When visiting Germany, which cities come to mind? Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg, am I right? Those are the most visited cities for sure. But what about those smaller village towns? Where are those? After moving to Berlin, I was in search of the most idyllic small towns in Germany…and I found them!
All of these must-see idyllic German villages are all within 3 to 4 hours from Berlin. I’ve traveled to all these places by train and can highly recommend it.
Most Idyllic Small Towns in Germany
- Lüneburg – Distance from Berlin 2 hours, 45 minutes by train. (135 miles / 217 kilometres)
- Schwerin Distance from Berlin 2 hours, 45 minutes by train. (114 miles / 183 Kilometres)
- Lübeck Distance from Berlin 3 hours by train. (175 miles / 282 kilometres)
- Görlitz Distance from Berlin 2 hours, 45 minutes by train. ( 135 miles / 218 kilometres)
- Meissen Distance from Berlin 3 hours, 30 minutes by train. ( 94 miles / 151 kilometres)
Lüneburg | Most Idyllic Town
Lüneburg is also known as the “salt town” as it has a long history of salt mining. This medieval village is located just northwest of Berlin. It is one of the most idyllic small towns I visited in Germany.
This little German village in Lower Saxony is as charming as you could ever imagine. If pressed, I would say it is my favorite of all the places I visited on this list.
Lüneberg is a medieval old town with Red Brick Gothic-Style buildings. The first recorded deed was found in ancient records dating back to 956 AD.
Top Attractions in Lüneberg
- Salt Museum visit the historical salt mining museum of Lüneberg.
- St. John Church The oldest Lutheran church in Lüneberg. Built-in the 14th century.
- Wasser Tower (with viewing tower) This museum is unique as you start from the top of the viewing tower. On your way to the bottom, each floor has historical information.
- Am Sande Market Square is the leading market square in Lüneberg, with an abundance of shops and restaurants.
- Rathaus (town hall) was completed in the year 1720, located in the market square.
Must-Try Restaurants in Lüneburg
No experience in this small idyllic German town would be complete without tasting some of the local beer and cuisine!
- Altes Brauhaus since 1505! Enjoy some traditional German food modernly interpreted along with some delicious beer or wine.
- Rohms Deli slightly upscale experience yet still casual. This deli, which should not be thought of as a “deli” is serving up fresh and inventive cuisine.
- Capitol has you covered from breakfast to dinner. This place can cater to your every meal.
Idyllic Boutique Hotels
When solo traveling I do spend a little extra on accommodations… if I can. These hotels are of the best in Lüneburg.
- Anno 1433 Hotel is located in the old town of Lüneburg. 12 room smoke-free guest house with a lot of style and character.
- Altstadt Gästehaus Drewes Wale private little apartment-style rooms. More like an Airbnb than a hotel. Very highly rated
If possible, visit this lovely small town during Christmas as I did. The Weihnachsmarkt is spectacular!
Transportation to Lüneburg
From the Berlin central station, the journey will take approximately 2 1/2 hours by train. Free Google map at the bottom of this post with all the places in this post pre-loaded.
Schwerin | Most Beautiful Town
This most idyllic small German town is truly magical! Schwerin is located north of Berlin and sits on Lake Schwerin. This German village town has the largest castle in northern Germany, Schwerin Castle.
Schwerin Castle is a neo-Renaissance style palace with elaborate gardens. Open to the public, it was a true highlight of my trip to this charming village.
The architecture in Schwerin is of the Medieval era. You can expect cobblestone streets and an impressive Market Square.
Things to Do in Schwerin
- Schloss Schwerin plan for a few hours to thoroughly explore the interior and exterior grounds.
- Boat Tour (food & drink provided) Check for seasonal availability
- Staatliches Museum Schwerin an art museum exciting monthly exhibits from around the world.
- Schwerin Cathedral beautiful red brick church constructed in the year 1270.
Best Hotels in Schwerin
If you are staying in Berlin, you could most definitely just make Schwerin a day trip. However, it would be ideal to spend at least 1 night explore this most idyllic small German town. Here are a few places to stay when visiting Schwerin!
- Hotel Niederländischer Hof Schwerin located within walking distance to the central train station in Schwerin.
- Weinhaus Uhle vintage building restored with modern style and convenience. An excellent choice to stay central in Schwerin
- Weinhaus Wöhler traditional style building, upgraded with modern style rooms. Pet-friendly.
