Yes that title is a direct quote, and one that came with a great deal of agreement from a room of non German people. I could hardly say I was shocked to hear what I’d thought a few years ago voiced out loud. Though most of the commenters didn’t consider Germany a holiday destination, it turns out that most of them had visited Germany at one time or another. Berlin, for sightseeing, Munich, for Oktoberfest and the Alps for skiing. The justification being that such visits for history, beer and sport did not constitute a ‘proper holiday’.

I have to consider my own opinions on the subject too. How could landlocked Germany compare with the beaches I spent my childhood on? How could a nation renowned for their gruff exteriors provide a welcome for tourists? And the weather probably wasn’t that good either. For years Germany was my country of residence and a holiday meant not being in Germany. Being a fantastic springboard for rest of mainland Europe meant that exploration of Germany lay a little by the wayside. Now though, I’m making up for it and I’ve had some fabulous holidays staycationing here in Germany.

Whilst internal tourism in Germany is very popular, ranked as the third highest worldwide following only China and the USA, it only holds ninth place for incoming tourism. Staycations are cool in Germany, most of my friends and neighbours will take at least one holiday per year inside Germany. It’s common here in Baden-Wurttemberg to visit the Bodensee (Lake Constance), since it is so close by, the Alps for the same reason as well as to visit the actual sea and coastline to the North. Whatever your holiday needs, Germany could be the destination for you.

The beach

Contrary to sometimes popular opinion Germany has a surprising number of lovely beaches. Their lack of popularity with tourists (other than German ones) is more down to their being well kept secrets than anything else. Sylt is probably one of the most famous and most northerly beach holiday spots, you might just spot some famous Germans there. The sandy beaches of Germanys’ forth-largest Island are made for sun worshipping and water sports. Lesser known places include Rügen, on the Baltic Sea and my personal favourites Usedom and Lubmin.

Lubmin, mid May, breezy but still got sunburned – Photo -Alie

With the family

Ever heard of a Kinderhotel (child hotel)? Located mainly in Southern Germany (and over the border Austria) these hotels cater for the whole families needs. If you want an all-inclusive holiday complete with everything your little darlings require (along with some valuable alone time for the adults) then a Kinderhotel might be right for you.

Another family friendly holiday, a little more gritty than the one above, uses the tagline ‘where holidays meet agriculture’ and some call ‘Agritourism’. Spending time on a working farm may not be everybody’s idea of a holiday but after reading ‘A week on the farm’ it actually sounds like a kind of holiday worth considering.

The city

I get endlessly disappointed when I hear people have visited the UK only to find out that they spent the weekend in central London. There is nothing wrong with London, it’s great, but to get a real feel for a country you need to step outside the capital. Germany has some fantastic gems that are begging to be visited and with overtourism becoming something that people are becoming more conscious of maybe its time to head off the beaten path? Ulm is an hour outside Stuttgart and Freiburg an hour from there; both have great architecture and rich histories just like their more well known neighbours.

Just a glimpse of Ulm, it really is a city worth seeing – Photo- Alie

There are plenty of other recommendations right here at the German Way, Trier, Dresden, Ludwigsburg, Bremen. For more history try Gorlitz and Regensburg and more Fachwerk (half-timbered houses) try Quedlingburg and Erfurt. Keep in mind that public transport in Germany is (generally) cost effective and easy to navigate so even if you fly into Berlin you can still find a bus/train to get you to where you really want to go.

The spa

If you find a Bad town in Germany you’ll usually find a decent spa. Bad, meaning bath of course, Bad Harzburg, Bad Krotzingen and Wiesbaden. Historically spa towns are where Germans went (and still go) to take the waters, eine Kur machen, the thermal springs are helpful to a range of ailments. There are over 350 dotted throughout Germany. A spa hotel will have a range of wellness facilities onsite whilst other resorts will have various Therme (thermal baths), which you can visit and while away the hours in. The most famous is probably Baden-Baden and each is famous for their particular waters. Since this is such a popular getaway for Germans many hotels offer special package deals for Kur holidays.

The Germanic gruff nature doesn’t seem to scare off very many tourists. I’m more than happy to laugh off impoliteness on holiday, I suppose other people do too and also if I’m expecting gruffness I’m always happy when friendliness appears instead. The weather has also been a surprise. Although it can never be guaranteed, I personally find the summer here pretty good. Warm and sunny save for two weeks or so when it is too hot (for me) in the daytime and stormy overnight, like most of Western Europe.

Bavaria is the state that enjoys the most visitors. Not hugely surprising considering where Oktoberfest and the Alps are, and also possibly why most peoples impression of Germany is a lederhosen wearing, thigh slapping, beer drinking one. The other faces of the country deserve their time in the spotlight too.

Where is your dream German holiday destination? Where should I go next?

-Alie

World Tourism rankings complied by United Nations World Tourism Organization