Well of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen )City/Region: Frankfurt
The 'Well of Justice', Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in Frankfurt's central square of Romweberg in 1541. About 70 years later the wells received stone interiors and the Statue of Justice watched over them. In 1612, when Kaiser Matthias was crowned, it was not water, but wine that flowed freely from the stone lions' mouths. In 1887, the wells were renovated and the stone figures copied. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History.
Address: Römerberg, Frankfurt
Eschenheimer TurmCity/Region: Frankfurt
The Eschenheimer
Turm is one of the few remaining towers of the medieval fortifications that encircled the city of Frankfurt. The 154-foot high (47m) gothic tower was built as part of the medieval wall which encircled the city in the 15th century when approximately 60 towers surrounded the city. Citizens used build high walls and watchtowers to protect Frankfurt from danger.
Address: Eschenheimer Tor 1
Phone Number: (069) 292 244
Brandenburg GateCity/Region: Berlin
The impressive and symbolic Brandenburg Gate that lay forlorn for so long in the no man's land behind the Berlin Wall, is now once again renovated and accessible, along with the newly reconstructed Pariser Platz that links the gate to the beautiful Unter den Linden Boulevard. The gate is Berlin's only remaining city gate, built of sandstone between 1788 and 1791 with 12 Doric columns according to a design by C.G. Langhans. Six columns support a 36-foot (11m) transverse beam, similar to the propylaeum of the Acropolis in Athens. The massive gate is topped with a stunning statue of the Goddess of Victory facing east towards the city center (this was added in 1794). The gate is closed to traffic, as is the adjacent Pariser Platz, a gracious square that was once surrounded with beautiful buildings sadly destroyed in the Second World War. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall new buildings have been built, however, to designs closely following those of the originals.
Checkpoint CharlieCity/Region: Berlin
The infamous border crossing point in the wall dividing West and East Berlin has now become a shrine to the wall's memory with the addition of a museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For nearly 30 years, between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in the Friedrichstrasse was the only crossing point between East and West Berlin. The soldier's post can be visited, and tourists can be photographed under the border sign.
Address: Friedrichstraße 43-45
Phone Number: (030) 253 725-0
Website: www.mauermuseum.de
Hours: Daily 9am to 10pm; documentary films are screened throughout the day, with showings of the historically significant feature films 'Mit dem Wind nach Westen' daily every two hours and 'Mein Kampf' daily at 7.30pm
Admission: EUR12.50 (adults), EUR7.50 (scholars/students)
Eastside GalleryCity/Region: Berlin
The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world. A total of 118 artists from 21 countries have exerted their skills on the 4,318-foot (1,316m) long section of the wall, and this collection has become a Berlin landmark and a tourist attraction. Best known paintings are Dimitri Vrubel's Brotherly Kiss and Gunther Shaefer's Fatherland. The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.
Address: Mühlenstraße
Website: www.eastsidegallery.com
Admission: Free
Jewish museumCity/Region: Berlin
Although relatively new the Jewish Museum in Lindenstrasse has already gained an international reputation for its significant architecture and unique exhibitions that bring history alive. The bulk of the museum is housed in a windowless and doorless steel-clad, silver building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, sited alongside the yellow Baroque edifice of the Berlin Museum. Visitors enter the Jewish Museum through the Berlin Museum to explore the exhibition rooms, which are clustered around a main axis void, designed to signify the empty and invisible aspects of Jewish history.
Address: Lindenstraße 9-14
Phone Number: (0)30 2599 3300
Email Address: info@jmberlin.de
Website: www.juedisches-museum-berlin.de
Transport: U1, U6 to Hallesches Tor or U6 to Kochstraße
Hours: Monday 10am to 10pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm
Admission: EUR5 (adults), children under six free; concessions available
Hamburger BahnhofCity/Region: Berlin
One of the most popular art galleries in Berlin is housed in a train station. The historic Hamburger Bahnhof, built in 1846 at the Tiergarten, was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been restored and reopened, with some modern elements added to the architecture, as an exhibition venue for an extensive contemporary art collection. The former station now offers 107,639 square feet (10,000 sq meters) of space filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Josephy Beuys and Roy Lichtenstein. The basis of the exhibition is the Marx private collection, but there are changing exhibitions and good examples of the Italian Transavanguardia and minimalist art on show too.
