These 10 cities in Germany are particularly beautiful in winter

When it comes to beautiful cities, Germany is sometimes overlooked - but this country really does have thembeautiful cities, especially in winter. Because some places only exude their complete magic when they are covered in snow and look like something out of a freshly imagined winter fairy tale.

From the far north to the deep south, from west to east – some cities cut a particularly good figure in the run-up to Christmas.

Freiburg im Breisgau is the southernmost city in Germany – and also one of the most beautiful in winter. Probably because it is a student city and does a lot for the environment, it is also a very green city, and that also benefits it from a tourist perspective. The Freiburg Minster comes inparticularly well, and when the Freiburg streams are frozen, the city almost seems as if it itself had been put on hold for a moment. Not to forget: Freiburg is a Black Forest region, and the cold season there naturally has a very special charm.

When you think of Meißen, you think of porcelain - after all, the medium-sized Saxon city is world-famous for this, as the first European porcelain was made there in 1798. However: Yes, porcelain is pretty cool and all, but Meißen as a city itself is much hotter in winter. The most beautiful thing there is when you stand on the banks of the Elbe, preferably with a warm coffee or tea in your hand, and look out over the city and the Schlossberg - an absolute winter dream. Then you can see everything important in the city: the Albrechtsburg and the cathedral on the Schlossberg, the old town with the three-story town houses where, ideally, snow has already collected on the roofs. Dreamy.

The community of Mittenwald in the Upper Bavarian district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen has fewer than 8,000 inhabitants. But the location is simply fantastic, because Mittenwald lies between the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains (right on the border with Austria), and this fact means that Mittenwald becomes one of the most beautiful places in Germany in winter. When white powder snow covers the roofs of the Alpine houses and you stroll enchantingly through the Christmas market to drink mulled wine, look at the handicrafts and enjoy a few roasted almonds, then your heart will be warm even in sub-zero temperatures. In addition, the area is great for hiking (even in winter) and doing winter sports. Above Mittenwald there is also Germany's longest ski run, the Dammkar-Hochtal, which goes down 7.5 kilometers.

The small town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Central Franconia is best known for its largely preserved medieval old town with many architectural monuments and cultural assets. And of course - the mouse doesn't bite a thread - they look fantastic, especially in a wintry atmosphere. Cozy squares, picturesque half-timbered buildings, turrets and fountains, all surrounded by a walkable city wall - you can hardly imagine it being more medieval and Christmas-winter magical. In winter, the facades of the houses are decorated with fir green and the Reiterlesmarkt invites you to stroll through, with the smell of old Franconian Christmas cookies wafting into your nose. There is hardly a more beautiful German city in winter.

Near Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia is the beautiful small town of Monschau, which lies picturesquely between the mountain slopes of the Hohes Venn-Eifel nature park in the Rureifel. Monschau also still has this medieval flair with many half-timbered houses and Monschau Castle with the castle chapel. Now, in winter, if you walk through the snow-covered streets of the city, there are Christmas trees everywhere, the Rur is frozen over, and the smell of freshly baked cakes and hot chocolate comes from the many cafés. And: There is significantly less going on than in the main season. Therefore: One of the most beautiful cities in Germany in winter.

No list of the most beautiful cities in Germany in winter can do without Nuremberg - of course. With more than 500,000 inhabitants, you wouldn't expect the big city to be particularly contemplative, but that's deceptive. Nuremberg's old town in particular with its festively decorated streets, mulled wine stands and countless Christmas events always make winter in Nuremberg an unforgettable experience. The castle district and the imperial castle exude a very special flair in winter, when everything is covered in snow. In the Handwerkerhof you can see traditional crafts such as tin foundry, glass blowing and woodworking, and of course you can't avoid buying some vegan Nuremberg grilled sausages and Elisenlebkuchen at the Nuremberg Christmas market. If you're in the area during the Christmas season, head there!

The medium-sized town of Überlingen in Baden-Württemberg is located on the northern shore of Lake Constance. And not only Lake Constance itself, but also beautiful Überlingen has something special around Christmas time. Especially when the fog settles over the lake, it starts to snow, and you can perhaps still hear the crunch of the snow under your shoes - then there is hardly anything nicer than strolling through the old town of Überlingen or, of course, along the waterfront promenade always in numerous cafes andcan come in. The Advent boat trips that you can take from Überlingen are also highly recommended - for example to the island of Mainau.

Lüneburg may not be the first city that comes to mind when it comes to the most beautiful German cities in winter, but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense: when the facades of the old merchants' houses are decorated for Christmas and with fairy lights Illuminated so that the light is reflected in the water of the Ilmenau, then you have the feeling of being in a winter fairy tale. Therefore: Anyone who has oneIf you're thinking about traveling in Germany during the winter, you should definitely consider Lüneburg as a potential destination.

At least since we know that every fifth state parliament voter in Dresden is aIf you're a supporter, you're no longer necessarily drawn to Saxony - understandably. But firstly, that's exactly why you should show the (rainbow) flag and secondly, you shouldn't leave the field to the right-wingers, so: Go and visit Dresden, because it really is a city with a very special flair in the winter time. Not to forget: With the Dresden Striezelmarkt, the city is home to the oldest documented Christmas market in Germany, right next to the famous Frauenkirche. Okay, ultimately no one needs handicrafts from the Erzgebirge or Herrnhut stars, but of course they are part of it - just like the original Dresden Christmas stollen. Logical.

Passau had a very difficult time this year and suffered badly from the flooding in the middle of the yearhas hit some German cities and towns and even led to a disaster being declared in Passau. Nevertheless, and precisely for this reason, you should visit the city again in winter and leave a little money so that the beautiful city can soon be fully restored. Apart from that, Passau is also one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, especially in winter: great townhouses with facades in mint green and yellow in the historic city center with its narrow streets, St. Stephen's Cathedral and of course the three rivers corner of Ilz, Danube and Inn – the city is simply beautiful and something very special, especially in winter.