Five lesser known German summer destinations to visit this year
Want to avoid the crowds this summer? Here are five of the most underrated holiday destinations in Germany.
Counties around Germany are starting to welcome tourists again.
But avoiding big crowds is still a good idea this summer. Though the German government has downgraded the country’s risk status, they warn people to proceed with caution. We’re not out of the woods yet.
READ ALSO: State by state: What are the new rules for tourism around Germany?
Luckily, Germany has loads of fantastic holiday destinations that are off the beaten track (and some are literally in the woods). These are usually overlooked for more popular destinations like Berlin and Munich and perfect for a safe summer getaway.
Here are some of our top picks for the most beautiful lesser known holiday destinations in Germany.
Heligoland, Schleswig-Holstein
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Heligoland sounds like the name of a Dutch amusement park, but it’s actually a remarkable little island in the North Sea. It’s Germany’s only high-seas island and is reachable by ferry from Cuxhaven or Büsum.
This compact little island (only 1.7 square kilometres!) packs a lot in. As well as a beautiful sand beach, which you might need to share with some fluffy seals, it has a museum, cinema and a mini-golf course, as well as other land and sea sports on offer.
Heligoland is the perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing beach weekend and for wildlife lovers. The island is an oasis for sea and song birds.
It’s also a popular destination for day tourists who take advantage of the tax-free shopping.
Dahner Felsenland, Rheinland-Palatinate
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Rhineland-Palatinate is often underappreciated when it comes to German tourism. This means that as well as its stunning and unspoiled natural beauty, it’s also irresistibly affordable.
One of the highlights of the region is the Dahner Felsenland in the Palatine Forest. It’s most famous for its colourful sandstone cliffs and caves, which crown the hills and valleys along the French border.
As well as an attractive hiking and rock-climbing destination, it’s also home to a lot of culture. It’s home to thirteen different castles and ruins, with mysterious atmospheres and famous folktales.
If you’re looking for a more laid-back retreat, the area has you covered too: there’s an 8,000 square metre sauna nestled into the birch forest.
Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt
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This Instagram-worthy UNESCO world heritage town is just north of the Harz mountains. Twee alleys of 1,100 year-old half-timbered houses lead up to the collegiate church at the center of the town.
But there’s more to do in Quedlinburg than glowing up your Insta feed. The town is filled to the brim with little independent galleries, history museums and cosy cafes and restaurants offering everything from local delicacies to fine dining.
Happy shoppers will find it hard to resist the unique stores and boutiques in Quedlinburg’s historic houses.
And for travellers with itchy feet, the nearby mountains offer an exciting escape. There are biking and hiking tours in the Harz a-plenty, each as charming as the next.
Schrecksee, Bavaria
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You’ll have to pinch yourself a few times when you get to Schrecksee: the views are unreal.
This picturesque alpine lake on the Austrian border isn’t the easiest to get to. It takes a seven hour trek on foot to get to, and so is one for the hikers, wanderers and wild campers among us.
However, the walk over the Allgäu is breath-taking - in all senses, as the Schrecksee is at an altitude of 5,949 feet. Once you’ve reached the top, you can bathe in the refreshing water and the mysterious atmosphere of the lake.
You can stay in the nearby Bad Hindelang, where there are plenty of luxurious hotels (but also Airbnbs and hostels!), which is famous as a spa and health resort.
Meersburg am Bodensee, Baden-Württemberg
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For those who are looking for stunning views without having to sweat for it, Meersburg is the place to be.
Here culture reigns supreme with a whole tick-list of sights to see, including a medieval castle, a baroque palace, museums galore and lots of historical spots around the town.
What makes Meersburg particularly special, is that on top of all this, it has a fantastic location. Nestled into a vineyard-landscape on a hill overlooking the sea, it has endless romantic viewpoints hidden along the roads and paths.
Add to this the fresh fish, local wine and the local delicacies of sea-vegetables, and you're sure to have a memorable and indulgent holiday here.