Address: Invalidenstraße 50- 51
Phone Number: (0)30 397834-11
Website: www.hamburgerbahnhof.de
Transport: U6 to Zinnowitzer St.; tram M6, M8 or 12; S3, S5, S7, S9, S75 to Hauptbahnhof
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm; Saturday 11am to 8pm; Sunday 11am to 6pm. Guided tours are conducted on Sundays at 4pm
Admission: EUR8; children under 16 free. Concessions available. Free admission Thursdays 2pm to 4pm
Potsdamer PlatzCity/Region: Berlin
This vibrant square is the heart and soul of the 'New Berlin', which has emerged since the fall of the wall in 1989. The original square was once one of the busiest junctions in Europe with a major train station sited on it. However after damage during the Second World War and being cut through by the divisive wall, it became a decayed wasteland. Since the fall of the wall, however, a building boom has been taking place around the Potsdamer Platz, which now boasts an exciting mix of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, a casino, theaters and cinemas that draws both Berliners and tourists seeking good food and recreation. Focus of the square is the 22-story Debis Haus, designed by Renzo Piano, featuring an atrium with cathedral-like dimensions, and its neighboring Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a shopping mall with an Imax cinema. The Sony Center is the most recent addition, consisting of seven buildings around a light-flooded arena, which also houses Berlin's popular Film Museum. The Kollhoff building features a panorama platform, reached by Europe's fastest express elevator, which offers views of the city.
Website: www.potsdamerplatz.de
Hours: The panorama platform is open daily 11am to 8pm
Admission: Panorama platform: EUR3.50
HofbrauhausCity/Region: Munich
Beer has been swilled at this world-famous tavern site in the center of Munich since it became a royal brewery in 1605. Equally famous is the Bavarian jollity and conviviality, known as 'gemuchtlikheid', which has emanated directly from the Hofbrauhaus in Munich along with the beer which flows freely there each day, served by robust rosy-cheeked young women clad in Bavarian dress in liter-sized beer steins. The cheerful atmosphere that reigns constantly in the establishment's different halls is helped along by the foot-tapping strains of traditional Bavarian 'oom-pah' bands and drinking songs. When the beer becomes too much, soak it up with a delicious salty pretzel or a German specialty from the menu, such as liver dumplings, potato soup or a variety of delicious sausages.
Address: Platzl 9, behind Marienplatz
Phone Number: (0)89 2901360
Website: www.hofbraeuhaus.de
MarienplatzCity/Region: Munich
The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the site of its most important historic buildings. The square is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, both built in the 19th century. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm with its 43 bells, accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vignettes from Munich's history. The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift. The center of the square - which was once a vibrant farmer's market - features a statue of the Virgin Mary after which Marienplatz was named. Visitors can also explore a toy museum in the Old Town Hall on the square, and the Frauenkirche, Munich's cathedral, dating from the 15th century.
Olympia ParkCity/Region: Munich
Munich's massive Olympic park complex was constructed for the 20th Olympic Games in 1972, but remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its main stadium is a like a massive tent, which can seat close on 70,000 spectators, topped by the largest roof in the world, extending for 720,000 square feet (66,890 sq meters) and made of tinted acrylic glass. The roof collects rainwater which is used to fill the adjacent Olympic lake. Tent roof tours (with or without an abseiling option) are on offer. Visitors to the site can enjoy a spectacular view from the revolving restaurant and observation terrace which tops the 950-foot (290m) high Olympic Tower. Near the tower is the BMW Museum, which displays the history of Germany's famous automobile manufacturer. Far from being a remarkable 'white elephant', the park is still in constant use as a lively leisure and recreational center for the city; on more than 200 days of the year it is the venue for rock and pop concerts, sports events, exhibitions and trade fairs.
Address: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21
Phone Number: (0)89 30 67-0
Website: www.olympiapark-muenchen.de
Hours: The tower is open daily 9am to midnight
Admission: Tower: EUR4.50 (adults), EUR2.80 (children 6-16); other concessions available
Nymphenburg PalaceCity/Region: Munich
About five miles (8km) from the city center, accessible by tram and bus, is the interesting Schloss Nymphenburg, originally a summer home for the Munich aristocracy. The palace has been expanded, altered and fitted with various eccentricities by succeeding owners over the centuries since building began on it in 1664. Today it is a delight for tourists who revel in exploring the villa and grounds. Inside there are some interesting frescoes in the main hall. An arcaded gallery features a collection of 36 provocative paintings ordered by King Ludwig I showing the most beautiful women of his day. The surrounding park has some surprises too, with some interesting pavilions hidden among the English-style gardens. There are also collections of Ludwig's elaborate coaches on display, and a porcelain museum.
