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DISCOVER GERMANY

The one way to beat the January blues in each German state

With the excitement of the festive season behind us, the first month of the year can be a bit of a slog in Germany. Here is an awesome activity from each of Germany's 16 states to take your mind off things.

Published: 16 January 2022 17:15 CET
Updated: 1 January 2024 11:05 CET
The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg commissioned the internationally renowned artist duo DRIFT from the Netherlands to create an extraordinary light-artwork for its 5th anniversary this month. Photo: dpa/Hamburg Marketing GmbH
The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg commissioned the internationally renowned artist duo DRIFT from the Netherlands to create an extraordinary light-artwork for its 5th anniversary this month. Photo: dpa/Hamburg Marketing GmbH

Bavaria – the world’s most scenic sauna?

A sailboat glides across Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps. Photo: dpa | Katrin Requadt

It is pretty hard to pick out just one activity in a state so famed for its scenery. But how about a day at the Monte Mare sauna on the banks of beautiful Tegernsee? The spa complex includes a winter garden with a stunning view of the lake and even a a sauna on a boat – a pretty spectacular twist on the German love for sweating off the winter blues.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: 10 of the best hiking day trips from Munich

Baden-Württemberg – visit prehistoric man

Take a walk to the caves of the Lonetal near Ulm and visit one of the earliest known sites of human art. The earliest settlers of Europe lived in these caves 40,000 years ago and they left behind a fascinating artefact, a tiny sculpture that is part lion, part man.

The artefact can be seen in the Ulm Museum, where it is on permanent display.

Saarland – soaring views

Visitors of the treetop path in Orscholz (Saarland) stand on the observation tower above the Saarschleife in 2016. Photo: dpa | Oliver Dietze

Take a walk along the treetop walk known as the Baumwipfelpfad to catch a spectacular view of what some believe to be the most stunning river loop in the whole country.

On the walk you can ascend the 42-metre high viewing platform in order to get the best possible view of the Saarschleife river loop.

Rhineland-Palatinate – characterful alleys

Take a stroll through the streets of the beautiful village of St. Martin on the Deutsche Weinstraße. Tourists can wander through narrow alleyways, peer into courtyards where craftsmen still ply their trade and enjoy one of the region’s famed wines.

READ ALSO: Eight unmissable events in Germany in January 2023

North Rhine-Westphalia – going underground

Two people walk past the stairs to the German Mining Museum underground station. Photo: dpa | Bernd Thissen

The western state is most famous for the mines that once provided the major source of employment in the region. With coal production a dying industry, those days are long gone. But a trip to the German Mining Museum in Bochum will give an insight into the soul of the Ruhr region like few other places.

In one of the exhibits you can even go underground to get a sense for what life was like unter Tage (a German colloquialism to mean ‘underground’ in the mines).

Hesse – a trip up to the heavens

Germany’s tallest building, the Commerzbank Hochhaus in Frankfurt, doesn’t have a viewing platform for the public. But the next best thing is the nearby Main Tower, which is 200 metres tall and provides views over the entire Frankfurt skyline.

Thuringia – soaking up historic sights 

A stroll around Erfurt’s historic city centre feels like stepping back in time, from the magnificent cathedral to the charming medieval bridge known as Krämerbrücke.

Walk along the bridge and down a little alleyway called Kreuzgasse to see one of the best views in Erfurt, and then stop off at a nearby cafe to enjoy lunch in a fairytale setting. 

Saxony – hiking in gnarly rock formations

Made famous by the romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, the sand stone rock formations of the Elbsandsteingebirge make up some of the most specular scenery in Germany.

Ideal for a day’s hiking if you live in Dresden or Leipzig.

READ ALSO: Surviving winter: 8 tips for enjoying the cold like a true German

Brandenburg – a day on organic farms

A day trip to the Ökodorf Brodowin is well worth your while. The village, which only produces organic foods has an interesting history – thanks to the efforts of author Raimar Gilsenbach, it was known for its care for ecology even in communist times.

There are several walking and hiking tours in and around the village, which is nestled in between lakes and hills.

