Germany is hosting the 2024 European Football Championship - to be held between 14 June and 14 July - and the country will be welcoming fans from all over the world in the ten cities hosting the competition. However, aside from the big games, this can also be a unique opportunity to discover the country's charms. Find out what to visit in Germany and its main attractions and sights.

What to see in Germany from north to south 

Baltic

The Baltic coast of northern Germany is a region that few visitors know about. The jagged coastline of the Baltic Sea hides vast stretches of sand, pine trees and pristine natural sanctuaries. Highlights include the town of Stralsund, a classic of red-brick Gothic architecture, the rugged cliffs of Jasmund National Park and the natural beauty of the Darss-Zingst Peninsula.

Cologne 

Cologne, a city on the banks of the Rhine, is known for its wealth of historical sites, art and culture. Its magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral, the Kölner Dom, is the largest church in Germany, and was also the tallest building in Europe between 1880-1890, until the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Other must-see historical and cultural attractions include the Römisch-Germanisches (Roman-German) Museum and the sublime collection of European art from the 13th to 19th centuries at the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud. 

Upper Middle Rhine Valley 

As the Rhine, Germany's second longest river, flows southwards from Koblenz, it cuts a gorge through a landscape of vineyards and castles. The stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, known as the Oberes Mittelrheintal (Upper Middle Rhine Valley) is so special that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. This region is home to marvellous castles such as Pfalzgrafstein, Burg Rheinstein, Burg Reichenstein and Koblenz's mighty Festung Ehrenbreitstein. And of the many wine houses and bars you can visit, we recommend the Weingut Georg Breuer in Bingen, the Alte Weinstube Zum Hubertus in Koblenz and the Zum Grünen Baum in Bacharach.

Erfurt and Weimar

Erfurt and Weimar, in the heart of Germany, are two cities of immense historical and cultural significance. Erfurt has one of the most beautiful medieval centres in Germany, while Weimar stands as the capital of the Republic of the same name in the 20th century and, before that, as the home of key figures in German culture such as Bach, Goethe, Schiller and Nietzsche.

Erfurt's essential sights include its cathedral, where Martin Luther was ordained, and the vast, baroque Zitadelle Petersberg fortress. In Weimar, you'll have to find time to visit the Goethe-Nationalmuseum, in a building that was the author's home for 50 years; the UNESCO-listed Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek and the modernist treasures of the Bauhaus Museum.

Munich and the Bavarian Alps

Munich, Germany's third largest city, is a centre for high-tech companies and avant-garde culture, as well as the gateway to the magnificent Bavarian Alps. Essential attractions and experiences include the Residenzmuseum, the former palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty, the Kunstareal neighbourhood and the 17th-century Baroque Nymphenburg palace. A short drive south of Munich are the mountains, villages and ski and spa resorts of the beautiful Bavarian Alps. If you can, visit Munich during Oktoberfest, the region's big beer festival. 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Perhaps the most charming village on the Romantic Road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber (which means "above the river Tauber") is a marvellously preserved example of a medieval German village. Take some time to see the local treasures gathered in the Empire City Museum (Reichsstadtmuseum), housed in a former Dominican convent, and in the Alt-Rothenburger Handwerkerhaus, where weavers, potters and other craftsmen ply their trade as they did over seven centuries ago.

The Black Forest

Bordering France and Switzerland, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a vast forest covering more than 6000 km2. From its fir-covered slopes to its deep valleys lined with silvery lakes and traditional villages and farms, this park is begging to be explored by car, bicycle or on foot. Take the opportunity to visit Triberg, with its waterfall and cuckoo clocks; the relaxed university town of Freiburg; and Alpirsbach, with its 11th century Benedictine monastery.

Berlin

No list would be complete without the country's capital. Germany's most populous city, Berlin, is a vibrant place with some of the best museums, restaurants, art and great nightlife. While you should definitely take some time to visit the cultural highlights, such as the Neue Nationalgalerie, designed by Mies van der Rohe, and the treasure trove that is the Museumsinsel (Museum Island), those looking for a good party will certainly find it at emblematic venues such as the Berghain and the Pratergarten.

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