Germany has a rich diversity of natural beauty, from strange rock formations, stunning lake and mountain scenery to secluded forests, all of which leave visitors marvelling at the wonders of nature. Join Minghao today for a look at the top ten most spectacular sights in Germany.
1. Sächsische Schweiz Nationalpark
Saxony’s Little Switzerland National Park
The Sächsische Schweiz Nationalpark is located in eastern Germany, southeast of Dresden. It protects a large part of the Elbe Sandstone Range, which was formed by the Elbe River over a period of 100 million years, and covers an area of 36,000 hectares. The park is characterised by its extraordinary Cretaceous erosion, the unique chalk sandstone landscape of Central Europe, deep valleys, flat-topped mountains (Tafelberg) and gorges.
2. Wattenmeer an der Nordsee
North Sea Shoals
Stretching 450 kilometres and up to 40 kilometres wide, the North Sea Shoal extends from the German coast to the Netherlands and Denmark and covers an area of about 9,000 square kilometres. The North Sea Shoal is a tidally influenced area with more than a dozen marshy islands in its vicinity. Thanks to its unique flora and fauna and the fresh, clean marine air, it is also a UNESCO-accredited ecological reserve.
3. Externsteine im Teutoburger Wald
The sandstone of the Teutoburger Wald
The unique sandstone landscape of the Teutoburger Wald in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony is one of the most impressive natural beauties in Germany. Many Chinese tourists call it the “German version of Guilin” because of its resemblance to the landscape of Guilin in Guangxi.
4. Lüneburger Heide
Lüneburger Heide
The Lüneburger Heide is located in the North German Lowlands, a high and dry area of about 7,200 square kilometres, bounded in the north by the icy valley of the Elbe and in the south by the river Allel. It is also a great place to see the Heideblüte (heather).
5. Zugspitze und die bayerischen Alpen
Zug
At an altitude of 2,962 metres, Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany and is located about 90 kilometres south of Munich. Surrounded by the Wetterstein mountain range, the Zug is perfect for outdoor sports at any time of the year: in spring to feel the first saffron sprouts, in summer to reap the pleasure of climbing the peak, in autumn to hike through the rustling leaves and in winter to enjoy the thrill of sliding down the high slopes.
6. Kreidefelsen auf Rügen
The chalk cliffs of Rügen
Rügen is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations, and the island’s chalk cliffs attract a large number of foreign visitors every year. The unique beauty of the island has also inspired artists, and is depicted in the famous painting “The Chalk Rocks of Rügen” by the German Romantic painter Caspar Davide Friedrich.
7. Königssee im Berchtesgadener Land
King’s Lake
The King’s Lake is located next to the small town of Berchtesgaden on the border between Germany and Austria, near the Alps. Famous for its crystal clear waters, King’s Lake is considered to be the cleanest and most beautiful lake in Germany. And the Berchtesgaden National Park, where the King’s Lake is located, is also a famous tourist attraction in Germany.
The Saar Bay, located near the town of Mettlch in the western German state of Saarland, is a natural U-shaped channel formed by the Saar River as it flows through. The river makes an almost 180-degree turn, and the dense canyon forest on both sides of the river creates a stunning valley landscape, making it one of the most beautiful sections of the Saar.
9. Spreewald in Brandenburg
Spreewald in Brandenburg
The Spree Forest is located in Brandenburg, about 100 km south-east of Berlin, and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1991. On weekends and holidays, many people come here to enjoy the natural beauty of the forest, which is full of charm and life along the river, in small boats.
10. Deutsche Weinstraße in der Pfalz
The Wine Route
Germany’s Wine Route, this 85 km long route is not only the first and most famous wine tourism route in the world, but is also the heart of the grape-growing region. Every year on the last Sunday of August, a “Wine Experience Day” is held here. On this day, the entire route is closed to cars and visitors can walk or cycle. When you are tired of walking, you can enjoy a wine tasting at the roadside bar and get back to nature and experience the countryside away from the hustle and bustle.
