Best of Germany Tour 13 Days
Hear the harbour hum in Hamburg, lose yourself in Black Forest whispers, conquer Rhine castles, and raise a stein in Munich’s beer halls. This isn’t just sightseeing that offers you best of Germany; it’s tracing Luther’s footsteps, confronting history at Dachau, wandering Rothenburg’s timeless lanes, and feeling Berlin’s modern pulse. Dive deep into Germany with our best of Germany tour
Best of Germany Tour Itinerary: 13 Days of Depth & Discovery
Day 1: Arrival & Hamburg’s Welcome Glow
Settle into our Hamburg hotel. Meet your fellow travellers and guide at 4 PM for a warm welcome. We’ll stretch our legs with an introductory neighbourhood stroll, soaking up the city’s maritime energy and affluent charm. Get acquainted over a relaxed group dinner, your first taste of Northern German hospitality.
*Walking: Gentle, 2-4 miles, flat ground. No bus. Sleep in Hamburg.*
Day 2: Harbours, History & Hamburg’s Heartbeat
Unpack Hamburg’s layered past. Walk the historic Altstadt (Old Town), standing before the haunting spire of St. Nicholas Church – a memorial to the devastation of Operation Gomorrah in 1943. Wind through the brick-canaled Speicherstadt warehouse district, marvel at the architectural wave of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, then board a harbour ferry. Witness Europe’s second-largest port in action: colossal container ships, bustling docks, and the sheer scale of maritime commerce. The afternoon is yours – explore the chic HafenCity, browse the Deichstraße’s historic merchants’ houses, or find a waterside café.
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles, some steps/bridges. Harbour Cruise: 1 hour. No bus. Sleep in Hamburg.*
Day 3: Timbered Tales & Münster’s Peace Legacy
Journey south through Lower Saxony’s patchwork of farms and forests – the very landscapes that inspired the Brothers Grimm. Stop in a quintessential half-timbered village where fairy tales feel tangible. Arrive in Münster, a university town forever marked by the 1648 Peace of Westphalia treaties ending the Thirty Years’ War. After a group lunch, settle in. Your evening is free: wander the Prinzipalmarkt’s arcaded guildhalls, admire St. Paulus Dom, or find a cozy kneipe (pub) in the vibrant student quarter.
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles, cobbles possible. Bus: ~3 hours. Sleep in Münster.*
Day 4: Cologne’s Colossus & Rhine Romance
Head straight for Cologne’s awe-inspiring Dom (Cathedral). A local expert guides us through this Gothic masterpiece – decipher the intricate stained glass, feel the vaulted heights, learn why construction spanned six centuries. Understand why it’s Germany’s top landmark. Continue into the Rhine Gorge, arriving at our storybook riverside village. Enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the water.
*Walking: Gentle, 2-4 miles, mostly flat cathedral grounds. Bus: ~5.5 hours. Sleep in Rhine Valley (e.g., St. Goar or Bacharach).*
Day 5: Castle Crowns & River Rhythms
Conquer Rheinfels Castle! Hike the steep path above St. Goar to explore this vast 13th-century fortress ruin. Navigate dark tunnels, stand on mighty battlements, and drink in panoramic Rhine views – understanding its strategic might. Then, relax aboard a Rhine steamer. Glide past vine-terraced slopes, storybook villages like Oberwesel, and imposing castles like Katz and Maus. Disembark in Bacharach; a witty local guide reveals its hidden corners and timber-framed charm. Free evening: dine in a riverside Gasthaus or a tucked-away Weinstube (wine tavern).
*Walking: Challenging, 2-8 miles, steep castle ascent/descent, uneven ruins. River Cruise: ~1 hour. Bus: Short transfer. Sleep in Rhine Valley.*
Day 6: Rothenburg’s Timeless Embrace
Travel to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Europe’s best-preserved medieval town. After orientation, the walled city is yours. Walk the complete ramparts for views over red roofs, see Tilman Riemenschneider’s breathtaking wooden altarpiece in St. Jakob’s Church, delve into the peculiar Medieval Crime Museum, or hunt for the perfect Schneeball pastry. As dusk falls, join the iconic Night Watchman – his lantern-lit tour weaves history and humour through the cobbled lanes.
