24 Places to Go in Germany for Fairytale Castles, Alpine Lakes, and Storybook Towns

The best places to go in Germany shine year-round because the country is one of those rare destinations that shines in every season, from the dune-edged islands of summer to the European Christmas markets and snowy mountains of winter. (Not to mention all that fall foliage…) Add to that some seriously unique geography—Germany touches both the Alps and the Baltic Sea—and you have yourself one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Whether you’re looking for crystal-clear lakes, rugged national parks, riverside vineyards, or dense forests straight from a Grimm fairytale, you’ll find it in Germany. There are even some charming small towns and Disney-esque castles (not to mention the most architecturally stunning library you’ve ever seen) that give Mother Nature a run for her money. Here, we’ve done the near-impossible task of choosing the most beautiful places in Germany to help inspire your next trip. Prost to your next adventure!

This article has been updated since its original publish date.