Germany is one of the best countries in the world to be a student and exploring it while you study is easier, cheaper, and more rewarding than you might think.
Studying in Germany as an international student is one of the best decisions you can make. The universities are world-class, the cities are vibrant, the cost of living is reasonable for Europe, and the country is perfectly placed right in the heart of the continent. But here is something that many international students do not fully realise until they are already there Germany itself is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world to explore. From fairy-tale castles and medieval villages to buzzing cities, dramatic mountain scenery, deep dark forests, and one of the greatest rivers in Europe, Germany has an almost endless list of places worth visiting. And thanks to Germany’s excellent train network and generous student discounts, getting around is very affordable. This guide covers 10 of the best places to visit in Germany while you study, places that will give you memories to last a lifetime.
Berlin
History · Art · Nightlife
€ Budget friendly
Germany’s most exciting city, a must for every international student
Berlin is one of the greatest cities in the world and it should be at the top of every international student’s list of places to visit in Germany. The city carries the weight of modern history like nowhere else on earth, the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag and it wears that history honestly, without pretence. Walking around Berlin, especially in the east of the city, you are constantly reminded of how much the twentieth century changed the world. It is an education in itself, and for students of history, politics, international relations, or architecture, Berlin is one of the most important places you can visit anywhere in Europe.
But Berlin is also one of the most alive and exciting cities in Europe right now. With over 33 universities and more than 200,000 students, Berlin has a significant international community representing more than 190 countries, which gives the city an energy and openness that you can feel the moment you arrive. The nightlife in Berlin is legendary. The street food is brilliant. The gallery and museum scene is world-class, and many of the best museums are free on certain days for students. Berlin is also one of the more affordable cities in Western Europe, making it a genuinely realistic weekend trip for students on a budget.
Student tip: Get the Berlin Welcome Card or a Deutschlandticket (€49/month) to travel across the city and the whole of Germany by public transport. The East Side Gallery, a 1.3km stretch of the original Berlin Wall covered in murals, is completely free and one of the most moving and visually spectacular things you will see in Germany.
Munic
Culture · Beer Gardens · Alps Gateway
€€ Mid range
Bavaria’s capital, gateway to the Alps and the soul of German culture
Munich is the kind of city that gets under your skin. Munich takes the lead as the best city in Germany for international students, excelling in safety with the lowest crime rates and offering academic excellence, cultural richness, and an exceptional quality of life all in one. But beyond its university life, Munich is simply one of the most beautiful and enjoyable cities in all of Germany to visit. The Marienplatz, the central square with its famous Glockenspiel, is spectacular. The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is one of the largest city parks in the world, bigger than Central Park in New York, and in summer it is full of students sunbathing, swimming in the river, and watching surfers ride the Eisbach wave.
Munich is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, which means that if you are based anywhere in southern Germany, the mountains are just an hour away by train. The city’s beer garden culture, sitting outside with a Mass of Bavarian beer under the chestnut trees in summer, is one of those experiences that feels quintessentially German and genuinely wonderful. The Deutsches Museum in Munich is the largest science and technology museum in the world and offers student discounts. And of course, if you happen to be in Germany in late September, the Oktoberfest festival takes over the entire city in the most spectacular way imaginable.
Student tip: The Deutschlandticket (€49/month flat rate) covers all regional trains and public transport across Germany, including the S-Bahn in Munich. Buy it and use it for every weekend trip. For beer gardens, the Hirschgarten and Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden are the most atmospheric and very student-friendly on price.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Fairy-tale · History · Mountains
€€ Day trip from Munich
The most iconic and photographed castle in all of Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most extraordinary places you will ever visit. Neuschwanstein Castle, meaning “New Swanstone Castle,” is more than just a magnificent building, it is a symbol of Bavarian heritage and the enduring legacy of King Ludwig II. Built in the 19th century, the fairy-tale castle is dramatically perched on a hilltop, and the panoramic views from each side of the castle are truly breathtaking. Neuschwanstein is the castle that inspired the Disney Sleeping Beauty castle, which tells you everything about just how impossibly beautiful it looks. Visiting Neuschwanstein as an international student in Germany is the kind of experience that reminds you just how lucky you are to be where you are.
