Wiesbaden, Germany is very dear to me. Not because I love the Marktplatz and Marktkirche or the many parks and restaurants. But I was born here and have fond memories of this beautiful city. With obvious reasons, I don’t remember much of Wiesbaden in my younger years but I’ve traveled to Wiesbaden many times growing up and in recent years. Wiesbaden is very accessible to travelers given how close it is to Frankfurt. Wiesbaden has everything visitors can expect of when it comes to a German city. Beautiful churches, large open green spaces, international restaurants, shopping, a train station, and access to other spectacular destinations around this region of Germany. Whether it’s your first time here or you’ve been to Wiesbaden many times, here are my recommendations on places to visit in Wiesbaden.  🇩🇪 **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Wiesbaden, Germany? Wiesbaden (pronounced, vees- baa-din) is a city located in the German state of Hesse. As a reference, Wiesbaden is about 30 Km from Frankfurt and is easily accessible by both vehicle and train.  Wiesbaden is located along Germany’s Rhine River adjacent from the city of Mainz.  🇩🇪 Places to Visit in Wiesbaden Wiesbaden deserves a minimum of one day to explore but two days would be ideal. I’d recommend making Wiesbaden a home base and traveling to other nearby cities and towns in the region. There are so many attractions in Wiesbaden and the surrounding area. If you are into sightseeing, partying or checking out nightlife, or even getting out to enjoy the great outdoors, then Wiesbaden is a great place to visit. Below is a list of attractions and places I recommend visiting when traveling to Wiesbaden.  Der Andechser im Ratskeller Looking for a good restaurant in Wiesbaden that serves traditional food, has great beer, and a traditional atmosphere? Then I recommend going to Der Andechser im Ratskeller.  The Andechser im Ratskeller is located beneath the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). The restaurant is huge and has a traditional Bavarian theme.  Beer wise, I tried their Special Hell, Weissbier Dunkel, and Radler. I found all the beers to be very good, especially the dunkel.  Since we spent most of our time in Northern Germany this last trip, I didn’t get a chance to eat much Bavarian Food. So we ordered a leberknödelsuppe which is a beef liver soup. Perfect for an appetizer on a cold and rainy fall day. Jill ordered her favorite spätzle dish and I had a schnitzel with an egg. Everything was delicious. I would highly recommend coming to Der Andechser im Ratskeller for a meal and a decent beer.  Goldgasse The Goldgasse is another exciting place in Wiesbaden, especially if you are a foodie. This is a skinny stretch of restaurants, tapas bars, and cafes in the heart of Wiesbaden. This area has a few higher end restaurants but there is a good mix of casual restaurants and places to just sit and have a coffee or beer.  Heidenmauer One of the more interesting and historical sites in Wiesbaden is the Heidenmauer. The Heidenmauer is part of a Roman defensive wall that was built around the year 370 AD. Considering it’s an ancient Roman structure, this is considered the oldest structure in the city of Wiesbaden. Many Roman sites have been discovered in this region. Wiesbaden is not that far from the city of Trier which was founded by the Romans. Even in Mainz, they are uncovering a Roman theater.  Kurpark Another place to visit in Wiesbaden is Kurpark which is a large spa park in Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden is known as a “spa town.” In fact Wiesbaden means or translates to “Meadow Baths.” The park is a great place to escape the city and enjoy nature and other leisure activities. There is a lake in the center of Kurpark and many trails. Concerts take place here as well as other events throughout the year.  For more information on the Kurpark and other attractions around Wiesbaden, check out the official Wiesbaden website.  Marktkirche (Market Church) The Marktkirche in Wiesbaden is a Protestant Church that was built in the mid 1800’s. What makes the Marktkirche unique compared to other churches in the region is that it’s entirely made from Bricks. It’s striking reddish color stands out amongst the skyline of Wiesbaden.  Visitors can freely walk inside the church during opening hours. I would say that the interior is not as impressive as the exterior but still worth it. The Marktkirche would be my most recommended of the places to visit in Wiesbaden because it is so iconic and unique.  Schlossplatz (Castle Square) The Schlossplatz or Castle Square in Wiesbaden is the historic town square in the center of town. Here you can find the Stadtschloss, Rathaus, and Marktkirche.  Like many market places and town squares throughout Germany, many special events take place here during the year.  Warmer Damm Warmer Damm is another public park in the heart of the city next to Kurpark. There is a decent size pond here and a few trails. The Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden is on the outskirt of the park. Otherwise, it’s a nice park just to relax and rewind.  Fun Day Trips from Wiesbaden Because of the location of the city, there are so many opportunities for day trips from Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden is well connected whether it be by train, major highways, or bike trails. In reality, there are hundreds of places you can visit from Wiesbaden, not to mention you can drive a few hours from here and cross other country borders like Luxembourg and France. Here are a few cities that are very doable as a day trip from Wiesbaden that are well worth a visit.  Ascahffenburg and Mespelbrunn About a 40 minute drive from Wiesbaden, Aschaffenburg is an underrated city in Germany. Aschaffenburg has beautiful churches and a Schloss Johannisburg is not to be missed.  Not far from Aschaffenburg is Mespelbrunn, most notable for Schloss Mespelbrunn (pictured). Mespelbrunn is a historic castle surrounded by a beautiful moat.  Frankfurt Frankfurt has a bad reputation among Germans and other visitors. I understand why, near the train station, there are a lot of homeless and troubled individuals that hang out on the streets nearby. Plus, many think Frankfurt, being a financial city, there is nothing to do here.  I’ve been to Frankfurt several times. Most recently I was here in August of 2019 for a couple days before heading to the airport back to the United States. Once you get away from the train station, there are so many cool districts and neighborhoods in Frankfurt, I actually really enjoyed this city.  If visiting Frankfurt, I’d recommend visiting the Römerberg and seeing the timber houses, checking out Domplatz, and trying apple wine with a nice German meal.  Mainz Mainz is literally across the Rhine River from Wiesbaden. Mainz is a very interesting city with a deep history.  