Top 10 things to do in Germany

Kiel week

Kiel Week is the world's biggest sailing event and also the biggest summer festival in northern Europe. Each year, we welcome around 3.5 million guests from around the world. From June 22nd to 30th (2024) at Kiel Week, world and Olympic champions display sailing prowess at the highest level. Both the global sailing elite and hobbyists compete with and against each other in regattas, providing spectators with thrilling racing competition action. Alongside these competitions,sailing will also be presented in all its various, fascinating forms all week. Come and marvel at classic yachts, get caught up in the marine cutter regatta action or be enchanted by the grandiose display of windjammers and traditional sailing ships. During the 9-day event, Kiel's inner city and the entire Kiel Fjord region turns into one big 'volksfest'. Live bands and top international performers will provide music and entertainment across many stages, catering to all tastes - while exclusive restaurants, sausage stands, cocktail bars and ice-cream shops offer the best in culinary delights. The 'Kiellinie' - Kiel's favourite promenade - promises to cater to all the whims of younger visitors. And the jewel in the week's crown will be the spectacular fireworks display on the closing evening. www.kieler-woche.de

Youth Hostel Kiel
Kiel hostel is located two kilometres from the centre of this bustling harbour city, the hostel offers access to Kiel's museums, cinemas and theatres as well as beaches. Ferry services are convenient for trips to Oslo and Gothenburg. The hostel offers meal services and accommodation is in 1-4 bedded rooms.

Stuttgart Summer Festival

The Summer Festival is Stuttgart's most elegant open-air party. For three days (19th – 24th July 2024), the Schlossplatz and the shores of the Eckensee lake in the Obere Schlossgarten park are given over to enormous white marquees erected for the enjoyment and relaxation of visitors and residents. Around half a million visitors every year come to enjoy the Festival's unique summer atmosphere.

Held for the first time in 1991 to mark the end of the European Cycling Championships, the Stuttgart Summer Festival has now become an established feature of Stuttgart's cultural and events calendar. A widely varied program of different music and entertainment acts on five stages puts everyone in a good mood and provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer evenings. Visitors are treated to expertly prepared local culinary delicacies and choice beverages. www.stuttgart.de

Youth Hostel Stuttgart
The Youth Hostel is located half way up the hill in the eastern district of Stuttgart-Mitte. Stuttgart is the place to be and the Youth Hostel is right in the centre! There is more to Stuttgart than just Mercedes and Porsche: museums and theatres, a world-famous zoo with a beautiful botanic garden, lots of green spaces, Germany’s largest pedestrian area and the vibrant nightlife of Theoder-Heuss-Straße. Among German cities Stuttgart is regularly voted number one for quality of life.
In the Youth Hostel you can enjoy a fantastic view over the city and meet people from around the world. All rooms have modern furnishings, are en suite (washbasin, shower, WC) and are cleaned daily. Most rooms have bunk beds. A key card system and lockers (with locks) in all rooms provide security.

Lesbian and Gay City Festival, Berlin

Under the slogan »Equal Rights for the Unequal«, Berlin´s Rainbow Fund will present its  annual Lesbian and Gay Festival ‑ Europe's largest. As usual, it´s being held in the traditional gay stomping ground around Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg.
The festival will take place in the area bounded by Motzstrasse, Eisenacher Strasse, Fuggerstrasse and Kalckreuthstrasse, spreading over 20,000 square meters, and featuring the Worlds of Sports, Radio, Travel, Film, AIDS and Politics, as well as other exhibits from a wide range of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.
Along with dozens of information booths and market stalls, there will be a varied range of culinary treats. And on both days of the festival, there will be five high-energy performance venues: »The Connection« with house and techno music, the »Disco Ball« with hits of the 70s and 80s, the »Queer Media«, a mix of lesbian and gay entertainers and DJs, as well as the »Women´s Showcase«.
Again this year the high point of the festival will be the Personality Interview Show, »Das wilde Sofa« (The Wild Sofa), taking place on the Main Stage at the corner of Eisenacher Strasse and Fuggerstrasse. Between three and four each afternoon, Gerhard Hoffmann and Biggy van Blond will put guests from politics and culture through the meat grinder for the delight of all. Following »The Wild Sofa« on Saturday, there will be a varied programme of rock and pop until 11 pm, and on Sunday until 10 pm. www.stadtfest.berlin

Youth Hostel International Berlin
One of the most popular Youth Hostels in Germany, the Berlin International Youth Hostel is centrally located and yet very quiet. we welcome people from all over the world to come and stay at the hostel, feel at home and meet friends along the way! The hostel is open 24 hours, with multilingual staff and good food ‑ All You Can Eat« buffet; snacks and pizza 24 hrs! Berlin International Hostel looks forward to welcoming you!

