April 11, 2025, 4:50 am | Read time: 6 minutes

Vacation only in Germany? Many people first think of the North and Baltic Sea coasts. However, there are many other spots that are definitely worth seeing and not crowded at all. TRAVELBOOK presents the 13 most beautiful destinations for a vacation in Germany, where it’s less crowded than at the hotspots.

Burg Eltz, Rhineland-Palatinate

The “Traumpfad Eltzer Burgpanorama” was voted the most beautiful hiking trail in 2013. The trail leads over natural paths down into the Elzbach Valley, past rugged cliffs, along the Elzbach River, which winds through the valley until the fairytale-like Burg Eltz appears. Pure medieval charm–combined with a unique nature experience.

Also interesting:The 23 best hidden gems for a vacation in Germany

Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt

Once the seat of kings and emperors, Quedlinburg, with its more than 1,000-year history, remains an impressive city in the Harz region of Saxony-Anhalt. Visitors not only have the chance to admire a genuine UNESCO World Heritage site but also the equally impressive surrounding nature. Learn more about the town here.

The Odenwald, Hesse

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Located between Frankfurt/Main and Stuttgart, the Odenwald is certainly one of Germany’s most beautiful forests. Endless hiking trails lead through the enchanted mountains, and the region is perfect for a family vacation. You can enjoy sports on the toboggan run or in the climbing park. And if you’ve had enough of the numerous activities, you can simply hike for hours through the deserted forest areas here.

Also interesting: 16 excursion destinations in Germany–perfect for spring

Rakotzbrücke, Saxony

In eastern Germany, south of Cottbus near the Polish border, lies the Rakotzbrücke in Kromlau–a truly fairytale-like attraction. Over the Rakotzsee, the bridge and its reflection form almost a perfect circle. The surrounding forest offers a great opportunity to unwind from the workweek on a hiking tour.

Read more about Rakotzbrücke and its fascinating history here.

Fischland-Darß-Zingst, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The peninsula on the Baltic Sea is not unknown, but far less visited than Rügen or Usedom. So if you want to spend your vacation by the sea and still desire a certain degree of solitude, Fischland-Darß-Zingst is the place to be. In the idyllic spa towns of the peninsula, you quickly distance yourself from everyday life–and then there’s the sea, which provides a beautiful backdrop for beach walks.

Also interesting: Which Baltic Sea island suits which type?

Marburg, Hesse

The small town in the middle of Hesse has everything you could wish for in a vacation: small, winding alleys in the upper town, a castle, countless cozy cafes and restaurants, and a surrounding forest area for hiking and relaxing. Marburg is a great destination for a vacation in Germany and is perfect for unwinding without having to give up the city flair entirely.

Also interesting: With map! The perfect road trip through Germany

Schrecksee, Bavaria

The fact that this picturesque spot is located at an altitude of 1,813 meters may be one reason why it is not yet overrun. But those who take the relatively easy and approximately eight-kilometer hike from the village of Hinterstein will be rewarded with a spectacular setting and one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the region: Schrecksee. The brave swim a few laps in the clean waters in the middle of the Allgäu Alps nature reserve.

East Frisia, Lower Saxony

East Frisia has a lot to offer. Wide open spaces, many sheep, the Wadden Sea, and the cozy East Frisians invite you for a lovely vacation. Not only tea drinkers can spend relaxing days here. Passing by lighthouses and many mills, the flat land is perfect for long bike rides and walks.

Feldberger Seenlandschaft, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The Feldberger Seenlandschaft in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is a paradise for nature lovers–and not far from Berlin or Hamburg. Here you will find ancient beech forests, crystal blue lakes, romantic villages, and friendly locals with a charming dialect. And with a bit of luck, you might even spot sea eagles. Tips from our author on the Feldberger Seenlandschaft can be found here.

Feengrotte Saalfeld, Thuringia

The dripstone cave “Show Mine Feengrotte” in Thuringia captivates young and old alike, making it an excellent travel destination for a vacation in Germany. Impressive stalactites and stalagmites can be admired during guided tours, while learning more about the cave’s history. After the underground adventure, the little ones can explore winding paths and let off steam in the associated adventure forest “Feenweltchen.”

Spreewald, Brandenburg

There are indeed people who associate the Spreewald primarily with one thing: Tropical Islands. However, the gigantic indoor water park is the least worthwhile attraction in the region: loud, artificial, expensive. Much more beautiful is what the true Spreewald has to offer, namely cozy places like Burg or Lübbenau and a diverse and stunning nature that can be explored on foot, by bike, by canoe, or in other boats.

Also interesting: The best excursion destinations with the 9-euro ticket for each federal state

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Obersee (Königssee), Bavaria

Few lakes can be as idyllic as the Obersee in the Berchtesgadener Land. Until 1172, a large contiguous body of water lay here, but a rockslide eventually created two lakes: the larger (and more famous) Königssee and the smaller Obersee. Hikers rave about the stunning nature in which the two bodies of water are embedded: green forests, mountain ranges, and with the Röthbachfall, Germany’s highest waterfall, plunging 470 meters.

Monschau, North Rhine-Westphalia

In 2024, our readers voted Monschau as “Germany’s most beautiful small town” in the TRAVELBOOK AWARD. The picturesque town in the North Rhine-Westphalian part of the Eifel enchants visitors and residents alike with a backdrop of half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. In winding alleys, visitors will find numerous small boutiques and galleries as well as many listed buildings in the old town. Many have stood there, in prime locations directly on the Rur, since the 18th century.