DDR Museum

Experience life in Communist East Germany in this interactive museum.

This brilliantly evocative and interactive museum helps visitors imagine what life under the Communist East German regime was like. A homage to Ostalgie (nostalgia for East Germany), it offers up memories of the school system, pioneer camps (something like Communist scouts), and the wonderfully clumsy attempts to rival Western clothing and food fashions. It'd all be adorable, if it weren't so oppressive.

Nikolaikirche

Visit the beautifully restored medieval Gothic church which gave the surrounding neighborhood its name.

Dating all the way back to the earliest days of Berlin, this church was probably built just after Berlin was granted town privileges. An unusual feature of its interior is the bright colouring of the vault ribbings: the orange, purple, green and other vivid lines look like a 1960s Pop Art addition, but actually follow a medieval pattern discovered by a 1980s restorer. 

Nikolaiviertel

Escape to Berlin's medieval past in this reconstructed historic district.

The Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter is Berlin's oldest residential area. With its medieval lanes and numerous restaurants and bars, it was a favorite haunt of the artistically-minded in the years before WWII, but that war left it a devastated wasteland. In the 1980's the East German regime attempted a renovation of the neighborhood based on historical models, but the “old Berlin” illusion is not all entirely convincing. The use of East German construction techniques is glaringly obvious in some places, such as prefabricated gables and corrugated concrete panels. As a result, it was scornfully nicknamed “Honecker's Disneyland” after the former East German leader, but today it is a historic curiousity in its own right.

Day 8

Berlin

Day 9

Berlin

Day 9

Berlin

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Checkpoint Charlie

The best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie was the main gateway between the two Berlins for most non-Germans. Next to it is the Mauermuseum recounting the history of the Berlin Wall, while a few hundred yards away is the Topography of Terror depicting the history of the Nazi regime. Nearby, the Jewish Museum explores the fascinating history of Germany's Jewish heritage in a striking modern building - uneven floors, empty spaces, and sharp zig-zags reflect its turbulent experience in Germany.

Trabi Museum

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

Topography of Terror

Learn about the horrors of Nazism and the security apparatus it used to enforce its will in this documentation center.

Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Jewish Museum

Unveil a fascinating story of triumph, tragedy, and also everyday life in Germany's leading Jewish history museum.

Trabi Museum

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

Topography of Terror

Learn about the horrors of Nazism and the security apparatus it used to enforce its will in this documentation center.

Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Jewish Museum

Unveil a fascinating story of triumph, tragedy, and also everyday life in Germany's leading Jewish history museum.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Checkpoint Charlie

Jewish Museum

Unveil a fascinating story of triumph, tragedy, and also everyday life in Germany's leading Jewish history museum.

The history of Germany’s once-thriving Jewish population and culture is brilliantly detailed behind American architect Daniel Libeskind’s equally brilliant and shimmering titanium-zinc facade.

Trabi Museum

Sit behind the wheel of East Germany's infamously toxic Trabi.

This little museum is devoted to East Germany's iconic product - the Trabant automobile. Here you'll learn to appreciate the “fewer parts means less trouble” principles of the fibreglass car. 

Topography of Terror

Learn about the horrors of Nazism and the security apparatus it used to enforce its will in this documentation center.

The center has free admission. It is located on a site that headquartered Adolf Hitler's elite killers, the SS, the Gestapo secret police and the Reich Main Security Office, making it the main cog in the Nazi security regime. Standing there today in testament to the evil perpetrated during those years is the Topography of Terror, Germany’s most significant museum on the agents of Nazi terror. 

Early Evening — City West

In the 1920's the elegant, tree-line boulevard known as the Kurfürstendamm was the center of Berlin's nightlife and leisure scene, attracting writers, film stars, and artists. WWII left it in ruins, and today at the end of the boulevard you'll discover a chilling reminder of that destruction: the purposefully unrecontructed remains of the Memorial Church. During the Cold War, the Kurfürstendamm and its surroundings were central to West Berlin's revitalized identity. This was perhaps best symbolized by the famous KaDeWe, the gigantic department store which served as a symbol of market capitalism lodged in the heart of the Iron Curtain.

Memorial Church

Remind yourself of war's destructiveness by visiting the ruins of this church destroyed during WWII.

After its destruction in WWII, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was partially rebuilt in modernist style, and partially left in ruins as a powerful reminder of the war. Built-in the 1890s, Kaiser Wilhelm II hoped to inspire the secular proletariat to return to traditional religious values. The neo-Gothic design became ever more colorful as Wilhelm insisted on more bling. The small exhibition inside shows the wartime destruction and a “before and after” model of the city center.

Story of Berlin Museum

Take an interactive crash course in Berlin history. (Re-opening Autumn 2021)

This museum uses reconstructed street scapes, homes, and other interactive exibits to give you good feeling for the atmosphere of Berlin during it's long and often times turbulent history, including during the Nazi and Communist era. You can also tour an underground nuclear shelter.

Berlin Zoo

Visit Germany's Oldest and Best Known Zoo.

Founded in 1844, the Zoologischer Garten Berlin was the first zoo in Germany and features some wonderful animal-inspired architecture as well. The original animals were donated by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and it now has a collection of around 20,500 animals representing 1,500 different species. The zoo’s aquarium opened in 1913 and now contains one of the largest collections of aquatic life in Europe. 

KaDeWe

Shop in the iconic department store of capitalist West Berlin

Opened in 1907, the Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe, quickly became a temple of luxury in a rapidly modernising city. It took off again following the German post-war economic miracle and gained new impetus again following German reunification. During Communism, due to it's proximity to East Germany, it became a symbol of the material wealth of the West in comparison to that of countries stuck behind the Iron Curtain.

Evening — Tiergarten

Once the hunting ground of the Prussian kings, the Tiergarten is Berlin’s most famous and expansive park. It is a wonderful escape from urban stress located in the very center of the city. You will discover beautiful forests, fields, and ponds, all easily reached through an extensive and well maintained network of trails. Some of Berlin's favorite beer gardens are also located in the park.

Victory Column

Climb the historic column for a panoramic view of the city amidst a sea of green trees.

One of Berlin’s most familiar sights, the column commemorates victories over Denmark, Austria, and France during the mid-19th century. These victories enabled the founding of the German Empire in 1871. It was moved to the current location on the express orders of Hitler. 

Café am Neuen See

Take a Break in a Popular Beer Garden Nestled Within the Park.

Even if you don’t feel like stopping for a drink or a meal, it is still worth a quick peek just to experience the atmosphere. The location is absolutely ideal, surrounded by forest and looking over the lake with its many paddle boaters. There's a formal sit-down café on the terrace and a self-service beer garden, where sharing benches is expected and completely normal.

Trödel Markt

Shop within the forest at Berlin’s best flea market.

If you are looking for a unique purchase then this is the place. The market takes place every weekend from 10am-5pm. Discover art, family heirlooms, furniture, clothing, souvenirs, food, and more. 

Day 9

Berlin

Day 10

Berlin to Dresden

Day 10

Berlin to Dresden

Morning

Charlottenburg Palace

Despite its many historic buildings, Berlin's modern architecture, constant construction, and hipness often make it feel like a thoroughly 21st century city. It is nice, therefore, to escape the bustle of the city by visiting the beautiful palace of Charlottenburg and its idyllic park and gardens. Constructed in 1696, the palace was nearly completely destroyed in World War II, but was lovingly restored to its baroque grandeur.

Museum Berggruen

Check out some Picasso paintings in this museum located on the tree-lined boulevard just opposite the palace entrance.

Charlottenburg Palace Park

Get pleasantly lost in the royal park surrounding the palace.

Tour the Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Charlottenburg Palace

Discover that German design isn't always sleek and efficient in this beautiful baroque palace built with its beautiful collections of art and furnishings.

Museum Berggruen

Check out some Picasso paintings in this museum located on the tree-lined boulevard just opposite the palace entrance.

Charlottenburg Palace Park

Get pleasantly lost in the royal park surrounding the palace.

Tour the Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Charlottenburg Palace

Discover that German design isn't always sleek and efficient in this beautiful baroque palace built with its beautiful collections of art and furnishings.

Morning — Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace

Discover that German design isn't always sleek and efficient in this beautiful baroque palace built with its beautiful collections of art and furnishings.

Originally a modest summer retreat, it grew into an exquisite baroque edifice with opulent private apartments, richly festooned festival halls, collections of precious porcelain and paintings by French 18th-century masters. Especially fascinating is the Porzellankabinett, a room with walls lined from top to bottom by fine Japanese and Chinese porcelain.

Museum Berggruen

Check out some Picasso paintings in this museum located on the tree-lined boulevard just opposite the palace entrance.