Tollwood Summer Festival, Munich

»Beautiful views – nice prospects« – this is the motto of this year’s Tollwood Summerfestival. Starting on Wednesday 21st of June 2024, the Tollwood Summer Festival invites music and culture enthusiasts, grown-ups, teens and children to the Olympiapark in Munich, Germany. Within 30 days, until 21st of July, fascinating theatre groups and performing artists meet amidst the scenery of the colourful »market of ideas«, while the sound of music from all over the world pours from the tents.

By the way: More than 75 percent of all performances, ranging from walk-acts, concerts to environmental activities or kids entertainment, are non-ticketed and free!

This is the place where great musicians meet at Tollwood: the festival presents a huge variety of contemporary music. www.tollwood.de

Youth Hostel Munich City
Munich-City Youth Hostel is centrally located in the Neuhausen district, near Schloss Nymphenburg and the Olympic Park. It takes about 5 minutes by subway (tube) to reach the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and the Karlsplatz (Stachus) with the adjoined pedestrian area. 
With 335 beds, mostly in 4- to 6-bed-rooms, Munich-City Youth Hostel meets the needs of young people looking for an inexpensive stay in Munich. Meeting points like our bistro help to support communication and exchange within our guests from all over the world.

Youth Hostel Munich Park
Welcome to München-Park, the recently renovated Youth Hostel in München. It is situated in the south of Munich, in green surroundings close to the Isar river and Hellabrunn Zoo. The Youth Hostel offers all accommodation including breakfast and bedsheets in 62 double rooms, 53 3- and 4-bedded rooms as well as five rooms with 6 beds each, all with en suite shower/WC and bunk beds. In some cases two rooms share one bathroom. Six rooms are adapted for people with disabilities. Free wifi in the lobby.

Breweries in Cologne

Not only Bavaria but also Cologne is famous for its beer. A typical Cologne beer, tasty and freshly tabbed, is called Kölsch. It is not only a pale, highly attenuated, strongly hopped, polished top-fermented beer. More importantly it is at the same time a language and a way of living. A 100 years ago there have been more than 100 different breweries in the city. While drinking from the slim Kölsch beer glasses you will easily get to know many other people sharing the same passion.

Still today the breweries reflect the typical way of living and mentality of the oldest city located at the banks of the River Rhine. There is a rustically authentic feeling in the breweries. Maybe you will find your favourite Kölsch. www.koeln.de/tourismus

Youth Hostel Cologne-Deutz
Close to the city centre, the Youth Hostel is about 15 minutes' walk from Cologne's famous cathedral as well as its port and museums. Accommodation is in 2-6 bedded rooms and facilities include TV, internet access, laundry, kitchen and meals.

Youth Hostel Pathpoint Cologne
The Pathpoint Cologne Backpacker hostel is a new, modern backpacker hostel and is one of the HI network of hostels in Germany and one of three hostels on Cologne. The hostel is located in a former church building in the centre of Cologne and is only a five minute walk from the Central train station and 20 minutes for Cologne/Bonn airport. Close by to the hostel you will find the famous cathedral of Cologne and the old town, which is full of restaurants, bars, museums and shops, as well as the Rhine River.

The hostel is a perfect starting point to explore the city and then return to a clean, safe place to stay. The reception is open 24 hours with welcoming, friendly staff who are ready to help you out with any information you might need during your stay. Hostel check-in is a 3pm. All rooms are equipped with shower, WC and individual lockers. Underground, bus and railway station in walking distance (400 metres).

 

The Romantic Road

A trade route during the middle ages, Germany’s Romantic Road still retains much of its medieval character. The road (350 kilometres from Frankfurt/Main via Würzburg, Rothenburg, Nördlingen and Augsburg to Füssen) often winds through forgotten sections of countryside, connecting walled towns and picturesque villages. Travelers may enter a town through an arched gateway complete with guard towers. Inside, you will find gothic cathedrals, half-timbered fachwerk houses, beautiful historic Youth Hostels and often a medieval festival. Fairytale castles like Neuschwanstein and the Alps complete the charm.