There is a train station here, the Mainz Römisches Theater (Roman Theater) next to the Roman Theater that is being excavated. As far as I know, they are still uncovering the theater, it’s massive! One of the most impressive and oldest cathedrals in Germany is the Mainz Cathedral. There is so much to explore in Mainz, it deserves a minimum of a day. I haven’t visited Mainz in a while, I don’t have any photos of Mainz, the attached photo is from a nearby castle along the Rhine River.  Würzburg About an hour and a half from Wiesbaden is the beautiful city of Würzburg. Würzburg is known for the Residence which is a UNESCO site and one of the most gorgeous palaces in Germany. There is also the old Main Brucke (bridge) and Marienberg Fortress. So, is Wiesbaden worth visiting? Given its proximity to Frankfurt, Wiesbaden is well worth visiting. In fact, I’d recommend spending at least a day in Wiesbaden but multiple days would allow visitors to fully explore the city and surrounding areas. I mean you can basically cross a bridge and end up in the city of Mainz which deserves a full day in itself to explore.  There are many attractions and things to do in Wiesbaden that can keep anyone occupied. Visit the churches, relax in the parks, and try traditional and international dishes. Wiesbaden is a must if visiting Germany.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store.  Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️  🇩🇪 Booking Accommodations ⛺️  🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖  🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗  🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Oldenburg is a German city located in the state of Lower Saxony. Less then an hours drive from Bremen, Oldenburg is about half way between Bremen and the Dutch border. Oldenburg has a rich history, with evidence of activity in the area from the 8th century. Oldenburg at one point was a Duchy, Grand Duchy, and Free State. Today, visitors can walk the historical old town center, view the church, stroll through the castle gardens, visit museums, and eat traditional German cuisine. We spent a day in Oldenburg and want to share our Oldenburg itinerary.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Oldenburg, Germany? Oldenburg is located in the German state of Lower Saxony. The city is located near the Hunte River which branches off the Weser River. When it comes to populations, Oldenburg ranks as the third largest city in Lower Saxony, just behind the cities of Braunschweig and Hanover. Unfortunately, Oldenburg is often overlooked as most visitors tend to visit the beautiful city of Bremen. Oldenburg has a large Train Station that is walkable from downtown. If traveling to Oldenburg by car, there are tons of parking options near the train station.  How We Spent a Day in Oldenburg After spending a day in Oldenburg, I think a day gives you plenty of time to visit the main attractions and sites within the city limits. Once downtown in the altstadt, everything with the exception of a few museums is within walking distance. After an entire day of exploring Oldenburg, we found that we saw everything we wanted to see. Below are some of the highlights of Oldenburg that we did and recommend.  Admired the outside of St. Lamberti Church St. Lamberti or St. Lambert’s Church in Oldenburg is the cities most notable building and dominates the skyline. St. Lambert’s Church is Oldenburg’s tallest building, the center tower has a height of 86 meters. Visitors can get incredible views of the church from the Sclossgarten by the Schlossteich. I found the exterior of the church to be absolutely beautiful but the interior was very underwhelming as it was very bland.  Enjoyed the Peacefulness and Beauty of Schlossgarten Oldenburg The Schlossgarten or Castle Park was a highlight for us. The park is within walking distance from St. Lambert’s Church and the Schloss (castle).  We visited Oldenburg toward the end of October of 2022 and the leaves were changing adding to the beauty of the park. Schlossgarten was huge, there were a variety of smaller gardens within the park, a lake, plenty of places to sit and relax, and several kilometers worth of trails.  Sampled Food at the Rathausmarkt Situated between St. Lambert’s Church and the Rathaus (town hall) is an open space known as the Rathausmarkt. This open space is where weekend and holiday markets occur as well as events. Jill and I visited on a Saturday and there was a local market taking place. There were a few rows of local vendors selling everything from meats and cheeses to flowers and woodcraft.  We sampled a few treats around the market. That day, I was in the mood for a warm leberkäse sandwich. Leberkäse is basically a loaf of meat consisting of corned beef and pork. It’s usually baked and gets a nice crust on the edges. I am sure it doesn’t sound that amazing, but trust me, it is!  Spaghetti Ice Cream at Gelateria Centrale San Marco Germany has some of the best ice cream parlors on the planet. Almost every town and certainly every city has an ice cream parlor or café that serves fancy ice cream dishes. One of my favorite ice cream dishes in Germany is Spaghettieis (Ice Cream). Spaghettieis is an ice cream dish famous around Germany. The dish consists of ice cream made to resemble a plate of spaghetti. It’s typically vanilla ice cream with whipped cream, strawberry glaze, and coconut or white chocolate shavings which are meant to look like grated parmesan cheese.  On the edge of the Rathausmarkt next to St. Lamberti Church is a café called Gelateria Centrale San Marco that served up a variety of ice cream dishes. Of course, I had their Spaghettieis and it was fabulous, even though the weather was cold and damp.  Strolled Through the Altstadt and saw Lappan Oldenburg has a nice and manageable altstadt or old town. It’s very walkable and easy to navigate. The old streets are lined with various shops and restaurants. Many of the buildings in Oldenburg’s altstadt are historical and worth seeing, so don’t forget to pay attention to the beautiful architecture of some of the buildings.  One building in Oldenburg that really stands out is Lappan. Lappan is an old bell tower and oldest building in the city. Unfortunately, when we visited Oldenburg, Lappan was being renovated and I couldn’t get any decent photos.  Schloss Oldenburg In German, Schloss means palace. Schloss Oldenburg is a beautiful palace located in the downtown area. It has a history dating back to the mid 1600’s when it was the residence for the counts of Oldenburg. In the late 1700’s until the early 1900’s, Schloss Oldenburg was the main residence for the dukes and grand dukes.  Today, one of the most striking features of this palace is the beautiful yellow exterior. There is also a State Museum within the palace. I’d recommend checking the Museum Website for an updated outline of the exhibits as well as viewing the entrance times and fees. Visited the Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind in Oldenburg and saw the Husbäke Man The primary reason we visited Oldenburg was to visit the Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind. I absolutely love science and history museums and found this one to be particularly interesting. The day we went, they had a special exhibit on mummies. They had several real mummies on display from animals like cats and hyenas to actual human mummies from Ancient Egypt and Peru.  