The musem holds a collection of rarely seen Picasso paintings, as well as other notable artwork, including some Cezannes, van Goghs and Klees. There are several other worthwhile museums, as well as cafes and beautiful villas all located nearby on the street known as Schloßtraße.

Charlottenburg Palace Park

Get pleasantly lost in the royal park surrounding the palace.

The elegant formal Baroque garden directly adjacent to the palace has been restored to its original layout from the 1700's, complete with ornate fountains featuring replica antique sculptures. Beyond the gardens, you will find a delightfully relaxing forested park, which is criss-crossed by gravel paths and interspersed with canals and other waterways. It is a delight to explore either on foot or bicycle.

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Museum Island

This island in the River Spree is home to five world-renowned museums, which could easily fill up a whole trip just by themselves. The island is covered in trees and green lawns, while the classically-inspired architecture of the museums can be enjoyed without even stepping inside. Unfortunately, the biggest star of the island, the Pergamon Museum, with its wholly reconstructed ancient buildings, is closed until 2026 for renovations. However, you can still visit a massive 360-panorama depicting the ancient city of Pergamon, and there's still more museums to visit than you could possibly fit in. Also to be found on and around Museum Island are the majestic Berliner Dom cathedral and the huge Berlin Palace.

Pergamonmuseum

Relive the past in one of the world's premier museums of archealogy and ancient art. You can step into enormous ancient structures, wholly reconstructed.

The museum is a jaw-dropping feast of classical sculpture and monumental architecture from Greece, Rome, Babylon and the Middle East divided into three parts. Highlights include the radiant-blue Ishtar Gate from Babylon, the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Caliph's Palace of Mshatta.

Neues Museum

Stare into the eyes of the famed Egyptian queen Nefertiti and see other ancient artwork and archeological artifacts.

The New Museum was opened in 1859 to relieve pressure on the over-crowded Old Museum. The three exhibition floors were decorated by leading Classical painters, with a focal point being a grand staircase winding up all three stories. Exhibits include the archaeological collections of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Pre- and Early History, and the Collection of Classical Antiquities. The 3300-year-old bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti is the showstopper.

Berliner Dom

Climb 270 steps to the top of this massive 19th century cathedral for a unique panoramic view of the city.

Berlin Cathedral, nestled on Museum Island, epitomizes German neo-Renaissance grandeur with its striking dome. Built from 1894 to 1905 and restored post-World War II, its lavish interior, stained glass, and notable pipe organ draw visitors. Beyond a place of worship, it houses the former imperial ruling family's, the Hohenzollern, crypt, revealing the dynastic past of Germany.

5:20 PM — Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Berlin Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. It is well connected by public transport, including U-bahn, S-bahn, and bus, making it relatively easy and often fastest to reach by public transport. However, if traveling with bags, you may prefer the convenience of taking a taxi, Uber, or private transfer. Berlin taxis are generally reliable and honest. If you are staying in central Berlin and are picked up one hour prior to departure, you should have time to catch your train.

18:26 - 20:41 — Train to Dresden

Your scenic journey to Dresden should take a little over two hours. You will first travel through the German state of Brandenburg, which is blanketed by thick pine forests. Then you will journey across the pleasant countryside of the state of Saxony, of which Dresden is the capital.

8:41 PM — Dresden Private Rail Pickup

Upon your arrival in Dresden, your driver will meet you on the platform. He or she will be carrying a sign with your name on it. The driver will drop you off at your hotel. This is a private transfer. The price of the pickup is already included in your itinerary cost so you will not have to pay the driver.

Day 10

Berlin to Dresden

Day 11

Dresden

Day 11

Dresden

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Old Town Walking Tour

During this 2 hour tour you will discover the most impressive sights of Dresden Old Town, like the world famous Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House, the Cathedral or the Royal Palace. Our guide will give you all the historic background. You will also have a chance to see the reconstructed Frauenkirche, a symbol of reconciliation and peace in the world, a real pride of inhabitants of Dresden.

Guided Walking Tour of Old Town

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

Guided Walking Tour of Old Town

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

Guided Walking Tour of Old Town

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Old Town Walking Tour

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

There is much to see in the Zwinger besides the Old Masters' Gallery. The palace is one of the most admired Baroque structures in all of Germany, if not in Europe, so the architecture and gardens are attractions in themselves. There is also a porcelain collection and Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The palace was originally built in 1709 as an orangery and garden. However, its beautifully adorned galleries and pavilions were intended to eventually serve as a forecourt for a much larger palace, which would be a testament to the power and greatness of Saxony's then ruler, Augustus the Strong. After his death that plan was dropped, and it would not be until the 19th century that the palace would find a suitable role to live up to its grandness, when it was transformed into a museum complex.

Mid-Day — Neustadt

Completely different to Altstadt in feel and ambiance, Neustadt on the right bank of the River Elbe is far less touristed and is the favorite stomping ground of Dresdener youth thanks to its proliferation of cheaper restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Neustadt means New Town, but its history stretches back centuries and it's only new in comparison to the Old Town on the opposite side of the river. Less damaged than the Altstadt in the firestorm bombing raid of February 1945, the riverbank is populated with exquisitely constructed palaces, administrative buildings, and museums, while Königstraße still hosts an array of 18th-century Baroque townhouses. The more modern Hauptstraße leads you to the fascinating DDR World Museum depicting life under the former communist regime. Strolling along the river and enjoying the parks and statuary along the banks is a great way to see the locals relaxing.

Goldener Reiter

See a gold-covered statue of the man who re-made Dresden to advertise his greatness.

Golden Rider statue of Augustus the Strong. Famed statue covered in gold leaf of King August II dressed as a Roman Caesar & riding a horse.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Old Town

Picturesquely located on a bend of the Elbe River, Dresden is the capital of the German federal state of Saxony and was long the royal residence for the Kings of Saxony. They transformed their home over the centuries into a splendid architectural jewel. Because of its fascinating baroque and rococo city center, as well as its art collections, Dresden was often called the “Florence on the Elbe”. But Dresden also became a major industrial center, making it a target in WWII. The entire city center was destroyed in a fire-bombing raid, and over 20,000 inhabitants died in the flames and rubble. After the war, the city’s former beauty was gradually reconstructed and Dresden is now again a leading center of art, culture and classical music. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to admire restored architectural gems, impressive museums, and rich art collections.

Frauenkirche

Take the elevator to peer into the breathtaking dome of Dresden's most beautiful and famous church, and to look out upon surrounding city.

This outstanding baroque Lutheran church was completely rebuilt after Germany’s reunification from the rubble that had deliberately been left on site as a reminder of the war. Go inside to admire its impressive interior or take an elevator to get an unforgettable view of the cupola, as well as the Old Town and the Elbe River. The church was built both as a symbol of Protestant self-assertion and Dresden's municipal wealth, and was so magnificent that it soon became a fixture on the European grand tour.

Albertinum

Visit the palatial Albertinum and experience an outstanding collection of 19th and 20th century art.

The palatial Albertinum is a museum housing works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Edgar Degas, as well as a Sculpture Collection - the main hall is worth a look without even purchasing a ticket and viewing the artworks on display. The Galerie Neue Meister spans the genres from the Romantics like Caspar David Friedrich to Modernists like Otto Dix, whose triptych, War, is a searing indictment of his time in the trenches during WWI. 

Residenzschloss (Dresden Castle)

Admire priceless treasures and gobsmacking architecture as you wander the corridors of this palace turned museum.

Flanked by statues of muscled warriors reflecting the might of Dresden's rulers, the Residenzschloss (or Royal Palace) is now a large museum complex housing Europe’s largest collection of treasures (the Green Vault) as well as imposing collections of coins, works on paper, weapons, and Ottoman art. Destroyed in WWII, it was not until 1985 that the communist regime finally began reconstruction and returned the famed Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) to the palace. It's a regular Ali Baba's cave of priceless silver, gold, diamond, ivory and mother-of-pearl craftsmanship that is one of the most outstanding treasuries on the planet.

Semperoper

Tour one of Europe's most lavish opera houses.

Originally built in 1841, the hall was rebuilt by the original architect after a fire in 1869. Having been given a second chance, he did an even better job. Unfortunately, it had to rebuilt again after WWII, however it is now restored in all its glory, and with more modern stage equipment to boot. It's home to the Saxon State Orchestra, one of the world’s oldest orchestras. It was also the venue of Wagner premieres for Tannhäuser, Rienzi and The Flying Dutchman, making the Semper a household name. You can admire the beauty of its reconstructed interior during an English speaking guided tour, which starts daily at 3pm. As there is only one daily English tour, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Early Evening — Boat Cruise

Glide along the Elbe river in a paddle steamer and learn about Dresden's complex and fascinating history while seeing many of its most intersting attractions. Begin at the Terrassenufer, or the Balcony of Europe, and pass three palaces built along the Elbe: Albrechtsberg Palace, Eckberg Palace, and the Lingner Palace. The voyage also goes under five bridges, including Loschwitz Bridge, affectionately known as the “blue wonder”. While at first the bridge was controversial for its size and uniqueness, today it is accepted as an iconic structure in Dresden's cityscape. The tickets can be purchased on the Terrassenufer, directly where the Old Town meets the river. The cruise includes an audio narrative of the route and scenery. Food and drinks are available from the bar on board, but the cost is not included in your ticket.

