Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities In Germany to Visit in Winter

If you are planning your winter holiday, consider these best and most beautiful cities in Germany.

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg - Most beautiful cities in winter in Germany - Photo: DW

Many German cities also have a special charm in the colder months. DW compiled a list of 10 of the most beautiful German cities to visit in the winter.

10.Stralsund, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities In German to Visit in Winter - DW

Stralsund

The Hanseatic city of Stralsund on the Baltic Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its magnificent brick buildings.

Mecklenburg–West Pomerania borders the Baltic Sea to the north, Poland to the east, and the German states of Brandenburg to the south, Lower Saxony to the southwest, and Schleswig-Holstein to the west. The capital is Schwerin. Area 8,947 square miles (23,173 square km). Pop. (2011) 1,609,982.

Even in winter, it's easy to enjoy the views while strolling the streets and admiring beautiful gabled houses, ornate churches and the unique town hall. For a top-notch outing in nature, drive to visit the national park and the beaches on Rügen, Germany's largest island.

9.Lüneburg, Lower Saxony

Lüneburg, Lower Saxony

The 1,050-year-old town of Lüneburg is located between Hamburg and Hanover, and is one of the most fascinating places in northern Germany. Its historic red brick Gothic architecture creates an exciting contrast to the town’s young and lively vibe.

In the town centre, visitors encounter its history wherever they go, and it becomes evident that salt was the most valuable asset back in the day. Salt was extracted in the Lüneburger Saline (Lüneburg Saltworks) for more than 1,000 years. Trading this precious “white gold” meant that the town accumulated wealth and commanded respect in the Middle Ages.

8.Meissen, Saxony

Meissen, Saxony - Photo: DW

One of the oldest cities in Saxony is located 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Dresden on the Elbe River: Meissen. There are few sights more romantic than the city's silhouette glimmering on the water in winter. After touring the historic old town, visit the Albrechtsburg Castle and the cathedral on Schlossberg Hill, before warming up in one of the city's many restaurants and cafes.

7.Seiffen, Saxony

Seiffen, Saxony

Seiffen in Saxony with it's 2,600 residents is a town located in Germany about 130 mi (or 208 km) south of Berlin, the country's capital place.

It's hard to imagine Christmas in Germany without its typical decorations, such as nutcrackers or carved "Weihnachtspyramide," aka Christmas pyramids. Yet few people know that these festive classics are actually made in the town of Seiffen, in the Ore Mountains. Even when Christmas is over, Seiffen is worth a visit. There's plenty of skiing and hiking to be done in the area.

There are several Unesco world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site in Germany is Dresden Elbe Valley in a distance of 31 mi (or 51 km), North-East. We collected 1 points of interest near this location.

6.Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt

Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt

The Harz Mountains, a low mountain range in Saxony-Anhalt, attract many winter sports fans who enjoy skiing, tobogganing and hiking on the slopes. Yet in addition to the region's natural attributes, there is no shortage of picturesque towns to admire, such as Wernigerode. Known as the"colorful city on the Harz" its half-timbered houses are especially attractive in winter with a dusting of snow.

Top 10 Most Romantic Cities in Germany

Germany offers a whole range of romantic spots, from fairytale-like landscapes to romantic towns ideal for honeymooners.

5.Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia

Freudenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia

Freudenberg is an undeniable winter beauty. The town of 18,000 inhabitants is an hour's drive from Cologne and has recently gone from being a sleepy village to an Instagrammable hot spot. From the spa park, you have a good view of Freudenberg's old town, which features 80 half-timbered houses from the 17th century.

4.Hattingen, North Rhine-Westphalia

Hattingen, North Rhine-Westphalia

Visiting Hattingen in Germany's Ruhr region is akin to stepping back in time. Winding alleys with 150 half-timbered houses lead to St. George's Church in the center of town. The surrounding countryside also has much to offer, including great hiking through the romantic Ruhr Valley and the medieval castles of Isenburg, Blankenstein and Haus Kemnade moated castle.

3.Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg

Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities In Germany to Visit in Winter - DW

Ludwigsburg Palace

Ludwigsburg is a sizeable town famous for its Baroque palace complex just to the north of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg. The main town is located just to the west of the Neckar river, although the suburbs and several walks through the vineyards do reach the riverbank.

Although many tourists visit Ludwigsburg Residential Palace on a day trip from Stuttgart, the town makes a good base for exploring the sights around the state capital and other attractions to the north. The train station near the city centre offers regular services into Stuttgart and north to Heilbronn and Heidelberg.

Not far from Stuttgart lies the former royal castle of Ludwigsburg. The residential palace is one of the largest preserved Baroque buildings in Europe. Visitors can tour the royal residence year-round — perhaps to warm up after a stroll through the palace gardens. The old town offers plenty of charming alleys and Baroque churches to admire, regardless of the weather.

2.Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg

Schwäbisch Gmünd

Schwäbisch Gmünd city lies on the Rems River, east of Stuttgart and just north of the Swabian Alp. The Roman limes (a defensive line of fortifications against the Germanic tribes) passed over the northern part of the city, where two castles were located. Chartered in 1162 and a free imperial city from 1268 to 1802, it has been noted for precious metalworking since the 14th century. The city is a centre of the jewelry industry and produces other gold- and silver-plated products.

Schwäbisch Gmünd is located at the foot of the Swabian Alb and the Drei Kaiserberge mountains. Historic buildings characterize its historic center, which is packed with churches, monasteries and beautiful squares. Not far from the city, the Hohenrechberg castle (pictured) offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, which is popular with winter sports enthusiasts and hikers.

1.Bamberg, Bavaria

Bamberg, Bavaria - Photo: DW

Bamberg is located in southern Germany in the north of Bavaria. It is a good example of a central European town with a basically early medieval plan and many surviving ecclesiastical and secular buildings of the medieval period. When Henry II, Duke of Bavaria, became King of Germany in 1007 he made Bamberg the seat of a bishopric, intended to become a 'second Rome'. Of particular interest is the way in which the present town illustrates the link between agriculture (market gardens and vineyards) and the urban distribution centre.

From the 10th century onwards, Bamberg became an important link with the Slav peoples, especially those of Poland and Pomerania. During its period of greatest prosperity, from the 12th century onwards, the architecture of this town strongly influenced northern Germany and Hungary. In the late 18th century Bamberg was the centre of the Enlightenment in southern Germany, with eminent philosophers and writers such as Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and E.T.A. Hoffmann living there.

It's especially worth experiencing the romantic flair of the Baroque and Gothic architecture when it snows in winter. If you get too cold while taking in the sights, a stop at one of the many breweries will certainly remedy the situation.