Dinner & Drinks in the Idyllic Schwerin Village
- La Bouche Bistro & Bar modern bar and bistro highly rated among locals.
- Schwerin Gourment Factory if you are looking to treat yourself to something special, visit this upscale, yet affordable restaurant.
- Müllers for some delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes check out Müllers, located in the center of Markt Square
- Altstadt Brauhaus a fantastic brewery serves all the classic German dishes! There are limited vegan options, but a few vegetarian choices.
Transportation to Schwerin
From Berlin Central Station, the journey will take approximately 2 1/2 hours by train. Free Google map at the bottom of this post with all the places in this post pre-loaded.
One of the best parts about visiting small towns like this is not needing a car. Many of the castles in Germany are located a bit far from towns making it harder to see without a vehicle.
In Schwerin, you can walk right up to the castle, no transportation needed!
Lübeck | Most Charming Town
Visiting Lübeck was a real surprise. I was staying in Hamburg and decided to make a quick day trip. I have returned to Lübeck twice since then! Still accessible from Berlin, just a bit further away than some of these other idyllic small German towns.
Upon arriving at Lübeck you will be greeted with the most impressive Gothic style gate I have ever seen. It is the most distinguishable symbol of Lübeck and of the medieval period that it was constructed.
Once you pass through this red-brick gate that has been fully restored after WWII you will be in the old city of Lübeck. The old city of Lübeck is on an island surrounded by the Elbe river.
What I found to be the most impressive about Lübeck was its many churches and market squares.
Churches of Lübeck
- St. Mary’s Church ( Marienkirche) – This is Germany’s third-largest church, and its architecture is the model for numerous Gothic churches in the Baltic region.
- St. Peter’s Church – Destroyed in WWII, but fully restored, this church has a viewing tower that I highly recommend. There is an elevator to the top for those that find themselves weary of the stairs.
- Lübeck Cathedral – This Romanesque architecture church is the oldest place of worship in Lübeck.
- St. Giles – it’s the smallest of all the churches in Lübeck’s Old Town. You will find Gothic wall paintings and influences from the Baroque and Renaissance periods.
- St. Jacobs – The four spherical globes on the tower’s helm edge is noticeable from a distance. This church surprising was not damaged in WWII and has a 16th century fully intact organ.
More Things to Do in Lübeck
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.)
Trendiest Restaurants in Lübeck
- Brauberger Brewery Most idyllic small towns in Germany have a Brewery restaurant. Brauberger is your traditional German brewery restaurant that I just love to visit! Get your fix of beer and comfort food here!
- Restaurant Schiffergesellschaft Enjoy more than just a meal at this incredible historical landmark. This house/restaurant has a remarkable story than can be read about on their website. I would make this my number #1 choice in places to eat.
- Fangfrisch Lübeck If you are a fish lover, then this is the restaurant for you! Enjoy a variety of fish served every which way in a modern setting.
Most Idyllic German Hotels in Lübeck
If you are visiting Lübeck from Hamburg, it’s the perfect day trip. However, if you are coming from Berlin, you might want to stay one night, checking out Hamburg on the way back.
- Hotel Lili Marleen located by the beach, not in the city center of Lübeck. Perfect for someone who wants to get away from the city but not be too far.
- Hotel Traveblick located directly in the city center. This hotel is more an Airbnb containing only 3 small apartments.
- Atlantic Hotel Lübeck located in the city center with a sleek and modern style.
Transportation to Lübeck
From Berlin Central Station the journey will take approximately 2 1/2 hours by train. Free Google map at the bottom of this post with all the places in this post pre-loaded.
Görlitz | Most Picturesque
Göritz is a real hidden gem of Germany. This picturesque town is located a stone’s throw from the Polish border. You can cross into Poland by walking over a bridge at the town’s edge.
It is so picturesque that Hollywood has filmed several movies here, most famously, The Grand Budapest Hotel. After seeing this place in person, I can understand why it’s one of the most idyllic small towns in Germany.
Gorlitz is very SMALL, and can easily be seen in 1 day. I had the pleasure of spending two nights, but I would only recommend one at most.
Ideas On What to Do in Görlitz
- Picture taking at famous movie sites! Film’s such as The Book Thief, The Reader, and The Grand Budapest Hotel were all filmed here. The must-see the Karstadt department store is the “hotel” in The Grand Budapest Hotel movie.