Day 11

Dresden

Day 12

Dresden

Day 12

Dresden

Morning

Zwinger Gallery

Once you see the superb collection of old masters in the magnificent Zwinger Palace, you'll understand why Dresden is known as the "Florence of the North". A visit to the "Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister" is an absolute must for any art lover. The collection is renowned for its Italian Renaissance art, with major works by Giorgione, Titian, Correggio, Mantegna, Botticelli, Parmigianino, Veronese, Tintoretto, and Raphael, including his priceless “Sistine Madonna”. It is also famous for its collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters, which includes paintings by Rembrandt and his school, as well as Ruysdael and the great Flemish artists Rubens, Jordaens and Van Dyck.

The Zwinger Palace and the Old Masters' Gallery

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

The Zwinger Palace and the Old Masters' Gallery

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

The Zwinger Palace and the Old Masters' Gallery

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

Morning — Zwinger Gallery

Zwinger Palace

See why the palace and its gardens were considered beautiful enough to hold some of Germany's most precious artworks.

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Suspension Railway

Enjoy a ride on Dresden's historic funicular up to the top of the foothill on the outskirts of the city with fabulous views over the Elbe River, take a short walk around the magnificent 19th-century villas that survived the devastating 1945 bombing raid, and come back down again on the world's oldest suspension railway.

Luisenhof Restaurant

Restaurant with lovely terrace overlooking Elbe

Reasonably priced restaurant with a great terrace on the one side with wonderful views of the River Elbe.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Wine Trail

Saxon wines are not exactly world famous, and even within Germany, the wine growing region of Radebeul is a well-kept secret. Located just outside of Dresden, it is one of the most northerly wine-growing regions in the world. Vines are only planted on the south-facing slopes of the Elbe Valley, on terraces that are beautiful to look at but expensive to maintain. Hence the wine is a rarity that Dresdenites prefer to keep under the counter, precisely because it is so good. You can be let in on the secret with a gentle hike through the vineyards while enjoying fabulous views of the Elbe River.

Spitzhauz

Complement the perfect wine with a perfect view.

Reward yourself for the walk at this excellent wine restaurant with superb panoramic views. From its open-air terrace you look down on the vineyards and the Elbe Valley below. The restaurant serves a range of local wines. We can heartily recommend the Schloss Wackerbarth Bacchus Dry, which is produced by a nearby palace winery which you can also choose to visit.

Bismarckturm

Hike up to this tower for a great photo opportunity.

Erected in 1907, the tower was designed by a friend of the famous adventure writer, Karl May, and named after the German chancellor. It was renamed the Tower of Youth under the communist regime, which viewed Bismark as an enemy of the people, but got its original name back in 1993. It's the perfect spot to catch the sunset, but has a wonderful view over the vineyards at any time of the day.

Evening — Dining Out

Dresden's Neustadt is a young and lively neighborhood that offers a large variety of eating options. You can find traditional German or specifically Saxon cuisine, and many international, vegan, and vegetarian restaurants. There are a plethora of beer gardens and bars in the area for a drink before and after dinner as well. Louisenstraße is the most popular street in the area for dining out. This part of town is populated mostly by students and young thirty-somethings. Along the street, you will find bars, restaurants, beer gardens and food trucks offering a beautiful blend of local and international foods. On most evenings the streets are bustling with activity, and on weekends the airwaves are filled with live music performances from open-air stages.

Day 12

Dresden

Day 13

Dresden to Nuremberg

Day 13

Dresden to Nuremberg

9:20 AM

Dresden Rail Dropoff

A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and deliver you to Dresden Main Train Station. Your itinerary will provide detailed information on navigating the train station and finding your train, making the whole process simple and stress-free. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.

Dresden Rail Dropoff

9:20 AM — Dresden Rail Dropoff

10:21 - 11:26, 11:48 - 13:54 — Train to Nuremberg

Your 3.5-hour rail journey to Nuremberg will pass through the beautiful countryside of the German regions of Saxony, Thuringia, and Franconia, crossing the former border of East and West Germany. You will likely connect trains in the city of Leipzig.

1:54 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Nürnberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance (many are located very nearby). Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and the station is the public transport hub of the city, meaning you can easily connect to anywhere in the city. Uber is not yet available in Nuremberg, but taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags.

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM — Guided Walking Tour of Nuremberg

Discover a truly extraordinarily place on this 2-hour private guided walking tour of Nuremberg’s medieval walled old city. Enjoy a pleasant walk around the Old Town, passing churches, art treasures, wells and fountains as you make your way up to the Imperial Castle. Explore the outer courtyards with your guide before returning to the Main Market Place.

Old Town Hall

See the most iconic building in Bamberg, precariously perched on an island in the river.

According to legend, it was built on an artificial island because the bishop of Bamberg would not grant the citizens any land for its construction. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Old Town, particularly due to its wonderful frescoes that depict the story of how the building came to be built on the island.

Early Evening — Lorenz Old Town

The Old Town to the south of the Pegnitz River is known as the Lorenz Old Town, after the magnificent medieval Church of St. Lorenz. Like the Sebald Old Town to the north, it was also rebuilt after being nearly completely destroyed in Allied air raids in January 1945. While it doesn’t have quite the old world charm found on the other side of the river, it makes up for this with liveliness and activity. This is the true heart of the city for locals, as it is filled with shopping, restaurants, pubs, and other attractions.

Königstraße and Karolinenstraße

Bratwurst and Pretzels and Gingerbread, oh my! And plenty of shopping and coffee drinking too!

Two large pedestrian streets intersect in front of the Lorenzkirche; the Karolinenstraße (Emperor Charles’ Street) and the Königstraße (King’s Street). Lined by shopping and sidewalk cafes, these are Nuremberg’s best spots for people watching. It's also the perfect place to score some of Nuremberg's delicious gingerbread (Lebkuchen). Legend says gingerbread was first created for a local baker’s daughter 600 years ago. You will never want to go back to store-bought gingerbread. Lovers of bratwurst will also be in paradise on Karolinenstraße, as every few steps a different stand is grilling up bratwurst. Nuremberg’s style of making bratwurst is so unique that the EU bestowed upon it the special designation of "Protected Geographical Indication" (similar to how only sparkling wine from Champagne can be called champagne). There’s even a Nuremberg Sausage Protection Society to guard the quality of the city’s fabled wurst. Soft, salty pretzels are another wonder of Nuremberg that you'll find here. It’s not just the pretzel, but what goes in it. Pretzel sandwiches are slathered in butter, mustard, cream cheese, etc., and filled with salami, salmon, and other treats.

Handwerkerhof

Shop for hand-made artisan crafts in a market with a medieval atmosphere.

In the courtyard of the Frauentor, which is the main gate tower on the south side of the Old Town just across from the main rail station, you will discover an enchanting cluster of shops and restaurants known as the Handwerkerhof (Craftsman Courtyard). While a bit pricey, it offers a great selection of handmade artisanal goods, such as porcelain, wooden toys, clothing, artwork, and other goods, as well as traditional restaurants. Even if you don’t feel like buying anything, it is still worth checking out the village-like medieval atmosphere.

German National Museum

Get lost for hours in the largest museum of German art and culture.

The collection includes items dating as far back as three millennia ago and is especially rich in items from the medieval and Renaissance eras. A highlight is the Behaim globe, which was created in 1491, and so naturally is missing the New World. There is an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork stretching into modern times, as well as applied arts, such as toys, which help to show how people once lived. A visit is a must for lovers of art and history.

Pegnitz River

Linger on Nuremberg's bridges to discover the city at its most delightful.

The Pegnitz River isn’t a wide expanse or a rushing torrent, but rather a petite river crowded with buildings on either side of its banks, and crisscrossed by a succession of charming small bridges. If you want to know Nuremberg intimately, make a point to walk its bridges. At the western edge of the Old Town, you’ll find the Kettensteg, or Chain Bridge, a narrow pedestrian bridge dating back to 1824. The Henkersteg, or Hangman’s Bridge, crosses a pleasant little island once site to flea markets. This covered bridge is probably city’s most charming, yet hides a sinister history, as the town executioner's residence was built onto the bridge. From the wide Museumsbrücke you can take in the view of the medieval Holy Ghost Hospital, resting on arched foundations that rise above the river waters. Beyond the eastern end of the Old Town, you’ll find a lovely forested park where the Pegnitz breaks into a network of small and clear waterways.