Würzburg Youth Hostel
Close to the centre of this beautiful Bavarian city, the Youth Hostel (a former monastery) is within easy reach of Wurzburg's fortress, museums and splendid Baroque buildings. Wine-producing country lies beyond. Accommodation is in 4-6 bedded rooms.

The Youth Hostel is situated below Marienberg fortress close to the centre of this beautiful Franconian town. Würzburg is right in the heart of Franconia, one of Germany’s most famous wine regions.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Youth Hostel is close to the centre of one of Germany's best preserved medieval towns where sights include the Gothic Church of St Jacob, the Kriminal museum (dedicated to medieval crime and punishment) and the intriguing Reichsstadtmuseum housed in a former convent. The Youth Hostel offers internet access, laundry and meals, and has capacity for 184 guests.

Complete town wall surrounding the city. Numerous gates, towers and fortifications. Situated high above the charming Tauber valley. Town hall and other impressive buildings date to the late middle ages and are worth seeing. Old horse mill, now youth Youth Hostel, is almost 500 years old.

Several bars and restaurants within 15 min. walking distance. Frankonian and Bavarian specialities as well as Asian, Italian and different international food. Charming place open until after midnight to taste local beer and wine. English conversation club on Wednesdays to meet local people and other travellers, open to everybody.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle, royal palace in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the most famous of three royal palaces built for Louis II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig, who grew up nearby at Hohenschwangau Castle

Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Louis's death in 1886, the castle is the embodiment of 19th century romanticism. In a fantastical imitation of a medieval castle, Neuschwanstein is set with towers and spires and is spectacularly sited on a high point over the Pöllat River gorge. www.neuschwanstein.de

Youth Hostel Füssen
Just one kilometre west of the centre of town in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, the Youth Hostel is a good base for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. Local attractions include the castles at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The Youth Hostel offers laundry and meals, and accommodation is in 2-6 bedded rooms.

 

Lake Constance

Lake Constance (German: Bodensee) is a lake on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps, and consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee (»upper lake«), the Untersee (»lower lake«), and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Seerhein.

The lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria near the Alps. Specifically, its shorelines lie in the German federal-states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the Austrian federal-state of Vorarlberg, and the Swiss cantons of Thurgau and St. Gallen. The Rhine flows into it from the south following the Austro-Swiss frontier.

Youth Hostel Konstanz
The Youth Hostel – a former water-tower – is one of the characteristics of the town of Constance (German: Konstanz). It is situated high above the Lake Constance. By public transport the historic city centre is easy to reach. The Youth Hostel is the ideal base for leisure-time activities like hiking (in the nature preserve Wollmatinger Ried or on the isle of Reichenau), visiting the isle of Mainau with its flower gardens and the lake dwellings from the Stone Age.

Youth Hostel Lindau
Lindau is situated close to the Alps on the banks of Lake Constance, the place where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet, and is thus an ideal leisure destination. Situated opposite the Limare fun waterpark and spa in the Garden City area, the modernly appointed and comfortable Youth Hostel is particularly suited for families and is just a few minutes' walk away from the shores of the lake and the picturesque old quarter.

The reception, conference rooms and day rooms are located in the Rosenhof, a listed mansion from the year 1832. As such, the hostel is one of Bavaria's most attractive in terms of location, comfort and the range of amenities it offers.

 

Go to the beach: Rügen

Swim, sail, surf, paddle. 1.900 kilometres of beaches and steep coastlines, 2.000 sparkling lakes and crystal clear rivers – there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water in Germany’s favourite »water Land«. And a unique bathing paradise. The seaside resorts along the Baltic Sear are like a string of pearls. One more beautiful than the other, all in white, spacious and carefree. And so the coast with its fine, sandy beaches became that which it is today: a giant bathing pool town with an almost endless promenade. And inland the water glitters practically behind each hill and in each forest.
Bathing with and without (clothes), on broad, fine sandy beaches or in front of awe-inspiring and original cliffs, in glass clear lakes, in the salty sea or secluded river tributaries – here you have plenty to choose from. All the Baltic Sea resorts have monitored beach stretches with basket chairs and all kinds of different service facilities. Swimming pool facilities offer all mod cons at many lakes too. In many coastal towns piers and promenades invite you to stroll. And for those who prefer to be on their own, they will certainly be able to find secluded bays and quiet bathing sites. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is however not only Germany’s largest bath tub, but also its cleanest.

