Germany’s best towns are a wealth of history, in a way that the most picturesque U.S. towns can’t quite hold a candle to. There’s a certain stature that comes with towns whose roots predate the defeat of the Spanish Armada or the painting of the Mona Lisa. The majority of these German towns harken back to the 12th century and while they may be smaller-scale now, in the days long before Berlin became the most populous city, they were bustling cities serving as major ports, trading hubs, and fortified cities armed to defend. These are the most beautiful and historic towns in Germany.
instamatics/Getty Images
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Rüdesheim is on the Rhine River, nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a well-known wine region, which arguably means it hits the German-quaint-town trifecta. Some of the town’s Medieval castles—like Eibingen Abbey, still home to a group of Benedictine nuns—are within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The town’s positioning on the Rhine has actually made this little town a popular vacation spot since the 19th century. Rüdesheim isn’t just home to great wine—though Weingut Jacob Lill has a patio you should plan to visit—it also has a lot of history associated with the Franco-Prussian War in the early 1870s. Niederwald Monument celebrates the German victory over the French, and visitors can take a cable car up to the monument.
Ela2007/Getty Images
Bad Mergentheim
In the Tauber Valley, Bad Mergentheim sits along the Romantic Road, which treks from Franken wine country all the way to Fussen in Bavaria. Bad Mergentheim is a German spa town within Baden-Württemberg, a relatively central German state. From the early 1500s to the early 1800s, Teutonic Knights lived in Bad Mergentheim, up until 1809 when Napoléon came in and ordered their expulsion. You can still visit the Teutonic Knights’ former castle, Deutschordensschloss. The castle has a museum that details their history, and the venue now hosts concerts and other family-friendly events. In terms of German spa offerings, you can partake in the bathing and spa culture at Solymar Therme, where you’ll experience the benefits of the town’s most prized natural resources firsthand.
Mint Images/Getty Images
Lübeck
Lübeck is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, informally known as the go-to Brick Gothic destination in Germany, and just as importantly, known for its marzipan. It’s really the ideal world heritage site. Dating back to the 12th century, Lübeck has been a noted German port because of its proximity to the Baltic Sea. Money started coming into the town more significantly in the 14th century when Lübeck became a more sought-out trading hub under the governance of the wealthy merchant class. The city's oldest cathedral, Lübecker Dom, a Baroque structure, is just one of the seven Church steeples to see in the Medieval part of the city. A 40-minute train ride from Hamburg, upon arrival to the north German city, head straight to the marzipan salon at Niederegger Café, a 200-year-old institution.
Ventura Carmona/Getty Images
Monschau
A small town in western Germany’s Eifel region, Monschau’s row-house lined waterways give off a slight Amsterdam feel, though in a much more intimate and decidedly regal way. Monschau Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, has seen its fair share of destruction and subsequent reconstruction, but the restoration efforts have yielded a stunning courtyard travelers should visit for the sweeping views of town. Altstadt—German for “Old Town”—is where you’ll find the row houses with romantic, old-world German facades set along the water. Though the town originated in the 12th century, it continued developing and changing through periods of economic hardship and conflict up until the 17th and 18th century. Here’s the truly remarkable part: Since the 18th century, when the town center revolved primarily around the cloth-making business, Monschau has remained largely unchanged. Visitors often say it’s a town that froze in time 300 years ago; to really feel this preservation feat, visit the 18th century Red House, former home of the noted textile industry-leading Scheibler family.
Vichai Phububphapan/Getty Images
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This town can only be described as Middle Ages chic. A walled-town, Rothenburg was the second-largest city in Germany in the Middle Ages, then home to a population of 6,000. The fortifications that once protected Rothenburg are some of the best preserved structures in the country. The preservation efforts that consistently go into this fortified former-city and medieval architecture hub is so purposeful that it draws big crowds coming in from Stuttgart, which is just a 90-minute drive. Sitting on the Tauber River—hence "ob der Tauber"—it’s also on the Romantic Road. Some of Rothernburg’s main attractions include St. Jakob's Church, which has a 500-year-old wood-carved altarpiece, and the Town Hall, where you can climb the tower for stunning views. Travelers should be warned that Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the opposite of a well-kept secret. It’s gorgeous and tourists know it, so the best times to visit are mid-week or in Europe’s shoulder season (generally spring or fall).
Vichai Phububphapan/Getty Images
Bacharach
Nestled in Mittelrhein, which is full-blown Riesling country, Bacharach is aptly named for the God of Wine. This town is truly two parts vineyards, one part historical relevance. The half-timber houses have medieval facades draped with vines, and there’s seemingly is a winery in every direction you turn. Set on the Rhine River, travelers can take a Rhine cruise to see Bacharach’s vineyards and castles perched on countryside peaks. After exploring the oldest house in Bacharach (Altes Haus, or “Old House,” built in the mid-1300s), guests should do a full wine tour, or at least stop in at Toni Jost and Friedrich Bastian for tastings.