Church of St. Lorenz

Step inside one of the most beautiful and important Lutheran churches in all of Germany.

Constructed around 1400, the church is exceptional for a Protestant church due to the wealth of beautiful sculptures, altars, and other art within the church. Cities and states that became Protestant during the Reformation usually stripped their churches of many of their medieval treasures. The burghers of Nuremberg, however, insisted that they remain as a symbol of civic pride. During World War II everything that was removable was hidden in beer cellars beneath the city, and thus they survived even though the church itself was severely damaged. Included amongst the art are several works by Veit Stoß, one of the Renaissance Germany’s greatest sculptors and a sometime resident of Nuremberg. Be sure to check out his so-called “Angel’s Greeting”, a candelabrum showing the Virgin Mary and Archangel Gabriel, suspended in the middle of the church. You can also find several examples of outstanding stained glass work.

Marriage Carousel fountain

Honeymooners may want to skip this controversial fountain.

The Karolinenstraße (Charles Street) is enlivened by statuary and fountains, including the Marriage Carousel fountain (Ehekarussell). Erected in 1984, it shows the artist’s less than rosy picture of marriage. The fountain is located at the end of the Karolinenstraße, just below the 13th century White Tower, which once served as a gateway into the city.

Day 13

Dresden to Nuremberg

Day 14

Nuremberg

Day 14

Nuremberg

Morning/Mid-Day

Nazi Rally Grounds

Perhaps more than any other German city, Nuremberg was unequivocally linked to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party or Nazi Party. Once Hitler declared Nuremberg “City of Nazi Party Rallies” in 1933, construction began on grand buildings for the party’s mass meetings. Today's visit to the grounds is both enthralling and haunting, as what was once the heart of the Nazi Party Rallies now lies in ruins as a reminder of the megalomania of the Nazi party regime.

Zeppelinfeld

Stand in the very spot from which Hitler once mesmerized crowds with his dark vision.

Hall of Honor

Search for the traces of a vast amphitheater that once surrounded a WWI Memorial Hall, which was perverted by the Nazis for use in their propaganda machine.

Tour of the Documentation Center & Nazi Rally Grounds

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Doku-Zentrum Museum

Learn how Nuremberg and its rally grounds fit into the Nazis' perverse vision of the global domination and Aryan purity.

Zeppelinfeld

Stand in the very spot from which Hitler once mesmerized crowds with his dark vision.

Hall of Honor

Search for the traces of a vast amphitheater that once surrounded a WWI Memorial Hall, which was perverted by the Nazis for use in their propaganda machine.

Tour of the Documentation Center & Nazi Rally Grounds

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Doku-Zentrum Museum

Learn how Nuremberg and its rally grounds fit into the Nazis' perverse vision of the global domination and Aryan purity.

Morning/Mid-Day — Nazi Rally Grounds

Doku-Zentrum Museum

Learn how Nuremberg and its rally grounds fit into the Nazis' perverse vision of the global domination and Aryan purity.

The unfinished Congress Hall is one of the largest examples of National Socialist architecture. It was designed to evoke the grandness of the Colosseum in Rome and was meant to hold over 50,000 people. The exterior was finished in late 1938 and construction work continued during the war with the help of Soviet prisoners, but Hitler’s vision was never finished. Today it is home to the Documentation Center, a multi-media museum that provides visitors with detailed information on the ‘fascination and terror’ of the Third Reich. The permanent exhibition has a strong focus on Nuremberg’s history during the Third Reich as well as information that spans from the early days of the National Socialism in 1918 to the end of the war and the Nuremberg Trials in 1945. Aside from the museum, visitors can also gain a great perspective of the grandness of Hitler’s vision for the Congress Hall from the protruding walkway that has been since been built as part of the museum.

Zeppelinfeld

Stand in the very spot from which Hitler once mesmerized crowds with his dark vision.

The Zeppelin Field with its Grandstand designed by Albert Speer was the most important part of the Party rally grounds during the Third Reich. Bigger than 12 football fields, it could hold far more than 100,000 people. Two gigantic outside flights of stairs and pillar colonnades flanked the center part, decorated with a colossal gold-plated swastika bedded on a laurel wreath. Each end originally had towers adorned with fire bowls. It was here that the famous “Cathedral of Light” provided the spectacular effect, with over 150 very strong floodlights beamed right up into the sky. The empire that was supposed to last a millennium lasted only 12 years, and all that can be found today are the crumbling remains of the large staircase and the center section.

Hall of Honor

Search for the traces of a vast amphitheater that once surrounded a WWI Memorial Hall, which was perverted by the Nazis for use in their propaganda machine.

Built 1929-30, the Hall of Honor memorializes the dead from the First World War. However, the Nazis used it for their own means, and it become a part of their rituals and cult of death. This was the original location of the Party Rallies, and in 1933 the park in front of the Hall of Honor was transformed into the Luitpold Arena in order to improve the theatrical effect. A pathway of granite slabs was laid down the middle, creating a direct line to the newly built speaker’s pulpit from where Hitler would later stand to address the masses. Now you will find nothing but some stairways and mounds in the parkside to give you an idea of where the arena once stood.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Alststadt & Castle

With its abundance of half-timbered homes, Gothic churches, and a dramatic castle, Nuremberg was once an ideal representative of Germany’s architectural inheritance. While most of its Old Town was destroyed in World War II, much of it was rebuilt to reflect this pre-war appearance. The beauty and vibrancy of the historic city can still be easily imagined as you shop on the Market Square or explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town, which are lined by brightly painted and steeply gabled half-timbered burgher houses. The impressive castle overlooking the city is also a must see when visiting the Sebalder Altstadt.

Market Square

Shop for something tasty and check out Nuremberg's greatest architectural gems on the Market Square.

The Market Square, or Hauptmarkt, is the ideal point to start exploring the Sebald Old Town. Its two most notable features, the magnificent Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and Schöner Brunnen were built in the 14th century. For many visitors, the colorful fountain is the most memorable site in Nuremberg, with its forty statues depicting figures from the Bible, mythology, and German history. The city’s famous Christmas Market is launched from the Frauenkirche’s balcony each year, and the clock on its gable performs a daily show at noon, as a procession of noblemen pays homage to the seated Emperor Charles IV. The interior of the church is also worth a visit, with its collection of altars and artwork taken from nearby monasteries. The square is also an open-air market for vendors of produce, meats, baked goods, & gifts.

Historic Beer Cellars (Felsangänge)

Take a guided tour within the labyrinthine underground rock passages where Nuremberg's burghers stored their beer.

Another highlight of the Old Town are the chilly beer cellars below it. Bring a sweater or jacket, as the temperature averages about 46° F / 8° C. Carved through sandstone bedrock, the cellars form an interconnected maze that served as storage for ripening beer. During World War II they also provided a refuge from Allied bombing raids and saved thousands of lives with their good ventilation.

Albrecht Dürer House Visitor

Tour the well-preserved Gothic home of the famed Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.

The former residence of the artist is interesting on several levels. The well-preserved interiors host a museum illustrate how a well-off family in the Renaissance lived, and explains how Dürer worked from his home. It does not hold any of his original paintings, nor of his woodcut prints. However, it illustrates the influence Dürer had in making art accessible to the masses through his revolutionary use of woodcuts in the then new era of the printing press. Very worthwhile.

Weißgerbergasse

Take a stroll down Nuremberg’s most charming street.

Beautifully painted half-timbered houses line the street, each with some interesting architectural detail to discover. Most of the houses are filled with restaurants, shops, galleries, and pubs, so you will certainly find a reason to linger.

Imperial Castle

Make the gentle climb up to this 11th-century castle to enjoy a beautiful view of Nuremberg's old town.

The castle is open for tours and is one of Nuremberg's top attractions. The castle’s history stretches back to the early Middle Ages when it began as a simple wooden fort on the hilltop. It grew increasingly more intricate and impressive over the centuries. While it was officially a castle of the Holy Roman Emperor, it was controlled by local noblemen known as Burgraves, creating a never-ending source of conflict with the independent-minded city just below the castle. The city finally gained control of the castle from the Emperor in 1422, shortly after having burned much of it down. The castle still remained an imperial castle, however, and would host the Emperors during their frequent visits to the city.

Day 14

Nuremberg

Day 15

Nuremberg to Munich

Day 15

Nuremberg to Munich

9:20 AM

Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Nürnberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and you can easily reach the station from almost anywhere in the city, as it is the public transport hub. Uber is not yet available in Nuremberg, but if staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags.

