Four German Cities To Visit In 2026
From bustling metropolitan cities to fascinating forests, over 2 millennia of history, nature and culture await on a trip to Germany. If you’re planning a European break in 2026, these four German cities are perfect for a weekend of exploring, eating and drinking!
Berlin
Okay, okay, I know – starting with the capital? Bit basic. But trust me, Berlin’s worth checking out. Packed with history, art and plenty of great food, it has the buzzing vibe of a truly metropolitan city, effortlessly mixing the old with the new.
From the iconic Brandenburg Gate and remnants of the Berlin Wall, to the majestic Berlin Cathedral and harrowing Holocaust Memorial, you won’t be short of historical sites to experience here. The DDR Museum explores the daily lives of those living in East Germany during wartime, and with lots of interactive elements, it was one of the most interesting and insightful parts of my visit.
If street art and skate parks are more your vibe, make sure you check out Berlin’s more alternative hotspots, like Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. In the evenings, take in a Berlin theatre show, and enjoy delicious dishes from around the world in one of Berlin’s many, many restaurants.
Read More: How To Spend Two Days in Berlin | Bikini Berlin 25Hrs Hotel Review | Berlin on a Budget: How Much I Spent
Dresden
Lovers of art and architecture can lose themselves in Dresden’s lively streets, lined with restored baroque-style buildings. The city’s iconic Old Town Square makes a perfect starting point for exploring, including Dresden Cathedral and the Zwinger Palace, where you can take a virtual reality trip back in time to the 1700s.
A boat trip or stroll along the bank of the River Elbe takes in the city’s steeples and domes, with buzzing activity all around; or for a bird’s eye view, ride the Schebebahn – the world’s oldest suspension railway. For something a little more offbeat, check out the Kunsthofpassage Singing Drainpipes (they play a little tune when it rains) and the world’s most beautiful milk shop (yep, it’s a thing).
Read More: Things To Do in Dresden
Hamburg
Hamburg was a real surprise visit for me, after picking up some very cheap flights on a whim for a little weekend break and booking an affordable hotel.
A walk along the river takes in some of the city’s popular sights, including St. Catherine’s Church, and the Speicherstadt district is a maze of canals and red brick buildings. In Deichstraße, you’ll find charming, beautifully preserved buildings from bygone days. And for anyone who enjoys street art, Sternschanze is a dream. Artworks, graffiti and stickers adorn pretty much every ground floor wall and door here, and there are plenty of welcoming cafes and bars to stop at while you take it all in.
To get away from it all, take a wander through the beautiful surroundings of Planten und Blomen park – or if you fancy a walk on the seedier side, check out the Reepherbahn – Hamburg’s ‘red light district’. If your visit to Hamburg falls across a Sunday morning, you HAVE to visit the Hamburg Fischmarket – where you can check out some music and drink a socially-accepted beer at 8 in the morning…
Read More: Two Day Hamburg Itinerary | Is the Hamburg City Pass worth buying?
Frankfurt
It may be Germany’s financial hub and the namesake of a well known sausage, but there’s much more to Frankfurt than banks and bangers!
The fascinating DomRömer Quarter was heavily destroyed during the first and second world wars, but Frankfurt has rebuilt the entire district in its original old town style.
Frankfurt’s Museum Embankment does what it says on the tin – fifteen museums line the boulevard, covering an array of topics including fine art (Städel Museum), film (Deutsches Filmmuseum), ethnology (Museum der Weltkulturen) and comic book art (Caricatura museum).
Getting hungry? The Kleinmarkthalle offers up almost 160 stalls selling delicious food and drink from local sources to worldwide imports. If it’s a sit-down meal you’re after, enjoy classic German café culture on Berger Straße. And on alternate Saturdays, check out the Flohmarkt Schaumainkai – the city’s best flea market.
Read More: Things To Do In Frankfurt