Impressive white cliffs, a blue sea and broad beaches are the distinguishing features of the isle of Rügen, the biggest one in Germany. The buildings with seaside resort architecture have been restored like in the old days. www.auf-nach-mv.de

Youth hostel Binz
The Youth hostel is situated in the beautiful historic area of Binz, right on the beach promenade. Right outside the Youth hostel you can swim, surf or just chill. Explore the unique seaside spa architecture or go to a concert. For children there are fun water playgrounds. Binz Pier is just a few steps away; from there you can take boat trip to the picturesque chalk cliffs and Cape Arkona or take a day trip to Rügen Island. Make an island tour on the historic steam train – from Binz via Granitz to the Baltic seaside resorts of Sellin, Baabe and Göhren, to Putbus and Lauterbach harbour. And there is so much more to explore in the region.

Youth hostel Prora
Right in the north on an endlessly long sandy beach there lies a new hotspot, shining brighter than any lighthouse: in Prora, on the island of Rügen, the longest Youth hostel in the world spreads itself far and wide. It’s modern, laid back, and multicultural, with plenty of space for holidays and making friends, sport and fun, reading, meeting nice people, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, playing football, flying kites and a thousand other great activities.

Prora is the kind of place where everyone can experience something together, where the world is open to all: groups of teenagers and families, school groups and solo holidaymakers, those with a thirst for knowledge and those who want to chill out on the beach, wheelchair users and cyclists, nature freaks and bookworms, kids and seniors, local visitors and other travellers from all over the world. Youth hostel Prora is made up of 402 beds in 96 rooms.

Black Forest

Tall fir trees, rustic farmhouses, hearty food – the Black Forest is renowned for its diverse landscape and culinary specialities. The popular holiday region in southwest Germany is also rich in tradition and history.

A good than 200 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, the Black Forest is not only one of the most varied, but also one of the biggest and best known holiday regions in Germany. The Black Forest maids, Black Forest farms, Black Forest gateau, Bollenhut hats, cuckoo clocks - the Black Forest embodies everything that one might expect of a German picture book holiday.

The TV series »Black Forest Clinic« brought images of this perfect cosy holiday world to over 40 countries in 17 languages.

Thermal baths like Baden-Baden, Badenweiler and Bad Wildbad have a long and rich tradition. Nowhere else in Germany has as many springs in such close proximity. The location, at the border of Germany, Switzerland and France places guests within easy reach of diverse cultures and varied landscapes.

The Black Forest was the birthplace of skiing in central Europe, with the first ski club being founded at the Feldberg Mountain, that rises to a height of 1,493 metres. It was here that the first wooden skis were produced and the first ski lift built. Today, the Feldberg region is one of the largest ski resorts outside of the Alps.

The Black Forest Association, (Schwarzwald Verein), was founded over 130 years ago and since then has signposted walking trails of over 23,000 kilometres in the Black Forest.

Cyclists and bike enthusiasts of all kinds will also find ideal conditions in the south- western parts of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. More than 8,000 kilometres of cycle trails have been signposted especially for mountain bikers. www.blackforest-tourism.com

Youth hostel Baden-Baden
The Youth hostel is based in the very romantic up-hill-side direktly connected to the forest. From here you can walk to town over the mountin-side or you take the bus to very beautiful centre of town, where even the romans already organized their culture of bathing. Walking to the centre takes about 35 min. The Youth hostel counts 147 beds, 2-4-5-6 persons bedrooms are available, some of them with shower/toilet.

Youth hostel Freudenstadt
Freudenstadt is a small-town in the Black Forest boasting the largest market square in Germany. The charming town is surrounded by forests and offers a host of activities, arts, nature and great shopping. The market square is surrounded by countless cafés where you can sit and watch all of the fifty fountains!

Right next to the Youth hostel you’ll find the Panaromabad water park where you can relax and have loads of fun. Later, visit our bistro and have a Macchiato on the sunny terrace and then play a game of table tennis or foosball. We also offer great meals made from fresh produce.

The Black Forest is also ideal mountain biking country. Just hop on your bike outside the Youth hostel, follow the trails and breathe the clean mountain air!

Youth hostel Rudenberg
The Youth hostel is located in the Rudenberg area (roughly 1.000 metres above sea level) at the foot of Hochfirst mountain, 10 kilometres from Lake Titisee. Neustadt is an official Kneipp spa resort surrounded by high forests. In snowy winters the area is great for skiing.

Fotos: Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus e.V.