Working in a budget hotel in Nuremberg, I get asked to recommend enjoyable cities to visit in Germany on a daily basis. While most travelers usually head straight to the major cities Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, as well as a couple of smaller cities like Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Dortmund or Leipzig, only very few tourists get to see the real authentic parts of the German historical and cultural heritage. In the media and travel guides, it seems, only the major German cities get attention, which is a shame considering that there are so many excellent, budget-friendly hidden gems worth a visit.
In this post, I´ve listed various small cities (less than 150k citizens) that provide insight into German history, architecture, and culture. Those towns are a lot more off the beaten path than many other tourist spots and will be an authentic experience for foreign travelers.
By the way, with this medieval-themed two-week itinerary, you can link several of the following cities and thereby dedicate an entire trip to Germany’s romantic locations.
>> See also: Discover Medieval Germany In 14 Days – A Sample Itinerary
>> See also: Travel Writers Reveal Top Little-Known Castles In Southern Germany
1. Bamberg
The Franconian town of Bamberg is located at the border of the Franconian Switzerland region and an architectural masterpiece. Its entire medieval Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of Bavaria’s most beautiful. Among tourists and locals, Bamberg is known for being one of Germany’s most authentic beer cities featuring 10 unique breweries. Some people even refer to Bamberg as the beer capital of Germany. Several canals and river branches run through the town giving it the nickname “Small Venice.” Bamberg is also a lively college city with around 13000 students who bring life into pavement cafes, pubs and beer cellars. A visit can easily be done as a day trip while staying in Nuremberg. However, to experience the medieval Franconian town with its vibrant atmosphere once the day-trip tourists have left, consider staying overnight.
>> See also: Budget Travel Guide: Experience Bamberg In 1 Day
Top Sights To See
Bamberger Dom (Bamberg Cathedral), Neue Residenz (New Residence), Klein Venedig (Small Venice), Brauereimuseum (Brewery museum)
Typical Food & Drink
Check out restaurants like Schlenkerla or Zum Sternla for authentic Franconian food and beer. Klosterbräu is another good place worth trying – it´s a small brewery a little outside the old sections of downtown. They brew mostly dark beer with a very distinct taste. Regarding beer, consider taking a zip of Bamberg´s exceptional smoked beer – only try if you like the taste of ham. 😉
⭐ TopTip:
In 2015 and 2016, I used to spend a lot of time in Bamberg as I have tons of friends there who I like to meet up with on a regular basis. I recommend Café Esspress, which offers incredibly cheap food deals every day, e.g. they have themed days, such as Burger Day, Pizza Day, Pasta Day with 50% discounts. Another pub I like is Stilbruch, located in the Sandstraße in the very center of Bamberg. This bar also offers very budget-friendly dishes as well as good Franconian beer.
2. Marburg
The famous university town of Marburg is located on a hill. It´s renowned for being a historical spot with impressive buildings and churches from different eras. The vibrant Old Town is unique in Germany and situated just below the hilltop castle, offering fabulous views over the whole city from some of the cafes and shops. Since the entire upper town is a pedestrian zone, you´ll find plenty of pavement cafes, pubs, and restaurants, which are frequented by the town´s numerous students. In fact, the University of Marburg is the oldest Protestant university in the world, founded in 1527, and had once counted many famous people among its students, such as the Brothers Grimm. Students from all over the world dominate the public life and bring youthful vibes to the town near the river Lahn. Located only around 100km north of Frankfurt, Marburg may be a perfect day-trip you can include in your Germany itinerary.
Top Sights To See
Marburger Schloss (Marburg Castle), Elisabethkirche (St. Elizabeth Church), Oberstadt (Old Town), Spiegelslustturm (Spiegelslust Tower)
Typical Food & Drink
If you´re looking for some traditional German and Hessian food, check out Restaurant Ratsschänke at the market square in the Old Town.
⭐ TopTip:
Born in this city, I may recommend a few bars and cafés you will very likely not find in a city guide written by a tourist. For some cheap, but delicious Italian food (pasta, pizza, sandwiches), head to Café Mocca, which is located close to the cinema. If you´re looking for German beer, check out Aldi´s Biergarten located only minutes away from the Old Town as well as Hinkelstein in the upper town section.
