Why Germany rewards city-hoppers
Germany packs world-class culture, history and food into cities that are easy to reach by its famous ICE trains. Here are six that deserve a spot on your trip, and the single highlight to anchor each visit.
Berlin
The capital is raw, creative and endlessly layered. Cold War history, world-class museums and a legendary nightlife scene all collide here.
- Highlight: Walk the East Side Gallery, the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted with over 100 murals.
Munich
Bavaria's elegant capital blends beer-hall tradition with grand architecture and easy access to the Alps.
- Highlight: Time your visit for Oktoberfest (late September to early October), or relax any time of year in the vast English Garden.
Hamburg
Germany's biggest port is a city of water, red-brick warehouses and maritime swagger.
- Highlight: Tour the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt warehouse district, then catch a concert at the wave-shaped Elbphilharmonie.
Cologne
Friendly, festive and proud of its Kolsch beer, Cologne sits right on the Rhine.
- Highlight: Climb the 533 steps of the Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that took over 600 years to build.
Dresden
Lovingly rebuilt after WWII, Dresden is often called Florence on the Elbe for its baroque skyline.
- Highlight: Visit the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger palace, home to Old Masters including Raphael's Sistine Madonna.
Heidelberg
This romantic university town on the Neckar river feels straight out of a storybook.
- Highlight: Explore the ruined red-sandstone Heidelberg Castle and enjoy the view over the old town.
Getting around
The Deutsche Bahn network links all six cities; Berlin to Munich takes about four hours by ICE. A flexible rail pass often beats buying point-to-point tickets.
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