Neuschwanstein Castle ranks as Germany’s most photographed monument and requires advance tour bookings during peak seasons, with guided tours lasting 30 minutes through lavishly decorated throne room, bedroom, and grotto. The castle is located near the town of Füssen in Bavaria, about two hours by train from Munich, making it a very manageable day trip. On the same trip you can also visit Hohenschwangau Castle, King Ludwig II’s childhood home, which sits on the hill opposite. The walk up to Neuschwanstein through the forest, with the castle appearing above the trees as you climb, is one of those moments in travel that stays with you forever.
Student tip: The exterior and Marienbrücke bridge are the real reason to visit Neuschwanstein, the interior tour is optional and if budget is a consideration, you can skip it and still have a spectacular experience. Book tickets online well in advance, they sell out fast in summer. Arrive early to beat the crowds.
Heidelberg
University Town · Romance · History
✓ Very affordable
Germany’s most romantic university town, a perfect weekend escape
Heidelberg is one of the most beautiful small cities in all of Germany and it is absolutely made for students. Heidelberg is well known for housing Germany’s oldest university, but its good looks and superb location along the Neckar River also make it a great destination to enjoy old-world character and a small-town ambiance. The old town of Heidelberg is a genuinely gorgeous place to spend a day, narrow cobblestone streets, colourful baroque buildings, independent bookshops, cosy cafés, and the River Neckar running alongside it all. Heidelberg survived the Second World War largely intact, which means the old town looks much as it did centuries ago, a rarity in Germany.
To see as much of Heidelberg as possible, take a long stroll through the old town and across the picturesque Old Bridge, then ride the funicular railway up to Heidelberg Castle and continue on to Königstuhl for impressive views. The castle itself is a spectacular ruin perched above the city and the views from the castle terrace over the rooftops and the river below are among the most beautiful in Germany. Additional must-see sights include the Philosopher’s Walk and the Student Prison at Heidelberg University, where students were once imprisoned for minor misdemeanours and covered the walls in graffiti and drawings, many of which are still visible today. It is one of the most charming and unusual things to see anywhere in Germany.
Student tip: Heidelberg is one of the most walkable cities in Germany. The old town, Old Bridge, castle funicular, and Philosopher’s Walk can all be done comfortably in one day. Take the funicular up and walk back down through the forest for the best experience. Heidelberg is very easy to reach from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, or Mannheim.
Hamburg
Maritime · Music · Modern Culture
€€ Mid range
Germany’s coolest port city, where the sea meets serious culture
Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city, known as the “Gateway to the World.” It combines maritime heritage with modern commerce and media industries while maintaining a reputation for high quality of life. For international students visiting Germany, Hamburg offers something genuinely different from the inland cities, a vast, working port that is one of the busiest in Europe, combined with a city centre full of canals, lakes, beautiful nineteenth-century warehouses, and one of the most vibrant music scenes in the country. The Beatles famously honed their craft playing nightly in Hamburg’s Reeperbahn district in the early 1960s, and the city’s musical heritage is deep and interesting.
The Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s historic warehouse district, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful urban spaces in all of Germany. The red-brick warehouses were built in the late 1800s and now house museums, design studios, galleries, and the wonderful Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway exhibition. Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which opened in 2017, is one of the most spectacular buildings in Europe and offers free access to its public viewing plaza with panoramic views over the port and the city. International students visiting Hamburg will find a city that is sophisticated, welcoming, and full of things to discover.
Student tip: The Hamburg Card gives unlimited public transport plus discounts on museums and attractions, well worth buying for a weekend visit. The Fischmarkt (fish market) on Sunday mornings starting at 5am is a Hamburg institution, chaotic, loud, fun, and completely free to walk around.
