© Shutterstock

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria -

This wonderfully-preserved medieval town in the Franconia region of Bavaria was seemingly made for Instagram, its colorful and timbered facades attracting visitors from all over the world.

© Shutterstock 

Tüchersfeld, Bavaria -

The village of Tüchersfeld in the Püttlach valley amazes with its cluster of half timber-framed houses, set as if glued onto the rocks.

© Shutterstock 

Miltenberg, Bavaria -

Miltenberg in Bavaria's Lower Franconia district lures visitors to its timbered old town, an eye-catching ensemble of medieval townhouses set over cobblestoned lanes and squares.

© Shutterstock 

Bastei Bridge, Saxon Switzerland -

Looming 194 m (636 ft) above the Elbe River in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the remarkable Bastei Bridge is one of the region's most famous landmarks, and certainly the most scenic.

© Shutterstock 

Bamberg, Bavaria -

Picture-perfect Bamberg in Upper Franconia is another destination celebrated for its architecture. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enclosed by Europe's largest intact city wall. Preserved within are gems like its magnificent cathedral, consecrated in 1012.

© Shutterstock 

Lake Schrecksee, Bavarian Alps -

It takes even the hardiest hiker about eight hours to reach stunning Lake Schrecksee, at 1,813 m (5,949 ft) Germany's highest alpine lake. Often shrouded in fog, its eerie atmosphere and mystical outlook is probably why locals labeled it Schrecksee, which means "fright lake."

© Shutterstock 

Rakotzbrücke (Rakotz Bridge), Saxony -

The delicately arched man-made bridge known as the Rakotzbrücke spans a lake in Kromlau's Rhododendron Park. Dating back to 1860, the bridge is designed to create a perfect circle when it's reflected in still waters. It's also known as the Devil's Bridge due to the belief that the magical circle must be the hands of the devil. It's arguably the best example of its kind in the world.

© Shutterstock 

Pilgrimage Church of Wies, Bavaria -

Steingaden's Pilgrimage Church of Wies is deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. A masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, its colorful and exuberant interior is simply a joy to behold.

© Shutterstock 

Zugspitze, Bavaria -

At 2,962 m (9, 718 ft) above sea level, Zugspitze in the Wetterstein Mountains is Germany's highest peak. Cable cars run visitors to the summit where you can soak in some of the best views of the Alps over refreshments in a beer garden.

© Shutterstock 

Sylt, Schleswig-Holstein -

The Frisian island of Sylt, a narrow island anchored in the North Sea off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein, has long enjoyed a reputation as an exclusive resort destination. Leisure amenities include saunas, surf schools, and the beaches themselves, hemmed in by rolling dunes textured with heathland.

© Shutterstock 

Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria -

Dinkelsbühl's famous old timber-framed houses are clustered in the old town, itself surrounded by medieval walls and towers. Much of the destination dates back to the 15th to early 17th centuries.

© Shutterstock 

"Saar Loop," Saarland -

The Saar River pursues a winding course through the countryside of Saarland to create this outstanding natural feature, a hairpin 180-degree bend known as the "Saar Loop."

© Shutterstock 

Cologne Cathedral, North Rhine-Westphalia -

Cologne's majestic cathedral is Germany’s largest, and currently the tallest twin-spired church in the world. It's also the country's most visited landmark, attracting tourist to its beautiful stained-glass murals and the dazzling Shrine of the Three Kings, said to contain the remains of the three wise men.

© Shutterstock 

Residenz München, Bavaria -

Munich's architectural riches include the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. The complex of buildings are noted for their opulent decoration and displays from the former royal collections.

© Shutterstock 

Königssee, Bavaria -

The "King's Lake" is a majestic body of water set in the UNESCO-protected Berchtesgaden National Park. Königssee is considered the most beautiful body of water in Germany.

© Shutterstock 

Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg -

Medieval Meersburg is home to two castles, an expanse of half-timber houses, and a pair of ancient town gates. In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were back in the Middle Ages!

