Our Top 9 Itineraries for Visiting Germany for the First Time

Length: 10 Days

Places visited: Frankfurt, Römberberg, Hanau, Gelnhausen, Marburg, Oberstadt, Alsfeld, Bad Wildungen, Baunatal, Kassel, Reinhardswald, Goettingen, Hamelin, Bad Oeynhausen, Buxtehude, Bremen

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

As you pass beneath the timbered eaves of Steinau an der Strasse on our Luxury Fairy-Tale Tour of Germany, the Brothers Grimm's childhood home will surround you with centuries-old narratives that blur reality and fantasy. Through leaded glass windows in one of the best places to visit in Germany for the first time, glimpse puppeteers bringing familiar tales to life while local elders share generations-old stories. Standing in Sababurg Castle's rose-ringed courtyard, witness Sleeping Beauty's tale unfold against the fortress where local legend places the sleeping maiden. At Trendelburg Castle, a golden braid cascades from a high tower window, while in Hamelin's medieval square, rat markers in the pavement guide you through streets where locals speak of the lost children as historical fact rather than fiction.

Length: 12 Days

Places visited: Frankfurt, Rhine Valley, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Bayreuth, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Munich, Neuschwanstein, Black Forest, Heidelberg

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Standing in Frankfurt's Römerplatz on Zicasso’s Personalized Best of Germany Tour, skip between centuries as medieval timber-framed houses huddle beneath gleaming glass skyscrapers. Savor regional specialties like pork loin ribs in a vaulted cellar as ancient recipes are reimagined with contemporary flair. Cruising along the Rhine, terraced vineyards climb impossibly steep hillsides while the dramatic slate face of Lorelei Rock rises from the water. At a castle perched above the river, enjoy the sunshine as it filters through leaded glass windows as you sample wines from grapes grown on these slopes. Experiences like these will connect you directly to the ancient soil beneath the vines that have sustained this region's culture for centuries.

Length: 14 Days

Places visited: Frankfurt, River Rhine, Black Forest, Heidelberg, Neuschwanstein, Munich, Rothenburg, Dresden, Berlin

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

On the deck of a private river cruise, catch glimpses of castle ruins clinging to Rhine Valley hillsides on our Germany for Couples Tour: A Luxurious Journey Through a Romantic Route. Take in the scent of ripening grapes from terraced vineyards as your boat glides toward Rüdesheim, where centuries-old wine taverns await with vintages produced from the slopes you've been admiring. Nestled in a window seat with local riesling, watch as the legendary Lorelei rock formation catches the late afternoon light. Approaching Neuschwanstein Castle in a horse-drawn carriage, you will be transported into the pages of a storybook as the fortress that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty emerges from morning mist. Hooves clop against the cobblestone path while alpine forests create a lush backdrop to King Ludwig's fantastical creation. Inside, sunlight streams through stained glass onto opulent rooms while castle balconies provide panoramic views of lakes and mountains.

Length: 7 Days

Places visited: Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Munich

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

As twilight descends on Frankfurt's Römerberg Square on your 7-Day Germany Christmas Market Tour: Frankfurt to Munich, thousands of twinkling lights transform the timber-framed medieval buildings. The aroma of roasted chestnuts mingles with spiced glühwein that warms your gloved hands while carol singers' voices rise above cheerful market chatter. Wander between artisan stalls where craftspeople demonstrate centuries-old techniques, their handblown glass ornaments and intricately carved wooden nutcrackers catching the light as children's faces glow with delight on a nearby carousel. In Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, sample lebkuchen still made from a 600-year-old recipe as snowflakes dust the red-and-white striped canopies of wooden stalls. Within the Imperial Castle's stone walls, your guide reveals medieval Christmas traditions that birthed many of today's beloved customs, connecting you to generations who've celebrated these same winter rituals in this ancient city for over five centuries.

Length: 8 Days

Places visited: Frankfurt, Rüdesheim, Worms, Heidelberg

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

If you are traveling to Germany for the first time, centuries of history will envelop you in Rüdesheim's ancient wine taverns on our Rhine and Wine Tour: Exploring Hidden Vineyards, Charming Villages, and Medieval Castles. Settle at a wooden table worn smooth by generations of oenophiles as amber light filters through leaded glass windows and your host presents a flight of rieslings, each glass capturing the terroir of vineyards visible through the doorway. The sommelier explains how slate soil and afternoon sun create the distinctive minerality on your tongue, connecting you directly to this land where Romans first planted vines two millennia ago. From Heidelberg Castle's terrace, gaze across a panorama of red-tiled roofs nestled between forested hills and the meandering Neckar River, the perfect backdrop for sampling local wines never exported beyond these valleys. In a 17th-century sailors' inn, tender veal cheeks paired with a velvety Dornfelder demonstrate the Rhine's rich culinary legacy.