3. Heidelberg
Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest and probably one of the most famous university towns. Among tourists, it is often referred to as a romantic day-trip or weekend-get-away destination. Heidelberg has a remarkably well-preserved baroque Old Town, with a castle sitting perched up on a hill, an impressive cathedral, and picturesque riverside setting. It´s best just to walk around, from one medieval alleyway to the next, and explore the architecture as well as boutique shops and pavement cafes. Due to a large number of students, the city has a youthful charm and has not only historical attractions but also offers excellent cultural and entertainment program. The town is a must-see for photographers and tourists interested in history and arts. It is mostly surrounded by forest and is located about 100km south of Frankfurt making it a perfect spot to include in your Germany itinerary.
Top Sights To Visit
Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle), Alte Brücke (Old Bridge), Heiliggeistkirche (Church Of The Holy Spirit), Deutsches Apotheken Museum (German Pharmacy Museum)
Typical Food & Drink
Moro Caffe & Thé is a great café to try some rare and unique kinds of coffee and tea. Authentic German food can be found in several restaurants around town. One of them is Brauhaus Vetter, which also brews its own beer: the perfect component alongside a delicious meal with biiiiig portions.
4. Weimar
Weimar is a charming, somewhat small Thuringian town with an impressive architecture and historical heritage. It is an essential stop for anyone interested in German history and culture. The city is most famous for having been (temporarily) home to creative minds like Goethe, Schiller, Bach, Nietzsche or Kandinsky. You’ll see them memorialized on the streets throughout Weimar´s beautiful Old Town. Moreover, you’ll find more than 10 historic buildings from the Classical Weimar period, which have even been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. In summer, Weimar hosts arts and music festivals and invites both tourists and locals to stroll around the numerous parks, such as the Goethe Park, which is even larger than the whole city of Weimar. The town is located around 130km from Leipzig and may be an excellent destination for a one-night stay.
Top Sights To See
Stadtschloss Weimar (Weimar City Palace), Goethe Haus (Goethe´s residential building), Schillers Wohnhaus (Schiller´s residential building), Fürstengruft (Burial sites)
Typical Food & Drink
For some traditional Thuringian specialties, go to Gretchen’s Cafe & Restaurant or Zum Weißen Schwan, which even have some dishes and program with reference to Goethe and Schiller. Once in Thuringia, make sure to taste the famous Thuringian sausage at one of the street food stalls.
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5. Eisenach
Eisenach is a small Thuringian town with an incredible cultural and historical heritage. Besides the state theatre and various historical museums (e.g., the Bachhaus or the Lutherhaus), the city is very close to Wartburg Castle, which can be reached after a 5 km trek from the city center. Wartburg Castle is not only ranked among the most beautiful fairytale castles in Germany but also it is high on history. Its most famous guest was Martin Luther, who resided at the castle for 300 days, during which time he translated the New Testament into German. Other than that, Eisenach is quite a vibrant city despite its small size. Also, it is the gateway to the Thuringia Forest, a densely forested area great for all kinds of outdoor activities. It is located about 70 km west of Erfurt. Both Wartburg Castle and the town of Eisenach can be visited on a day trip from Erfurt or Weimar.
>> See also: 7 Reasons To Visit Wartburg Castle
Top Sights To See
Wartburg (Wartburg Castle), Bachhaus (Bach House Museum), Lutherhaus (Luther House Museum), St George’s Church, Drachenschlucht (Dragon’s Gorge)
Typical Food & Drink
Travel back in time and have dinner in the medieval atmosphere of Lutherstube. Apart from that, you can grab Thuringian Sausages at many food stalls in the city center.
6. Jena
Often referred to as the “city of light”, Jena is Thuringia’s second-largest city and one of the most famous university towns in Central Germany. Since the foundation of the university in the 16th century, Jena has been devoted to research, development, and innovation. Today it is home to many scientific institutes as well as the headquarters of several successful businesses. Apart from that, Jena is high on history. If you’re interested in German history, especially historical personalities from the early 19th century (Goethe, Schiller), Jena will be absolutely perfect for you and truly complements a visit to Weimar. If you’re done strolling around the lovely old town with its diverse architecture consisting of both modern buildings like the JenTower and historical sites (Jena is a very walkable city), have a beer in one of the cute restaurants on Wagnergasse, which is frequented by the town’s students. The 20.000 students living in the city make this place a vibrant cultural hub with a decent café and nightlife scene.
