Be sure to see our new detailed  road map of Germany, based on Google Maps, that shows the location of our recommendations for the Best Places to Visit in Germany,  Your can also route between locations using the map, as well as zoom in on locations using either the map or satellite view buttons.

The Semperoper (the Opera House) in Dresden is one of the city's many fanciful buildings.

• Dresden

  • Slow to recover from the ravages of World War II and damaged by  floods in 2002, Dresden, the capital of the state of Saxony, is known for world class art museums, extravagant palaces, and a beautiful setting on the Elbe River.

  • View the river from the  Brühlsche Terasse, known as the "Balcony of Europe", a rampart on the south bank of the river.  It is located on Terrassenufer near the Carolabrücke Bridge.
    
    

  • For many, the highlight of a visit to Dresden is the recently restored Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) which was re-consecrated late in 2005.

    If you have time, see the Cathedral (Katholische Hofkirche), a beautiful church in  the baroque style. Its interior detail is quite interesting.
  
  

  • Be sure to visit the Zwinger Palace (a baroque masterpiece with a small but fantastic art collection), Semper Opera House (Semperoper) and the Dresden Royal Palace (Residenz  Schloss). 

  • At the Royal Palace, the Green Vault, one of Europe's renowned collections of artistic treasures, reopened in September 2006.  The collection had not been seen in its entirety for nearly 70 years. The original museum was a casualty of World War II and the collection was rescued from destruction at the end of the war by the Russian Army.  It was returned  to Germany in 1958.  

  • Be sure to tour the "Jewel Room" and the "Entrance Vault" to examine luxurious gemstones displayed in  elaborate settings. Reservations are suggested.  For more information visit the Museum's official site.
    
    

  • If you have time, explore the nearby Elbe Valley, which has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

  There are several fine castles near Dresden (Moritzburg, Albrechtsberg, Ligner, Pillnitz and Eckberg are just a few examples of the many picturesque castles in the Dresden Elbe Valley)
  
  

  • Dresden celebrated its  800th anniversary in 2006.

• Black Forest

  • The Black Forest (the Schwarzwald) is not black and many visitors would claim that many of its areas are too prim and proper to be called a forest,  but that does not subtract from the region's attractiveness. The Black Forest offers the best food in Germany along with upscale resorts and spas featuring natural thermal pools.  The locations of many of these spas are based on sites originally discovered by Roman Soldiers and, then, abandoned and lost for centuries. If you have the time and money, the Black Forest can be a delightful place to travel. Make reservations early as European's consider this area one of the continents best places for a relaxing vacation.  There are numerous cities and villages to visit, although we highlight just two.  For more information visit Germany's official tourism website.

  
  

  • Baden-Baden

    • One of the exclusive spa-resort areas on the edge of the Black Forest, this is the place to stop if you want luxury treatment and, perhaps, to gamble away the family fortune at the casino.  Look for shopping in the town centre, along  Lange Strasse, Lichtentaler Strasse, and the pedestrian area near the spa's.

      For more information, visit this site.

    • Baden-Baden can be an expensive place to stay.
      
      

  • Freiburg

    • Freiburg, The capital of the Black Forest,  offers a lot to see  and is a pleasant place for a stay. Freiburg's Old Town is one of the most interesting and beautiful in Germany. The Old Town (town centre) is filled with interesting shopping opportunities and is pedestrian only.  Be sure to see  the Münster, the town's towering cathedral, and its square the Münsterplatz (Minister Square), where an open market is held in the morning.  In addition, while visiting the square, take a look at the Merchant's Hall, which, in the past, served as customs house and warehouse for the market.




• Hamburg

  • Germany's second largest city and one of Europe's leading ports, Hamburg is well known for its historic "Warehouse Quarter", museums, grand avenues, and shopping.

   

  • Be sure to see the Town Hall, the Harbor, Stoll through the Blankenese District along the Elbe River,  visit the Speicherstadt (warehouse district) (or view it from a harbor cruise) and make time for the Church of St. Michael ( a Baroque masterpiece).

     

    Hamburg is very enjoyable from the water, so take a harbor cruise to get to know the city.

   

  
  

• Frankfurt   

  • Frankfurt am Main is  the gateway to Germany for many travelers: If you arrive here, we suggest that you take a day to tour the town to recovering from jet lag (see our article on Jet Lag) before you hit the road. 

    
    

  • Today's Frankfurt is a thoroughly modern city that is the commercial and financial center of Germany.  Although the city was devastated by bombing during World War II, there are several sights worth seeing.  Head for the  Römerberg  Square (including the Römer - the Old Town Hall), St. Paul's church and the Old Opera House (Alte Oper) for a recreated taste of historic Frankfurt. 

  
  

  • Visit the Museum Embankment along the Mainz River for a number of good quality museums (including the incredible Stadel Art Museum).

  
  

  • Frankfurt holds many major trade fairs (e.g. the International Book Fair (November) and the International Auto Show (October).  Make sure to plan your visit some other time.   During  these huge shows hotels will be unavailable (if available they will be very expensive) and the waiting times at restaurants will be extraordinary.

  
  

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Dresden has recovered from the damage of the past and is a wonderful place to visit

 

Germany's Best Places to Visit The Regions The Romantic Road Bavaria Rhine Valley Mosel Valley The Castle Road The Black Forest Major Cities Berlin and Potsdam Munich Dresden Hamburg Frankfurt Itineraries

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Germany's Best Places to Visit The Regions The Romantic Road Bavaria Rhine Valley Mosel Valley The Castle Road The Black Forest Major Cities Berlin and Potsdam Munich Dresden Hamburg Frankfurt Itineraries