Address: Eingang 19
Postal Code: (0)89 179 08-0
Website: www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/index.htm
Transport: Bus 51 or tram 17
Hours: Daily 10am to 4pm (mid-October to March), and 9am to 6pm (April to mid-October)
Admission: EUR5; Combination ticket: EUR10. Concessions available
Alte PinakothekCity/Region: Munich
Munich's art museum houses one of the most important collections in Europe on two floors of a large neo-classical building. Nearly 1,000 paintings are on display featuring the work of the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms, and requires a great deal of time to explore thoroughly.
Address: Barerstrasse 27
Phone Number: (0)89 23805 216
Website: www.pinakothek.de
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (Tuesday to 8pm)
Admission: EUR5.50 (including audio guide). Sundays EUR1, but audio guide is EUR4.50. Free for children under 18
NeuschwansteinCity/Region: Munich
The fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig' until his death in 1886) has become the trademark of the German state of Bavaria, with its Gothic wedding-cake tiers and towers. Day tours to the castle are available from Munich, or self drive via Garmisch. From the parking lot there is a steep half-mile (one km) climb to the castle, but one can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the castle is as extravagant as its outer aspect, particularly the King's apartments, which are decorated entirely with hand-embroidered silk, elaborate wall and ceiling paintings, and carvings.
Address: Neuschwanstein Castle is near the Forggensee in the Allgäu, very close to Schwangau. Ticket Center: Alpseestrasse 12, Hohenschwangau
Phone Number: (0)83 628 1035
Website: www.neuschwanstein.com
Transport: Train (Deutsch Bahn) to Füssen, then bus RVO/OVG 73 towards Steingarden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen or bus RVO/OVG 78 towards Schwangau to Hohenschwangau. The path to the castle starts in the village of Hohenschwangau. Walk (30 minutes), take a bus, or horse-drawn carriage
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm (April to September), 10am to 4pm (October to March)
Admission: Entrance tickets can only be bought at the ticket center in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle. EUR9 (adults), EUR8 (concessions)
BerchtesgadenCity/Region: Munich
The name Berchtesgaden is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler's country house, but it is in fact a delightful Bavarian alpine village with ancient winding streets and a medieval marketplace, popular as a side trip from Munich. Hitler's holiday house, the Berghof, is actually at Obersalzberg about half a mile (2km) up the Kehlstein Mountain. Afternoon bus tours to the Fuhrer's playground can be undertaken from the tourist office in the village, but there is little to see besides some underground bunkers which are open to the public. Most tourists, however, do delight in visiting the Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest, a remarkable building perched precariously atop the mountain, which was originally commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler. The notorious Nazi leader seldom visited it because of his fear of heights. Today it is the site of an excellent Bavarian restaurant and provides breathtaking views at the end of a stunning winding mountain road. The town of Berchtesgaden itself has some interesting attractions, besides its 16th-century architecture and enticing inns. There is a small wood-carving museum at Schloss Aldelsheim which can be viewed on a guided tour offered on weekdays at 10am and 3pm. Wood sculptures, Renaissance furniture and some art works are worth seeing at the Konigliches Schloss, which was originally an Augustinian monastery. The most fun to be had, however, is in the salt mines to the east of the town, which offers guided tours. Visitors wear protective clothing and ride on wagons to the mine, then explore the mine on foot and ride miner's slides, finishing with a trip on the salt lake ferry. The tours run daily, all year round. The mine has been in operation since 1517. Berchtesgarten also boasts a world-class ice-skating rink, the Eisstadion, which is sought after by winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months, along with the skiing opportunities in the surrounding area.
Website: www.berchtesgaden.com
Dachau Memorial SiteCity/Region: Munich
About 10 miles (16km) to the northwest of Munich on the Stuttgart Autobahn is the town of Dachau, once a quiet artists' community that became the site of the first notorious Nazi 'death camp', where thousands of perceived enemies of the Third Reich were imprisoned, starved, and killed between 1933 and 1945. The camp has now been turned into a memorial museum to the prisoners (67,000 were liberated alive by the US Army on April 28, 1945). The museum contains three memorial chapels. The Lagerstrasse, the main camp road, still exists lined with poplar trees but only two of the original 32 barracks that lined it remain, having been rebuilt to illustrate the conditions endured by the prisoners. The original kitchen, laundry and shower block is now a museum containing exhibits, photographs and documents depicting the persecution of Jews and other prisoners.