The museum had several floors and was home to many taxidermy animals found around the world and had a lot of interesting artifacts not only from Germany and their history but ancient artifacts from various cultures throughout history.  One of the most fascinating permanent exhibits at the Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind was their exhibit called Moor. Much of Northern Germany’s habitat consists of moor and people have used this land for thousands of years. The exhibit had a lot of information on the moor region of Northern Germany, but they also had a few bog bodies on display. Like our trip to the Drents Museum in Assen, seeing the bog bodies was my primary obsession for visiting the museum. There was a cool display showing the layers of the bog. There was one particular bog body that caught my interest at the museum and that was the Husbäke Man or Husbäke II.  The Husbäke Man is a bog body that was found in 1936 near the German town of Edewecht, not far from Oldenburg. According to the museum, the body of the Husbäke Man was found by a peat worker. Like many of the bog bodies discovered, he was very well preserved due to the lack of oxygen in the many layers of dead moss in the moor region.  The Husbäke Man was found lying face down in the ground. Because he was so well preserved it is believed that he was quickly covered by the elements and only his feet dissolved.  Unlike the Yde Girl, the Husbäke Man showed no signs of injuries, so he potentially died of an accident or natural causes. The Husbäke Man had a beard which identified him as male, he was around the age of 20 when he died and was 1.75 meters tall. His death is estimated to be around 765-520 BC. His hair looks to be red but it was most likely blonde or brown at the time of death. The red hair is caused by chemicals found in the moor.  Other bog bodies on display at the Nature and Humankind Museum include the Dead Man from Jührdener-feld and the Dead Body from the Lengener Moor (Tarbarg New England). So, is Oldenburg Worth Visiting? So, is Oldenburg worth visiting? Honestly speaking, I do think Oldenburg is worth a visit. I think there is just enough here to do and see for a nice half day to day trip. Although, I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Oldenburg unless there is something specific you are interested in like the Husbäke Man at the Landesmuseum. Sure, the exterior of the church is beautiful the altstadt has some interesting buildings, but there is nothing that stands out that separates Oldenburg from other great cities around Germany.   Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store.  Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️  🇩🇪 Booking Accommodations ⛺️  🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖  🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗  🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Moin! There are no Alps, medieval castles, or gigantic gothic churches here. In fact, The North Sea region of Germany feels more Dutch then German. The landscape is flat, fairly wooded, but agriculture and wind turbines dominate the landscape in this area of Germany 🇩🇪 . Visiting coastal areas and port towns in the North Sea region actually feel more Nordic then German. But it’s these differences that make the North Sea region of Germany so unique and beautiful. The country side is beautiful, the small villages hugging the coast are what you imagine a European fishing village to be like, and the architecture of the buildings and structures is unique to the area. A Visit to the North Sea of Germany promises a unique experience with spectacular views, food, and culture.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is the North Sea in Germany? So where is the North Sea in Germany 🇩🇪 ?  If looking at the map above, Germany borders the country of Denmark. To the east, you have the Baltic Sea or Ostsee (East Sea) and to the west, there is the Nordsee (North Sea). Technically, there is the Jutland Peninsula which includes a part of Northern Germany and a good portion of Denmark. The North Sea is to the west of the Jutland Peninsula.  The Particular geographic area of the North Sea region of Germany that we recently visited is called Ostfriesland or East Friesland.  Ostfriesland is a region of the German State of Lower Saxony. German districts that belong to Ostfriesland include the District of Aurich, Leer, and Wittmund. Emden also belongs to this area but is considered independent.  Many towns in Ostfriesland are located right along the coast of the North Sea.  This area also includes the East Frisian Island chain, consisting of the islands from East to West, Wangerooge, Spiekeroog, Langeoog, Baltrum, Norderney, and Juist.  Attractions and Places to Visit Around the North Sea of Germany I’ve been to Ostfriesland once when I was younger and just recently for 2 weeks while visiting family near the town of Wittmund. Our first visit, with my parents we did a wattwanderung, which is a hike through the mudflats during low tide. To this day, this is still one of my favorite experiences and memories.  In October of 2022, Jill and I rented a car and explored Ostfriesland. We visited places like Suurhusen on a trip back from Groningen, the Netherlands. We drove to the town of Jever for a half day, and went on a day trip with family to visit a few of the fishing villages along the coast. Here are the attractions and towns we visited while spending two weeks in Ostfriesland ⛵️.  Wittmund In Lower Saxony, there is a district and town called Wittmund. There are 14 towns and villages that are located in the district of Wittmund. I have family that lives in the Wittmund area. The town of Wittmund is really nothing to write home about. I mean Wittmund has its charms. There is a marktplatz (town square), church, and some gorgeous red brick buildings. The town of Wittmund, also has or had some decent restaurants but many are seasonal or have closed because of Covid-19. We recently spent two weeks in the area. One of our favorite activities was to take early morning and evening walks along the secluded farm roads. In October, the morning air was cool and brisk, the fog lingered until the sun came up. Every morning and evening, we were greeted by friendly ponies and herds of cows. 🐎 🐮   Carolinensiel During our stay in Wittmund, we decided to take a day trip to some of the fishing villages along the coast of the North Sea. My aunt and uncle are more familiar with the area and drove us to a few attractions and villages. First on the list was the cute village of Carolinensiel ⛵️.  