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Soak up historical architecture, taste delicious traditional foods, and unwind in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Berlin. Each of Germany's beautiful cities has its own character for you to enjoy. In bustling Munich, the Hofbrauhaus beer hall is open every day of the year for you to sample local brews to your heart's content. You will also find some of Germany's finest art museums dotted along the Kunstareal, such as the Alte Pinakothek, Museum Brandhorst, Neue Pinakothek, and Pinakothek der Moderne. Be sure to visit Munich Residenz. Generations of Bavarian rulers lived here and the Schatzkammer (treasure chamber) is not to be missed.
Hamburg features a combination of picturesque neighborhoods and streets lined with clubs for late-night dancing. Discover the secret passage that links the two buildings of Hamburger Kunsthalle and marvel at the Renaissance art and medieval portraiture inside. Stroll to Altona, a village-like area where you can relax among quaint cafés, shops, and restaurants. Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, known as "Elphi," boasts a stunning waterfront location and impressive architectural impact. A modern city with history at its heart, Frankfurt is a place to see art and architecture. The Römerberg is Frankfurt's old central square with ornate, gabled buildings. If you are feeling energetic, climb the 328 steps of Kaiserdom, a red sandstone cathedral, for unrivaled views of the city. Art lovers will be in heaven at the Museum für Moderne Kunst, which includes works by Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, and Joseph Beuys. Immerse yourself in vibrant and eclectic Berlin. Stroll through the Brandenburg Gate on your way to The Reichstag. Berlin Cathedral is an awe-inspiring place and perfect for a selfie or two. The East Side Gallery stretch of the Berlin Wall features over 100 different paintings from artists from across the world, including the colorful "Some Heads" by Thierry Noir.
Munich Oktoberfest happens annually and spans two weeks in October. It is considered the world's largest folk festival, attracting an average of six million visitors a year. Beer, sausages, chicken, giant pretzels, and wild oxen are commonly served. You can also enjoy dancing, colourful parades, and fairground rides. Some people dress in traditional Bavarian clothing, especially on the opening day of the festival, which is marked by a colorful parade through the streets of Munich.
Bratwurst and Currywurst are two traditional sausage dishes that are served all across Germany in slightly different ways, depending on the area. Schnitzel can be served deep fried or, in some areas, with blocks of cheese. Wine lovers should try Gulasch, which is meat in a rich red wine sauce often served with spatzle (a type of pasta).
Hamburg public transport (HVV) is efficient and includes weekend services. A Hamburg Card gives you unlimited travel on all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus and ferry routes, as well as discounts at many of the city's museums. A one-day card, which is valid until 6 a.m. the following morning, costs less than €10 for one adult and up to three children under the age of 14. A three-day card is also available.
The Kunsthalle contains major works across 700 years of European art history. This includes artists such as Cranach, Holbein, Canaletto, Gauguin, and Caspar David Friedrich. Because it is such a popular attraction, the best time to visit is late on a Thursday, when the Kunsthalle stays open until 11 p.m.
There are numerous locations across the city where you can see parts of the wall, or where it has been memorialized. A section known as Border Wall 75 can be seen along the northern edge of the St Hedwig Cemetery, Berlin's oldest Catholic cemetery. It runs along the Liesen Bridges that crossed what was once the border between West and East Berlin. The Bornholmer Straße border crossing was the first to open when the borders were opened on the night of November 9, 1989. More than 100 Japanese cherry trees that were a gift and a sign of sympathy from Japan in 1990 line this section of the wall. You can also see Checkpoint Charlie, one of the three border crossings previously under American control.