Address: Alte Römerstraße 75, Dachau
Phone Number: (0)8131/66 99 70
Website: www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de
Transport: From Dachau train station take bus 726 to the main entrance of the Memorial Site. S2 train from Munich
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. An English version of a documentary film, 'KZ-Dachau' is screened at 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm
Admission: Free
Garmisch-PartenkirchenCity/Region: Munich
Germany's top winter sports destination, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a busy center that has retained the charm of the older town of the twins, Partenkirchen. About 20 trains a day arrive at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bahnhof from Munich, and many more visitors come by bus or self-drive via the A95 Autobahn to enjoy the delights of the Bavarian Alps. Pride of the city is the Olympic Ice Stadium and the larger Ski Stadium which were built for the 1936 Winter Olympics and are still put to good use by winter sports enthusiasts. The area is picturesque and scenic, both in winter and summer. In summertime it is a popular spot for hiking and mountain climbing expeditions. A tourist office assists visitors in making the most of their visit and seeing the local attractions.
Website: www.garmisch-partenkirchen.de
ChiemseeCity/Region: Munich
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, Chiemsee boasts two islands and is lined with resorts. It can be reached by train from Munich in an hour, or by road via the A8 Autobahn. Visitors can take a steamer cruise around the lake from Prien on the west shore to explore the islands in the lake. Frauenchiemsee is the smaller island, site of a quaint fishing village with some colorful traditional customs, and a Benedictine nunnery known for its liqueur. The larger island, Herrenchiemsee, bears one of King Ludwig's famous fairytale castles. This one was never completed, but was intended to be a replica of the palace of Versailles. The center of the palace still stands, complete with a splendid hall of mirrors and surrounded by gardens and woodland. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction with its gaudy splendor.
Website: www.chiemsee.de
Hours: The 'Neues Schloss' is open daily 9am to 5pm (April to September); 10am to 4pm (off-season)
Romantic RoadCity/Region: Munich
To experience the best of medieval Germany hundreds of visitors drive, bus or cycle their way along the Romantic Road, a 180-mile (290km) route between Munich and Frankfurt that links together a string of quaint, well-preserved walled towns dating back a thousand years or more. The towns en route have banded together to market their attractions and ensure Romantic Road travelers are well informed and accommodated. Bicycles can be rented at any train station along the road, and tourist offices along the route provide maps and information. Best known of the towns on the Romantic Road is Rothenburg in the Tauber River Valley. Other favorites among the cute towns are Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.
Website: www.romantischestrasse.de
Goethe-HausCity/Region: Frankfurt
The house where Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's world-famous poet and writer, was born in 1749 is now a shrine to his memory, preserved as an example of how the well-to-do lived in the late Baroque era. The house, which is a reconstruction because the original was destroyed during the Second World War, consists of two neighboring half-timbered houses in Grosser Hirschgraben, and is sited next to the Goethe Museum, which contains a huge library of books, documents and graphics relating to the poet.
Address: Großer Hirschgraben 23-25
Phone Number: (0)69 138 80-0
Website: www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Transport: U- and S-Bahn to Hauptwache and Willy-Brandt-Platz
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 5.30pm
Admission: EUR5 (adults); EUR1.50 (children 7-18)
Botanical GardensCity/Region: Frankfurt
The well ordered and interesting Botanical Garden in Frankfurt is administered by the University. The gardens are designed to take visitors on a journey through different areas of the plant kingdom, from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. The gardens cover more than eight hectares (20 acres) and contain more than 6,000 different botanical species, from exotic rainforest flowers to European weeds.
Address: Siesmayerstrasse 61
Phone Number: (0)69 2123 3939
Website: www.palmengarten-frankfurt.de
Transport: Entrance Palmengartenstraße: trains U6, U7 or buses 32, 33, 50 to Station Bockenheimer Warte
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm between March and October, with earlier closing during winter months
Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children 6-17); EUR9.50 for special events including festivals and certain exhibitions. Concessions available
WiesbadenCity/Region: Frankfurt
Germany's most favored spa resort lies about 25 miles (40km) west of Frankfurt in a valley between the Rhine River and Taunus Mountains. The town has been a spa resort since the time of the ancient Romans, with its 26 hot springs averaging temperatures of around 50°C (122°F). Besides being known for its luxurious spa hotels, Wiesbaden is also a cultural center, its events being concentrated around the major Kurhaus concert hall complex. The complex includes a casino and restaurant, conference and exhibition facilities.
The RhinelandCity/Region: Frankfurt
The wide, deep and sluggish Rhine River flows from Switzerland into the sea in the Netherlands, and most of its length in the process meanders through the mountains and plains of Germany. The river has always served as a major trading route, and it is also a favorite with tourists who enjoy cruising it, particularly along its scenic mid-section between Mainz and Koblenz. Boarding a steamer in Mainz, about 25 miles (40km) south west of Frankfurt, one journeys through steep vine-covered hillsides dotted with romantic towns and castles, many associated with fascinating legends and fables.
