Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt are Germany's most famous tourism hubs, and small cities along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers overflow with visitors on the region's numerous river cruises, but beyond bustling metropolises and popular towns along the river lie some of the country's hidden gems. Explore university towns, ski towns, coastal regions and religious attractions off the beaten path in these lesser-known destinations.
Erfurt
Those following in the footsteps of Martin Luther may be familiar with Erfurt already. It is the place where the father of the Protestant Reformation was ordained in the Cathedral of St. Mary. While the town has great religious significance, it also has a long history of trading. It is located at the crossroads of two ancient trade routes and home to the Merchants' Bridge, which was constructed in 1325 and spans the Breitstrom, a branch of the Gera River.
Freiburg
On the edge of the Black Forest lies Freiburg. Famous for its university, the city is also known as one of Germany's wine towns and is a hub of regional tourism. Visitors can enjoy a number of culinary experiences and tastings in the city and also visit vineyards, co-ops and enjoy the area's wine festivals.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
While popular for skiing and snowboarding in the wintertime, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is not just a haven for winter sports. In the summertime, visitors can take advantage of alpine hiking trails and get a taste of traditional Bavaria.
The city, formed in 1935 when the towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen joined together, is located in the heart of Bavaria and close to Germany's highest peak, Zugspitze, which is nearly 10,000 feet high. While the two towns may have united, each still has a distinct identity. Garmisch is known for style and sophistication while Partenkirchen is home to cobblestone streets and Bavarian feel.
Mnster
Grab a bike and go for a ride in Mnster, known as the cycling capital of Germany. The city is home to more than a half million bikes and more than 100,000 people pedal the city each day.
With that in mind, it's not surprising to learn that Mnster has a youthful feel for a city with a history that dates back 1,200 years. Visitors will want to explore its historic city center, Prinzipalmarkt with its 48 gabled buildings. It's also worth taking a look at the town hall and the municipal wine house and make some time for shopping on Salzstrasse, Mnster's oldest mercantile street.
Oberammergau
The small town of Oberammergau might not be on every traveler's radar but, once a decade, it hosts the world's longest-running Passion Play. The next play will be held in 2020, but it's never too early to start making plans to visit. Tickets sell out well in advance, however many tour operators and river cruises add the city to their itineraries for those interested in taking in the day-long event.
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg and just 30 minutes from Berlin. It was home to Prussian kings and the German Kaiser and, therefore, home to a number of palaces. The parks and palaces of Sansouci, in particular, are Germany's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the city a worthy side trip for visitors to Berlin.
Rostock
Travel like an in-the-know European and head to the seaside getaway of Rostock. Visitors will want to head to the beautiful Rostock Botanical Garden, which houses an arboretum and alpine gardens. ?In the old town, visitors will find the Gothic St. Mary's Church, which they will find a 15th-century astronomical clock. There are also gabled merchant houses that date back to the renaissance and defensive city walls from the 13th century. This year, the city is celebrating its 800th anniversary.
Sylt
Sick of the Hamptons in the U.S.? Why not travel to the Hamptons of Germany and shake things up? Sylt Island in Northern Germany is a vacation paradise in the North Sea and a popular destination for wealthy and middle-class Germans. The island is easy to reach from Hamburg by train, car or even by plane, and arriving visitors will want to stay in Westerland, where they will be in the middle of everything. There's no need to bring a car because public transportation is easy and plentiful, with bikes also available to rent. However, the island floods with luxury SUVs in the summer months, when German jet-setters retreat to Sylt's shores.
These are but a few of Germany's hidden gems, highlighting the diverse number of experiences available to visitors in the country.
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