The best off-beat things to do and see compiled by a German
Hi! My name is Kira, and I’m as German as they come. While all the other guides will tell you to visit Neuschwanstein in Bavaria or the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, I want to take you on a truly authentic German adventure with the best things to do in Germany. Without Lederhos’n but with beer! Are you ready?
Rent a fast car and hit the Autobahn
You probably know that Germany has no speed limit on its highways. However, this only applies to specific stretches, and you can’t go super fast all the time. If you stay in Berlin, you can travel to Hanover via the A2. There are long stretches without a speed limit where you can go faster than 130 km/h if you want to. Please drive responsibly and stick to speed limits when required.
Walk in the North Sea
One of the must-do things in Germany is walking at the bottom of the North Sea at low tide. We call it “Watt wandern” and you walk from the mainland to the small islands at low tide. This is possible anywhere on the North Sea coast, but Nordfriesland is less crowded, especially during summer.
Celebrate Karneval in Cologne
Did you know Germany has a fifth season? Now you do! In many parts of Germany (mainly the west and the south), people celebrate Karneval. In Cologne, the celebrations (and the 5th season) start on the 11th of November at 11:11 am and end in a highlight week in February. On Shrove Monday, there’s a parade in the city center of Cologne and a massive party at the Cologne Cathedral. Everyone is wearing costumes and drinking beer while the people on the parade wagons throw candy at the visitors. The usually very reserved Germans go crazy here on Karneval.
Teleport back to the Middle Ages
Some of the best things to see in Germany are unique (and old) city centers from the Middle Ages. The Medieval cities (in my opinion) are…
- Miltenberg in Bavaria
- Bacharach in Rhineland-Palatinate
- Wernigerode in Lower Saxony
- Quedlinburg – a UNESCO world heritage site in Saxony-Anhalt
- Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber in Bavaria
Party in Hamburg
You’ve heard of the legendary parties in Berlin but did you know that Hamburg also has fantastic nightlife? Whether you prefer bars or clubs – you’ll definitely find your vibe here. In St. Pauli you can find the Reeperbahn, a street filled with bars, clubs, drag shows, and strip clubs. If you haven’t found your reasons to visit Germany, this might be the most convincing argument. There’s no curfew and some bars are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. You’ll be able to always keep the party going in Hamburg.
Enjoy panoramic views from the mountains to the sea
Not only does Germany have interesting and unique cities with fantastic nightlife and architecture but the nature surrounding those cities, towns, small village alsone is worth a visit! But you might wonder, what are the best panoramic views here? Here are my top picks…
- Rhine Valley between Rüdesheim and Koblenz in Rhineland-Palatinate
- The Great Bend in the Saar near Mettlach in Rhineland-Palatinate
- Königssee (“King’s Lake”) in the Bavarian Alps
- Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland in Saxony
- Königsstuhl on the Island of Rügen
Eat the best local Food
German food is known and popular around the globe. Unexpectedly, we don’t only eat Sauerkraut and Bratwurst but have wide varieties of food. Some stereotypes we sadly can not outrun: most Germany love potatoes, meat and sausages, and of course what would live be without bread. Here’s my highlight list of foods you’ll never forget after having travelled to Germany.
- Döner Kebab and Currywurst in Berlin
Both of these fast foods are absolute classics when visiting Berlin. For the best Döner, go to Teras Restaurant in Berlin Mitte, and for Currywurst, try Konnopke’s Imbiss in Prenzlauer Berg! - Fischbrötchen in Hamburg
Hamburg is one of Europe’s most important port cities, and what would a port city be without fish? Head to the Landungsbrücken, grab a bread roll with fish or crabs, and watch the container ships pass by. - Himmel un Äd in Cologne
This dish is one of my personal favorites. Himmel un Äd means Sky and Earth in the Cologne dialect and describes a dish containing mashed potatoes (with lumps!), apple compote, and pan-seared black sausage topped with crispy onions. When in season, you can get the best Himmel un Äd at Oma Kleinmann. They also have AMAZING Schnitzel! - Käsespätzle in Swabia
People from Swabia are famous for their Käsespätzle, essentially the German (and better) version of Mac&Cheese. - Weißwurst with Pretzel and sweet mustard for breakfast in Munich
The Bavarians are a special breed because they eat white sausage with pretzels and mustard for breakfast while drinking wheat beer. You have to try it at least once in your life, and if it’s just for the experience. Check out one of the many Brauhäuser around town (for example, Augustiner Bräu) and get yourself an authentic Bavarian breakfast. - Bread, anywhere you go
You can’t leave Germany without having tried good bread! It is one of the things I always miss when going abroad. Every train station has multiple bakeries, you need to commit to one. One of my personal recommendations is in Berlin: Zeit für Brot. They have amazing bread and delicious Cinnamon Rolls.
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