Carolinensiel was first established in the year 1730 and named after Georg Albrecht von Ostfriesland’s wife, Sophie Caroline.  Today, visitors can take it easy and walk around the small village. There is a historic museum by the port with displays and information on the area. We simply walked around the port and enjoyed the views of the harbor while looking at the traditional North Sea fishing boats.  Apparently, there is a trail in Carolinensiel that is a few kilometers in length ending up in Harlesiel, right on the coast. Neuharlingersiel Our next stop while touring villages in the North Sea of Germany was Neuharlingersiel.  When you picture the North Sea, you usually think of beaches and the famous strandkorb (German for Beach Basket). These beach chairs are fairly typical for this region and are large seats with an awning and storage space under the seats. We were on Badestrand in Neuharlingersiel and this is where we first saw the typical beach with the strandkorb. Unfortunately, we were here in late October which is not the ideal time of year to relax on the beach in the North Sea. Instead of beautiful sunny weather, we were met with rather cloudy skies, wind, and drizzle. But no matter what the weather is like, it’s always nice to take a stroll on a beach.  After walking the Badestrand, we walked around the harbor. At the harbor, you can see traditional fishing boats in the canal that leads to the ocean. Along the harbor in Neuharlingersiel, there were quite a few restaurants and shops. We did browse a few shops. For lunch we grabbed a backfisch baguette, which is one of my favorite meals.  A backfisch baguette is basically a fried fish sandwich. It usually consists of some type of fried fish along with lettuce, tartar sauce, and a brötchen. It doesn’t get better then eating a fresh backfisch baguette from a local vendor while being near a harbor on the North Sea.  Another attraction in Neuharlingersiel worth seeing is the Sielhof. As you walk past the harbor and town district, there is a small castle or palace with a beautiful little garden. This palace is the Sielhof. This building has been turned into a café and restaurant.  Greetsiel Greetsiel is a gorgeous little port town about 40 minutes away from Aurich by car. Out of all the villages we saw while on our visit to the North Sea region of Germany, Greetsiel was my favorite.  Not that the other villages weren’t beautiful and traditional, but Greetsiel had it all. A historic windmill was present at the entrance of town, a harbor lined with traditional fishing boats, brick roads and buildings, and fresh seafood.  Upon our arrival at Greetsiel, we stopped at a local café called Greetsieler Zwillingsmühlen. This cozy café had amazing cakes, a regional tea, and alcoholic hot chocolates. We indulged in all of the above and it was fantastic. Especially given that the weather was drizzly, cold, and cloudy all day. A Little alcoholic beverage is always necessary to warm the insides.  After a relaxing visit at Greetsieler Zwillingsmühlen we wet to the mill next door. I’ve always been curious what the insides of the historical mills looked like. Thankfully for us, this mill was turned into a museum and visitors can explore the inside of the mill.  Greetsiel had a decent sized historic district. I recommend starting off at the harbor area to view the channel with all the fishing boats. If you visit the North Sea in Germany, this is that typical view most people imagine. The rows of fishing boats docked with red brick buildings in the background and the occasional seagull terrorizing the local seafood stalls waiting for that moment to steal a bite to eat when the shop owners turns their back. Otherwise, I recommend walking around the historical center. There are many cute alley ways and the church is not to be missed. The Greetsieler Kirche is a small church built with red bricks in the center of town.  At the end of the day, there are plenty of dining options in Greetsiel. You have the option to grab a quick backfisch baguette with french fries or sit down for a meal at one of the many restaurants. Don’t worry, not all restaurants in Greetsiel are seafood related. In fact, we went to a Greek restaurant called Zorbas. I absolutely love Greek food in Germany and my all time favorite dish is the Gyros Fournou or Gyros Special. It’s a dish served piping hot with gyros meat topped off with a Metaxa sauce.  Pilsum Lighthouse In Germany, the Pilsum Lighthouse is a well known lighthouse, mainly because it was in a popular film called Otto – Der Ausserfriesische. Otto is a famous comedian in Germany. In the movie, Otto lived in the lighthouse and it has been a popular site among tourists ever since.  The Pilsum Lighthouse isn’t just a movie prop. In fact, it was built in 1891 as a sector light for the Ems River that connects to the North Sea. The most prominent features of this lighthouse are the bright red and yellow stripes.  The Pilsum Lighthouse is just outside of Greetsiel, so we stopped here prior to visiting Greetsiel. There is a parking lot about 500m away. There is a paved path leading directly to the lighthouse. The day we went, there were a bunch of bird watchers at the lighthouse. Because of this, the lighthouse was open and we were able to go inside. I’m not sure if it is open daily to visitors. But in the event that it is open, the views are worth it.  Suurhusen The “Leaning Tower of Suurhusen” is an attraction that I feel is highly underrated. I mean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa gets so much press, but technically the steeple at the Suurhusen Church is tilted even more. It’s even recognized by Guinness World Records as having the most tilt then any other tower in the world.  There is a plaque at the church stating that the tilt angle is 5.2° while the tilt angle for the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a mere 4.0°. Heck, there is another tower in Germany, Bad Frankenhausen that has a tilt of 4.9°.  The church, especially the tilt is very impressive. Unfortunately, pictures don’t do it justice. If you plan to visit the North Sea area of Germany, I recommend making a brief stop here. Visitors can walk the grounds and even enter the church.  Aurich Aurich is a town in the district of Aurich in Lower Saxony not far from the town of Wittmund. Aurich is more inland from the coast, but it can be a great home base for day trips.  We visited Aurich briefly, walked up and down the main shopping street. Honestly, I really liked the downtown area of Aurich, I wish I spent more time here. There were a lot of interesting shops here and decent restaurants.  There is one restaurant we did go to. It was highly praised by my uncle and oma. The restaurant is called Lüttje Hörn and they serve fresh seafood. For starters, we all ordered the fish soup and it was delightful. For the main course, I think we all ordered the same thing. In German, it is called a Fisch Filet Pfanne which translates to Pan Fried Fish Fillets. The dish had three different types of fillets, usually the daily catch with bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes). This dis was probably one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever had, highly recommended.  Jever If you are going to visit the North Sea of Germany, I’d recommend taking at least a half day and explore the city of Jever. Check out the castle, church, walk the old town district, and most importantly, visit the brewery or try a Jever

