Germany’s most popular tourist attractions
Every year, Germany attracts around 37 million tourists from all over the world. The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has been conducting an annual survey among international visitors asking them to name their German favorites. Almost 32,000 visitors to Germany from over 60 countries have done so, and here are the Top 10:
1. Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg
Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg can be best described as the biggest model railway in the world. Visitors are taken on a journey through different countries and continents, through realistic miniature landscapes and worlds of fantasy.
2. Europa-Park
Situated in south-west Germany between Freiburg and Offenburg, Europa-Park is the biggest theme park in the German-speaking countries and one of the few that is open in winter.
3. Neuschwanstein Castle
One of the most frequently photographed sights in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle was Ludwig II’s ambitious project that begun in 1869. It is well known as a symbol of idealised romantic architecture and also for the tragic story of its owner.
4. Lake Constance with Mainau Island and Monastic Island of Reichenau
The tri-country-region surrounding Lake Constance is popular for its unique and diverse nature, Mediterranean micro-climate and charming cities. The “flower island” of Mainau is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions of Lake Constance. The island of Reichenau, which is home to 9–12th century abbeys that house surviving manuscripts, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
5. Old Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a beautiful little town in Bavaria best known for its very well preserved medieval town centre and Christmas market.
6. Old quarter of Dresden with Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and Cathedral
Often referred to as “Florence on the Elbe”, Dresden is well known for a seemingly inexhaustible number of architecturally significant buildings, major art collections and picturesque landscapes.
7. Heidelberg Castle and old quarter
Heidelberg is a picturesque city located in Baden-Württemberg, in the south of Germany. Situated on the bank of the River Neckar and surrounded by the hills of the Odenwald forest, it inspired numerous poets and painters of the Romantic era.
8. Phantasialand
Award-winning andfamily-friendly theme park in Brühl, some 20km from Cologne that is also opens for a winter season featuring numerous shows.
9. Hellabrunn Zoo Munich
The zoo opened in 1911 in the Isar floodplains conservation area. It has more than 19,000 animals on around 40 hectares of grounds and is one of the biggest and most bio-diverse zoos in Germany and was the world’s very first ‘geo-zoo’.
10. Moselle Valley
Germany’s oldest wine-growing region and a diverse recreational area with castles and small traditional vine-growing villages.