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Counties around Germany are starting to welcome tourists again.
But avoiding big crowds is still a good idea this summer. Though the German government has downgraded the country’s risk status, they warn people to proceed with caution. We’re not out of the woods yet.
READ ALSO: State by state: What are the new rules for tourism around Germany?
Luckily, Germany has loads of fantastic holiday destinations that are off the beaten track (and some are literally in the woods). These are usually overlooked for more popular destinations like Berlin and Munich and perfect for a safe summer getaway.
Here are some of our top picks for the most beautiful lesser known holiday destinations in Germany.
Heligoland, Schleswig-Holstein
View this post on Instagram
Heligoland sounds like the name of a Dutch amusement park, but it’s actually a remarkable little island in the North Sea. It’s Germany’s only high-seas island and is reachable by ferry from Cuxhaven or Büsum.
This compact little island (only 1.7 square kilometres!) packs a lot in. As well as a beautiful sand beach, which you might need to share with some fluffy seals, it has a museum, cinema and a mini-golf course, as well as other land and sea sports on offer.
Heligoland is the perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing beach weekend and for wildlife lovers. The island is an oasis for sea and song birds.
It’s also a popular destination for day tourists who take advantage of the tax-free shopping.
Dahner Felsenland, Rheinland-Palatinate
View this post on Instagram
Rhineland-Palatinate is often underappreciated when it comes to German tourism. This means that as well as its stunning and unspoiled natural beauty, it’s also irresistibly affordable.
One of the highlights of the region is the Dahner Felsenland in the Palatine Forest. It’s most famous for its colourful sandstone cliffs and caves, which crown the hills and valleys along the French border.
As well as an attractive hiking and rock-climbing destination, it’s also home to a lot of culture. It’s home to thirteen different castles and ruins, with mysterious atmospheres and famous folktales.
If you’re looking for a more laid-back retreat, the area has you covered too: there’s an 8,000 square metre sauna nestled into the birch forest.
Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt
View this post on Instagram
This Instagram-worthy UNESCO world heritage town is just north of the Harz mountains. Twee alleys of 1,100 year-old half-timbered houses lead up to the collegiate church at the center of the town.
But there’s more to do in Quedlinburg than glowing up your Insta feed. The town is filled to the brim with little independent galleries, history museums and cosy cafes and restaurants offering everything from local delicacies to fine dining.
Happy shoppers will find it hard to resist the unique stores and boutiques in Quedlinburg’s historic houses.
And for travellers with itchy feet, the nearby mountains offer an exciting escape. There are biking and hiking tours in the Harz a-plenty, each as charming as the next.
Schrecksee, Bavaria
View this post on Instagram
You’ll have to pinch yourself a few times when you get to Schrecksee: the views are unreal.
This picturesque alpine lake on the Austrian border isn’t the easiest to get to. It takes a seven hour trek on foot to get to, and so is one for the hikers, wanderers and wild campers among us.
However, the walk over the Allgäu is breath-taking - in all senses, as the Schrecksee is at an altitude of 5,949 feet. Once you’ve reached the top, you can bathe in the refreshing water and the mysterious atmosphere of the lake.
You can stay in the nearby Bad Hindelang, where there are plenty of luxurious hotels (but also Airbnbs and hostels!), which is famous as a spa and health resort.
Meersburg am Bodensee, Baden-Württemberg
View this post on Instagram
For those who are looking for stunning views without having to sweat for it, Meersburg is the place to be.
Here culture reigns supreme with a whole tick-list of sights to see, including a medieval castle, a baroque palace, museums galore and lots of historical spots around the town.
What makes Meersburg particularly special, is that on top of all this, it has a fantastic location. Nestled into a vineyard-landscape on a hill overlooking the sea, it has endless romantic viewpoints hidden along the roads and paths.
Add to this the fresh fish, local wine and the local delicacies of sea-vegetables, and you're sure to have a memorable and indulgent holiday here.
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