The 10 Most Visited Cities In Germany

Tourists explore the tents of Oktoberfest in Munich. Editorial credit: Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com.
Tourists explore the tents of Oktoberfest in Munich. Editorial credit: Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com.

Germany, with its rich culture and heritage, is one of the most visited countries in Europe. The country has many historical sites and cultural and natural landmarks that attract tourists from across the globe. Here is a list of the most visited German cities:

Berlin

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Berlin, the capital of Germany, is the most visited city in the country. Berlin is associated with a rich history and culture that attracts tourists from across the globe. 138 museums and over 400 art galleries are present in the city. Nearly one-third of the area of Berlin is covered by parks, gardens, and forests. Tourism has steadily risen in the city. The city recorded 31.1 million overnight stays in 2016. Some of the most visited places here include the Potsdamer Platz, the Berlin wall, Museumsinsel, Französischer Dom, etc. A large number of foreign visitors also visit the city for attending international conferences, academic events, and business meetings. According to a report, in 2015 Berlin hosted 195 international meetings.

Munich

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Germany’s second most visited city, Munich is based on the banks of the Isar River in Bavaria. Like Berlin, Munich is also a city with a rich history and culture. It is regarded as one of the major cultural centers in Europe. Munich hosts many museums and art galleries. The Oktoberfest (a beer festival and traveling funfair) is one of the main attractions of this city. Millions of people from different parts of the world arrive in Munich every September to participate in the two-week fest.

Hamburg

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The second largest city in Germany is the nation’s third most visited city. In 2016, it received 13.3 million overnight stays. Hamburg has a thriving tourism sector that employs over 175,000 people. The tourism industry here is one of the fastest growing ones in the country. The city hall, St. Michaelis church, harbor promenade, and the old warehouse district are the most visited destinations here. Hamburg’s Reeperbahn area also hosts Europe’s largest red light district.

Frankfurt am Main

Located in the state of Hesse, Frankfurt is Germany’s fifth biggest city. It served as one of the most important cities of the Holy Roman Empire for nearly 500 years. Today, the city is one of the leading tourist destinations. It has a well-developed tourist infrastructure including excellent transport systems. Frankfurt also has a vibrant cultural scene. There are tourist attractions both within an near the city. Some examples of these attractions are the Taunus mountain range, Rhine Valley, River Rhine, Eberbach Monastery, Vortex Garden, and many more.

Cologne

The city of Cologne in the North Rhine-Westphalia state is the fifth most visited German city. The city spreads out on both sides of the Rhine river. It has the most pubs per capita in the country. Several historical and cultural landmarks in Cologne attract tourists to the city. The Cologne Cathedral, Twelve Romanesque churches, Medieval houses and city gates of Cologne, and other historical attractions take tourists back in time to Medieval era Europe.

Düsseldorf

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A beautiful city on the banks of the Rhine RIver, Düsseldorf attracts a large number of visitors each year. This German city is also located in the North Rhine-Westphalia. The city serves as a business and financial center of international repute. Numerous trade and fashion fairs are held in this city all year round. Düsseldorf is also renowned for its academy of fine arts, musical scene, and the annual Rhenish Carnival.

Dresden

This German city is part of the Free State of Saxony. Located on the banks of the River Elbe, Dresden is one of Europe’s greenest cities. 63% of the city area here is covered by forests, gardens, and parks. Dresden also has a long and rich history since it served as the capital and royal residence for the Kings of Saxony and the Electors. The splendid palaces, churches, and other architectural marvels created by them enhance the beauty and attraction of this German city.

Stuttgart

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The largest and capital city of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart is the eighth most visited city in Germany. It is located on the banks of the Neckar river and serves as the gateway to the Black Forest and the Swabian Jura nature areas. Within the city, there are several historical and cultural attractions like the Stiftskirche church, the Old Castle, the New Castle, the Wilhelm Palais, and more. Numerous gardens and parks also enhance the beauty of the city.

Nuremberg

The Bavarian city of Nuremberg is located on the banks of the river Pegnitz. It served as an ancient hub of humanism, printing, and science. The city also played an important role in promoting astronomical studies. Some of the most visited attractions in this city include the Nuremberg Castle, Heilig-Geist-Spital, the St. Laurence church, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, and more.

Leipzig

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The 10th most visited city of Leipzig is located in the German state of Saxony. The historic central area of the city features Renaissance-style buildings like the marketplace and city hall. Many buildings of the historicist style are found here.

The 10 Most Visited Cities In Germany

RankCityTop ten city destinations in 2016 by number of overnight stays (millions)
1Berlin31.1m
2Munich14.0m
3Hamburg13.3m
4Frankfurt am Main8.8m
5Cologne5.8m
6Düsseldorf4.6m
7Dresden4.3m
8Stuttgart3.7m
9Nuremberg3.2m
10Leipzig2.9m
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