The Rhine Valley
Scenic · Castles · Wine Towns
✓ Train access
One of the most beautiful stretches of river scenery in all of Europe
The Rhine Valley, the stretch of the Rhine River between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in all of Germany and one of the most memorable day trips or weekend trips any international student can make. The most scenic section of the Rhine winds lazily through Germany, its banks littered with castles and adorable villages. Every few kilometres there is another castle perched on a clifftop above the river, another vineyard tumbling down a steep hillside, another small wine town with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. It is genuinely like travelling through a painting.
The best way to experience the Rhine Valley as a student is by a combination of train and river boat. The train follows the river bank for the whole stretch, so the journey itself is scenic. The KD Rhine Line offers a round trip from Bacharach to Sankt Goar, a pleasant and relaxing 45-minute cruise each way along the river. The small town of Bacharach is one of the prettiest bases in the valley, a perfectly preserved medieval wine town with old city walls, a ruined castle, and an atmosphere that feels completely untouched by modern tourism. For international students studying in Frankfurt, Cologne, or anywhere in western Germany, the Rhine Valley is one of the most accessible and rewarding places to visit in Germany.
Student tip: Take the Deutschlandticket and hop on and off the train along the Rhine Valley, stopping in Bacharach, St Goar, and Boppard. Visit on a weekday if possible to avoid weekend crowds. The villages are magical in the early evening when the day-trippers have left and the light is golden over the vineyards.
Cologne
Cathedral · Art · Carnival
✓ Affordable city break
Home to one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in the world
Cologne is one of Germany’s most visited cities and it is easy to see why. The Cologne Cathedral, the Kölner Dom, is one of the most spectacular buildings in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tallest twin-spired church in the world, and it dominates the city skyline in a way that makes it impossible to look at without feeling genuinely awestruck. Construction began in 1248 and was not completed until 1880 — and the result is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere in Europe. For students of architecture, art history, or simply anyone who appreciates extraordinary buildings, the Cologne Cathedral is one of the great sights of Germany and of Europe.
Beyond the cathedral, Cologne has a vibrant arts and culture scene, a lively student population, and a very enjoyable old town along the Rhine riverfront. The Museum Ludwig, right next to the cathedral, houses one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in Germany, with work by Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and many others. Cologne is also famous across Germany for its carnival (Karneval), which takes over the city in February in the most spectacular way but even without the carnival, Cologne is a wonderful city to visit at any time of year.
Student tip: Cologne Cathedral is free to enter and the view from inside is extraordinary — do not miss it. Climb the south tower (574 steps) for panoramic views over the city and the Rhine for just €6. The Belgisches Viertel (Belgian Quarter) is the coolest neighbourhood in Cologne for cafés, vintage shops, and independent restaurants.
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald)
Nature · Hiking · Wellness
✓ Nature is free
Deep forests, thermal spas, and the most beautiful natural scenery in Germany
The Black Forest is one of the most iconic natural landscapes in all of Germany and one of the most beautiful places to visit in the whole country. The Schwarzwald, which stretches across southwest Germany near the city of Freiburg, is a vast area of deep pine and fir forest covering rolling hills and valleys, dotted with traditional farmhouses, beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and spa towns. The name sounds dramatic and mysterious and in places, when the light fades and the trees close in around you on a hiking trail, it really does feel like the kind of forest where fairy tales were born. Brothers Grimm did much of their research for Hansel and Gretel and other famous stories in exactly these woods.
Using Freiburg or Baden-Baden as a base for Black Forest hiking, spa experiences, traditional villages, and cuckoo clock workshops is the recommended approach. Baden-Baden in particular is one of the most elegant spa towns in Europe and a genuinely wonderful place to spend a night or two. The Baden-Baden Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Therme thermal spas cost €20–45 admission, a small price for one of the most relaxing experiences Germany has to offer. For international students who need a genuine break from studying, a weekend in the Black Forest hiking through the trees, breathing clean air, and visiting a spa is close to perfect.