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

9:20 AM — Transfer to Rail Station

10:03 - 11:11 — Rail to Munich

The short but scenic train journey from Nuremberg to Munich will take you north through the charming Bavarian countryside, as well as the Audi-producing industrial city of Ingolstadt and the town of Dachau where the first Nazi concentration camp was infamously located.

11:11 AM — Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Müchen Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option - there is a subway and local rail station co-located with the train station. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest. Some private transfers even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Afternoon — Documentation Center

Munich is the city where the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), or Nazi Party, first took root. As the Nazis came into power, the Königsplatz was paved over and transformed into a perfect backdrop for staging their militaristic spectacles. Many of the physical changes they made to the space endure to this day. The history of the birth of German National Socialism to its horrific end in 1945 is brilliantly captured and displayed at the National Socialist Documentation Center which is located on the square.

NS Documentation Centre

Learn how Nazism managed to capture Germany and about the terrible consequences.

Opened in 2015, the documentation center shows how the Nazi Party was able to rise and rule Germany, and the role which the city of Munich played. Visitors learn not only about the origins of the Nazi movement and how they managed to seize power, but also about the regime during the war, and the post-war process of de-Nazification. 

Late Afternoon — Arts District

Munich's Museum Quarter (Kunstareal) has grown continuously over a period of 200 years offering an extraordinary variety of museums with works from Pharaonic Egypt right through to the present day. There are 18 museums and exhibition halls, more than 40 galleries, six internationally renowned universities and numerous cultural institutions all in close proximity and within walking distance of each other.

Alte Pinakothek

Enjoy a tremendous collection of art in what was once the world's largest art gallery.

The largest art gallery in the world when it was first opened in 1836, the Alte Pinakothek can still be an overwhelming experience: the collections, which are based on the royal collection of the Wittelsbach dynasty over five hundred years, are arranged geographically and chronologically, encompassing German, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, French and Italian art, with a timespan from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. It houses the largest collection of Rubens in the world, so be sure to stop by the Flemish paintings. Also worthy of particular attention if you're short on time are the richly comic works by Pieter Brueghel in the Netherlandish collection, and the German late Gothic and Renaissance art collection represented by the likes of Albrecht Dürer and Cranach the Elder.

Neue Pinakothek

See some of the 19th and early 20th centuries' greatest artworks.

Directly across the road from Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek picks up where the older museum leaves off, concentrating on art from the 19th century to Jugendstil. The audio-guide tour starts with art from around 1800, prominent among which are a number of canvases by Goya, before progressing to English painting from the likes of Gainsborough, Constable, and Turner. Much of the rest of the museum is given over to German Art, with an emphasis on artists active in the court of Ludwig I, such as work by the architect who designed the Alte Pinakothek, Leo von Klenze, and the Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. There are also works by Caspar David Friedrich and Adolph von Menzel.

Pinakothek der Moderne

Peruse 19th and 20th century art in a stylishly modern setting.

The strikingly clean-lined Pinakothek der Moderne, gathers its eclectic collection of classic modern and contemporary art, design and architecture around a central rotunda. On the west side of the building are works representing last century's key artistic movements, from Cubism through to Surrealism and beyond. The east wing is devoted to contemporary art.

Museum Brandhorst

Peruse modern art in this remarkably different building.

The Museum Brandhorst is an eye-catching structure covered with 36,000 polychromatic ceramic rods in 23 custom colors and a second layer consisting of a horizontally folded metal skin, coated in two colors. This layering and its polychromy lend the skin a varied appearance: What is vivid and three-dimensional from close up appears homogeneous and flat from afar. It was opened in 2009 to house a collection of German and modern art in a setting of restrained, spacious modernism. Its rotating exhibits include works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Picasso, as well as major contemporary German artists.

State Museum of Egyptian Art

History buffs will love this underappreciated museum dedicated to Egyptian archaeology.

The impressive entrance to the brand spanking new State Museum of Egyptian Art is reminiscent of a grand descent into a Pharoah's tomb. Opened in 2013 to house artifacts formerly contained in the Residenz, the museum has a collection which spans 5000 years of Egyptian history.

Early Evening/Evening — Augustiner Keller

This vast beer garden under leafy chestnut trees is immensely popular with the locals, so you can study the lederhosen-clad men and dirndl attired women at close quarters while quaffing the Augustiner's own Edelstaff beer from your Maßkrug (one-liter glass beer mug) and wolfing down a plate stacked high with Bavarian sausage and mashed potato.

Day 15

Nuremberg to Munich

Day 16

Munich

Day 16

Munich

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk Tour of Historic Munich

Munich contains many reminders of a long and varied history but also encompasses the modern features of a strong and vibrant city. The insights of a local help make sense of the traditions, trends, and promises of Bavaria's Capital - sometimes referred to as the city of laptops and lederhosen. On this tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Munich and point out the many hidden treasures.

Guided Walk Tour of Historic Munich

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Guided Walk Tour of Historic Munich

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Residence Palace

The Munich Residenz was the seat of Bavaria's Dukes and Kings from the middle ages until 1918. Originally a medieval castle, it was transformed over the centuries into a beautiful palace. Today it is open to the public and you can explore its magnificent interiors, numerous courtyards, and elegant garden. The living quarters of the royal family have been transformed into a museum which provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Kings and Queens. You can also peruse numerous jewels, gold objects, and other precious items which are held in the Residenz Schatzkammer (treasury).

Residenz Palace Museum

Wander where you will, audio guide in hand, through the spectactular royal residence.

You'll experience jaw-dropping architecture and beautiful artwork as you explore the museum and the adjacent Royal Treasury. Among the many highlights, unmissable is the Antiquarium, the largest and most lavish Renaissance hall north of the Alps. The window reveals are decorated with 102 views of towns, markets, and palaces in what was then the Duchy of Bavaria, providing an unique insight into how the country once looked. The Rich Chapel (Reiche Kapelle) was the private place of worship of Duke Maximilian I and his wife, and it was decorated with particular magnificence using colored marble and gilt reliefs. The Ornate Rooms (Reiche Zimmer) meanwhile represent a high point of the court Rococo style, and are works of art in their own right. 

Cuvilliés-Theatre

Visit what is perhaps the most ostentatious and sensually overwhelming building in Munich.

The exceptionally extravagant court theatre was built by Elector Max III Joseph's court architect François Cuvilliés between 1751 and 1755, and was intended to showcase Munich as a home to the arts and the enlightenment. It only survived the destruction of WWII because the elaborately carved tiers of boxes were removed from their original location in the Alte Residenztheater building for safekeeping. It's still used as a theatre today.FYI - to visit the Cuvilliés-Theatre you need to exit the museum and walk around the palace to get onto Residenzstraße and then re-enter the palace and cross through either the Chapel Courtyard or the Imperial Courtyard. 

Odeonsplatz

See the square where Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch came to a bloody end.

The square directly adjacent to the Residence is the Odeonsplatz, which is guarded by the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshalls' Hall) in honor of the Bavarian army. It was here that Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 came to a bloody end in a gun battle with the police. During the Nazi regime, anyone passing the Feldherrnhalle was obliged to give the Nazi salute, which prompted some locals to instead take a side street. The Nazis derogatorily nicknamed it the Shirkers' Alley, but the 'shirkers' are memorialized in a trail of brass cobblestones. Also on the square is the bright yellow Theatinerkirche with its two massive twin towers. It was the personal church of Bavaria's rulers and many of them are interred there.  

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Altstadt

Munich boasts a large old town (Altstadt) with many beautiful historic buildings. Sometimes called the world's largest village, it is a perfect place to wander. You will discover many Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings, as well as several stunning examples of modern architecture. Pleasant cafes, beer halls, cozy restaurants, and great shopping all add to the charming atmosphere.

Hofbräuhaus

Enjoy some fine Bavarian brews in a beer hall that dates back to 1589.

Originally built in 1598 by Maximilian I, Duke of Bavaria, as an extension to the state brewery, this beer hall was opened to the public in 1828, remodeled in 1897, almost completely destroyed during World War II, and reopened following its restoration in 1958. It is now situated across three floors, with a restaurant, ballroom, and beer garden, and is one of the largest tourist attractions in the city as well as a favorite of locals. This is where the ingurgitation of vast quantities of beer and pretzels has been taking place since 1644. Even if you're a teetotaller, you'll want to at least take a look at the interior of the three-storied temple to the consumption of fermented hops and watch the odd local quaff his or her ale amid the sea of tourists. There's also an attractive courtyard where you can escape the din on a summer's day or evening.

New Town Hall & Glockenspiel

Enjoy the mechanical show as the figures on the Glockenspiel on the New City Hall come to life and re-enact stories from the 16th century.