Berlin – walk with the masters

View of the New National Gallery, which opens to visitors today; on the right is the figure “The Archer” by Henry Moore. Photo: dpa | Christophe Gateau

It is almost impossible to pick just one activity from the capital – even in the middle of winter, the city is full of options.

But surely the stand-out one has to be a visit to the newly renovated national gallery of modern art. The building, one of Bauhaus master Mies van der Rohe’s final works, has undergone a multi-million euro revamp, including a replacement of the windows to revitalise the famous effect of a floating roof.

Currently on show is a specially developed installation by feminist artist Monica Bonvicini, a collection of 1900-1945 artworks titled “The Art of Society” and the permanent exhibition that includes some of the most important expressionist art of the early 20th century.

Saxony-Anhalt – a UNESCO treasure

For a day out in the rural state of Saxony-Anhalt what else could we go for except the UNESCO world heritage site at Naumburg Cathedral.

Widely recognized as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the cathedral is best known for the detailed statues in its interior of the twelve founders of the church. 

Lower Saxony – Germany’s new engine room

Visit Germany’s largest onshore wind park at Roggenstede, where three wind parks join up to offer a view of 153 turbines. At the largest wind park on German soil you can get an impression for the technology at the heart of the Energiewende, Germany’s attempt to produce most of its electricity using only renewable sources.

Visitors can climb the 297 steps inside one of the turbines to enjoy a panoramic view of the park and the North Sea coast.

Bremen – stepping back in time

Take a tour around one of the prettiest and oldest districts in Germany. The Schnoor features houses dating back to the 15th century huddling together in narrow alleys.

The neighbourhood is known for its small boutiques, second hands shops and hip bars.

READ ALSO: Five ways to make the most of Germany this winter

Hamburg – a night of culture

The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg commissioned the internationally renowned artist duo DRIFT from the Netherlands to create an extraordinary light-artwork for its 5th anniversary this month. Photo: dpa/Hamburg Marketing GmbH

One of the highlights of the list here – attend a concert at the world famous Elbphilharmonie.

Hamburg’s new concert hall was a while in the making and was phenomenally expensive. But by general agreement it has become an iconic build already.

It might be a home for classical music, but the programme for January includes everything from German rapper Danger Dan to a live rendition of the music of Harry Potter.

Schleswig-Holstein – indulge in sweets

Dresden is famed for its Stollen, Nuremberg for its Lebkuchen, but can either compete with Lübeck and its mouthwateringly delicious marzipan?

The Hanseatic city has more to offer than just delicious treats – its numerous church spires make for an impressive skyline – but the best thing to do there is head for one of the renowned marzipan makers.

READ ALSO: The 10 heartiest German dishes to get you through winter

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – Einstein’s holiday destination

Boats in the harbour on Hiddensee last February. Photo: dpa | Danny Gohlke

Walk along the beaches of Hiddensee, the island that which was a favoured holiday destination of Albert Einstein.

To get to Hiddensee you need to drive across the island of Rügen before getting on a ferry. Oh, and there are no cars on the island so you’ll have to hire a bike to get around!

A ‘must-see’ is the lighthouse on the north-west side.

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COLOGNE

What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, with a history stretching back just over 2,000 years. It’s a past full of old Roman bones, Gothic architecture and world-famous fine fragrances. But it's possible to explore without breaking the bank.

Published: 5 April 2024 14:40 CEST
What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

You could spend months exploring Cologne, but most of us don’t have the time or resources.

Therefore, here’s what to do, see and eat during a weekend in one of Europe’s cultural capitals. 

DO

Cologne is a very walkable city, and it’s easy to get between the main sights, such as the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge and the historic Altstadt or old town. That said, it’s also well-served by an excellent public transport network. 

The most up-to-date schedules and journey planners are available through the KVB or Deutsche Bahn apps. 

READ ALSO: 10 facts you probably didn’t know about Cologne (even if you live there)

To get around, the KölnCard is your best option. Not only will it get you everywhere you want to be within the areas visited by tourists, but it can give you up to a 50 percent discount on selected attractions.

The KölnCard can be purchased at the tourist information centre, or KVB ticket machines at public transport stops. 

SEE

The first thing you’ll likely see upon arriving in Cologne is the Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral. (Domkloster 4, 50667). 