TrierCity/Region: Frankfurt
A taste of ancient Rome is a popular tourist attraction in the German city of Trier, 120 miles (193km) south west of Frankfurt. Trier was founded as a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC, making it Germany's oldest city. The city became an important political and cultural center, and many Roman buildings and monuments remain to be explored by visitors. The city is also a good starting point for trips into the Mosel Valley, and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, which is Germany's main wine-producing region.
Phone Number: Tourist Information: 651 978080
Website: www.trier.de
HeidelbergCity/Region: Frankfurt
The historic university town of Heidelberg, about 55 miles (89km) south of Frankfurt, is billed as a city of music and romance. It is one of the few German cities that escaped relatively unscathed from air raids during World War II, and still has numerous buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to explore. The modern part of the city around the Bismarckplatz has some good hotels and restaurants, and enticing shopping plazas. The city is built along the banks of the Neckar River, and has a colorful atmosphere lent by its large student population, particularly in the student quarter with its narrow streets and lively inns. The university was established in 1386.
Website: www.heidelberg.de
Altona Fish MarketCity/Region: Hamburg
It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colorful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.
Address: The market is between Hexenberg and Grosse Elbstrasse
Phone Number: (0)40 38012-0
Website: www.fischmarkt-hamburg.de
Hours: Daily 5am to 12pm; from 7am in winter
Warehouse complexCity/Region: Hamburg
The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theater, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbor night tour.
Hamburger KunsthalleCity/Region: Hamburg
Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art.
Address: Glockengießerwall
Phone Number: (0)40 428 131 200
Website: www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de
Transport: S1, S2, S3, S4, S11, S21, S31; or U1, U2, U3 to Main Station; or bus 112
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm; Thursday 10am to 9pm
Admission: General admission: EUR6 (adults); including special exhibitions: EUR8.50 (adults). Concessions available
BlankeneseCity/Region: Hamburg
This quaint destination on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favored by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend outing, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbor. There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.
Museum of Hamburg HistoryCity/Region: Hamburg
The museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbor. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.
Address: Holstenwall 24
Phone Number: (0)40 428 132-2380
Website: www.hamburgmuseum.de
Transport: U3 to St Pauli; or bus 112 to 'hamburgmuseum' stop
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR7.50 (adults), EUR4 (Friday special for adults), children and students under 18 free. Concessions available
ReeperbahnCity/Region: Hamburg
Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city center in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbor. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighborhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.
Transport: U3 to St. Pauli; or bus 36, 37, 112
SyltCity/Region: Hamburg
The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.
HamelnCity/Region: Hamburg
Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town center has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!
Website: www.hameln.de
LübeckCity/Region: Hamburg
Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrooks won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck.
Website: www.luebeck-tourism.de
LEGOLAND Discovery CenterCity/Region: Berlin
The newly opened LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the first indoor LEGOLAND in the world and provides an interactive journey through a land of color, creativity, learning and play. There is a fun factory, where real LEGO bricks are made, a 4-D cinema show, opportunities for visitors to make their own creations, Miniland Berlin, a themed ride and much more all under one roof.
Address: Sony Center, 4 Potsdamer Platz
Phone Number: (0)30 30 1040-10
Website: www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com
Transport: Bus M41 to Potsdamer Platz, or M48, 200, 357 to Varian-Fry-Str. U-Bahn U2, S1, S2, S25, RE3, RE4, RE5 to Potsdamer Platz station
Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm; closed 25 December
Admission: EUR14.75 (adults), EUR11.75 (children 3-11); other concessions available
FreiburgCity/Region: The Black Forest
Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire) along more than 93 miles (150km) of bicycle paths. What one will find is a wealth of ancient history, some delicious food and wine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The city (really a large town) is known for its university, magnificent cathedral and medieval treasures, and a somewhat bohemian vibe with its street musicians and pavement artists. The Altstadt (Old City) is picturesque, featuring canals and dozens of historic buildings. A cable car carries passengers on scenic trips up the Schauinsland Mountain from the Stadtgarten to enjoy the view from the mountaintop restaurant. Freiburg hosts a music festival in mid-June each year, followed by a wine festival at the end of June and a wine-tasting festival in mid-August. Visitors very much enjoy the local Black Forest cuisine on offer at Freiburg's restaurants.
The Story of BerlinCity/Region: Berlin
One of Berlin's most popular attractions, the unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 themed rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living conditions of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.