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles, cobbled streets, wall steps. Bus: ~3 hours. Sleep in Rothenburg.*
Day 7: Reflection in Dachau, Bavarian Buzz in Munich
A sobering journey to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. Walk the roll-call square, see the barracks, and visit the deeply moving exhibitions – a vital lesson in 20th-century history. Time for quiet reflection and lunch follows. Arrive in vibrant Munich. An afternoon walking tour unveils the Altstadt: the glockenspiel at Neues Rathaus, the venerable Frauenkirche, bustling Viktualienmarkt. Cap the day with a hearty Bavarian feast – think Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle) and the first of many Maßkrüge (litre beer mugs).
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles. Bus: ~4 hours (incl. Dachau transit). Sleep in Munich.*
Day 8: Munich Unfolds – Your Bavarian Playground
A full free day in Germany’s “secret capital.” Your guide offers insider tips: marvel at treasures in the Residenz palace, see Old Masters in the Alte Pinakothek, bike the vast Englischer Garten past surfers on the Eisbach stream, climb St. Peter’s for city views, or simply embrace Gemütlichkeit (cozy conviviality) in the Hofbräuhaus or a sun-dappled Biergarten. Shop for lederhosen, savor Weisswurst, or explore further afield.
Walking: Light to strenuous (your pace). No bus. Sleep in Munich.
Day 9: Erfurt – Luther’s Launchpad
Head north into Thuringia, Luther’s heartland. Base yourself in Erfurt, a hidden gem. Our walk through the Altstadt reveals stunning Merchants’ Bridge (Krämerbrücke) lined with shops, the towering Dom and Severikirche on Cathedral Hill where Luther was ordained, and the Augustinian Monastery where he was a monk. Learn about Erfurt’s significant medieval Jewish community. Discuss the day’s discoveries over dinner.
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles, hills to Cathedral Square. Bus: ~5 hours. Sleep in Erfurt.*
Day 10: Wartburg – Reformation’s Fortress
Venture to the forest-clad Wartburg Castle. Tour the Romanesque halls where medieval minstrels sang and where Martin Luther, disguised as “Junker Jörg,” translated the New Testament into vernacular German in just 11 weeks. See his modest study. Return to Erfurt; your afternoon is free to revisit the Krämerbrücke, relax in a café on Domplatz, or explore the unique Old Synagogue and Mikveh.
*Walking: Moderate, 2-6 miles, uphill castle approach. Bus: ~1 hour each way. Sleep in Erfurt.*
Day 11: Dresden’s Phoenix Rise & Berlin Beckons
Stop in Dresden, the “Florence on the Elbe.” A local guide showcases its Baroque splendour, meticulously rebuilt after WWII’s firebombing: the majestic Zwinger Palace courtyard, the Semper Opera, and the profoundly moving Frauenkirche – its reconstructed dome incorporating charred original stones. Continue to dynamic Berlin. After hotel check-in, your guide helps navigate the U-Bahn/S-Bahn. Evening free to explore your neighbourhood.
*Walking: Moderate/Strenuous, 2-8 miles, city terrain. Bus: ~4 hours. Sleep in Berlin.*
Day 12: Berlin’s Weight & Wonder
A full-day immersion in Berlin’s complex soul. Walk historic Unter den Linden, pass the Reichstag dome, stand beneath the Brandenburg Gate, reflect at the Holocaust Memorial, see remnants of the Wall at Topography of Terror, and visit Checkpoint Charlie. Understand the Cold War division and the city’s resilient spirit. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner, swapping stories and toasting adventures. Prost!
*Walking: Strenuous, 2-8 miles, extensive city walking. No bus. Sleep in Berlin.*
Day 13: Auf Wiedersehen!
Enjoy a final German breakfast. Your tour concludes after checkout. Easy connections via train (S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof for long-distance, or direct to airports), airport express bus, or taxi await. Journey home or onward, filled with memories.
When to Walk These Paths:
Prime Time: Aim for May-June or September-October. Expect pleasant temperatures, manageable crowds, vibrant green landscapes or autumn hues, and full access to sights and outdoor cafes.
Summer Sizzle (July-August): Peak warmth and sunshine, but also peak crowds and higher prices. Book well ahead. Ideal for Biergarten evenings.
Shoulders & Beyond: April and late October offer cooler temps and fewer people, but some attractions may have shorter hours, and weather is less predictable. Pack layers!