Jever is the capital of Friesland in Lower Saxony and is not well known outside of Germany. In fact, most Germans only know Jever because of the Jever Pilsener that is produced here and sold throughout the country. Don’t worry, if visiting Jever, there is much more to do and see here then just drink beer. Jever has a lot of great restaurant options, a castle, unique church, and cute downtown area. But, if you are visiting Jever, might as well enjoy a Jever Pilsener. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Jever, Germany on a Map Jever is a town in Friesland, Lower Saxony, Germany. Some more recognizable big cities that are within driving distance from Jever include Bremerhaven, Bremen, and Hamburg. Only about 20km from the beaches of the North Sea, Jever can be a great home base to explore more of Friesland and the North Sea area.  Things to do Around Jever There is more to do in Jever then just drink Jever Beer. In fact, there is plenty to do and see in Jever to fill a days worth of exploring. Visitors can try local and regional food, visit the castle, and do some shopping in the old town district. Jever is a very walkable city and very easy to get around.  We spent a half day in Jever and definitely did not cover the entire city, but we have plans for visiting Jever again in the future. Whether you have a half day to explore Jever or a full day, here are some of the things we did and our recommendations.  Eat at a Local Café or Restaurant Like many small cities or towns in Germany, there are plenty of comfortable and delicious local cafes and restaurants in Jever.  Jever has a few great restaurant options, including your traditional German restaurants but there are also other cuisine types in Jever to include Bar and Grill’s, Italian, Seafood, there are even bakeries and ice cream shops Originally, we intended to eat a nice German meal at the brewery, but the restaurant attached to the brewery didn’t open until later in the evening. Jill and I found a cute café near the brewery for lunch called Café & Bistro de Mood. We got a few Beers and split a flammkuchen. Flammkuchen is similar to a pizza, the dough is very thin covered with fromage blanc topped with onions and thinly sliced bacon.  Enjoy an East Frisian Tea at Nordlicht Tee & Mehr Ostfriesland or East Frisian in English is well known for their tea. There is one tea in particular from the area that is a must try.  The traditional Ostfriesentee is a black tea traditionally with rock sugar added. You then add a little thick cream to the coffee. The cream creates little clouds in the tea which always fascinates me.  One place to try tea in Jever is Nordlicht Tee & Mehr. This cozy tea house has a warm atmosphere and menu full of tea to try. If you are a tea lover, then this tea house is a must.  I tried the traditional East Frisian tea and it comes out in its own pot.  Like everywhere else in Germany, there is homemade cake on the menu. I swear, the slice of cake I got was a quarter of the whole cake. I ordered a cheesecake or kase kuchen in Germany. The cake paired with the tea and a rainy afternoon made visiting Nordlicht Tee & Mehr a must visit place for me in Jever.  See the Stadtkirche (Town Church) The stadtkirche or town church in English, is a unique church found in the heart of Jever.  What makes this church so unique is that it is a mix of old and new. The original church burnt down and was rebuilt in the 1700’s. Then, in 1964 a new addition to the church was built and connected to the old apse. If visiting Jever, make sure to go inside the church and witness the differences between old and new.  Visit the Castle Museum Besides Jever Beer, visiting the castle and museum was a highlight of our trip to Jever.  Jever Castle isn’t your typical fairy-tale castle or medieval fortress. Despite not being as famous as other castles around Germany, it still has an interesting history and is well worth a visit. Jever Castle started off as a fortress in the 14th century. In 1818, Jever belonged to the Duchy of Oldenburg and became a residence for the Dukes.  Since 1921, the castle has had its own museum. The museum has a lot of artifacts from Jever from archaeology to art.  After visiting the castle museum, there is a beautiful garden surrounding the castle where visitors can leisurely stroll and look at the moat, peacocks, and get great views of the castle.  Walk Around the Altstadt Every great German city or town has a nice altstadt or old town. The altstadt is usually the center of town where all the shops, restaurants, and unique attractions can be found.  Jever has a small and very walkable old town area not far from either the castle or Jever Brewery.  The altstadt here is lined with cute shops and delicious looking restaurants. Jever Beer (Jever Bier) Jever’s claim to fame and in reality what puts this city on a map is their brewery and the beer they produce.  I’ve had a Jever Pilsener in Germany many times without knowing anything about the town or location it comes from.  According to the Jever Brewery website, Jever beer has been around since 1848. More can be read on their website about the history, but it’s developed over 160 years to what it is today.  Jever really only has two beers that are brewed, the Jever Pilsener and Jever Fun which is a non-alcoholic beer.  So is Jever Pilsener a good beer?  I think so, I’ve had many pilsener style beers throughout Germany and think Jever Pilsener is a solid pilsener. Would I say it’s my all time favorite? Probably not, then again, I am not a huge pilsener guy. I do think it’s a refreshing beer and has a nice crisp taste. Conclusion Jever is not a touristy city but its brewery has had quite the impact on the beer industry in Germany. In Germany, everyone knows Jever not because of the town but because of the beer. Jever Pilsener is a high quality beer that has a crisp and refreshing taste and can be found throughout Germany. If beer is not high on your to do list, then Jever also has a beautiful castle, unique church, and old town district with plenty of shops and restaurants.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇩🇪 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Visiting Bremen and curious on what to do in Bremen, Germany? Or maybe Bremen has never been high on your radar when researching places to see in Germany. There are so many beautiful cities around Germany like München or Dresden that are more popular and touristy. After spending a day in Bremen, It is clear that it is an underrated city. There are so many things to do and see in Bremen. Bremen is home to one of Germany’s most famous town halls (Rathaus) that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a giant cathedral called Dom St Petri, the famous Town Musicians of Bremen, and a district with narrow alley ways known as the Schnoor. Of course, one of the most famous beers to come out of Germany, Becks is from Bremen.