City break to Germany (not Berlin)

[DCIJackieDeering]

I’ve offered to take DD (age 15) away for a city break in October half term. She’d like to go to Germany. We’ve been to Berlin, so looking for other suggestions. Ideally looking for art, interesting architecture and vintage shopping/ markets. Was thinking possibly Munich or Hanover but all suggestions welcome

I just came on to see if anyone would recommend Hamburg - and to say... I have visited lots of places in Europe and the one place that will go down in our family lore of somewhere never to go back to .. is Hamburg.... there are plenty of other interesting places to visit..

Haha why?!

Hamburg and Cologne are both great.

nooooo! That is so bizarre 😵‍💫

A visit to Miniatur Wunderland is a must do.

We met up with a German friend who showed us round - I think he finally broke us at about 2am. It was our wedding anniversary, although we only remembered in the bar that evening.

DH raved about the Prototyp car museum (which probably wouldn’t be much use to Oao).

I'm from near Nuremberg, I think it's well worth a visit. Would avoid Munich during Oktoberfest (but not at other times).

To see in Nbg: the late gothic wood carvings in St Lorenz Church (Google Veit Stoss) and the exhibit on the destruction and rebuilding if the church. St Sebald (reliquiary shrine!) and the church at the main market. The Gothic well at the market, the square itself.

The Handwerkerhof (artisans' shops) and, for shocking contrast, the documentation centre at the Nazi Reichsparteitagsgelaende (where 'triumph of the will' was filmed).

The massive medieval castle, which contains a Youth Hostel too; the city wall and cates.

The Germanische Nationalmuseum and Albrecht Duerer's home near the castle. The 'Komm' arts centre.

Eat Bratwurst mit Kraut, or roast pork with potato dumpling. Maybe Lebkuchen.

Cologne and Leipzig are great too.

Hamburg is brilliant! Art, port, markets, the wonders of the Reeperbahn, Minitureunderland, Hagenbeck’s Tierpark. So much.
Also for more sedate culture, Weimar, gorgeous!

Munich is great, but be aware (maybe you are already) that it’s like a different country from Berlin. Berlin is hip and cool, whereas Munich is very very trad and conservative. It’s beautiful though and the modern art gallery is excellent. Embrace your inner Bavarian and have weisswurst for breakfast (they look gross but I actually love them).

Cologne is great and more “cool” but not beautiful because it was so badly bombed.

Or Innsbruck! Only a couple of hours away from Munich by train (from what I remember as a teen traveling between German exchanges!).

Also a day trip out to Neuschwanstein from Munich is well worth it for beautiful scenery and the crazy castle.

Thanks, lots of great ides. Hamburg sounds interesting. Off the research flight options

If you are near Gatwick, EasyJet flies to Hamburg. Otherwise it's BA.

Thanks, probably looking Stansted or Luton, bank holiday weekend seems like a good time to investigate

Be aware that a lot of things in Munich are closed in a Sunday… all shops for example. Not sure whether it’s the same in Hamburg but if you are only there for 2 days it would be worth considering

I too have visited many, many places in Europe and am intrigued as to how you spent your time in Hamburg if you didn't find it interesting? I was there for a few days out of necessity rather than choice and had very low expectations, but found it hugely interesting and enjoyable.

But the museums are €1 entry on a Sunday, so it’s a good time to visit places like the Pinakothek der Moderne or the Glyptothek.

The Olympiapark is a nice place to wander around on a Sunday (and you can swim in an Olympic pool if that’s your thing). BMW World and Museum also worth a look (the former is free as it’s basically a giant showroom, the museum is interesting if you like motorbikes and cars).

We really liked Cologne and Bonn.

Allow 3 days for Cologne and 1day in Bonn

It's the same airport and the public transport between the two is good

Another vote for Munich, Hamburg, Freiburg or Cologne.
Surprised nobody's mentioned Bremen yet.

Ryanair fly from Stansted to Leipzig a few days a week.

Hamburg for sure.

Also, Stuttgart is the most underestimated big city in Germany and well worth your time. Architecture- both the Daimler Benz Museum and the Neue Staatsgallerie are significant architecturally; there's also the Weissenhofsiedlung, a pioneering early modern (Bauhaus) residential complex including museum in one of the houses. On the more picturesque side if you're up to some climbing you can explore hidden staircases and steep vineyards right in the middle of the city. There's also plenty to explore in the region. The lovely Swabian Alb mountains, Black Forest and even Strasbourg not far away. Outlet shopping paradise (including the home of Hugo Boss) just 30 min away by rental car. Old university towns like Heidelberg and Tübingen under an hour's train ride.

All shops are closed in Germany on Sundays. Restaurants and most attractions will be open though. So you may need to take these things into account when choosing a time to travel.

@ChateauMargaux as someone with family in Hamburg and therefore being there quite often, why do you rate Hamburg so low?

Ostsee or Baltic coast gorgeous in Summer...Rostock, Travemunde, go over to Hidden see or Fehmarn islands...

Yes!

Düsseldorf is great. Has a bit of an arty vibe, very laid back. You can get the train to Cologne. I had a great time there and will definitely go back.

Bremen is pleasant, so is Hannover, also enjoyed Hamburg. Munster is a lovely town, very studenty, great safe cycling routes to explore, very green.

I would recommend Düsseldorf though for the type of trip you are planning, not too big so you can see everything - go up the Rhine Tower for a bite to eat or a drink and you can literally see everything!

I honestly can't understand people liking Hannover. Even Hannoverarian don't really rate their town high. In Germany it has a reputation of being really boring.

Münster - it is lovely, I am from the area. But also on the smaller side and not really more than a day trip in my opinion unless you want to explore the area.