Welcome to the first post of my Underrated Destinations series! If you are tired of seeing the same destinations over and over on social media, this post is for you. I will share with you four hidden gem towns in Germany that are worth visiting.

Known for its bigger cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne; Oktoberfest and Bavarian castles, pretzels, bratwurst and beer, Germany has a lot more to offer all year around. The four beautiful German towns you are about to discover are perfect for short weekend getaways, or day trips from a nearby big city. Let’s dive in.

A Hidden Gem for Art and History Lovers: Dresden

Dresden is known as the Florence of the Elbe River. At the heart of the old city, which was destroyed during World War II then rebuilt, you will be enchanted by the striking Baroque architecture of buildings like the Semperoper Opera House, the Zwinger Palace, the Frauenkirche, Dresden Castle – and more.

Any Art lover will want to visit the Old Masters Gallery at the Zwinger, where they will be face to face with Rembrandt, Holbein, Veronese, Tizian and more. The Grünes Gewölbe, inside the Castle, holds another significant and unique collection of rare items, from intricate armours to precious stones and diamonds. The collection is so precious that high security steel doors protect it. The precious objects displayed left me in awe – definitely one the most impressive things we saw in Dresden. The town is often called The Florence on the Elbe, making it a real hidden gem.

We visited Dresden during the Christmas market season, during which the city is even more magical. Dresden has several Christmas markets, the biggest one being the wonderful Striezlmarkt. I will go as far as saying this is my favourite Christmas market of all time! The Stallhof Christmas market is also worth mentioning as it is a medieval Christmas market.

A Hidden Gem For Christmas Lovers: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

If you love Christmas, Rothenburg is the town for you! This Bavarian medieval town is home to the first Käthe Wohlfart shop and the Christmas Museum. Käthe Wohlfart is now a reference in terms of Christmas decor and have stores all over Germany and other countries. As a Christmas fan, the excitement was real when we saw how big the shop was!

Besides being a Christmas wonderland, Rothenburg is a medieval gem in which you can admire beautiful, typical German architecture. You can even walk around the town’s, old defensive walls, the Stadtmauer, beautifully preserved and restored through time. In Rothenburg, try out the Schneeballen, the town’s special sweet treat: pieces of shortbread shaped into a snowball and dusted in icing sugar. You can find them in a variety of flavours at Diller Café. Rothenburg is accessible via train and the nearest big town is Nuremberg, in which we stayed on that trip.

Let me know in the comments below if you would like more information about Nuremberg. I can give you several recommendations for attractions and restaurants for your stay there!

A Hidden Gem For Medieval Beauty: Bamberg

On that same trip to Nuremberg, we visited another gem of the area: beautiful Bamberg. As you walk through the streets of Bamberg, you will probably be in awe of the architecture: bright baroque facades, painted with minute detail, during the town’s heyday.

Bamberg is fascinating for its art and history, thus I recommend visiting the Neue Residenz, Bamberg’s ornate 17th century palace. We visited in the winter, and the palace was almost empty. We found ourselves almost alone in the great rooms surrounded by painted ceilings and marble. In the summer, the rose garden fills the air with sweet smells. The Old Town Hall area is also a delight to walk around and photograph. Stay a few minutes there to admire the colourful painted facade. Later, visit the Natural History Museum (Naturkundemuseum) if you love old interiors and quirky museum collections. There are plenty of places to eat in Bamberg. I recommend Klosterbräu Bamberg – try their locally brewed smoked beer along with one of their hearty dishes.

A Hidden Gem Mountain Escapes: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Travellers often go to France, Italy or Switzerland to visit the Alps. However, I found that the German Alps are a breathtaking destination for a mountain trip. We visited in the summer and spent our days walking in nature and around crystal blue lakes, without the crowds. Garmish-Partenkirchen is located in the very south of Germany. It is an adorable, typical mountain town with picturesque views. You can visit on a day trip, or for a longer stay around the Bavarian mountains.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great base to explore the nearby Eibsee, a lake known for its bright and clear waters. It is also ideal for hiking up the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. In the winter, you can ski in the area. This is a popular activity for locals however, hence I recommend checking the local school holiday calendar to avoid the crowds.

The houses in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are beautifully painted, in true Bavaria fashion, and look like they belong in a fairytale book. Walk along the Historische Ludwigstrasse and stop by one of the pastel-painted restaurants for a meal or for a pint of German beer. If you wish to visit, I recommend renting a car from Munich and driving down to Garmish-Partenkirchen. On the same trip, you can easily take a detour to Füssen and visit the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle!

Comment below if you would like more trips and recommendations for a Bavaria mountains itinerary. I can send you a detailed email with more information!

Are you interested in visiting more of Germany? I have been to many other towns and cities in Germany and I would love to help you. There are many more hidden gems to discover. Comment below with any questions you have about Germany, and I will do my best to give you the best and most truthful advice on travelling there.

Which of these four towns would you be most excited to visit? Do you know any other hidden gem towns in Germany? Let’s share our best tips in the comments below!