The Marienplatz is the main square of the Altstadt, and its centerpiece is the domineering facade of the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). It is decorated with gargoyles and statues, including a dragon scaling the turrets. For a great view of the city, ascend the 279ft (85m) tower (elevator available to the left just inside the main entrance to the town hall). The highlight of the building is the Glockenspiel, which attracts large numbers of tourists at 11 am and noon (and 5pm in the summer) who come to watch the contraption in operation. There's dancing, a joust, and more, all set to musical chimes. Unusually, the New Town Hall mostly survived WWII intact, probably because it was used by Allied bombers as a direction finder for obliterating the rest of the city.

Peterskirche

Climb to the top of Munich's oldest church tower for what is still today its best view.

The best views of central Munich can be viewed from the 302ft (92m) tower of St Peterskirche, inner Munich's oldest church and possibly the city's origin point. The presence of a church on its site goes back to before the city's founding, and it has existed in a number of iterations since. Its nearly 3000ft-tall tower is affectionately called "Alter Pete" or "Old Pete" as a recognition of its significance to Munich's social and cultural history.

Viktualienmarkt

Assemble a gourmet picnic lunch in one of Europe's best known markets.

The Viktualienmarkt is one of Central Europe's finest gourmet markets where many of the stalls have been run by generations of the same family. Prices are high, but you can gather all the ingredients for an haute cuisine picnic and then seat yourself in the market's own beer garden to enjoy an al fresco lunch. The very existence of such a market in an old town quarter is the result of Munich's dedication to preserving its past. Fearing that fast food chains will replace the old-fashioned market stalls and quaint eateries that make the Viktulienmarkt one of Europe’s most charming squares, the city subsidizes the rent so they can survive on the some of Germany’s most expensive real estate.

Jewish Museum

Learn about Munich's rich Jewish heritage and see it's most striking synagogue.

The museum focuses on Munich's Jewish heritage, as well as Jewish history and culture in general, with a contemporary flair and modern means of display. Adjacent to the museum is the Ohel Jakob synagogue, which ranks among the most striking structures built in the city in recent years. It is the first synagogue to serve as the main synagogue of the city since the Nazi Kristallnacht (i.e. the Night of Broken Glass). Tours are offered but must be arranged 10 days in advance.

Frauenkirche

Restored Gothic church.

The Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, dominates the Altstadt. This is because the twin onion-domed towers inspired the city council to prohibit any other building in the Altstadt from exceeding their height of 325ft (99m). Much of the interior was destroyed during WWII, but it has been rebuilt. An attraction that survived the bombing in original form is the Teufelstritt, or Devil's Footstep, at the entrance. This is a black mark resembling a footprint, which according to legend is the result of a deal the devil made with the builder to finance construction of the church on the condition that it contains no windows. The clever builder, however, tricked the devil by positioning columns so that the windows were not visible from the spot where the devil stood in the foyer. By the time the devil discovered that he had been tricked, he could not enter the already consecrated church. The devil could only stand in the foyer and stomp his foot furiously, which left the dark footprint that remains visible in the church's entrance today.

Evening/Late Evening — Maxvorstadt

Maxvorstadt is not just Munich’s most central nightlife hotspot, it’s one of the most historically fascinating neighborhoods in all of Bavaria. The area is often called the “Brains of Munich” for its concentration of arts and education centers, including seven universities and several museums and galleries. It’s a lively spot from day to evening to be sure, with a diversity of cozy bars, restaurants, and cafes appealing to the large student population and foreign visitors.

Day 16

Munich

Day 17

Munich

Day 17

Munich

Morning to Late Afternoon

Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle

An inspiration for the Disney Castles, numerous fairy tales, and countless dreamers, the Castle of Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous castle in the world. The eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II created this amazing palace in the 19th century as an idyllic version of a medieval castle. You can visit by taking a guided tour from Munich or traveling independently by train and bus. In addition to enjoying spectacular views you can take a guided tour of the castle interior which is well worth the experience (but keep in mind that there a lots of steps to negotiate). If traveling independentally, be sure to book your interior tour reservations at least two days in advance.

Linderhof Palace

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Mary's Bridge

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

Self Guided Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Linderhof Palace

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Mary's Bridge

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

Self Guided Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Linderhof Palace

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Morning to Late Afternoon — Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle

Linderhof Palace

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Mary's Bridge

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Early Evening/Evening — Evening Concert

Munich, as the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany, is one of the country's leading locations for classical concerts and opera. Classical music lovers can enjoy a wide range of international soloists, conductors, chamber ensembles, and top orchestras, including its own world-class Munich Philharmonic, which attracts top musicians from all over the world. With performance venues such as the National Theater and Cuvilliés Theater, a concert in Munich can be as much a feast for the eyes as for the ears.

Day 17

Munich

Day 18

Munich to Heidelberg

Day 18

Munich to Heidelberg

8:45 AM

Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Müchen Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport or Walk

8:45 AM — Transfer to Rail Station

09:47 - 13:29, 13:35 - 13:48 — Munich to Heidelberg by rail

Most journeys will be on the modern and comfortable Euro City trains. After leaving Munich, you will pass through the beautiful countryside of Bavaria, and depending on the route, also pass through a scenic region known as the Swabian Alps. You may have to change trains in a city like Stuttgart or Mannheim and then take a regional train on Heidelberg. Your journey should take around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

1:48 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

Most trains arrive in Heidelberg Hbf station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option, and the local tram system picks up directly in front of the station. Taxis are available at all rail stations and are generally honest, although you can also arrange a private transfer if you prefer. Uber is not yet available in Heidelberg.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Old Town

Heidelberg's Altstadt (i.e. its Old Town) is full of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, and is almost always abuzz with foot traffic. With one of Germany's most prestigious universities partially located within the Altstadt, it also has a youthful and international vibe which makes it seem especially vibrant. The baroque buildings which line the market squares and quaint sidestreets by themselves make the Altstadt undeniably charming. But factor in its perfect setting, wedged between the river and forested green hills dominated by a castle, and it is no wonder it is one of Germany's most photographed locales.

Student Jail

Check out where misbehaving university students once ended up.

Between 1823 to 1914, this was the lock up for Heidelberg's often rowdy student population. Crimes that could land a student in jail included, but were not limited to, public inebriation, loud nocturnal singing, freeing the local pigs or fighting. Delinquents were sent to jail for a minimum of 24 hours and released only to attend lectures or take exams. In some circles, doing time in the Karzer was considered to be a right of passage. The inventive graffiti on the walls in a good indication of how seriously the students took their prison sentences.

Church of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeistkirche)

Pause for a moment beneath the Gothic arches of Heidelberg's most important and historic church, and then climb the tower for a view of the town.

The church was first mentioned in 1239, and in 1398, the foundations for the current Gothic church were laid on the site of a Romanesque basilica. From 1706 until 1936 it was shared by both Catholics and Protestants, but is now an active Protestant church that holds services regularly. It also hosts regular concerts and half-hour organ recitals. For a bird’s eye view of Altstadt and the surrounding area, you can climb the 208 stairs to the top of the church’s Gothic steeple.

Alte Brücke

Stroll across this centuries-old bridge and enjoy wonderful views on all sides.

The bridge connects the Altstadt with the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank. The current bridge is made from Neckar sandstone and is the ninth one to be built on the site. The Romans built the first bridge in the first century out of wood, but it was rebuilt from stone around the year 200 AD. After the Roman bridge collapsed, Heidelberg went without a bridge for nearly a thousand years. This version of the bridge was built in 1788, and the locals have no desire to replace it. 

Hauptstrasse

Stroll the lively heart of Heidelberg and soak in the setting with a drink at a sidewalk cafe.

Heidelberg’s Hauptstraße, or Main Street, passes straight through the heart of the Altstadt. It crosses several charming market squares along the way, such as the Kornmarkt, where you can look up at the castle situated above the town. The street and squares are filled with name brand shops, lively bars, high-end restaurants, and cozy cafes.

Neckarwiese

Hang with the locals on the riverbank and enjoy the view.

This popular park lies along the northern bank of the Neckar River, on just the opposite side of the river from the Altstadt. It is a great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic or relax after a long day of exploring the city. In the summer, it is the frequent site of fireworks.

Day 18

Munich to Heidelberg

Day 19

Heidelberg

Day 19

Heidelberg

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Guided Walking Tour of Heidelberg

On this 4 hour tour, your guide will show you the highlights of Heidelberg and help you understand what makes this city so unique. Sites visited will include the Heidelberg University, the Old Bridge, Altstadt, Town Hall and Heidelberg Castle.

Altstadt

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, this is Germany’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.

Guided Walking Tour of the Heidelberg's Altstadt and Castle

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Altstadt

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, this is Germany’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.

