7 of Germany’s most charming towns

Even as one of Europe’s largest and most powerful countries, Germany remains one of the most underrated travel destinations on the continent, especially when it comes to its historic towns that scatter the nation. Whether you’re looking for fairytale castles, half-timbered houses, natural hot springs or just a good glass of wine, there’s never a bad time or season to explore one of these enchanting corners of the country.

Founded in the 12^th century, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lübeck was considered the ‘first western city on the Baltic Coast’. As the former capital of the Hanseatic League – a network of merchant communities in northern Germany – it prospered until the 16^th century as a major trading centre. Despite its bombing during WWII, much of its Old Town’s architecture remains intact, including its merchant houses, salt storage buildings, and monuments – such as its famous red-brick gate of Holstentor, built in 1464. Visitors to Lübeck can spend hours admiring its water-surrounded Medieval centre and educate themselves further on the city’s culture and heritage at its 13 museums, including the European HanseMuseum, St. Anne’s Museum, and Buddenbrook House: the latter dedicated to the literary brothers Heinrich and Thomas Mann.

This Bavarian city is one of many stories. Firstly and perhaps best known, Augsburg was at the heart of the Fuggers trading empire. The Fuggers were an affluent family of bankers and merchants, who founded the Fuggerei social housing complex in 1516 – which remains in use to this day. The Mozart’s were another famous family that left their stamp on Augsburg, being the birthplace of Leopold Mozart – the father of Wolfgang. The father-son composers are celebrated with the Mozart Festival every May, along with a permanent small museum found in the centre. But Augsburg’s history is perhaps best told through its architecture, from its 1,000-year-old cathedral and Middle Age guild houses to its more recent and prominent Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau influence, as seen in the Old Town.

Situated at the point where the Main tributary meets the Rhine River, Mainz is a city of Medieval squares, half-timbered houses and a history stretching back more than 2,000 years. Mainz is often associated with literature and reading, due to being the home of letterpress creator Johannes Gutenberg: his 15^th-century invention transforming the way books were produced. Travellers can dive in a world of printing history at the Gutenberg Museum, and then hop over the 1,000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral residing opposite. Elsewhere in the Old Town, get a taste of the city’s heritage by visiting one of its many traditional taverns that serve local wine, produced in the vineyards of the surrounding Rheinhessen region.

Brandenburg an der Havel’s location on the edge of one of Europe’s largest wetland makes it a fitting location for nature lovers, who can enter the surrounding wildlife-filled reserves, home to rare species such as otters and beavers. Back in the town, visitors can continue being active by exploring its Old Town and New Town by bike. Architecture here reflects Brandenburg an der Havel’s importance as a former religious centre – especially the 12^th-century Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. Further stories of Brandenburg’s history can be delved into at the National Archaeological Museum – with 10,000 artefacts housed in the 13th-century St Paulikloster Monastery, as well as the Local History Museum in Frey-Haus – located within an 18^th-century Baroque building.

Sitting on the outskirts of the Black Forest, Baden-Baden was once considered the summer capital of Europe, with its 12 natural thermal hot springs attracting the continent’s elite during the Belle Époque era. Today, it has been recognised as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe by UNESCO and designated a World Heritage Site. Unsurprisingly, due to its former wealthy clientele, the town is home to the iconic Kurhaus, a stunning casino that began operating in the 1820s. Baden-Baden’s century-old Festival Hall is also worthy of your attention: the largest classical music venue in Germany was originally built as a rail station in 1904, and comes alive every May for the annual Whitsun Festival.

With just 5,000 residents, Cochem is one of the smallest towns on our list, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. Dominated by an 11^th-century hilltop fortress, Cochem is located within a meandering bend of the Moselle River with its traditional half-timbered houses lining the waterway. Apart from its charming scenery, the town’s location within the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, renowned for its Riesling grapes, means travellers into their wine are also drawn here. Cochem itself is surrounded by beautiful sloping vineyards, with a a ride on the town’s cable car is the perfect way to take in all the views from above.

Lying on the banks of the River Elbe, Meissen’s beginnings can be traced back to the 10th century, but it’s the towns more recent history that has put Meissen firmly on the map. In the 1700s, Meissen became the first place in Europe where porcelain was manufactured, and visitors can learn about its history as a ceramic cultural centre by taking a tour of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in the town’s Triebischtal district. Architectural highlights in the town include the dominating 15th-century Gothic Church, which stands close by to Albrechtsburg – Germany’s first castle that’s sole purpose was to be a residence. Nowadays, it’s the castle is home to a range of museums and collections, many of which celebrate the Meissen’s great affinity for porcelain.