1 Week in Germany - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Germany's Cities

Consider this classic itinerary; an excellent choice for foodies and first-time visitors interested in experiencing German history, culture, arts, and cuisine in some of the most popular spots. You'll explore Frankfurt's historic center on a walking tour, go wine tasting in the Rhine Valley, check out the street art scene in Cologne, and learn about local history and traditional foods on guided culinary tours of Berlin and Munich.

Start in Frankfurt with a guided walking tour of the city's historic center, including a visit to the Emperors' Cathedral and a walk along the riverfront promenade to the Museum Embankment. Take a scenic drive into the Rhine Valley for wine tasting, then continue to Cologne, where you'll experience the street art scene on a walking tour of the Ehrenfeld neighborhood. Stop in Hanover en route to Berlin, and check out Sprengel Museum's modern and contemporary art collections or take a walk in the Eilenriede City Forest.

Taste traditional German flavors and multicultural influences on a culinary tour of Berlin. Head south to Dresden and learn about local history, ecology, and wildlife on an Elbe River cruise. Your journey concludes in Munich, where you'll peruse the markets and sample Bavarian cuisine (including white sausage and pretzels) on a foodie tour, wander the grounds and gardens of the Baroque Nymphenburg Palace, and visit the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. Learn more

Itinerary #2: World War II History Tour of Germany

Delve into World War II history on this itinerary that combines educational tours and historical sites. This trip is ideal for history buffs, taking you to significant locations like the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps, Hitler's bunker, and the courtroom where the Nuremberg Trials were held. In addition, you'll have the chance to see and understand the resilience of Dresden's architecture and the recovery of Berlin. Given the World War II focus, this tour best suits those comfortable confronting this dark history and may not be a good choice for younger children.

Dive into World War II history on a walking tour of Berlin that includes landmarks such as the Reichstag building and Führerbunker (Hitler's bunker). Learn about the experience of prisoners at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, then drive to Dresden. Take a walking tour through the city's historic Old Town, where you'll visit famous landmarks, such as the Frauenkirche, see the aftermath of the February 1945 bombings, and learn about postwar reconstruction efforts.

Take a train to Nuremberg, home to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Zeppelin Field, Courtroom 600 (the site of the Nuremberg Trials), and several other sites that will help you better understand the scale and impact of the Nazi regime. Head into the Bavarian Alps, where you'll board a cable car to Eagle's Nest, Hitler's former home in Berchtesgaden. On your final day, spend some time touring the Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany's first Nazi concentration camp that now stands as a memorial and educational site, and learn about the lives of prisoners and pay tribute to those that perished. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Explore Germany's Best Christmas Markets

This festive itinerary is ideal for travelers keen on experiencing the Christmas markets, including the 15th-century Striezelmarkt in Dresden and the Eisenach Market within the UNESCO-listed Wartburg castle. With ample opportunities to taste seasonal treats, such as mulled wine and gingerbread, while shopping for handicrafts, it's also well-suited to food-focused travelers.

Kick off your journey with a tour of the Frankfurt Christmas Market, followed by a beer tasting. Road trip to Nuremberg with a stop to see the sites, including the Town Hall, in the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Sample bratwurst sausages, gingerbread, and mulled wine at the Nuremberg Christmas Market—families with little ones will appreciate the children's market and Ferris wheel. Continue to the Eisenach Christmas Market, held within the Wartburg castle, then check out the Weinachtspyramiden, a traditional Christmas decoration, at Erfurt's Market before enjoying the festive lights in Weimar.

Head to Dresden for a private walking tour of the city's most notable sights, such as Zwinger Palace and Frauenkirche, and some shopping at Dresden's Christmas markets. Then, it's off to Berlin for a festive journey through the city center, starting at the Brandenburg Gate and ending at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market, where you'll learn about German holiday traditions and life on both sides of the Berlin Wall. Before departure, get your fill of seasonal treats, such as glühwein, candied almonds, gingerbread, chocolate-covered fruits, and Berlin's famous currywurst. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Germany Nature & Relaxation: Konstanz, Baden-Baden, Rothenburg ob der Tauber & Frankfurt

The blend of relaxation and outdoor adventures on this trip makes it a great option for travelers who prefer a leisurely pace. Cycle around Reichenau Island, float in a hot-air balloon above the Black Forest, luxuriate in thermal waters in Baden-Baden, indulge in German food and wine in the Rhine Valley, and take a scenic drive along the Romantic Road.

Pick up your rental car on arrival in Zürich (Switzerland), and cross the Swiss-German border into Konstanz, where you can sail on Lake Constance, wander the town's ancient center, and visit landmarks like the Rheintorterm. Explore the island of Reichenau, known for its fresh produce and historic churches, by bike before driving to Baden-Baden. Float over the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley in a hot-air balloon on Day 4, then enjoy a soak in the thermal baths followed by a massage. 

Pass fairy-tale castles and quaint villages along the Romantic Road of Bavaria en route to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Take a private walking tour next that includes the historic Flat Square and the Church of St. James, then continue to the bucolic Rhine Valley for wine tours and tastings. Wrap up your trip with a free night in Frankfurt to spend as you please, perhaps souvenir shopping and enjoying one last German meal paired with local beer or wine. Learn more

Itinerary #5: German Culture Tour: Berlin, Dresden & Munich

Ideal for those with a love of art, history, and culinary experiences, this itinerary offers a street food tour in Berlin, a bike and wine-tasting excursion in Dresden, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, an evening concert in Munich's Schloss Nymphenburg, and a viewing of the art collection at Alte Pinakothek.

Get acquainted with German cuisine and multicultural influences on a street food tour of Berlin, then learn some of the city's history and cultural identity on a walking tour of the Kreuzberg neighborhood. Then on Day 3, take the train to Dresden and explore the city and its surrounding vineyards on a bike tour. Embark on a scenic drive to Saxon Switzerland National Park through the Elbe River Canyon, stopping at the Bastei Bridge to walk over the Elbe before visiting Königstein Fortress. 

Catch the train to Munich the following day, where you'll join a food and beer tour and visit the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum before enjoying an evening concert at Schloss Nymphenburg. Make a day trip to Bavaria's iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and marvel at the Romanesque Revival architecture, then head to Oberammergau village, where you can shop for artisan-made handicrafts. On your last day, visit the Alte Pinakothek, one of the world's oldest art galleries, before departing from Munich. Learn more

More Great Germany Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Germany? Check out these other Germany itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.