In this article, we’re going to look at 11 hidden gems in Germany that you’ve probably never heard of and need to visit.
Germany is home to many wonderful and interesting attractions that bring millions of visitors from all around the world every year. There are so many of these attractions that plenty of extraordinary places often get overlooked. We’re not going to overlook them any longer though.
These wonderful places to visit in Germany will keep you in awe no matter your age, where you’re from, or whatever else you’re planning on doing whilst traveling through this culture-rich country.
11 Best hidden gems in Germany
As you may know from our article on Germany’s fairytale castles, the country is chock full of them and some of the most incredible ones, you’ve probably never even heard of.
Incredible, but not quite as incredible as these castles are to visit in person.
Let’s get started with these 3 incredible castles that will leave you breathless.
Wernigerode Castle
The Wernigerode Castle is something out of a fairytale. Having been completed in the 19th century, in a time period similar to that of the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, you can notice some similarities between the two.
In fact, I’d go as far as calling the Wernigerode Castle the Neuschwanstein of the north, although that may do it a lot of injustice.
This incredible piece of Neo-Romanticism is located in the Harz mountains, with the Brocken train line another incredible sight and trip worth taking in the area through this incredible landscape.
The town at the foot of the castle, Wernigerode, has one of the most quaint and beautiful historic centers in the area and a great place to stay over for an extended period exploring the area.
P.s. Return in the summer or winter and experience an entirely different (yet equally incredible) atmosphere.
Lichtenstein Castle
No, we’re still covering hidden gems in Germany, and whilst the name of this marvelous castle may lead you to believe otherwise, it is located in Germany… And not even close to Liechtenstein.
Translating to Shining Stone, this castle as nothing to do with the similarly named country a few hundred kilometers away. Although I always tend to associate them whenever either come to mind.
Completed in the 19th century in a Gothic-revival style, this castle may seem small in comparison to some of its larger siblings in the country, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character.
Resting right on the edge of a cliff, it appears to have been formed out of the stone beneath it, or with the earth rising to form its own piece of architecture.
It’s a sight to behold in Württemberg and if you’d like to explore the area further, there is plenty to see nearby. The Nebelhöhle (caves) and the rather more famous of Hohenzollern Castle are only a few minutes away (by car).
Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle has undergone many changes over the years, which you can see quite clearly from the inner courtyard. Internally, the castle was split into 3 different residences to avoid conflict within the family as 3 siblings inherited the buildings. Today, one of these residences is being used as an office, whilst you can take an information-filled tour of the other two.
Constructed in the 15th century, this is one of the few castles in Germany to still be owned by the same family. Situated in a beautifully dense forest near to the Moselle river, you can experience a beautiful day out.
Taking a short 30-40-minute walk through the forest will bring you to the castle from the parking lot (or take the shuttle for a small fee) and once you’re done at the castle, the Moselle wine region has plenty more to keep you entertained for the day, week, or even month.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
When you imagine what a town in Germany should look like, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is what you will see.
This picturesque town is located on a plateau on the eastern banks of the Tauber river (hence the latter part of the name) in the Franconia region of Bavaria. You may have come across pictures of this beautiful medieval town in association with the Romantic road that takes you along a magical route through the southern parts of Germany.
There is plenty to see in this beautiful town, so best visit when the flowers are in full bloom and you can enjoy the daylight well into the evening.
Basteibrücke
The Bastei Bridge near Dresden is one of those places that can come across as rather confusing, especially when you witness the height of the impressive structure in person.
If these sandstone mountains aren’t enough for you, follow the mountain range across the Czech border and find some of the most amazing natural sandstone sights you’ll ever come across, like the Pravčická Archway or the mountains near Tisá.
Related: 13 of the best cities to visit in Germany
Rakotzbrücke
The Rakotz Bridge, or Devil’s Bridge, is one of those magical places you see but can’t actually believe it exists. This bridge really does exist though and you can find it near the Polish border in Gablenz.
Whilst the bridge is normally an impressive sight to behold, with the Rakotz Lake filled with water and the bridge forming an almost perfect circle when the reflection is just right, it is currently undergoing some maintenance but should be reopening sometime in 2020.
You can visit this page for an update on the maintenance procedures and find out when you should plan your trip.
Partnach Gorge
The Partnach Gorge is one of the places we recommend visiting during the winter when the water freezes and creates some beautiful ice formations along the path and along the walls of the 80meter high trench.
Remember to wear waterproof shoes and clothing (year-round) when visiting, as there are no guarantees you’ll be staying dry. 😉
The Partnach Gorge is found near Garmisch-Partenkirchen and you’ll find some incredible hiking and skiing locations in the area if you’re staying for more than just the Gorge.
Königsee and Obersee
You may be familiar with the Königsee, but you’ve probably never heard of the directly adjacent Obersee.
The high mountains, beautiful waters, and tranquillity make this an incredible place to visit and well worth the long hike. This being another hidden gem in Germany close to the Austrian border, try for an April hike to enjoy the sunshine and snow-topped mountains to the south and east.
As you’ve already hiked this far for this hidden gem in Germany, you might as well hike a little farther to the Röthbach Waterfall… trust me, it’ll be worth it. 😉
Geierlay Bridge
Known as Germany’s most beautiful suspension bridge, the Geierlay Bridge is the newest member to join this list having been opened in 2015. So, it may not be a hidden gem for all that much longer. 😉
Found in the Hunsrück region, and not too far from Eltz castle, this 360-meter-long and 100-meter-high suspension bridge is a great way to get out into the fresh air.
Boasting a vertigo free experience, we had to test it and our dogs decided they wanted to come along for the canine analysis. With safety measures all around, and no rocking back and forth, we cautiously took the dogs over, but there was nothing to worry about and they had no problems.
Bring your hiking boots with and explore the valley on a roundtrip or go even further into the forest and countryside.
Regensburg
Housing one of the most well-preserved old towns in Germany, Regensburg is an astonishingly underappreciated city in Bavaria.
Situated on the banks of the Danube river in Southeast Germany. The 12th century stone bridge and 13th century cathedral are some of the more famous sights to behold and take up most of your attention when strolling along the river.
Blautopf in Blaubeuren
This spring in Baden-Württemburg is home to some astonishingly turquoise waters. Thanks to the limestone on the walls of this 21-meter-deep pool, the water stays this remarkable color year-round and makes for one of the most incredible sights to behold.
There are kilometers of underground caves leading to the blue river, some of which are yet to be explored. Due to the safety issues, you aren’t allowed to swim in this remarkable place and only professionals are allowed in.
This hidden gem in Germany, however, also happens to be a great starting point for a hiking adventure, with many routes starting right here and taking you through some of the beautiful scenery along the Swabian Jura’s southern edge.
Now you know of all these 11 hidden gems in Germany, how many did you know before reading this article? Have you visited any, and which are you going to be adding to your German bucket list?