Student tip: Freiburg is one of the most student-friendly and enjoyable cities in Germany, a great base for the Black Forest with a warm, relaxed atmosphere and excellent food. The Triberg Waterfalls are among the highest waterfalls in Germany and a beautiful day trip from Freiburg. The Deutschlandticket covers trains all the way to Freiburg and into the forest region.
Dresden
Baroque Architecture · Art · Elbe River
✓ Best quality of life in Germany
The Florence of the Elbe, one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque cities
Dresden is one of the great surprises of Germany. Known as the “Florence of the Elbe,” Dresden is a city of extraordinary baroque architecture, world-class art collections, and a beautiful riverside setting on the Elbe that gives it a quality and elegance that few German cities can match. Dresden offers the best quality of life, top-notch healthcare, and affordability of any major German city, which makes it not only beautiful to visit but genuinely one of the nicest places to be as an international student in Germany. The city was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing in February 1945, but has been painstakingly rebuilt over the decades since and the result is remarkable.
Dresden’s Zwinger Palace and Green Vault treasury are among the finest museums in Germany and the city’s old town, with the Frauenkirche church at its heart, is one of the most beautiful urban spaces in the whole country. The Frauenkirche was rebuilt stone by stone after reunification and stands as one of the most powerful symbols of reconciliation and renewal in modern European history. For international students interested in history, art, or architecture, Dresden is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Germany and its position near the Czech border makes it easy to combine with a trip to Prague if you want to explore beyond Germany’s borders.
Student tip: Dresden’s old town is entirely walkable, the Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Semper Opera House, and Elbe waterfront are all within a short walk of each other. The Neustadt district across the river is the bohemian, student-friendly part of Dresden with the best cafés, bars, and independent shops. Cross the Augustus Bridge and explore both sides of the city.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Medieval · Fairy tale · Walking
✓ Very affordable
The most perfectly preserved medieval town in all of Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you have accidentally walked into a fairy tale. Rothenburg exemplifies medieval preservation with intact city walls, half-timbered houses, and cobblestone streets creating a storybook ambiance. The town has been so carefully preserved that it looks almost exactly as it did in the Middle Ages, complete with original city gates, watchtowers, and a skyline of church spires and red-tiled rooftops that belongs to another century entirely. It is widely considered the most beautiful small town in all of Germany, and after you have walked through its streets for an hour, you will understand why.
Rothenburg sits along the famous Romantic Road, a scenic route through Bavaria connecting medieval towns and villages and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. But even with the visitors, the town retains a genuine charm and atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else in Germany. The walk along the town walls gives views over the rooftops and the surrounding countryside that are simply beautiful. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is perhaps the most well-preserved medieval old town in Germany and for international students who love history, architecture, photography, or simply beautiful places, it is an unmissable day trip from Munich, Nuremberg, or Frankfurt.
Student tip: The Night Watchman’s Tour of Rothenburg is one of the most entertaining and unique guided experiences in Germany, a costumed night watchman leads you through the medieval streets after dark with a lantern. It runs every evening at 8pm from April to December and costs just €9. Do not miss the Schneeball (snowball) pastries, Rothenburg’s famous local sweet.
Germany is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world to explore as a student and the best part is that you already have a base there. With the Deutschlandticket giving you unlimited travel on regional trains and public transport across the whole country for just €49 per month, and student discounts available at museums, galleries, and attractions in every city, exploring Germany while you study has never been easier or more affordable. From the fairy-tale castles of Bavaria to the dramatic Rhine Valley, the deep forests of the Black Forest, and the powerful history of Berlin and Dresden, Germany is a country that rewards every student who takes the time to discover it. Make the most of your time there.
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