- St. Peter and Paul Church – 11th-century church containing The Sun Organ, created in 1697. The restored organ is still used today for concerts and special events.
- Crossing into Poland – The Polish city of Zgorzelec can be reached by crossing the bridge Johannes-Paul II Stadbrücke. There are also several other paths to cross into Poland. This is just the most popular.
- Stroll through the Stadt Park – If you are fortunate to visit Gorlitz in beautiful weather, check out the city park. This park has several impressive statues and fountains.
- Silesian Museum – Learn about the Province of Silesia, formerly a Province of Prussia from 1815 to 1919. The region of Silesia is located mostly in Poland, small sections in the Czech Republic and Germany.
- Reichenbach Tower– Sadly, this tower was closed when I visited. You can enjoy magnificent views of the town from the top!
Boutique Hotels in Görlitz
- VIAs Appartements und Ferienwohnungen Located in the center of the old town and highly reviewed by guests. Very stylish and chic.
- Hotel Schwibbogen center of the old town. Modern style and highly reviewed.
- Emmerich Hotel This hotel is gorgeous. The room was very comfortable and stylish. Be advised; the hotel did not have air conditioning when I stayed.
Best Restaurants in Görlitz
- St. John Patrician House A bit upscale, but not stuffy. You can not beat the ambiance at this restaurant. If you are lucky enough to visit in the summer, request a seat outside in the garden.
- Zur Schwarzen Kunst (The Black Arts) Rustic and cozy ambiance with delicious traditional food!
- N13 for a causal bistro with comfort food, check out this place.
Transportation to Görlitz
From Berlin Central Station the journey will take approximately 2 1/2 hours by train. Free Google map at the bottom of this post with all the places in this post pre-loaded.
Meissen | Most Fairytaleque Town
Meissen (Meßen) is located just 40 minutes from Dresden. I found Meissen when searching for a fairytale-like town in Germany. Upon arrival in Meissen, I knew it was someplace very special.
The old town of Meissen is around 15 minutes walk from the main train stop. Before arriving you will get a wonderful view of this most idyllic small town in Germany.
Meissen is home to the Missen porcelain, Gothic Meissen Cathedral, Frauen Kirche and Albrechtsburg Castle. Construction began in 1260 on the Meissen Cathedral on the same hill as the Albrechstburg Castle. Visiting both is a must-do when visiting Meissen.
What To Do In Meissen
- Albrechtsburg– The main attraction in visiting Meissen is Albrechtsburg. This is Germany’s oldest castle, situated upon a hill overlooking the Elbe river. You can tour in the interiors of this castle and take incredible pictures of the river and town alongside it.
- Meissen Cathedral– Located right next to the Albrechtsburg castle is the Cathedral. The church has been divided into three different sections. The sections include the inner church, the choir stall, and the central nave. The visit is well worth the low price of admission of a few euros.
- Marktplatz– Exploring the Marktplatz is an excellent activity when visiting Meissen. I would suggest you need at least 2 hours to take your time visiting the shops.
Castle Albrechtsburg Inside Albrechtsburg Albrechtsburg
Meissen Cathedral Statue in Cathedral Cathedral Hall
Restaurants in Meissen
- Domkeller – I loved this restaurant! I enjoyed a very tasting soup and entree.
- Am Hundewinkel traditional German cuisine in the heart of Meissen!
- Restaurant Vincenz is a highly recommended restaurant in the old town center. Cozy and traditional interiors with classic German food.
- Ratskeller historical restaurant serving up delicious food and wine. Vegetarian options are available!
Boutique Hotels in Meissen
- Goldenes Fass boutique style hotel right in the center of the old town. Highly recommended.
- Dorint Park hotel located just across the Elbe River from Meissen. Stunning views of Albrechtsburg.
- Hotel Goldener Löwe in the heart of the old town, this cozy and traditional hotel is highly rated from guests.
Transportation to Meissen
Visiting Meissen is very easy from Dresden. On the local train, it takes approximately 40 mins. If you travel to Meissen from Berlin by train, it is just under 3 hours. Meissen genuinely looks like a fairy tale, a place that you should go out of your way to see!
Stay in Touch
Pin it for Later!