While there’s been some sort of church on the site since the 17th century, the current Gothic masterpiece began construction in 1248 and, due to war, plague and economic turmoils, was not completed until 1880. Indeed, a crane sat atop one of the incomplete towers for centuries. 

The cathedral is one of the holiest pilgrimage sights in Christianity, as tradition holds that the relics of the Three Wise Men are housed there in a reliquary.

Cologne cathedral

Cologne’s cathedral is one of the world’s most important Gothic masterpieces – it took over 600 years to build! Photo: Bea61 / Pixabay

READ ALSO: Eight things you probably didn’t know about Cologne Cathedral

You can spend hours drinking in the gorgeous medieval paintings and carvings, flooded with golden light streaming through the windows. 

With a €10 ticket per adult, you can enter the cathedral and the treasury, which holds even more stunning treasures. 

However, Cologne was occupied way further back than the Middle Ages. Cologne, or Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium as it was known, was an important Roman city founded in the first decades of the first century. 

While Roman remains can be found everywhere in Cologne – in the crypts of many churches, for example – many of the best-preserved artefacts and evidence of everyday Roman life are kept in the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, or Romano-German Museum (Cäcilienstraße 46, 50667). 

Everything you might expect from a bustling Roman provincial capital, from tiny, intricate jewellery pieces to monumental arches that led into the city, can be found here. Tickets for adults are €6. 

Another quite peculiar legacy of the Romans can be found in the Basilica of St. Ursula (Ursulaplatz 24, 50668). Locals uncovered a Roman cemetery in the early Middle Ages, which contained hundreds of burials and thousands of bones. 

Somehow, these were conflated with the legend of St Ursula, an English princess whom the Huns martyred along with eleven other virgins (and who eventually grew to 11,000). 

These bones now adorn the basilica’s Goldene Kammer or ‘Golden Chamber’, arranged in fantastic designs such as letters, numbers and geometric patterns. 

It’s something you’re rarely likely to have seen before. Best of all, photography is permitted, and entrance is free. 

The incredible interior of the Goldene Kammer, or ‘Golden Chamber’ in the Basilica of St Ursula. Photo: Mike Stuchbery / The Local

For something completely different, head over to the Farina Duftmuseum, or Farina Fragrance Museum. 

Cologne is world-renowned for its contribution to perfumery. Indeed, the city gave its name to the fragrances worn by men. 

This is mainly due to the work of Johann Maria Farina, who, together with his brother, established a perfumery in the eighteenth century that became spectacularly successful across Europe with their ‘Eau de Cologne’. 

The Farina Fragrance Museum not only tells the story of the family firm but also explains the production process in detail and demonstrates how the scent is manufactured. 

Tickets cost €8 per adult, and yes, there’s a gift shop with bottles of all shapes and sizes to take home. 

EAT AND DRINK

In Cologne—and especially when staying there on a budget—there’s no other place for snacks and quick meals like a Büdchen or Kiosk. 

Like the legendary Berlin Späti, these are places open all hours of the day for anything you may need and serving simple but good food. 

Pico Coffee (Neusserplatz, 50670) is one of the city’s most beloved Büdchen. Don’t let the name fool you—they also serve breakfast, sandwiches, crepes and other snacks, in addition to takeaway essentials and fantastic coffee. 

Carnival start

A woman holding a greeting sign of ‘Alaaf’ to mark the start of Cologne’s Carnival season on November 11th, 2022. picture alliance/dpa | Rolf Vennenbernd

Another cult Cologne Büdchen is Kölnkiosk (Brüsselerstraße 39 – 41, 50674), a very popular neighbourhood venue that serves a constantly changing menu of small bites to larger meals. You’ll recognise it with a riot of bright pink!

Locals also swear by Weinhaus Vogel (Eigelstein 74, 50668) a neighbourhood institution with cheap, filling regional fare that’s been keeping customers happy since 1898. 

Finally, get a taste of real local flavour at Knippschild Werk 2 (An der Kemperwiese, 451069), where you can enjoy a cold Kölsch beer alongside a selection of hearty, good-value German dishes. 

Have any recommendations for things to do, see or eat in Cologne? Let us know in the comments.

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