Length: 7 Days

Places visited: Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Munich, Hamburg

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Standing on Berlin's Unter den Linden Boulevard as dusk falls, witness layers of history as imperial buildings glow golden alongside sobering Cold War landmarks on the Highlights of Germany Tour: Best of 5 Cities. At a transformed warehouse, chefs present traditional German dishes reimagined through the lens of contemporary art, your plate becoming a canvas that tells stories of Berlin's endless reinvention. From Cologne Cathedral's soaring Gothic spires that miraculously survived World War II bombing raids, you will descend to ancient Roman ruins beneath the city streets. The smell of fresh pretzels and distinctive Kölsch beer drifts from riverside taverns as afternoon light filters through the cathedral's stained glass, casting kaleidoscopic patterns across stone columns.

Length: 12 Days

Places visited: Munich, Freiburg, Baden-Baden, Hamburg, Berlin

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

In Munich's Marienplatz on our Perfect Seniors Tour of Germany: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and More, settle comfortably on a café terrace as the Glockenspiel's figurines perform their centuries-old dance above you, your guide ensuring you have the perfect vantage point without jostling crowds. The delicate aroma of fresh strudel mingles with your coffee as your guide reveals how Bavarian royalty transformed this square from medieval marketplace to royal showpiece. At Nymphenburg Palace, you’ll be greeted with priority access and strategically placed benches throughout the tour, allowing you to fully appreciate the Baroque splendor without fatigue. In Baden-Baden, sink into the therapeutic waters of a thermal spa that has soothed visitors since Roman times. Toward the end of your stay, enjoy a first-class train journey to Hamburg that offers panoramic views of Germany's changing landscapes.

Length: 10 Days

Places visited: Stuttgart, Rhine Valley, Füssen, Rothenburg

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Along the Rhine River, your children will stare in wonder as medieval castles materialize on hilltops like illustrations from their favorite storybooks. Dressed in period costumes during a treasure hunt through 12th-century Burg Eltz, your family steps into history as a local historian weaves tales of knights and princesses on Zicasso’s Unique 10-Day Family Tour of Germany. Sprawled on the deck of your private river cruise, lick ice cream cones together while watching vineyards cascade down hillsides and tiny villages appear around each bend. Inside Neuschwanstein Castle, your youngsters will recognize Cinderella's inspiration as sunlight streams through turret windows. In Rothenburg, medieval-costumed townspeople stroll cobblestone streets as church bells echo through the walled city and your family settles at outdoor cafés for hot chocolate and apple strudel, ending glorious days filled with bobsled rides, LEGO kingdoms, and storybook castles.

Length: 11 Days

Places visited: Munich, Regensburg, Berlin, Hamburg, Füssen

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Inside Hitler's bunker beneath Berlin's streets, history becomes palpable as your Grandeur of Germany Tour guide illuminates the final desperate days of the Third Reich. Authentic experiences like this reveal a Germany that confronts its darkest chapters with uncommon honesty. While wandering through Regensburg's perfectly preserved medieval streets, you will feel like you are stepping through a time portal where narrow lanes open to atmospheric squares untouched by war or modernization. Evening light washes 16th-century facades in golden hues as your guide reveals hidden symbols carved into doorways and the stories behind them, bringing to life a Germany rarely seen by casual visitors. In Hamburg's UNESCO-protected port district, sip coffee among antiquated warehouses where Hanseatic traders once built their fortunes, the distant sound of harbor bells connecting you to two millennia of maritime history that shaped not just Germany, but all of Europe.

Our itineraries for first-timers to Germany showcase the remarkable diversity that awaits in the country, from fairytale landscapes and medieval towns to vibrant urban centers and beautiful wine regions. Whether you're drawn to the romance of the Rhine Valley, the architectural wonders of Berlin, the storybook castles of Bavaria, or the festive magic of Christmas markets, Germany will reward you with authentic experiences that engage your senses and a lifetime of memories.

For more information about regional specialties, seasonal festivals, and insider recommendations throughout Germany, explore our comprehensive Germany travel guide. You will find more inspiration with our Germany tours and vacations.