10 Germany Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Germany’s friendliest small towns often gather around places like Rüdesheim’s Christmas Market of Nations, Bernkastel-Kues’ Middle Mosel Wine Festival, and Füssen’s lively summer festivals in the old town squares. These ten small towns in Germany bring locals and visitors together to celebrate their uniqueness through festivals and medieval or viticultural history. Accompanied by live music or performances, the annual medieval or wine markets held in various public squares foster a communal spirit. This list of small German towns delivers a mix of historical, communal, and natural attractions.
Füssen, Bavaria
Near the Austria-Germany border, the Bavarian town of Füssen welcomes locals and visitors alike with seasonal festivals held in the old town. For three days in the summer, minstrel musicians parade through the streets and squares in Füssen during the Renaissance. A historical market sets up food stalls, vendors, craft demonstrations, and re-enacted battles. DJs and bands play in the old town squares, and road-walking acts perform in the late summer for the annual Streetfestival. The festival brings the community together for dance, theater, arts and crafts, and a colorful culinary experience, scratching the surface of Füssen’s seasonal festivals.
In the former Benedictine Monastery of St. Mang, the Museum of the City of Füssen collects sacred works of art significant to the monastery and historical musical instruments. The museum provides a glimpse into Füssen’s lute- and violin-making history, with a craftsman’s work area complete with many tools and artful lutes and violins from past centuries. The oval former monastery library captures natural lighting through windows evenly spaced between the floor and painted ceiling bookshelves.
The rooms of the Gothic-style Hohes Schloss, or High Castle, in Füssen transform into art galleries, featuring works by Gothic art masters and rotating contemporary exhibitions. The former prince-bishops' residence in particular houses the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The battlements and gate tower also open to the public for views of the old town’s red roofs.
Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg
Near the Germany-Switzerland border, Meersburg shares its history and celebrates an annual communal event. Overlooking the Bodensee, or Lake Constance, the medieval Meersburg Castle offers independent tours through 30+ furnished rooms, including the bathing room, armory, dungeon, and the prince-bishop’s hall. On weekends, performers bring the castle to life for “Animated Castle” events. Visitors witness forging, cooking, papermaking, and live music and dancing by experts in their fields. Watch the famous German poetess Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in her castle study.
At the end of the pier, the poetess embodies a seagull perched on top of the Magische Säule, or Magic Column. Sculpted by Peter Lenk in 2007, the monument illustrates well-known figures from Meersburg’s history. The poetess’s brother-in-law and owner of Meersburg Castle, Baron Joseph von Laßberg, appears below her with Cupid aiming an arrow in his direction. On the second weekend of September, the town gathers for the Annual Meersburg Wine Festival on the Schloßplatz, or palace square. Festival-goers tap into the local wine culture and fresh Lake Constance fish while brass bands provide musical entertainment. Meersburg brings its history forward through preservation and celebration.
Blaubeuren, Baden-Württemberg
Blaubeuren shares both historical and natural attractions. Located in town, the Museum of Prehistory Blaubeuren preserves Paleolithic artifacts excavated from the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site “Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura”. The museum presents 40,000-year-old mammoth ivory animal and human figurines, musical instruments, and Ice Age jewelry.
North of the museum, the medieval monastery Kloster Blaubeuren opens to the public daily. The Gothic high altar and decorated vault ceiling catch the eye. The cloister garden offers an outdoor respite area with shaded benches for viewing the fountain. Just across the street from the Blaubeuren Abbey, the turquoise waters of the Blautopf Blaubeuren attract the eye of visitors. When the spring is low, the water’s surface turns a bright blue.
To the east of town, a challenging 30-45-minute hike leads to views of Blaubeuren and the Blautal, and the Rusenschloss Ruins. The Swabian Jura region also caters to a range of fitness levels, from leisurely walks to more demanding hikes. The renovated medieval castle ruins include a preserved gate tower, a stone arch, and fragments of the residential tower.