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where in Germany is Bremen? Bremen, Germany is located in the German state of Bremen. With a population of more then 570,000 people, Bremen is considered the second most populous city in Northern Germany, after Hamburg.  Bremen is located along the Weser River about 60 Km from the North Sea of Germany.  What to do in Bremen, Germany Being Germany’s 11th biggest city, there is plenty to do and see here. Bremen has everything from historic World Heritage Sites and cathedrals to Germany’s tiniest house. Most attractions are found within the altstadt (old town) and are easily walkable. Although Bremen is a huge city, many of the sites within the altstadt can be seen in a single day. But to full experience the city and see museums, parks, and maybe even attend a concert, then it is recommended to spend at least two days in Bremen. We spent a day and night in Bremen and here are a few of the main attractions and activities we saw and did while exploring the city.  Attend a Carnival or Fest if Occurring There always seems to be some kind of fest or event occurring  in some of Germany’s largest cities. Whether it be a holiday festival or simple town festival, they are always a good time and the food is excellent.  When we visited Bremen in October this year, there was a small festival going on in from of the Bremen Rathaus. It might have been a part of the Bremen Freimarkt because we saw carnival rides in numerous locations of the city. The festival we found ourselves at had rides, game booths, drinks, and a lot of food!  We walked around the festival during the day looking at the booths and eating. At night, I set up my tripod with my camera and took some interesting night photos using long exposure techniques.  I absolutely love carnivals and festivals in Germany, mainly because of the affordable and delicious food. This time around, I could not pass up a bratwurst with mustard on a hard brötchen. Jill and I also split a butter pretzel. Butter pretzels are fantastic and simple. Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Town Musicians of Bremen) Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Town Musicians of Bremen) is a fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm.  I used to listed to this growing up as a kid. Here is a brief summary of the fairy tale.  A donkey, dog, cat, and rooster were growing old and seemed useless to their masters. The four animals did not want to be thrown out, mistreated, or even worse, killed by their masters. One by one, the animals left their masters houses and ventured off to the city of Bremen in hopes of becoming musicians.  Bremen was much to far to reach in a single day. During the night, the four animals saw a house with a light on. The house was occupied by robbers. The four animals put their heads together and decided to come up with a way to scare the robbers off, they made noises and successfully scared the robbers. The animals then ate what was on the table and rested in the house throughout the night.  One robber returned to the house later in the night as ordered. The cat scratched the robber, the dog bit the robber on the leg, and the donkey kicked the robber while the rooster made terrifying noises. They believed the house was haunted and no one ever dared enter the house again. The animals never made it to Bremen because they liked the house so much that they would stay and they did happily ever after!  Today, there is a bronze statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen next to the Rathaus.  Apparently, rubbing the nose of each animal on the statue is supposed to bring good luck. The statue is a very popular attraction in Bremen. Because of this, there is always a line of people waiting to rub the noses for good luck or do touristy things like take pictures with the Town Musicians of Bremen.  Drink a Becks Beck’s Brewery or Brauerei Beck & Co is from Bremen and can be found all throughout the city. Beck’s Brewery does offer tours but I found the dates and times to be odd, so we unfortunately missed out on a Beck’s Brewery Tour. Not to mention, reservations are required. If interested, check out the Beck’s Website to check the times and make a reservation.  Beck’s is most famous for their traditional Pilsner beer. I actually like this beer, it has a nice refreshing taste. I’ve also had their Dark beer, Oktoberfest Lager, Haake-Beck Pils, and Beck’s Gold.  Eat German Food If visiting Germany, obviously, you have to try some local cuisine. Some of Germany’s most famous foods include Bratwurst, Schnitzel, and käsespätzle.  One of my favorite meals in Germany is the schweinshaxe. This dish is a gigantic ham hock or pork knuckle. Usually, the outer skin is crispy and the meat inside is tender. It’s great paired with knödel (German dumpling) or bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes) with sauce.  We found a brewery/restaurant in near the Böttcherstrasse called Shüttinger Gasthausbrauerei. I ordered a schweinshaxe here with a couple of beers and it was phenomenal.  Grab a Bite to Eat and Enjoy the Nightlife at the Schlachte The “Schlachte” refers to an area in Bremen located along the Weser River that is popular for outdoor seating, nightlife, and an abundance of restaurants.  In the morning, there are a few cafes open here, but it’s nice to walk the Schlachte at night to grab a drink and nice meal.  Not sure if they are a part of the Schlachte, but there were a few cool historical looking ships docked in the area along the Weser River.  See and Visit the Rathaus The Rathaus (Town Hall) in Bremen is one of Germany’s most beautiful. Because of it’s uniqueness and historical importance, the Town Hall was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.  The Rathaus in Bremen was built around the early 1400’s and is a prime example of Brick Gothic architecture.  Visitors can tour the inside of the Rathaus and learn more about its history and purpose. Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule a tour, but still enjoyed the building from the inside. View the Bremen Tourism website for more information on admission and times.  The Bremen Rathaus is located at the Market Square. Many events, markets, and festivals are hosted here. The time we visited, there was a fest going on, so I could not get a decent photo from the front of the Rathaus.  Visit Dom St Petri (Cathedral of St. Peter) Dom St Petri or Cathedral of St. Peter is a 1,200 year old cathedral in the heart of the city next to the Rathaus.  The Cathedral of St. Peter is a beautiful architectural masterpiece both outside and on the inside.  