Top Sights To See
Historisches Rathaus (Historic Town Hall), Marktplatz (Market Square), Hanfried Monument, Universität Jena (University of Jena), Wagnergasse, Schillers Sommerhaus (Schiller’s Summer House), Botanischer Garten (Botanical Gardens), JenTower and its observation deck, Zeiss Planetarium, Leuchtenburg (Leuchtenburg Castle) around 20 km from Jena
Typical Food & Drink
Gasthaus Zur Noll offers local Thuringian food. For international dishes, check out the restaurants that line up Wagnergasse. Several locals also recommended Weintanne to me, which is a fancy bar offering a wide selection of extraordinary cocktails.
7. Naumburg
Located at the confluence of the Saale and Unstrut Rivers in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the historical town of Naumburg is a real hidden gem in Germany. Naumburg is probably best known for its Gothic-style cathedral, which has recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Beside the cathedral, the town features a charming old town with medieval architecture and a large pedestrian zone full of cute shops and cafés. To make the whole town experience even more authentic, you can take a ride aboard the nostalgic tram with tramcars from GDR times.
The Saale-Unstrut wine region around Naumburg is also home to many vineyards and various outstanding wines. So if you want to get to know the unique culture revolving around wine cellars, history and nature, be sure to check out some of the wineries and attend one of the numerous wine festivals in the area that usually take place in summer.
Top Sights To See
Naumburger Dom (St. Peter and Paul Cathedral Naumburg), Nietzsche’s Haus (Nietzsche House), Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), Altstadt (Old Town), Historische Straßenbahn (Nostalgic Tram)
Castles and cathedrals near Naumburg: Pforta Abbey, Merseburg Cathedral, Neuenburg Castle, Querfurt Castle, Rudelsburg Castle
Typical Food & Drink
If you’re looking for local food, Ratskeller Brauhaus in the city center is a great place that serves both authentic German food and beer.
For a quick cup of coffee and some cake in between sightseeing, I may recommend Café Kostbar in Herrenstraße, which is just super cozy.
If you want to do some proper wine tasting, I suggest going on a little road trip on the Saale-Unstrut Weinstraße, which starts just a few kilometers from Naumburg.
8. Passau
The Bavarian city of Passau was shaped by three rivers, the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, giving it the nickname “City of Three Rivers.” Most tourists come to Passau either on a cruise or a day-trip while staying in the Bavarian Forest National Park, which is less than an hour away. Just like most of the other cities I presented in this post, Passau is a university town with a fifth of the residents being students. The picturesque alleyways in the Old Town can easily be explored on foot allowing you to soak up the city´s unique atmosphere. Passau is also home to the largest cathedral pipe organ in the world and hosts regular organ concerts worth a visit. You will for sure get a spectacular view of the confluence of the three rivers from up the fortress, Veste Oberhaus. Among both locals and tourists, Passau is also considered a culinary town – gingerbread, beer, and typical Bavarian dishes are part of the traditional menu. The city is located on the border with Austria and can easily be visited in a day.
Top Sights To See
Dom St. Stephan (St. Stephan´s Cathedral), Altes Rathaus (Old Townhall), Veste Oberhaus (Fortress), Dreiflusseck (Three River Corner – point of confluence)
Typical Food & Drink
For some proper Bavarian food, such as roasted pork knuckle or dumplings with gravy and red cabbage, go to Heilig-Geist-Stifts-Schenke. You´ll find the best local gingerbread and chocolate at Confiserie & Café Simon.
You want to know more about one city in particular, or you´re planning on staying in one of the towns for more than one or two days? I will be happy to give you some more travel tips and insight into each town. Also, tell me about other places you have in mind that should be added to this list of hidden gems in Germany.
For more hidden gems around the world, take a look at my other budget travel guides as well as this comprehensive medieval-themed Germany itinerary!
Planning A Trip To Germany?
If you’re looking for travel inspiration, beautiful nature parks, awesome photo spots, fairy-tale castles and medieval towns, these posts have got you covered:
>> Authentic Off-The-Beaten-Path German Towns You Have To Visit
>> Discover Medieval Germany In 14 Days – A Sample Itinerary
>> Ultimate Franconia Beer Guide: 12+ Unique Beers You Have To Try In Southern Germany
For more detailed travel tips, city and castle guides, check out the Germany section and make sure to sign up for e-mail updates to receive a notification once I upload a new post!
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