Nördlingen, Bavaria
Built in a 15-million-year-old crater, the town of Nördlingen in Southcentral Germany cherishes its unique history. Accessed by the clock tower of St. George’s Church, referred to by locals as the “Daniel”, visitors receive a view of the crater and the surrounding town wall from the town center. The well-preserved wall also doubles as a walkable attraction. The RiesKraterMuseum takes a special interest in impact craters. They provide background information on the significance of the event to the area and beyond. They also showcase impact rocks, meteorites, real moon rocks, and fossils on permanent display.
The Bayerisches EisenbahnMuseum, or the Bavarian Railway Museum, pays homage to the history of rail transportation. In the yard, the museum keeps over 250 original vehicles, locomotives, and carriages. They host the annual weekend-long Railway Festival Nördlingen, bringing railway enthusiasts together for steam locomotives in full operation, special trains, expert-guided tours, a model railway exhibition, and food and beverage service inside the historic engine shed. Nördlingen informs and delights locals and visitors.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria
The medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers a mix of communal and historical attractions. Located in the Tauber River valley on the west side of town, the annual open-air Taubertal-Festival brings locals and visitors together for a weekend in the summer to celebrate live rock’n’roll music. As the event sells out in advance, the European Festival Association recommends securing tickets early.
Resembling a rare type of festival house, the Toppler Castle features 16th- to 19th-century furnishings. The preserved residential tower invites visitors to glimpse living conditions from the late Middle Ages to the early modern era. The Plönlein in the old town also features historic residential buildings. The medieval European half-timbered houses also inspired the backdrop for Walt Disney’s classic “Pinocchio”.
Open year-round, the German Christmas Museum collects 19th and 20th-century holiday decorations. Festive exhibitions highlight regional traditions and pass generational knowledge down to visitors. Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers both annual and year-round activities.
Rüdesheim am Rhein, Hesse
On the Rhein River in Western Germany, Rüdesheim am Rhein fosters the communal spirit. For the holidays from the end of November to December, Rüdesheim kicks off festivities for its annual Christmas Market of Nations. In the historic old quarter, people from different nations come together to share their customs and wares with both guests and locals. Also touted as a meeting place for residents and visitors year-round, the Drosselgasse, or historic alley, promotes a “gude” time. The inviting alleyway focuses on regional wine, live music, and goods.
In the summer, the Rüdesheim Wine Festival- “Summer of Riesling” celebrates their regional wine varietals in the old town. Wine stands group around the market square, and winegrowers pour young rieslings, pinot noir, and other rarities under garlands of lights. Brass bands and rock music entertain the young and old. Rüdesheim am Rhein brings the community together for seasonal festivities.
Eltville am Rhein, Hesse
Also on the Rhine River, Eltville offers its fair share of festivals and historic attractions. They celebrate seasonal festivals such as the Rose Days in June; the Sekt- und Biedermeierfest, or Sparkling Wine and Biedermeier Festival, in July; the Kappeskerb und Weinlesefest, or Wine Harvest Festival, in the fall; and the Christmas Markets during the holiday season. They welcome visitors to experience the region’s festive hospitality.
Since 1818, the Baron Knyphausen family has run their estate winery, restaurant, and hotel. They offer a variety of lodging accommodations and wine-tasting experiences. The 900-year-old Kloster Eberbach, or Eberbach Abbey, offers much to guests, including rooms, monastery tours, wine tasting, and dining. The former Cistercian abbey also attracts cinema fans to the film location for The Name of the Rose, starring the famous actor Sean Connery, as well as other productions. On the river, Eltville’s 14th-century Electoral Castle opens to the public for tours. The tour includes the east wing, the upper courtyard, multiple tower floors, the castle dungeon, the lower courtyard, the district court garden, and the castle moat with a rose garden.