Guided Walking Tour of the Heidelberg's Altstadt and Castle

Browse the gallery to see some of the highlights

Altstadt

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Guided Walking Tour of Heidelberg

Altstadt

The light and colors of this historic city are a happy sight to behold.

The Old Town of Heidelberg, Germany, seduces with its views. Framed by the Neckar River and overlooked by the majestic Heidelberg Castle, its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and the oldest university in Germany beckon visitors. Highlights include the Hauptstrasse, a bustling pedestrian shopping street, and the historic Holy Spirit Church. Heidelberg's Old Town embodies the romantic spirit of Germany.

Heidelberg University

Founded in 1386, this is Germany’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.

The university is currently comprised of 12 faculties with over 30,000 German and international students enrolled. The college is known for its reputable science, art, law, and medical programs. The most historic facilities are located around the Universitätsplatz and dominated by the Alte Universität (Old University, 1712–28; on the south side) and the Neue Universität (New University, 1931; on the north side).

Afternoon/Late Afternoon — Castle & Königstuhl

Heidelberg has the fortune to have some uniquely atmospheric castle ruins and is home to the oldest yet most modern funicular railway in Germany. Use this funicular to take a trip up Heidelberg Castle and stroll through the castle gardens. Continue up to the top of the hill where you will reach the Königstuhl to experience spectacular views of Heidelberg and the Neckar River valley.

Heidelberg Castle

Gaze down upon Heidelberg from the battlements of this romantic castle ruin.

These ruins are one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, and the contrast of the deep green forests and the red sandstone building make for a beautiful sight from the city center, though it's a much altered view since 1688, when French troops damaged the city and again in 1693, when they did much worse.  This led to a contemporary French writer to muse, "Heidelberger deleta" ("Heidelberg is 'deleted'"). Because of its delapidation, the castle regained stature during the 18th and 19th centuries as a powerful muse for many a Romantic poet.  It will inspire you as well.

Königstuhl

Ascend to the top of this mountain for a perfect view of the Neckar and Rhine Valleys.

The locals are very proud of this peak, easily reached from the top station of the funicular, as its views of Heidelberg and the Neckar River draw crowds.

Bergbahn Funicular

Easily reach the castle by taking the Bergbahn, which happens to simultaneously be both Germany's oldest and newest funicular.

Following a refurbishment in 2005, Germany's oldest funicular railway became it's most modern. The funicular takes you to Heidelberg Castle where you can visit the ruins and stroll through the castle gardens. You can then continue up to the top of the hill where you will reach the Königstuhl to experience spectacular views of Heidelberg and the Neckar River valley. If you prefer, you can always save some money and take a beautiful but somewhat strenuous hike, capturing perfect pictures of the castle as you make your way up the hill.

Early Evening/Evening — Dining Out

Heidelberg is a fun city to enjoy at night as the city streets fill with locals, tourists, and students from Heidelberg University. Heidelberg has a plethora of bars, cafes, and restaurants, sure to please any visitor. Most are located within the Old Town, so it is easy to hop between spots and sample all the city has on offer.

Day 19

Heidelberg

Day 20

Heidelberg

Day 20

Heidelberg

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Black Forest, Guided, by Vehicle

With over 6,000 square kilometres of rolling hills, magnificent mountains, and pristine old forests, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is truly a national treasure. Outdoors enthusiasts travelling to Heidelberg are not to miss out on a visit to this incredible region filled with some of Europe’s best hiking and mountain views.

Guided Excursion to the Black Forest

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM — Black Forest, Guided, by Vehicle

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Philosopher's Way Hike

Enjoy a gentle hike up into the hills above Heidelberg from the Old Bridge to get magnificent views of the castle on the other side, then trek up further to visit the wonderfully atmospheric ruins of St. Michael's ruins and Thingstätte, the pseudo-Grecian amphitheater built by the Nazis in the mid-1930s to stage opera and theater plays extolling the virtues of the Aryan race.

Thingstätte

Find the open-air amphiteater built by the Nazis as a site for their rallies.

This open-air amphitheater was built in 1935 by the Nazi party and was designed by Heidelberg native Albert Speer.It was used by the Nazi party during WWII for rallies and solstice festivals. It is now preserved as a monument, but it is still used for many festivals and cultural events throughout the year. 

Monastary Ruins

Discover the isolated ruins at the top of the hill overlooking Heidelberg.

In 1023, Abbot Reginbald, who later became Bishop of Speyer, built St. Michael’s Monastery, and it is these remains which are still visible today. After the death of Abbott Friedrich in 1070, the monastery became a place of pilgrimage. In 1503, the last three monks living in the monastery were killed in their beds when part of the steeple collapsed. After that, the monastery became abandoned and was forgotten.

Day 20

Heidelberg

Day 21

Depart Heidelberg

Day 21

Depart Heidelberg

To Be Determined

Rail to Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport is by far the most convenient airport to Heidelberg, and the most affordable and fast way to reach it is by train or bus. Trains depart frequently from Heidelberg's main station and take only an hour to reach the airport. The airport train station is actually located within the airport, making it especially convenient. In most cases you will take a train which connects in Mannheim. Direct buses also drop off at the airport train station. If you must take a taxi, your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi service, but keep in mind that this will be an expensive and potentially long journey depending on traffic. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 3 hours and 15 minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about 2 hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra thirty minutes. Uber is not available in Heidelberg.

Take a Train, Taxi, or Bus to Frankfurt Airport

To Be Determined — Rail to Frankfurt Airport

Day 21

Depart Heidelberg

What's Included In 3-Week Germany Trip

Pre-Paid Tours and Activities:

Guided Excursion to the Rhine River
Private Highlights Walking Tour of Cologne
Privately Guided Walking Tour of Hamburg
Highlights of Berlin Guided Walking Tour
Guided Walking Tour of Old Town
Guided Walking Tour of Nuremberg's Old Town & Imperial Castle Courtyards
Guided Walk Tour of Historic Munich
Guided Walking Tour of the Heidelberg's Altstadt and Castle
Guided Excursion to the Black Forest
City Cards for Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, and Munich, including discounts to many popular attractions

Pre-Paid Transportation:

2nd Class Train Tickets from Cologne-Hamburg
2nd Class Train Tickets from Hamburg-Berlin
2nd Class Train Tickets from Berlin to Dresden
2nd Class Train Tickets from Dresden to Leipzig
2nd Class Train Tickets from Leipzig to Nuremberg
2nd Class Train Tickets from Nuremberg-Munich
2nd Class Train Tickets from Munich to Mannheim
2nd Class Train Tickets from Mannheim to Heidelberg
Train Tickets from Frankfurt-Cologne
Public Transport Tickets for Munich, Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg
Private Transfer from the Dresden Hauptbanhof
Dresden Rail Dropoff

Accommodation:

2 nights at a hotel of your choice in Frankfurt
2 nights at a hotel of your choice in Cologne
2 nights at a hotel of your choice in Hamburg
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Berlin
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Dresden
2 nights at a hotel of your choice in Nuremberg
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Munich
3 nights at a hotel of your choice in Heidelberg

Go Real Travel Mobile App:

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Points of Interest
Detailed Travel Information
Maps & Directions

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Explore cities in more detail

Frankfurt

Dubbed ‘Mainhatten’ for its glass highrises, financial prowess, and proximity to the Main River, Frankfurt offers a fascinating glimpse into the ‘engine room’ of Europe’s economy with an unexpected twist. Among the glass and steel buildings, the old-worldly Römerberg square will give you a double-take. The square’s 15th-century half-timbered houses, old statues, and church spires contrast dramatically against the modern 21st-century skyscrapers beyond. If you visit at Christmas, the Römerberg is truly special, aglow with the light of the tallest Christmas tree in Germany. The square fills with stalls selling handicrafts, and the air is scented with hot apple wine, honey, and cinnamon. Delve deeper into Frankfurt and you’ll find a substantial museum district, the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment). This area features a cluster of twelve museums on either side of Main River. This includes the Städel, home to Tischbein’s famous painting of renowned writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Frankfurt’s most prestigious sons. The more time you spend in Frankfurt, the more you’ll discover a highly cultured city lurking beneath its glass facades. If you have the time, Frankfurt is certainly worth a second look.

Learn About Frankfurt

Cologne

As you travel through Western Germany, Cologne is a cheerful, fun city to stop for a night or two. Flanking both sides of the Rhine river, Cologne's delightful architectural pastiche reflects the breezy anything-goes attitude of its inhabitants. Like most German cities, Cologne took a hit during WWII, losing some of its old-world buildings and neighborhoods. However, thanks to the endurance of the Cologne Cathedral and iconic Hohenzollern Bridge, the city has kept its identity close to hand. Sometimes quite literally in the form of a glass of sparkling Kölsch local beer. A visit to Cologne should always include paying a call to its eponymous Cathedral. A sensational, Gothic behemoth of a building and a UNESCO Heritage Site, Cologne Cathedral will get you right in the heart, humbling all who enter it. Just outside the cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge spans the Rhine, with three iron truss arches looping over the river like the bounces of a skimming stone. After wandering the riverside, if you're looking for some indulgence, Cologne's Chocolate Museum is an eternally popular choice. Maybe you'll be under the influence of the cocoa, but at the end of a day in Cologne, life can seem pretty sweet.