Entrance to the cathedral is free but visitors can pay a small fee to enter the southern tower.  Walk the Schnoor area One of my favorite things to do in Bremen is to stroll the Schnoor area. The Schnoor is within walking distance from other attractions like the Rathaus and Cathedral of St. Peter.  The Schnoor is a cute area of Bremen full of winding alley ways, some only a shoulder width in length. There are many shops and several restaurants tucked away in these small alley ways.  Common Questions About Traveling to Bremen What is Special About Bremen, Germany?– Bremen is a huge city in northern Germany with enough attractions and sites to see for a full day if not more. The Bremen Town Hall is a UNESCO site, the huge dome is over 1,000 years old, and the Town Musicians of Bremen (Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten) is one of Germany’s most famous fairy tales, visitors can see the iconic statue.  Is Bremen Worth Visiting? – Yes, Bremen is worth visiting. Based on my experience traveling in Bremen, I found this city to be very interesting with much left to explore. I think Bremen is the perfect city to stay overnight in. There are many attractions to see both during the day and at night.  What Airlines Fly to Bremen, Germany? – Bremen does have an airport. Bremen Airport has access to other major airports throughout Germany and other destinations in Europe. Major airlines that fly to Bremen include Lufthansa, Ryanair, and KLM.  Is Bremen Safe? – In general, Bremen is a safe city for its size. That being said, always use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Petty and violent crimes to exist, but it is not frequent.  What Region and State is Bremen in?– Bremen is located in northern Germany. The state is Bremen, technically called the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen or Stadtgemeinde Bremen in German.    Conclusion For a day trip or multi day trip to Bremen, there are plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy and experience. From taking a photo at the famous Town Musicians of Bremen statue to catching a festival, there is something for everyone in this less traveled German city. Whether you are trying to visit UNESCO sites or interested in art, culture, and history, Bremen offers it all. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a Beck’s!  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store.  Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️  🇩🇪 Booking Accommodations ⛺️  🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖  🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗  🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Germany will always be home to me. I was born here, lived here, have family that still resides here and have made friends for life here. I try and visit at least once every other year and always feel at home when visiting. I would be a little biased to say Germany is my favorite country, but I would like to think that people traveling to Germany from other countries would think the same. I mean Germany is a beautiful and diverse country with towering mountains in southern Bavaria to ocean coastlines in the North and East Sea. Throughout Germany, you can find castles, palaces, fairytale like cities and even modern cities, basically it offers something for everyone. I love Germany for many reasons and have listed some of my favorites that come to mind when traveling around Germany.  This list includes 10 things I love about Germany!  Autobahn I’ve never actually driven myself on the autobahn. But I’ve zipped around on the autobahn all throughout Germany with friends and family. For those that don’t know, the autobahn is a highway network throughout Germany, known for not mandating speed limits, basically you can drive as slow and as fast as you would like. You would think the autobahn would be full of sports cars racing 200 km an hour. Is that true? Eh, sometimes but most of the time it is full of huge semi trucks and vacationers driving at reasonable speeds. The autobahn is not as exciting as foreigners think but I still love it. I love it because it drives through the beautiful country of Germany. I love how easy and stress free the autobahn is, once you are on it, there are rarely stops or slow downs, obviously unless you hit traffic or need to exit. But you could get on the autobahn near Würzburg and be in München (Munich) in a few hours. Occasionally, you will see cars max out their speed limit and zip right by, that is exciting. One time near Frankfurt, I saw a Porsche and BMW racing in between cars and the whole time the BMW was right behind the Porsche.  Bier/Beer I feel like Germany and beer just go together like salt and pepper. I believe one of the top things that pops into people’s minds when they think of Germany is the German beer, and for good reason. In Germany, you won’t find the variety or styles as you would in America, but what they do have the Germans have perfected. I mentioned this in my beer post, but many breweries around Germany still practice the Reinheitsgebote or “German Purity Law,” which basically states that only a few simple ingredients (grains, hops, water, and yeast) can be used to brew beer. The Beer flows like water in Germany, almost anywhere you go, one can find a real good solid beer. I generally like hefeweizen’s or wheat beer or some of the darker styles. During the hot summer months, I enjoying sipping on a radler which is a drink mixed with beer and lemondade, it is highly refreshing. Beer pairs well with the German diet as well. In München it is nice to enjoy a hefeweizen with a weisswürst before noon or drink a dark ale with a salty pretzel. The Germans love their beer, and I can’t think of a better evening then spending time with friends and family in a biergarten enjoying one’s company while enjoying a great German beer.  Castles The castles scattered around Germany are probably what excites me more then anything. I love all types of castles from the beautiful ornate palaces to the ruins resting on a hillside. As a kid, my dad and myself used to hike hills throughout Germany trying to find ruins and would bring our metal detector along. I don’t think we ever found anything but it was a great way to get out and explore. A quick internet search shows that there are over 20,000 castles in Germany. Although most of them are small or ruins there are several castles in Germany that are very famous. Let’s look at the famous castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Everyone knows of or has seen photos of Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairytale castle perched on a hill. His other castles are Linderhof (my favorite), Herrenchiemsee, Nymphenburg Palace  and Hohenschwangau Castle are also associated with King Ludwig II. These castles are all beautiful in their own way and well worth visiting. I am more interested in some of the medieval castles around Germany like the famous Burg Eltz or Wartburg (Martin Luther was here and translated the the New Testament into German).  