With a tourist's eye

Cologne Cathedral

For many years now, the Gothic cathedral on the Rhine has been Germany's most popular tourist sight. Not just foreign visitors, but also domestic tourists put Cologne's landmark at the top of their list.

With a tourist's eye

Restoration in Dresden

Many remember the Dresden Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, as a ruin and an anti-war memorial. Since its reconstruction and consecration in 2005, it has become one of the most popular travel destinations for German and foreign tourists alike. Every day they queue to be able to admire the Protestant building from the inside.

With a tourist's eye

Brandenburg Gate

The former city gate in the middle of Berlin, which was built at the end of the 18th century, has become a national emblem and a symbol for German reunification. The passageway from East to West Berlin is always open to visitors.

With a tourist's eye

Neuschwanstein Castle

Ludwig II of Bavaria had this palace built close to the town of Füssen because he wanted to retreat from public life. It was opened to the public just a few weeks after his death in 1886. Today it is the most visited castle in all of Europe; annually some 1.3. million people tour the fairytale rooms.

With a tourist's eye

Dresden Zwinger

During the flood of the century in 2002, it wasn't just people from Dresden who worried about the Baroque ensemble at the heart of their city. The palace with its 18th-century Crown Gate, pavilions, Nymph Baths, and numerous works of masonry is one of Europe's most important constructions.

With a tourist's eye

Port of Hamburg

The celebration of the harbor's birthday every year is one of Hamburg's biggest public events. Visitors from Germany and abroad come to experience the festivities and fireworks. 2012 will mark its 823th birthday. But even on other occasions, a round-trip of the 13 port areas is one of the most interesting excursions on a visit to Germany.

With a tourist's eye

Suspension railway in Wuppertal

This piece of industrial cultural heritage can be enjoyed for the price of a tram ticket. Even before the monorail hanging train was officially opened, Kaiser Wilhelm II took one of the first test rides in it in the year 1900. Today, tourists can take a tour of the Wupper river valley in the "emperor's car."

With a tourist's eye

Berlin's tv tower

With its 368 meters, the television tower in the capital is the highest building in Germany. After a stroll through the Museum Island and maybe one of the famous exhibitions, a visit to the revolving restaurant at the top of the television tower will provide a lofty panorama view of the city.

With a tourist's eye

Leipzig's monument

Just outside the city of Leipzig, Napoleon's troops met the Austrians, Prussians, Russians and Swedes in battle in 1813. The Battle of the Nations, which ended in defeat for Bonaparte, was the biggest in history until World War I. The monument was inaugurated on the centennial of the battle. Measuring 91 meters, it is one of Europe's highest and most visible landmarks.

With a tourist's eye

Berlin Reichstag

The interior and exterior of the Berlin Reichstag is always worth a visit. In 1991 the Council of Elders of the German Bundestag decided to convert the historic building, constructed in 1894 by architect Paul Wallot, into the seat of parliament for unified Germany. The building, which was modernized by British architect Sir Norman Foster with its glass dome, has become a magnet for visitors.

With a tourist's eye

Heidelberg Castle

The landmark of the town on the Neckar River is probably Germany's best-known ruin. The first reference to the castle dates back to the 13th century. Tourists from around the world flock to the city to see the preserved and restored parts of the Renaissance building, in which the local Palatinate electors at the time of Louis XIV used to reside.

With a tourist's eye

Porta Nigra

The Black Gate in Trier is one of the best preserved gates of antiquity. For a thousand years, the former Roman city gate was used as a church before Napoleon ordered it to be reconstructed to its former use in 1802. The black, weathered stones bear witness to an important part of cultural history.

With a tourist's eye

Wartburg Castle

In Thuringia, above the town of Eisenach, you'll find Wartburg Castle. The history of this World Heritage Site is close to Germans' hearts. In 1206, the fabled "Sängerkrieg," or Minstrels' Contest, was carried out here. In the early 16th century Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German and the Wartburg festival of 1817 marked Germany's first democratic gathering.

With a tourist's eye

Zeche Zollverein

The Zeche Zollverein in Essen, also one of Germany's World Heritage sites, was a fully functional coal mine until three decades ago. Today it is an industrial memorial, which has proven popular as a film location. It is also home to the Ruhr Museum.

With a tourist's eye

Ulm Minster

The tallest church in the world is located in the southern German city of Ulm. Construction began in the 14th century but wasn't completed until 1890. Since then, the cathedral has survived unscathed and unchanged.

With a tourist's eye

Holsten Gate

The town gate, marking old Lübeck's western boundary, is today seen as a landmark of the hanseatic town. The two towers, with their unusual cone roofs, were constructed in the 15th century according to Dutch models.

With a tourist's eye

Würzburg Residence

The palace, which originated in the first half of the 18th century, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It won this status because the Residence was seen as the "most homogeneous and the most extraordinary of the Baroque palaces." Today, 40 restored rooms are open to the public.

With a tourist's eye

Schwerin Castle

Since 1990, The Mecklenburg-Schwerin state parliament has been located on a romantic island. The former residence of Grand Dukes in Mecklenburg-Schwerin is also home to a museum, which presents over three floors valuable paintings, sculptures and works of art.

With a tourist's eye

Hercules Monument

At the highest point of the Willemshöhe in Kassel you'll find an octagon with a statue of the ancient Greek demigod, Heracles. It's the crowning finish on a 1.5- kilometer cascading water fountain. From the visitors' platform, there is a unique view of the entire Baroque park and the city of Kassel.

With a tourist's eye

Munich Oktoberfest

The Church of Our Lady, the Marienplatz square, the Hofbräuhaus beer house, the English Garden and the Olympic Park all draw many visitors to Munich. But the biggest attraction only takes place for a short time every year: Oktoberfest is annually attended by some 7 million visitors who manage to drink 7.5 million liters of beer. (Author: Sabine Peschel / sbc, Editor: Kate Bowen)

Author: Sabine Peschel / sbc | Editor: Kate Bowen