If you’re planning a road trip through Germany, you shouldn’t miss out on any of these small German towns if you can help it. Everyone loves the big cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt but if you want to connect deeply with the culture and history spanning thousands of years then the small towns in Germany should not be forgotten.

The following German towns are everything you imagine fairytales to look like and more; cobblestone streets and alleyways, gothic architecture and timber houses. Palaces and castle walls decorated with the most intricate and detailed paintings you have ever laid your eyes on.

I’ve visited Germany twice in the last 3 years and is one of my favourite countries in Europe; first in 2017 when I traveled the Western border from Cologne to Trier. The again in 2019 with my husband, we hired a car from Berlin and drove to Frankfurt via the Eastern and Southern border and dipping into Austria along the way.

Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate

Cochem is where my love for small towns in Germany began; I visited Cochem in 2017 and fell so in love with the town I made the trip back two years later with my husband.

Sitting on the Western border not far from France, Cochem is accessible by car, train or boat. Surrounded by vineyards which drape across the slanted landscape bordering the Moselle River, splitting Cochem in two, with restaurants and shops on one side, and pensions and accommodation on the other.

Cochem was settled in 866 and went through several name changes over the last thousand years as well as several notable mentions in the history books. Strickened by the plague in the 1400’s, and in the 1600s’ Cochem was besieged during the Thirty Years’ War. The late 1700’s saw Cochem under Frances rule but in 1815 it was passed back to the Kingdom of Prussia, later becoming the small German town we see today.

Filled with history, you wont find a shortage of things to do in Cochem, from castles to ruins and the towns fortifications still standing from the late 1300’s, make sure you take the time out on your German road trip to visit Cochem.

Things to Do in Cochem

Reichsburg Castle

Overlooking Cochem is the Imperial Castle; Reichsburg Castle towers above the town on a nearby hill. Built in 1130, Reichsburg Castle can be toured throughout most days during the week. Tours are available in a range of languages and are about an hour long. The castle has been completely restored, including furniture and artwork being showcased inside to give the full effect of being inside an 11th century castle.

Burg Eltz Castle

If you haven’t seen enough castles during your time in Europe, Burg Eltz castle is a scenic 40 minute drive from Cochem. Burg Eltz is another castle which has been fully restored as well as still having all the original windows from the 12th century. The castle is still owned by a branch of relatives directly related to one of the original owners, and part of the castle is still used privately to this day.

During the summer months in Cochem live music can be heard from across the river and the pubs are usually booming with tourists and locals. Day cruises can be taken from any of the piers along the river side which will take you through multiple other towns which border the Moselle River.

You can read more about my time in Cochem here: Why Cochem is My Favourite German Town

Bamberg, Bavaria

Bamberg has a rather bleak history for being known as the epicentre for witch burning hundreds of years ago. But regardless of all the senseless murders and misogyny, Bamberg is a beautiful town with incredible architecture, and is classed as a UNESCO world heritage site with buildings from the 11th and 19th centuries.

I discovered a new found love for beer, Bamberg is the home of smoked beer, aka Rauchbier. The history behind Bambergs rauchbier is that centuries ago a monastery which brewed and stored beer, caught fire. The fire was put out before it destroyed all the barrels, instead creating a smoked flavour within the beer. Since then the 9 breweries in Bamberg have been using malt in their beer which has been dried over open flames, creating smoked beer. Every August Bamberg celebrates their love for this delicious alcoholic beverage by hosting a celebration for a week every August.

Things to do in Bamberg

Other than enjoying an evening stein of Bambergs’ rauchbier while watching bats duck and dive for their dinner, Bamberg also boasts a magnificent Palace and cathedral. Both of these buildings are open for tours and I would recommend checking out both. Napoleon Bonaparte once visited Bamberg palace to sign some documents, and the table that he used is still on display.

Bambergs Old Town Hall

Built on the river Regnitz and rebuilt between 1461 and 1467, Bambergs old town hall take on a gothic influence. Both sides of the hall are decorated with painted scenes and architectural details. The town hall acts as a bridge between each side of the town and is free to cross.

You can’t visit Bamberg without crossing the river via the old town hall, do yourself a favour and sit by the waters edge at dusk and watch the town hall light up at night.

Bamberg Cathedral

Completed in the 13th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bamberg Cathedral was founded in 1002 by King Heinrich II and contains the tombs of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor and his wife Cunigunde of Luxembourg. Also entombed is Pope Clement II (1005–1047).

The Cathedral is 94m long and 26m high with four large towers standing 81m tall. As well as the marble tombs of several historic rulers, the Bamberg Cathedral is adorned with several works of art and statues

The Cathedral is open daily for tours.

Baden Baden, Black Forest

Baden-Baden is the most lavish of small towns in Germany on this list, this German spa town boasts two large spas’ which both offer nude and clothed bathing. Known for being the chosen holiday destination for rich and famous socialites around the world, Baden-Baden is an incredibly modern, clean and pristine town. Situated within the Black Forest, this German spa town is the gateway to the magical forest made famous by the Grimm Brothers, based in the northern part of the Black Forest close to the French border this spa town has a lot to be discovered.

Things to do in Baden Baden

Caracalla Thermal Spa

The Roman styled public baths are the most popular attraction in Baden-Baden. The two buildings side by side are very similar in style and function, however both offer very different experiences. Friedrichsbad Spa offers a bathing experience hard to find in New Zealand; with a no swimwear policy this spa is a full nude experience with massage and skin care packages on offer.

Caracalla Spa next door offers a more modern spa experience suitable for families and friends who haven’t quite reached that level of intimacy yet. If being nude intrigues you but not to the point where you are comfortable stripping off your kit as soon as you enter through the doors, Caracalla has a separate sauna level where swimwear is not allowed. On this level you can experience multiple spas, different temperature and scented indoor and outdoor saunas, and cold pools and showers. Caracalla also offers sun-beds free for use while using the facilities. Either of these spas are the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring the Black Forest.

Allensbach, Konstanz

Situated on the western side of Lake Constance, Allensbach has all the beauty of lakefront living but none of the hordes of tourists that usually accompany such a town. It’s easy to take a few days to recharge your batteries in Allensbach before heading off on your next big adventure. Day trips can include lounging or dining lakeside and taking the train into Konstanz for shopping.

Things to do in Allensbach

Paddleboarding is a top favourite for a hot day in Allensbach. Grab yourself a beer and hire a paddleboard from any of the lake front shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon trying to avoid the swans on the lake. Or stop by a lake front restaurant for your evening activity and watch the sunset across Lake Konstanz.

Friedrichshafen, Konstanz

An industrial city and home of the Zeppelin (aka blimp). Friedrichshafen is the largest of small towns in Germany on this list and definitely worth the visit. Friedrichshafen is rich with history relating to World War II and the German aviation industry, being the location where the Zeppelin was produced.

Things to do in Friedrichshafen

Zeppelin Museum

Visit the Zeppelin museum if combustable aircrafts have ever interested you. Otherwise enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the lake front enjoying a wine or two, and look out for any operating Zeppelins floating through the air. Friedrichshafen being one of the only few places in Europe where you can actually pay to ride in a Zeppelin however it will cost you a pretty penny.