Bernkastel-Kues, Rhineland-Palatinate
On the Mosel River in Western Germany, Bernkastel-Kues also features historical, festive, and natural attractions. Just a scenic drive from town leads to the parking lot for the Bernkastel-Kues Waterfall. A short hike away on the Bernkasteler Schweiz trail, the Tiefenbach stream eventually joins the Mosel River. Overlooking the Mosel Valley nearby, the Burg Landshut, or Landshut Castle, also houses a modern restaurant. Built as a Roman fortress, the structure transitioned into a castle. Some time afterward, a fire turned the castle into a ruin, which now attracts visitors to the modern restaurant addition. The location affords appetizing views of the river and town.
North of downtown, the Zylinderhaus, or Nostalgia and Oldtimer Museum, celebrates 90 years of German car history with over 100 vehicles, motorbikes, and bikes. Permanent exhibits include a gas station, grocery store, pharmacy, driving school, coffee roaster, camera shop, and electrician’s shop. Featuring classic cars from the 1930s through the 1970s, the museum takes visitors on a trip down memory lane.
In the medieval market square, locals and visitors gather to celebrate the annual five-day Middle Mosel Wine Festival each summer. Festivities kick off with the unique wine route on Thursday, the fair and Moselauenmarkt on Friday, fireworks on Saturday, and the parade on Sunday. With three main stages, live music plays for five days of the communal event.
Traben-Trarbach, Rhineland-Palatinate
Traben-Trarbach also shares its wine culture and history along the Mosel River. The Traben-Trarbach Unterweld, or Traben-Trarbach Underworld, offers tours of the historic underground wine cellars located beneath the town center. A runner-up to a French town in 1900, Traben-Trarbach boasts the second-largest wine trading center in Europe. Across the river, the Buddha Museum occupies an old Art Nouveau winery complete with a roof garden and open area. The museum showcases a sizeable collection of Buddhist art and sculptures from various Asian countries, celebrating 2,500 years of the influential culture.
Overlooking the valley, the Grevenburg Castle Ruins present a historic viewpoint. Built in 1350, the castle endured for almost four centuries before the French destroyed it. Accessible by vehicle or on the Moselsteig Trail, the ruins offer a castle tavern and garden with views of the river. North of town, the Mont Royal Fortress Ruins offer another perspective on the town's history. Built in 1687, the fortress was destroyed again by the French in 1698. Traben-Trarbach offers routinely guided tours of the excavated ruins during the season, adding to the history along the Mosel River.
Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate
Also on the Mosel River, Cochem celebrates its medieval roots. Overlooking the town, the neo-Gothic Cochem Castle regularly hosts guided tours throughout the castle. Interior highlights include the Knight’s Hall, the Dining Hall, the Trophy Room, and the Bower. During the first week of August, Cochem Castle hosts its annual Medieval Festival. They invite visitors to experience a medieval market featuring artisan vendors and medieval performances.
Another viewpoint of the Mosel River valley features a 50+ year-old chairlift ride up to Pinner Cross. The Terassen-Café, or terrace café, at the top of the mountain station sells coffee and cakes, while a variety of hiking trails lead one to experience the natural surroundings. Benches overlooking the valley offer respite from activities.
Just across the river, the Deutsche Bundesbank-Bunker opens to the public for regularly guided tours. Built during the Cold War to survive nuclear war, 15 billion German Marks were hidden in the former secret bunker. The tour covers the underground kitchen, bedrooms, workrooms, and the communication, electricity, water, and ventilation technology from that time.
A Friendly Experience In Germany
These ten small towns in Germany showcase their unmatched friendliness through annual community events and by sharing their history with visitors. Celebrate the Middle Ages in Füssen and Cochem; viticultural history in Meersburg, Bernkastel-Kues and Rüdesheim am Rhein; and Christmas in Rüdesheim, Eltville, and Rothenburg. Don’t miss the chance to experience German hospitality and the festivals that bring communal spirit to life.