Address: Kurfürstendamm 207-208
Phone Number: (0)30 887 20 100
Website: www.story-of-berlin.de
Transport: Subway to Uhlandstrasse or Kurfürstendamm, S-Bahn to Savignyplatz or Zoologischer Garten, or bus to Uhlandstrasse
Hours: Daily 10am to 8pm. Last guided tour at 6pm
Admission: EUR9.80 (adults), EUR3.50 (children aged 6-13). Other concessions available
PforzheimCity/Region: The Black Forest
Founded by the Romans as a mercantile center on the northern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm, Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the center for traditional jewelry and clock-making. The town features a fascinating Technisches Museum to commemorate the important role time-keeping has played in Pforzheim's history. The museum features a reconstruction of a clock-making studio in the 19th century. Jewelry is also important in the town and the Schmuckmuseum collection features pieces dating from the 3rd century BC through to modern times. Pforzheim also has an interesting Alpine Garden which has 100,000 or more varieties of high-altitude plants growing in a natural setting beside the Wurm River.
TribergCity/Region: The Black Forest
The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes, handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts Europe's biggest barrel organ collection. Nearby Gutach contains original Black Forest homes up to four centuries old at the Freilchtmuseum Schwarzwalder. An exceptional waterfall at Gutach drops down the mountainside in seven stages, accessible by a walking trail. South of Triberg a huge variety of elaborate Black Forest clocks is on display at the German Clock Museum, to be found at Gerwigstrasse in the village of Furtwangen.
GendarmenmarktCity/Region: Berlin
Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Gendarmenmarkt is certainly one of Berlin's most impressive squares that was created as a market place in the 17th century. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed, but have since been returned to their former glory. The square is dominated by the beautiful Konzerthaus (concert house), which is home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom, the identical German and French Cathedrals. Gendarmenmarkt is also host to Berlin's best Christmas market and various concerts. Surrounding the plaza are a number of cafes and restaurants.
Transport: Bus N6 or U-bahn U2 and U6
Charlottenburg PalaceCity/Region: Berlin
Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest palace in Berlin, an 18th-century baroque structure that was originally constructed as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III who became the first Prussian king. The splendid interiors are festooned with art masterpieces, while the surrounding gardens contain a mausoleum, pavilion and the Belvedere, which houses the porcelain museum.
Address: Spandauer Damm 10-22
Phone Number: (0)30 320 911
Website: www.spsg.de
Transport: U2 or bus 309 to Sophie-Charlotte-Platz
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. The new wing is open 10am to 5pm (April to October) and 11am to 5pm (November to March); closed Mondays
Admission: Old palace: EUR10; new wing: EUR6 including audio guide
Berliner DomCity/Region: Berlin
The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905 and is a magnificent basilica that stands on the site of several earlier structures. Inside, the crypt contains over 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals, while other areas of interest are the pulpit, the organ, and the stained glass windows. Visitors can climb the dome, which is decorated with intricate mosaics.
Address: Am Lustgarten, Museum Island
Phone Number: (0)30 20269 119 (guided tours)
Website: www.berlinerdom.de
Transport: S-bahn and U-bahn to Alexanderplatz; bus 100, 157 or 348; tram 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15 or 53
Hours: Guided tours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm, Sunday 12pm to 8pm
Admission: EUR5, or EUR8 with audio guide; concessions available
Pergamon MuseumCity/Region: Berlin
This huge museum has three main departments, the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum and the Middle East Museum that house parts of reconstructed monumental buildings transported from original excavation sites from ancient lands. The Antiquity Collection contains the Pergamon Altar from the second century BC, as well as the Market Gate of Miletus from Roman antiquity. The main attraction in the Islamic Art Museum is the Mshatta façade originating from a Jordanian desert palace, while the Middle East Museum boasts the Ishtar Gare and the Procession Way of Babylon, as well as the throne room façade of Nebuchadnezzar II.
Address: Am Kupfergraben 5, Museum Island
Phone Number: (0)30 2090 5577
Website: www.smb.spk-berlin.de
Transport: U-Bahn and S-Bahn to Friedrichstrasse; tram M1, M4, M5, M6, or 12; bus 100, 200 or 147
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm, until 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Admission: EUR8 (adults), free for children under 16
LiebieghausCity/Region: Frankfurt
Situated on the south bank of the river Main, the Liebieghaus was built in 1896 for Czech Baron Heinrich Liebieg, but today is the home of Frankfurt's Museum of Sculpture. Exhibits include sculptures from ancient times, such as Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome to more modern Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance examples. A range of Egyptian and Asian pieces also feature in the range as well as a few works of some world-renowned artists.
