Pure summer feeling: Sankt Peter-Ording and the Wadden Sea
Natural beauty and endless expanses
The summer takes place at the beach here: The well-known surfer hotspot Sankt Peter Ording on the Eiderstedt Peninsula is the epitome of a vacation by the North Sea. An absolute highlight of this popular holiday destination is certainly the 12 km long and up to 2 km wide sandy beach. Here you can take extensive walks and enjoy the healthy sea air. The beach is also perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. You shouldn’t miss a mudflat hike in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea and a stroll through the idyllic town center of Sankt Peter Ording. If you can’t get enough of the sea, you can comfortably end the summer day in the famous “Strandbar 54 nord” – a restaurant on a pile dwelling that extends into the North Sea.
Unspoilt nature at Darßer Ort Westrand and Darß forest
Where the wilderness is at home
Near Stralsund and the Baltic Sea island of Rügen, you will find one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Germany, surrounded by untouched nature: the Darss Place West Beach on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. A approximately 4 km long hiking trail leads you to this natural beach, which is not crowded even during the summer months and captivates with its original charm.
Extra tip: From Prerow, you can also easily reach the Weststrand by bike. The path leads through the pristine Darss Forest with its enchanting trees. As part of the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, the Darss Forest is a very special excursion destination that offers many extraordinary photo opportunities. So, don’t forget your camera!
Hiking paradise Harz and medieval towns Werningerode and Quedlinburg
Magical landscapes and historical charm
If you enjoy hiking in the summer, the Harz is the perfect destination. This low mountain range offers extensive hiking trails through forests and up the mountains. The legendary Brocken, standing at a height of 1,141 meters, is the highest peak in the area. A special experience during a vacation in the Harz is a ride on a romantic steam locomotive. The train runs several times a day at an altitude of 1,125 meters, providing excursionists with a fantastic panoramic view. If you start from Wernigerode, the approximately 34 km long route takes about one and a half hours. However, hiking in the Harz is not the only attraction of the region. The more than 1,000-year-old medieval towns of Wernigerode and Quedlinburg also deserve the accolade of being “absolutely worth seeing” as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with their numerous half-timbered houses, as do the famous stalactite caves in the Harz. It’s no wonder that the Harz is considered one of Germany’s most beautiful travel destinations to us.
Summer trip to Dresden and Saxon Switzerland
Experience an unforgettable summer between the baroque city and natural beauties
With its baroque rows of houses and its many famous sights like Frauenkirche and Zwinger, Dresden is always worth a visit. You are spoilt for choice with the numerous hotels and guesthouses in the city.
Practical: Many Dresden sights are within walking distance. A special way to get to know the city and its surroundings is an excursion with the “White Fleet”. From Dresden, you set off on a tour of the Elbe on a paddle steamer or a saloon ship of the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt. In addition to the enchanting silhouette of Dresden’s old town, you can admire the numerous Elbe castles, the Elbe bridges and picturesque vineyards further downstream. From Dresden, you can also take day trips to Saxon Switzerland. Here you can hike in the beautiful region of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and visit the famous Bastei Bridge with its stunning view.
The mountain calls: Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Wetterstein Mountains
Between Alpine peaks and breathtaking nature
Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers pure alpine atmosphere. The typical Bavarian town with its historic houses invites you to stroll, shop and linger. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen itself and in the surrounding area there are numerous places to stay. For mountaineers and hikers, the Wetterstein Mountains are in the immediate vicinity with numerous – also very demanding – tours. If you spend your summer holiday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you should not miss a trip to the Zugspitze. You can get to Germany’s highest mountain either with the Zugspitzbahn or Gletscherbahn, the cable car or the rack railway. By the way, the trip to the summit is not only worthwhile in the warm season. The Zugspitze also has a very special charm in winter.
Extra tip: You can cool off a bit in summer at the idyllic Eibsee. The natural highlight below the Zugspitze is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Bavaria.
Füssen and Hopfensee: Summer in the Alps
Experience the beauty of the Alps
A little further west is the picturesque town of Füssen. There is much to see in the historic old town – such as the Gothic High Castle and the Benedictine monastery of St. Mang. The famous royal castles of Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and Linderhof are also nearby and definitely worth a visit.
But beware: Especially during the summer vacations, it is very busy here. Therefore, you should definitely book tickets online in advance. Things are much more relaxed at the many beautiful lakes in the area, such as the Hopfensee with its unique mountain panorama. Here you can swim or simply let your soul dangle. The perfect combination for a summer in Füssen.
On to the Swabian Sea: Langenargen and Lake Constance
A picturesque combination - nature, culture and recreation
When listing Germany’s most beautiful travel destinations, Lake Constance cannot be missing, of course. Along the shore there are numerous romantic towns and villages, beautiful beaches and many places to stay. A special pearl is located between Friedrichshafen and Lindau – the picturesque Langenargen. The small town has a special Mediterranean flair, a beautiful lakeshore with a long promenade as well as the idyllic Montfort Castle with a stunning view of the lake. Langenargen is also the ideal starting point for a tour to the most beautiful destinations on Lake Constance. From the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, the famous pile dwellings of Unteruhldingen, the Monkey Mountain (Affenberg) in Salem to the beautiful Meersburg and by ferry to the flower island Mainau or to Constance – it is guaranteed not to be boring at Lake Constance during the summer vacations.
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