Some of my other favorite castles around Germany are the Marienburg (Würzburg), Nuremburg Castle (Nuremburg), Veste Coburg (Coburg), Mespelbrunn Castle (Mespelbrunn), and of course all the castles that rest along the Rhine River.  Fests Germany does fests right. I’ve been to numerous fests throughout Germany. Oddly enough, I’ve yet to go to Oktoberfest in München. One thing I hate about the United States is their fairs and fests, it’s an excuse for them to sell cheap food at a ridiculous high cost. German fests are the exact opposite. Here you can find delicious food at very low costs, like a Euro or two for a bratwurst or a couple Euros for a fantastic beer. Germans know how to have a good time and it is reflected in their fests. My favorite fests in Germany have to be stadtfest or local town festivals. Basically the whole town gets together and celebrates. There are food and drink stalls everywhere with bier gardens throughout the ground and live bands. The stadtfest I usually attend in Bad Brückenau is always such a fun time. The food at these fests is always amazing, not only can you find bratwurst but you will also find steak sandwiches, schweinehaxe, kebabs, fish, and other local goods. I am always curious how many kegs these fests go through because all day long their are lines at the beer stalls and people are drinking and celebrating for hours and hours. For anyone going to Germany, I highly recommend finding fests as they are so much fun and quite a local experience.  Food Germany is well known for their food. In my favorite food post, several of my favorites come from Germany to include the Döner Kebab and Schweinehaxe. If you like meat, then Germany is a great place for you because it’s everywhere and they do it well. Who doesn’t love a bratwurst on a hard brötchen or warm leberkase sandwich from the metzgerei. My opa (grandpa) was the best cook, growing up we always ate traditional meals around lunch time and I always remember how extensive our meals were with great meat, salads, side dishes, and desserts.  In Germany, we used to eat a full meal around lunch time and have brotzeit in the evening. Brotzeit was just a small meal which usually consisted of a few cold cuts and bread, these food memories at my grandparents house will always stick with me. Some of my other favorites are Spaetzle which is basically an egg noodle. Spaetzle comes in a wide variety but I prefer kase spaetzle (cheese spaetzle). I love German potatoe salad, and every German has their own recipe. My mom’s is still my favorite! Beyond the basics, there are other German foods that I love to include cheese pretzels from street vendors, Weisswursts in München, fish sandwiches from the Nordsee restaurant chain, and of course all the delicious pastries that can be found in bakeries throughout Germany.  Ice Cream Typically, people don’t really think of Germany as being an ice cream destination, but I can assure you it is. To this day, I believe Germany has some of the best ice cream out of all the other countries I’ve visited. You can find ice cream shops all throughout Germany. You can find your typical shop selling ice cream by the scoop but most notably, Germany has ice cream shops, where you can sit down and enjoy intricate and delicious ice cream creations. These sit down ice cream shops have menus where they have premade bowls of ice cream with various flavors and toppings. I’m talking rich gelato ice cream with whipped cream, fruits, chocolate, you name it. Some of my favorites are the After Eight, which usually consists of mint ice cream, mint chocolate, and alcohol. Oh yes, many of these ice cream creations do include a splash of alcohol for flavoring. The most notable and probably my favorite is the famous spaghettieis. It’s a dessert made to look like real spaghetti. The traditional one consists of vanilla ice cream on top of whipped cream, strawberry sauce, and coconut shavings made to look like grated parmesan. Every time I go to Germany, I have to at least get one spaghettieis.  Restaurants There seems to be a common theme here and it’s food related. First food, then ice cream, and now restaurants? I guess, I really love the food scene in Germany and that includes the lovely cozy restaurants that can be found throughout the country. I especially love the small town local restaurants which seem to be everywhere. Generally, they are smaller in size with cute and traditional decorations, and the hosts are usually dressed very nicely or in traditional outfits especially in Bavaria. You won’t find televisions in these restaurants thank god and it takes time for the food to come out as it is usually cooked fresh and from scratch. Food wise, I won’t really say any specifics as this varies from region to region and I’ve had great food all around Germany in every restaurant I’ve been to. Usually portions are big and also super satisfying. One of my favorites about German restaurants is the check out process. The waiteress comes to your table with a large wallet and you pay right there usually in cash. For tipping, it’s not risiculuos like in the States, you generally round up a bit to make it easier on everyone. For example, if your meal comes out to 27 Euros, just tell the waitress to make it 30 and everyone will be happy!  Small Towns A lot of the charm and culture that comes from Germany comes out of the small towns. Generally if you see photos of towns in Germany either in the Bavarian Alps or tucked away in a farming community it is of these small towns that get little tourists. There are towns like Rothenburg or Oberammergau that see their fair share of tourists but nothing like the crowds that München or Berlin see and I love it. I even love walking through German dorf’s or villages in the country side. Usually they don’t have any major attractions, but they will have a small church and beautiful old style homes and farms. You can see great examples of fachwerk or timber framing in the older homes in some of these smaller dorfs. I lived in a smaller town outside Würzburg named Giebelstadt. It had everything necessary, it had grocery stores, restaurants, a local bakery, metzgerei (butcher), and even had two castles. Many of the smaller towns even host their own festivals which are usually a blast. My recommendation is to visit all the major cities like München or Hamburg, but venture out into the country a bit and walk around some of Germany’s smaller towns.  Soccer I don’t really pay to much attention to soccer outside of the Euro and World Cups. When the time comes, I always root for Germany, I am also a Bayern München fan when it comes to clubs. Soccer or Fussball as it is called in Germany and most parts of the world is almost a religion in Germany, the Germans love their fussball. But when the Euro or World Cup come around, it is a whole different ball game, believe me I’ve been in Germany during the summer