Address: Schaumainkai 71
Phone Number: (0)69 650049-0
Transport: Tram 15 or 16 to Otto Hahn Square; U1, 2, 3 to Swiss Square
Hours: Tuesday and Friday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Wednesday, Thursday 10am to 9pm. Free tours every Wednesday at 7pm and Sunday at 11am
Admission: EUR7 (adults); EUR5 (concessions). Children under 12 are free
German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)City/Region: Frankfurt
One of Germany's finest film museums, the Deutsches Filmmuseum shows old films from its collections continuously. These can be viewed on the second floor of the museum while the downstairs rooms tell the story of Germany's filmmaking history while exhibits are also on display, including models illustrating how special effects are shot as well as Emile Reynaud's 1882 Praxinoscope and Edison's Kinetoscope from 1889.
Address: Schaumainkai 41
Phone Number: (0)69 961 220 220
Transport: Bus 46; U1, 2, 3 to Schweizer Platz
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10am to 5pm; Wednesday 10am to 7pm; Saturday 2pm to 7pm
Admission: EUR2.50 (adults), EUR1.30 (children); Film screenings EUR6 (adults), EUR5 (children)
Historical Museum (Historisches Museum)City/Region: Frankfurt
The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) has many permanent exhibitions on display featuring objects and works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum's changing exhibitions covers a range of themes such as cultural history, art history and general history. Collections feature examples of gold and silver crockery and jewelry; pottery and porcelain; paintings, photographs; and scaled-down models of the Altstadt at various periods of its development. The Children's Museum, which lies adjacent to the Historical Museum, features a variety of special offers and exhibitions for youngsters of all ages.
Address: Saalgasse 19
Phone Number: (0)69 212 355 99
Transport: U-bahn to Römer
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, Wednesday 10am to 9pm
Admission: EUR4 (adults), EUR2 (children over 6 years). Concessions available
Städel GalleryCity/Region: Frankfurt
Frankfurt's most important art gallery is the Städel Gallery, containing a fantastic collection of most European schools of painting. The first floor features the works of German painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as famous French Impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The second floor offers visitors the pleasure of viewing an outstanding collection of Flemish primitives, 17th-century Dutch artists, and 16th-century German masters such as Dürer, Grünewald, Memling, Elsheimer, and many others with one of the most impressive paintings being Jan van Eyck's Madonna (1433).
Address: Schaumainkai 63
Phone Number: (0)69 605 098-200
Website: www.staedelmuseum.de
Transport: U1, 2, 3 to Schweizer Platz; trams 15 and 16 to Otto-Hahn-Platz
Hours: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday, Thursday 10am to 9pm
Admission: EUR10 (adults); EUR8 (children 12-16). Concessions available
Frankfurt ZooCity/Region: Frankfurt
The Frankfurt Zoo, located in Ostend, was nearly totally destroyed in the Second World War when only 20 animals survived. It was rebuilt in the early 1950s and since then one of the most recent additions to the zoo is the Big Cat Jungle. Frankfurt Zoo features 3,200 animals and 600 species and is renowned for keeping them in environments that most closely resemble their own natural habitats. It has a reputation as one of the most attractive, pleasant and popular to visit in Europe and features two restaurants as well as a Zoo terrace to enjoy in the summer months. A major draw card for the zoo and one of its most unique features is Grzimek House which houses nocturnal animals who think it's night-time during the day. The Exotarium houses fish, insects, reptiles and penguins, all kept in their natural surroundings.
Address: Alfred-Brehm-Platz 16
Phone Number: (0)69 212 33735
Website: www.zoo-frankfurt.de
Transport: U6 or U7
Hours: Open daily 9am to 7pm in summer and 9am to 5pm in winter
Admission: EUR8 (adults), EUR4 (children 6-17). Concessions available. Last Saturday of the month: EUR6 (adults), EUR3 (children)
Palace Square (Schlossplatz)City/Region: Stuttgart
The symbolic heart of Stuttgart, the Schlossplatz or Palace Square, is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers alike, the beautifully baroque New Palace providing a majestic backdrop. The former residence of kings, the New Palace was built between 1746 and 1806 and is now a base for the state government of Baden- Wurttemberg. If the New Palace feels a bit French it's because the Duke Carl Eugen of Wurttemberg wanted to create a Versailles in Stuttgart. The König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, rising in the fore, was erected in 1841 in honor of King Wilhelm's silver jubilee (25 years of reign), and the statue of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony at the pinnacle, added in 1863. The two fountains were built at the same time, the eight cherubs each representing one of Württemberg's rivers.
Transport: Stuttgart's underground stops directly beneath Schlossplatz
Old and New State GalleryCity/Region: Stuttgart
Built between 1838 and 1843 under King Wilhelm I of Wuerttemberg, the Old State Gallery features a presitigous range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and prints from the 14th to the 19th centuries, with Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt taking center stage. Connected to the Old State Gallery on the same level is the New State Gallery, dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Looking at important schools within various art movements like the Fauvism, German Expressionism, Die Brucke and Cubism, works by masters such as Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys, Kiefer and Klee, can be found here.
