Germany’s big cities may seem to some to be “harsh” and “imposing.” The country’s little villages, however, are another story. If you truly want to experience the heart of this nation, stay right here, as we present the most scenic small towns in Germany.

Most Scenic Small Towns in Germany

14.  Wertheim am Main

Wertheim am Main is located in southwestern Germany. This village is sometimes a stop on river cruises, but veteran visitors suggest you might want to spend more than a couple of hours there. It has a memorable medieval town center and a castle from the 1100s. Be sure to see The Pointed Tower, or “Leaning Tower of Wertheim.” The village is well-known for its glassmaking too.

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Bad Wimpfen

Step into a fairy tale village complete with ancient tall towers and spires springing towards the sky. Situated on the country’s historic castle route, this village in Germany was once the location of the biggest palaces north of the famous Alps. Stride up the 167 steps to the popular Blue Tower’s viewing platform and admire the view. If you visit in winter, don’t miss the traditional Christmas market.

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Rottach-Egern

You’ll discover this town on the shore of blue Lake Tegernsee in Upper Bavaria close to the Austrian border. This charming little place is a beautiful vacation spot backdropped by the Alps. It’s a popular place for winter sports. Still, if you visit in the summer, you can go hiking, sailing, and even attend music concerts and folk festivals.

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Binz

The seaside resort of Binz harkens back to the 1300s. Situated on the striking isle of Rugen in the Baltic Sea. Famous for its architecture and historic resort, this former farm and fishing village has been a vacation spot since 1875. The first hotel was erected in 1880. Highlights include old villas, the beach, and a 370-meter pier.

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Cochem

Cochem stretches along the mighty Moselle River. While the town features surprising examples of Baroque architecture, it also includes timbered houses that blend well with the steep-hilled landscape that is used for farming. It offers a charming contrast within the single community.

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Mittenwald

Writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described this small town as “a picture book come alive. It may be the most beautiful little village in the Bavarian Alps. The mountains provide a pretty backdrop to streetside planters, and medieval buildings complete with colorful window boxes. Stroll down the main street, Obermarkt, and ponder how prosperous this place once was as a significant stop on the old medieval trade routes.

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Monschau

The overall appearance of Monschau has not changed much in three centuries. It still includes half-timbered structures and narrow cobblestone streets. Located on the rushing Rur River close to Belgium, this is one of the Rhineland’s most beautiful towns. Check out the architecture and don’t miss the music festival either.

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Triberg im Schwarzwald

This pretty small town is nicely nestled in the famous Black Forest. It is the home of one of the biggest cuckoo clocks and the informative Black Forest Museum. It’s very close to some good hiking trails. Be sure to see the Triberg Falls too. It’s one of the highest in the country.

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Rudesheim am Rhein

Rudesheim am Rhein is situated in the Rhine Gorge. It’s arguably the best place to sample some superb German wine. Indeed, almost 3 million travelers come here every year to have a taste of the red and white wines made here. They also venture here to take in the sights of the Rhine River, and the pretty homes backdropped by healthy vineyards. Into architecture? Check out the nearby castles. In a darker mood? Visit the museum of torture. 

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Bacharach

Surrounded by an old city wall, some travel writers say Bacharach is “one of the prettiest villages on the [Rhine] River.” This medieval village is highlighted with colorfully accented half-timbered buildings complete with flower boxes. Wander around this charming locale, then kick back at the popular medieval market with a generous glass of Riesling, Bacharach’s most well-known contribution to the world of wine.

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Quedlinburg

This medieval German town harkens back to the time of the Carolingian Dynasty in the 800s. It was once no more than a group of tiny villages but is now a prized source of both history and romance. Here you can explore the cobblestoned streets past multi-storied, multi-colored timbered structures, decorative old-day tenements, brightly-flowered gardens, and truly Instagramable temples too. Take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage. Visit the ancient Collegiate Church, a veritable masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, and experience one of Europe’s “best-preserved medieval towns.”

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Dinkelsbuhl

Dinkelsbuhl is situated along Romantic Road in Bavaria. It is most known as one of the country’s few remaining genuine medieval walled cities. Historically, this small town was a key location in the famous Holy Roman Empire.

Visit Germany in July and you can attend the yearly “Kinderzeche” festival and help celebrate the village’s rescue during the infamous Thirty Years War. watch the colorfully-clad locals as they attempt to impart an overall aura of pageantry. Be sure to see St. George’s Church which dates back to the 1400s and includes an even older tower. If you like to rock, be sure not to leave until after the big summer heavy metal music festival!

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Fussen

This Bavarian town is close to Austria’s border, at the end of the well-known Romantic Road, this small village has been settled since Roman times. Explore the cobbled streets, and tightly packed, light-colored buildings complete with scarlet roofs. Stroll along the lovely Lech River which bisects the famous violin-making village. This romantic, historic place is also a gateway to the famous fairy-tale-reminiscent Neuschwanstein Castle.

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Rothenburg ob der Tauber

In English, the name of this Bavarian village means the “red fortress above the Tauber” river. Frequent flyers favor visiting this village during December to enjoy the town’s authentic Christmas market. Fans of feature films might even recognize this spot as the fictional Vulgarian town from the 1968 movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 were shot here too!

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