Olivia says
Each of these towns looks so beautiful and picturesque, it would be hard to choose just one to visit!
Melissa says
Absolutely love the vibe in your pictures!
Chelsea says
Oh my goodness I am just so excited go visit now! You have given so many unique options! I am
Soooooo bad with directions so love that you included the google map, because I definitely would go to the wrong towns without it!
Sarah Barthet says
Germany has the cutest little towns that are so undiscovered! I visited a Christmas market in Trier a few years ago and was so impressed by how beautiful it is!
Angela says
What a charming place to visit. Must put it on my wish list.
Lekha Chellani says
Love the idea of exploring quaint towns and villages. Not only are they less touristy, I find it more easier to imbibe the culture and appreciate it.
supal says
oh I love Germany towns and villages! I was in Stuttgart in 2018 and the surrounding villages are so charming! Hope to come back and explore your suggestions soon!
Rhonda Albom says
A long time ago I was an exchange student in Germany, in a small town. This post brought back so many memories. It was these small charming towns that I enjoyed visiting so much.
Sarah | Travel for a Living says
Such great places. Although I grew up in Germany, I sometimes forget just how much like a fairytale some of those towns look.
I’ve visited Görlitz a while back during a work trip. And since I’ve never been before I didn’t quite know what to expect. But was blown away by the town, I must say.
Charu Goyal says
I love the colour scheme of your blog, Melissa! So so beautiful. Also, what a great guide. I am so interested in exploring this quaint German towns ?
Melissa Byron says
Thanks so much! Check out the free google map in the post! It’s toward the top.. it comes with a “secret freebie” as well!
Olivia says
All of these towns look so romantic and charming! Great alternatives to visiting big busy cities.
Maddie says
I spent so little time in Germany, I’m dying to go back and see more! This is a great list of places to see in Germany. Can’t wait to take it with me when I go to Germany again!
Alexandra Booze says
OMG Gorlitz sounds amazing and the photos are adorable! I would love to go there. I have only been to Dresden and Berlin 🙂
Melissa Byron says
Gorlitz is so close to Dresden! All these little places really blow me away! Let me know if you come back to Berlin! I live there, so I can recommend lots of things : )
Marina says
Germany has so many cute towns!
Lynne Nieman says
They all look so beautiful. Added to the bucket list!
Wellness Travel Diaries says
Your photos are absolutely beautiful! I visited Germany a couple years ago but not Meissen. I really want to visit the castle. It looks stunning
Melissa says
Oh this blogpost is really exciting! All my future trips got cancelled and I’m looking into driving to my neighbour countries and explore those with the car, much safer and a lot of fun too. From the Netherlands, Germany is pretty close and I’ve been looking for fun trips to cute villages in Germany. This blogpost is perfect, even if it might be a longer drive from the coast of the Netherlands. 🙂
Melissa Byron says
I am so glad you liked it!! It really is pretty close: ) I am in Berlin… I might make it to the Netherlands this summer: )
Diana says
Can’t wait to visit all of them! Especially Meissen! This is the main reason why I love traveling through Europe so much. All of those small cute little towns has so much magic in them!
Mayi Mac says
I love visiting charming medieval and small towns. These places are really pretty. I have not explored Germany much apart from Berlin. I will definitely be adding some of these in bucket list (especially Meiseen) I can’t wait to start travelling again!
Kelly says
I LOVE Germany and visit my family there almost every year, but they all live in Bayern! I would love to spend more time exploring these towns in the north as well and this list looks like a great place to start 🙂 Thanks for a great guide and all the suggestions!
Digitaldaybook says
Absolutely charming! My brother in laws fiancé lives in a charming city in Germany called Tettnang. Basically my first intro to the world outside of Berlin basically!!!
Emma says
I felt like I had seen a lot of Germany but considering I’ve never even heard of these towns it seems I was definitely missing out! I can’t even decide which is my favourite… Although I do love the medieval style of the buildings in Lüneburg in particular!
Savannah says
I wish I would have read this post before I went to Berlin in February!! Now I have way too many options for day trips the next time I go!!
Karen says
These charming towns represent so well in your photos. I’ve love to visit everyone of them.
Jessica Pascoe says
These towns are all just so adorable! I think Schwerin is my favourite, but only just.
Kirstie Will says
These have all gone straight on my bucket list! I love your photos.