© Shutterstock 

Görlitz, Saxony -

Görlitz lies along the Neisse River, opposite the Polish town of Zgorzelec. The most easterly town in Germany, Görlitz is noted for its rich architectural heritage, exemplified by the Schönhof, which dates back to 1526.

© Shutterstock 

Schiltach, Baden-Württemberg -

Nestling on the eastern fringes of the Black Forest is Schiltach, which boasts an entire medieval-era inner city, a collection of half-timber houses that date back to anywhere between the 16th and 19th centuries.

© Shutterstock 

Zwinger Palace, Saxony -

One of Dresden's most famous landmarks is the Zwinger Palace, a palatial complex nesting within manicured grounds and celebrated for housing a collection of rare porcelain and an Old Masters gallery featuring works by Raphael, Vermeer, and Titian, among many others.

© Shutterstock 

Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg -

Named for the shadows cast by evergreens looming above the forest floor, this expansive forested mountain range encompasses snow-capped mountains, crystalline rivers and lakes, and deep verdant valleys.

© Shutterstock 

Mosel Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate -

The German section of the Mosel Valley lies between the Eifel and Hunsrück mountains. Wonderfully scenic, this 194-km (121 mi) pocket of land is characterized by a sprinkling of medieval villages, carefully-combed vineyards, and a wealth of wildlife, including the shy black stork.

© Shutterstock 

Partnach Gorge, Bavaria -

One of Bavaria's most impressive natural wonders, the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen rises to a height of 80 m (263 ft) in places. It's been incised over centuries by a restless stream to produce one of the most popular hiking destinations in the region.

© Shutterstock 

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria -

Dating back to 1886, Neuschwanstein sits on a clifftop above the village of Hohenschwangau near Fussen in southwest Bavaria. Its spires and ornamental turrets served as inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

© Shutterstock 

Rhine Gorge, Rhineland-Palatinate/Hesse -

The lovely Upper Middle Rhine Valley section of the Rhine Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its numerous castles, medieval towns and villages, and the bucolic landscape that distinguishes this picturesque part of Germany.

© Shutterstock 

Museum Island, Berlin -

The five museums that make up Berlin's historic Museum Island are actually set on the northern part of Spree Island in the historic heart of the city. The destination's cultural clout is such that UNESCO long ago granted the island World Heritage status.

© Shutterstock 

Marienplatz, Bavaria -

Munich's Marienplatz is dominated by the ornate new town hall, which in fact dates back to 1874. The old town hall stands nearby, though is not as impressive architecturally. Marienplatz is renowned across Germany for hosting one of the country's most magical Christmas markets.

© Shutterstock 

Lichtenstein Castle, Baden-Württemberg -

Gaunt-looking Lichtenstein Castle overlooks the Echaz Valley near Honau. It stands near the ruins of a medieval castle and was built in the mid-19th century. Allegedly haunted, the castle is one of the area's most popular tourist attractions.

© Shutterstock 

Rügen Island, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania -

Rügen Island is the largest and most attractive of the German Baltic islands. With a coastline characterized by numerous sandy beaches, lagoons, and projecting peninsulas and headlands, Rügen is a very popular tourist destination.

© Shutterstock 

Sanssouci Park and Palace, Brandenburg -

Located at Potsdam, Sanssouci Palace was commissioned by Frederick the Great as a summer palace and completed in 1774. Sanssouci is often compared to Versailles for opulence and grandeur, and for the magnificent grounds it is set in.

© Shutterstock 

Mainau, Baden-Württemberg -

Mainau is a island in Lake Constance and referred to as the Blumeninsel, or flower island. From March to May, you can see several types of flowers in full and colorful bloom, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. The bouquet is intoxicating, and attracts thousand of butterflies.

Sources: (@GermanyinUSA) (History Daily) (UNESCO) (The Vintage News)

See also: Discover the best destinations for flower lovers

© Shutterstock