As early as the 19th century, the aspiring bourgeoisie appreciated the summer retreat at the stalls of the Baltic Sea. Within Germany, there is probably no other destination that enjoys such great popularity. This is due to various factors, whereby the selection of possibilities, sights and, of course, unforgettable impressions are likely to be decisive for the choice of this holiday destination. The Baltic Sea is always worth a trip and everyone who has ever been here wants to go back to the picturesque beaches.

What does the Baltic Sea have that others don’t?

If you know a little about geography, you will quickly notice that the Baltic Sea is not a sea like any other . Many even think at first glance at the map that it is actually a kind of lake. But that is not true. It is true that the Baltic Sea is an inland sea and that makes it much larger than a lake could ever be. There are some places along the German and European coasts that are always worth a visit and offer many amenities and variety for guests of all ages. Take advantage of the opportunity for an overview of the most famous holiday resorts on the Baltic Sea to get an easy start in choosing the best holiday destination.

The Baltic Sea is ideal for families, singles and seniors

Everyone knows Warnemünde and other well-known places, at least by name. But what makes the Baltic Sea such a popular sea? Compared to the North Sea , the Baltic Sea is much milder. There are few high waves here and the climate is also much friendlier due to the inland location. If you are looking for the charm of the rough Atlantic coast, you unfortunately have to refrain from it on the Baltic Sea. On the other hand, there is a picturesque view of the endless expanses of the sea and many of the most beautiful beaches in Germany. Holidays on the Baltic Sea usually take place in the state of Schleswig-Holstein . Tourism is accordingly an important economic sector in the region and is lovingly cultivated. From the sunny island of Fehmarn, to the submarine monument in Laboe and many other attractions, the Baltic Sea really has something to offer for everyone and is always a perfect holiday destination.

This is how the perfect holiday on the Baltic Sea is planned

Planning is half the holiday and this golden rule of course also applies to holidays on the Baltic Sea. The problem is that there is really a huge selection of beautiful places and sights. Often one visit is not enough to discover all the beaches and heathlands. Not to mention the numerous attractions in the hinterland. When it comes to accommodation, you can choose between hotels, holiday homes and youth hostels, as well as a wide selection of private accommodation. There is also significant leeway in terms of price and ultimately the Baltic Sea holiday is also so popular because of the possibility of a cheap holiday. The Baltic Sea is simply there for everyone and that is also part of the charm of this holiday region. Anyone who has visited once will be happy to come back and enjoy the hospitality of one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. Because on the beaches of the Baltic Sea, every holiday will be perfect.

Germany has numerous beautiful hiking regions to offer. Often these are low mountain ranges such as the Swabian Alb and the Harz Mountains, but also the high mountains of the Alps and the lake and coastal landscapes in northern Germany attract many hikers and nature lovers. In the following, a selection of ten popular hiking areas in Germany is presented for an initial overview. The journey begins in the Alps and ends at the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Karwendel Mountains in the Bavarian Alps

The Karwendel Mountains are already located on the border with neighbouring Austria . The flora and fauna here is unique in the midst of wildly romantic mountain scenery and deeply cut valleys. Chamois and ibex are at home here, as are the rare bearded vultures and golden eagles. In addition, magnificent alpine pastures and clear mountain lakes characterize this mountain landscape. An extensive network of signposted hiking trails opens up this diverse region. From the peaks of the mountains, breathtaking views of the mountains of the Bavarian Alps open up. The upper reaches of the Isar in a wide riverbed that always opens up new perspectives also provide unforgettable photo opportunities. As soon as summer is over, the first snow is already on the mountains.

Black Forest

The Black Forest is one of the best-known hiking regions in southern Germany. Nature and culture enter into a fruitful combination here. Fairytale spruce forests, wildly romantic valleys and picturesque villages make the Black Forest so popular. Culture carriers such as the cuckoo clocks, the delicious Black Forest cake and the Bollenhut are known all over the world. A network of hiking trails with a total length of 24,000 kilometers opens up the Black Forest in its entire extent.

Swabian Alb

Steep rock faces and wide plateaus characterise the face of the Swabian Alb. Hikers and active athletes alike will find ideal conditions for extended tours here. There are numerous caves in the karstified underground, including the Bear Cave and the Fog Cave, which exude a magical atmosphere with their many stalagmites and stalactites. Other landmarks include Lichtenstein Castle and Hohenzollern Castle, which floats above the surrounding landscape. In the east of the region, some of the most important and oldest figures in the world were discovered in the Hohler Fels. Geologically, the Swabian Alb has a large number of rock layers, with the Jurassic being decisive.

Palatinate Forest

The Palatinate Forest is the largest contiguous forest area in Germany . You should be careful not to penetrate too deep into the thicket so as not to get lost. Bizarre rock formations made of red sandstone characterize the Dahner Felsenland around the village of the same name with the striking Devil’s Table. You will also find many romantic castles such as Hambach Castle. Since the castles are mostly located on mountain tops, you can also enjoy fantastic views of the wooded surroundings from them. Pretty river valleys alternate with ponds, swamps and moors.

Thuringian Slate Mountains

On both sides of the Saale stretches the Thuringian Slate Mountains. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Rennsteig. In the middle of it are several dams that delight anglers and hikers alike. In the dense forests of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, clear mountain streams ripple and even carp and otters feel at home. In winter, it is wonderful to ski and cross-country ski here.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Bizarre rock formations determine the image of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains between Dresden and the Czech border. Even artists such as Caspar David Friedrich were inspired by the unique landscape. Hikers and climbers alike can expect many opportunities to spend a varied day here. Especially from the Bastion, the view sweeps far over the impressive valley of the Elbe. If you are looking for a change from the diverse nature experiences, you will find a top-class cultural programme and world-class art treasures in the Saxon capital Dresden , such as the Blue Vault and the rebuilt Frauenkirche.

