Hi adventurers! Welcome back to Faraway Fable. As you know, Germany is one of my favorite countries to visit, with decadent dishes, fairytale towns, and some of the best outdoor activities for families. Here’s a guide to my top five destinations to add to your Germany itinerary.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Though I touched on Garmisch a little bit in the 5 Favorite Destinations in
Europe blog, I simply have to add it to today’s list. A perfect town for adventurous travelers, Garmisch has much to offer for those who love outdoor adventures such as trips up the Zugspitze, hikes through Partnach Gorge, a walk around Lake Eibsee, and more.
From this list, one of my top destinations is Lake Eibsee. Located at the bottom of the Zugspitze, Lake Eibsee looks as if it was pulled right out of an Instagram post. With crystal clear water and a perfect view of the mountain above, it’s a spot perfect for those family photos and picturesque views.
Another of my favorites was visiting the olympic ski jumps. For any movie fanatics, if you’ve ever seen the film Eddie the Eagle starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman, you might recognize the ski jumps from the movie. Parts of the movie were actually filmed in Garmisch, as the winter olympic games were once held in the stadium.
For another adventure that is less than an hour away from the town, make sure to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, which is often said to be the inspiration for Disney’s sleeping beauty castle.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
One of
the most famous travel destinations in Germany, Rothenburg looks like an illustration from a fairytale come to life. Fun fact, Rothenburg actually inspired the look of Disney’s Pinocchio!
While you’re there, make sure to visit the famous market square and city streets to see some of the medieval architecture Rothenburg is famed for, most notably the timber frame house called the Plönlein.
If you’re looking for a panoramic view of the whole town, take a walk along the city’s medieval walls. Stretching about four kilometers around the city, Rothenburg’s city wall is one of the most well preserved in all of Europe! 
But, after all of this walking, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Stop by one of the local bakeries to try one of the city’s most popular sweet treats … Schneeballen. Schneeballen is essentially fried pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar, or sometimes iced with filling inside. (I highly recommend the classic, strawberry, or chocolate flavors)
Rhine River Cruise
Another way to experience the beauty of Germany is on a peaceful cruise through the Rhine river. This past summer, I took a day-trip to cruise along the river and stopped through the towns of Rüdesheim am Rhein, Assmannshausen, and Bingen.
For a relaxing day spent hiking, walking along the riverside and vineyards, and trying some traditional German foods, make sure to add this day trip to your list!
Burg Eltz
You simply can’t take a trip to Germany without touring one of its many castles, and Burg Eltz is one of my favorites. Located in Wierschem, just an hour and a half outside of Frankfurt, Burg Eltz is rich in history and is often considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, composed of dark stone with bright white and red timber accents. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a guided tour through the castle to experience the rich medieval history held within its walls.
Heidelberg
Though these destinations only touch the surface of all that Germany has to offer, one of my favorite cities is Heidelberg, famed for its namesake castle. Walking through Heidelberg castle and across the old bridge are some of the most popular activities to partake in on your visit, but there’s plenty more that the city has to offer.
For a panoramic view of the city, take the Heidelberg funicular for a view of the town and the Neckar valley surrounding.
Within the castle, one of the most popular attractions is the barrel building, where one of the wine barrels stands to hold 200,000 liters (Schloss Heidelberg).
Bonus: Phantasialand
For travelers looking for a fun adventure for the whole family, I had to throw in Phantasialand, one of the best theme parks in all of Europe. Located in Brühl, Germany, Phantasialand is unique in that each section of the park is based on a different country or geographic region.
Phantasialand is home to a variety of attractions, with two of them being consistently reviewed as some of the best in Europe! Taron, a multi-launch coaster, has been voted as Europe’s best steel rollercoaster not once, but eight times! And Chiapas, Phantasialand’s whitewater ride inspired by Mayan ruins, has the steepest descent of any water ride in the world, and was voted Europe’s best water ride eight times (Phantasialand).
I could go on and on, but I hope these recommendations are helpful in starting to plan your next adventure to Germany! If you have any questions about any of the destinations mentioned today, be sure to let me know in the travel questions form. Any recommendations on where I should travel to next? Let me know in the recommend an adventure form.