Address: 30-32 Konrad-Adenauer Street
Phone Number: 711 470 40250
Website: www.staatsgalerie.de
Transport: Catch the U1, U2, U4, U9 or U14 underground or bus number 40, 42 or 43
Hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 10am to 9pm Thursday. Closed Monday
Admission: EUR4.50 (adults), EUR1 (students), Free Wednesdays
Kunstmuseum StuttgartCity/Region: Stuttgart
Centrally located, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a work of art in itself. Its modern cuboid design transforms from a glass hexahedron during the day to reveal a colorful skeletal interior when lit up at night. Opened in 2005, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is renowned for its prestigious collection of work by Otto Dix, the renowned German artist remembered for his realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. The colorful and abstract art of Willi Baumeister and the mixed media work of contemporary artist Dieter Roth are also on display at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, along with ever changing international exhibitions. Don't miss the museum shop and bookshop, or have a light snack at the onsite restaurant.
Address: Kleiner Schlossplatz 1
Phone Number: 711 216 2188
Website: www.kunstmuseum-stuttgart.de
Transport: Bus 42 or 44 to Schlossplatz or underground lines U5, U6, U7 and U15 to Schlossplatz
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 9pm. Closed Mondays
Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR3.50 (concessions). Children under 12 go free of charge
Mercedes-Benz MuseumCity/Region: Stuttgart
Opened shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in Germany, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum is housed in a slick, contemporary building, an icon of modern architecture. With an exhibition space of almost 182,986 ft² (17,000 m²) covering seven storys, the museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes automobile. Combining world events occurring at the same time as Benz breakthroughs and displaying over 160 different vehicles from racing cars and concept cars to the pope mobile and airplane engines, there is much for the automobile aficionado to see.
Address: Mercedesstrasse 100
Phone Number: 711 1730000
Website: www.museum-mercedes-benz.com
Transport: The S1 subway to the Daimler Station
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. Closed Mondays
Admission: EUR8 (adults), EUR4 (concessions)
Wilhelma ZooCity/Region: Stuttgart
Europe's only combined zoological and botanical garden, the Wilhelma Zoo never fails to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who explore her confines. Initially built as a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm 1 in the 19th century, the beautiful botanical garden is extraordinary all year round. Countless exotic plants, a range of climatic biospheres in magnificent greenhouses, a petting zoo, insect exhibit, aquarium with crocodile hall, modern ape house, bear facilities, walk-in bird flight facility and wild animal enclosures are some of the exhilarhating sights to be enjoyed. Ideal for children and adults, there are a host of ice cream stands, cafeterias and playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day. The Wilhema Zoo is home to 8,000 animals, including polar bears and elephants, and 5,000 different species of plants.
Address: Neckartalstrasse Road
Phone Number: 711 54020
Website: www.wilhelma.de
Transport: Metropolitan railway route U14 to Wilhelma Station or bus number 52, 55 or 56 to Rosensteinbrücke
Hours: Daily from 8.15am to 4pm or 6pm, depending on the season
Admission: EUR11.40 (adults), EUR5,70 (children)
Mineral BathsCity/Region: Stuttgart
Sitting atop one of the largest mineral water reserves in Europe, the inhabitants of Stuttgart have been enjoying its liquid vitality for more than two millennia. Relaxing in a hot, steamy mineral bath is a good way to spend some of your down time in the city. Das Leuze, Mineralbad Cannstatt and Mineral Bath Berg all feature hot and cold mineral baths, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. Das Leuze is geared toward families with its playground, childrens pool and bright colors, while Mineralbad Cannstatt caters more for adults looking for a haven of relaxation. Mineral Bath Berg is a 1950s gem, its iron-rich waters recognized by the state as a 'heilbad' for its medicinal properties.
Porsche MuseumCity/Region: Stuttgart
Just like their cars, the 'small but good' Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is a retrospective of more than 75 years of Porsche engineering and memorabilia. The 20 or so exhibits from the first Porsche-branded car to series cars and the Formula 1 champions of the mid 1980s; the various Porsche models are switched several times a year. Following in the footsteps of other automobile titans, the Porsche Museum is turning over a new leaf with construction on a 60,277 square feet (5,600 square meters) architectural landmark to house some of its 300 strong collection. The new museum will be inaugurated toward the end of 2008, boasting the latest in automobile exhibition technology and quadrupling the number of pristine Porsches on display.
Address: Porscheplatz 1
Phone Number: 711 25685
Website: www.porsche.com
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free