Learn About Cologne

Hamburg

Compared to other German cities, Hamburg has a moody, nautical charisma all of its own. Despite being battered throughout history by floods, fires, and bombs, Hamburg has always held its head up high. Resilience is in the air in Hamburg, along with the briny smell of the North Sea. In recent years Hamburg has garnered a reputation for commerce and nightlife. Frequent travelers whisper that Hamburg is Germany’s ‘undiscovered’ city, the place to go for a little business and a lot of fun. Known as Germany’s ‘gateway to the world’, ships dock in Hamburg as they haul cargo up and down the Elbe River. The city thrives as Germany’s primary seaport and has been a center of trade since the middle ages. Its affluence shows in the 19th-century brick warehouses, flourishing restaurant scene, and recently constructed Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which floats majestically in the harbor, part ship and part island. Hamburg is a city for those who like to live large - in a cultured, German kind of way. Attend a performance at the orchestra, cruise on a boat around the Außenalster Lake, or have a night on the Reeperbahn, the Vegas-like strip where the Beatles once performed. Whatever you do in the city, Hamburg will make you look twice and see Germany from a totally different point of view.

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Berlin

Since the fall of its notorious wall, Berlin’s unification has seen it go from strength to strength. No wonder the city feels like it hasn’t stopped partying since the 1990s. There is so much to celebrate here. Fueled by the robust economy, a thriving tech scene, and straight-up German bonhomie, when you step into Berlin you’ll soon be caught up in its spirit. For all this gusto, Berlin hasn’t forgotten its troubled past. A visit to Berlin is to bear witness to history. Portions of the wall remain intact, and the city’s Jewish Museum offers a detailed, emotional examination of the Holocaust. Inside the reconstructed Reichstag, every attempt has been made to preserve the parliament’s beleaguered history. The buildings' glass dome addition feels less like a triumphal crown and more like a freshly healed battle scar. Days in Berlin are easily spent wandering from a cafe to the cultural institutions on Museum Island, or over to the Charlottenburg Palace. By night, crowds wander through the booming bars and nightclubs or gaze upon the floodlit Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column monuments. An international city that can offer something to everyone, Berlin is an unmissable stop on your German journey.

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Dresden

Nearly every wall and rooftop in Dresden seems to be finished with a flourish. Defined by its ornamental baroque architecture, a power statement of Saxon royalty, Dresden is made all the more miraculous considering the city was leveled by firebombing in WWII. After the war, the city was reconstructed, brick by painstaking brick. Even under East German-Soviet rule, which usually eschewed frivolous design, buildings like the Semper Opera House were pieced back to their former glory. Restoration of the majestic Zwinger Palace and bell domed Church of Our Lady slowly followed, with the Frauenkirche only fully repaired in 2005. Arguably there is no other city in Europe that cherishes its hard-won architecture as much as Dresden. Although it is a compact city, so many of its buildings will stop you in your tracks that architecture fans will easily lose a whole day in the Old Town area. Especially during the winter months, Dresden sparkles with a joyous, uplifting ambiance. The city is recognized as having the best-ever Christmas market in all of Europe. Between the twinkling lights, the scent of hot wine and gingerbread, and the towering Christmas tree, it’s worth going out of your way to see Dresden at this time of year.

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Nuremberg

One of the most authentic, storied German destinations, Nuremberg's picturesque old town, glorious castle, and buzzing Christmas Market makes this city a time-true classic. The ideal gateway to old Bavaria, Nuremberg offers a primer in German history before you embark on the lovely journey through old Bavaria, known as the Romantic Road. Considered the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the middle ages, Nuremberg would have felt like the center of the world as a procession of kings and emperors passed through its magnificent gates. When the German Renaissance came, Nuremberg was at its heart. Albrecht Dürer, the great German master artist, was born here, and Martin Luther called Nuremberg Germany's 'eyes and ears'. Skip forward a few centuries, and the city took a dark turn, as Nuremberg became a gathering point for the German National Socialists. Slightly outside of town, you can still find the Nazi Party Rallying Grounds, a sobering reminder of the not so distant past. If it all gets too heavy, you can end the day with a glass of rotbier (red beer) and mull it over. Nuremberg is a must-see for anyone who wants to delve into Germany's past.

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Munich

Arriving in Munich, you would be forgiven for thinking you were on the set of a movie about old Bavaria. At the Old Town beer halls, barmaids laced in dirndl dresses serve up frosty Helles lager, as oom-pah music drifts across the Marienplatz square. Men in lederhosen and checked shirts merrily give toasts as they knock glasses, or steins, as they’re known here. They sit at tables laden with wurst sausage and giant pretzels oozing with herby butter. This is Germany’s Germany, a place where folk traditions never stopped, and the revelry doesn’t either. Even when it isn’t Oktoberfest, the town’s notorious beer-drinking celebration, Munich is always happy to show you a good time. Simply cast your eyes around the lavish, gilded banquet hall at the Munich Residenz, the 13th-century Wittelsbach palace. You’ll see Munich has been impressing guests for centuries. Or, swing by the BMW Museum and check out the classic German cars. They even let you sit inside to test out the new models. At the city’s English Gardens, surfers ride waves on one of the park’s rivers. Munich is filled to the brim with this kind of pure-hearted German fun.

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Heidelberg

Heidelberg is buried deep in the forests of southwest Germany. Flanking both sides of the Neckar River, Heidelberg's red and white baroque old town looks like something from a book of folktales. On the hillside above the town, you'll see the looming, tumbledown remains of Heidelberg's Gothic-Renaissance castle, Heidelberger Schloss. The subject of strange local legends, Heidelberg Castle was once home to knights, a famous court jester, and even a witch. It is said the first person who pulls out an iron ring embedded in one of the great doors will be the castle's true owner. Surely on your visit, it's worth a try? Across the river, follow in the footsteps of scholars on a hiking trail known as The Philosophers’ Way. Heidelberg University is the oldest in Germany, and its leafy, temple-like campus contributes to the gentle, contemplative atmosphere of the town. A poetic city with the dreamy feel of a watercolor painting, it's no wonder Heidelberg inspired writers like Mark Twain and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The city has even been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature. Especially on misty, grey days, Heidelberg has a way of sweeping you up in its romanticism.

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3-Week Epic All Around Germany Tour

21 Day Tour of Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich and Heidelberg

$5899

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3-Week Germany Trip - Map & Itinerary

3-Week Germany Trip Timeline

Day-By-Day Itinerary of 3-Week Germany Trip

Airport Transfer

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — City Center

Römerberg

Paulskirche

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt

Main Tower

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer

Mid-Day/Afternoon — City Center

Römerberg

Paulskirche

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt

Main Tower

Rhine River, Guided

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM — Rhine River, Guided

Rhine River Gorge

Late Afternoon — North & South Banks

Sachsenhausen

Nizza Park

Iron Bridge (Eiserner Steg)

Dreikönigskirche (Church of the Three Kings)

Städel Museum

Early Evening/Evening — Dining Out

Transfer to Rail Station

9:15 AM — Transfer to Rail Station

10:14 - 11:39 — Train to Cologne

11:39 AM — Transfer from Rail Station

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM — Highlights Walking Tour of Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

Late Afternoon — Nazi Documentation Center, Self-Guided

Evening — Kölsch Beer Culture

Bonn Excursion

Morning to Afternoon — Bonn Excursion

Beethoven-Haus

City Hall (Rathaus)

Haus der Geschichte

Kunstmuseum Bonn

Late Afternoon — Old Town

Cologne Cathedral

Modern Art Museum/Ludwig Museum

Church of Great St. Martin

Chocolate Museum

Taxi Dropoff at Rail Station

8:10 AM — Taxi Dropoff at Rail Station

09:09 - 13:14 — Train to Hamburg

1:14 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Highlights Walking Tour

Aussenalster Lake

Speicherstadt Museum

Early Evening/Evening — St. Pauli

Reeperbahn

Red Light District (Hamburg)

Hamburg Fischmarkt and Harbor

U-Boat Museum

Speicherstadt

Morning/Mid-Day — Speicherstadt

Minatur Wunderland

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Cap San Diego

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Hamburg Altstadt

Hamburg Rathaus

St. Nikolai Memorial

Deichstraße

Church of St. Michel

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Alster Wander Way

Jungfernstieg

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.