Resin

The Harz Mountains are home to the highest mountain in northern Germany, the Brocken. The legendary landscape exudes a magical atmosphere and when the mountain is hit by storms and snow paths, you truly believe that witches are at home here. Culturally, the Harz also has a lot to reveal, be it the old imperial palace in Goslar or the old towns of Wernigerode and Quedlinburg. Railway enthusiasts take a ride on the lovingly maintained narrow-gauge railway. Wild plateaus, rough rocky peaks and dreamy river valleys surprise visitors again and again during a visit to the Harz Mountains.

Lüneburg Heath

One of the largest contiguous heath areas in Europe spreads south of Hamburg . The appearance at the heather blossom in August is particularly atmospheric. But even in winter it is well worth a stay. In any case, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through this captivating cultural landscape should be on the program. In between, there are scattered idyllic villages with many thatched houses. On an adventurous treetop walk, the wildlife park in the Lüneburg Heath can even be seen from above.

Mecklenburg Lake Districts

An extensive network of lakes and waterways forms the Mecklenburg Lake District. Nature lovers can explore the amphibious landscape by canoe or houseboat. The largest lake is the Müritz, on the banks of which the picturesque small town of Waren nestles. Along the Seven Lakes Trail, guests can discover the diverse landscape from its most beautiful side. White-tailed eagles and cranes often circle in the air, but the gently undulating, water-rich region also functions as an important retreat for many other endangered animal species such as otters and beavers.

Coasts on the North Sea and Baltic Sea

While the Wadden Sea and the tides are the most prominent attractions of the German North Sea coast, things are a little quieter on the Baltic Sea. The coast of the Baltic Sea is characterized by Bodden and long spits, supplemented by large islands such as Rügen or Usedom with long beaches. On the North Sea coast, on the other hand, storm surges often prevail and the fight of the people against the forces of the sea still shapes the people today. The most popular and prominent North Sea island is Sylt, while on the Baltic Sea Rügen attracts countless visitors with its chalk cliffs. All German islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea promise wonderful hiking experiences between the beach, dunes and the sound of the waves.

Germany offers visitors from all over the world an incredible amount to see, whether picturesque cities or spectacular natural landscapes. But many people wonder what is the best way to discover and travel to all the different corners of the country. Of course, personal preference plays a very important role: some people prefer a short flight, while others prefer to explore the country leisurely by train. Due to the excellently developed infrastructure, there are numerous options, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

You should inform yourself well from the beginning and make the appropriate preparations. However, this already starts with the planning of all accommodations, which it is best to book in advance. If you fall in love with a certain corner while exploring Germany, you can find attractive apartments on this site , for example, so that you can even live there long-term.

Explore Germany by plane

If you mainly stick to the larger cities of the country, then the domestic flight connections are the best way to cover longer distances within a very short time. The flight from Berlin to Munich takes just over an hour. In addition, of course, there is the journey to and from the respective airport, which can usually also take one to two hours. The rule is that the further the distance, the better the total flight duration scales compared to the alternatives.

Flights are no longer quite as cheap as they were a few years ago. Fuel inflation, airline bankruptcies and additional climate protection requirements have made the low-cost flights of yesteryear virtually disappear from the scene. In addition, there are often the comparatively high costs at the airport, if you want to have a bite to eat before departure. Flying is therefore now one of the more expensive options. In general, it is only recommended if there is no fast railway line or easily passable motorway.

Travelling around the country by train

If, on the other hand, you prefer to travel by train, you will get your money’s worth in Germany. The popular cities of Berlin and Munich are only 4.5 hours away from each other by train. At first glance, this seems to take much longer than the almost one-hour flight time. But on the other hand, you save a lot of important time by eliminating check-in. In addition, the main train stations of both cities are located directly in the city center, so a long journey is usually not necessary.

The other advantages of the train are obvious: the journey is more pleasant and you can see much more of the surroundings. Travelers enjoy more freedom, can move more freely and, for example, make a detour to the on-board bistro at any time. In addition, the costs are now comparatively cheap. For example, the train journey costs between 50 and 70 euros if you book early, while a flight costs an average of 100 euros. There are also often attractive discounts on train journeys, which are simply impossible for flight connections due to the high tax burden.

The bus as a cheap alternative

Ultimately, however, there is still an excellent road and motorway network in Germany. This can serve as a perfect complement to traveling by plane or train, also because it can sometimes be much cheaper. If you want to travel from Berlin to Munich with a provider like Flixbus, you ideally only pay 15 euros for the route. So there is a lot of potential for savings compared to the train or plane. On the other hand, the travel time on this route also increases to 7.5 hours.

Nowadays, you don’t have to do without amenities on the bus. The seats are comfortable and there is usually good Wi-Fi that allows access to the internet even on long journeys. There are power outlets to charge your phone and even a small selection of snacks and drinks. Depending on the route and coach, you will even find a toilet on board. However, this is usually only the case on longer routes with correspondingly large buses.

By car even to the most remote places

Ultimately, your own car or a fancy rental car are the best options for exploring even somewhat remote places without any problems. Especially in rural areas without a large number of tourists, there is only a limited possibility of being able to rely on public transport . In such a case, your own car can make the most of all the advantages. While it’s usually the most expensive option (if you factor in acquisition or rental costs), it also offers you the most freedom by far.

The drive from Berlin to Munich takes about 6.5 hours, but offers the advantage over the bus that you can stop at any time if necessary. Travellers can therefore stretch their legs at the many well-equipped motorway service stations in Germany without having to wait for predetermined breaks. All other destinations can also be explored at your own pace. Holidaymakers from abroad should of course inform themselves beforehand about all the general conditions on German roads.