German States & Regions
Discover the diversity of Germany's 16 federal states, each with its own unique culture, landscapes, and traditions.
16 Regions
Highlights Across Germany’s 16 States
From the white‑sand beaches of Sylt in Schleswig‑Holstein to the glacier‑capped Zugspitze in Bavaria, Germany’s regions span rugged coastlines, river‑carved wine valleys, dense evergreen forests, and lofty Alpine peaks.
Journey south‑west to Baden‑Württemberg’s Black Forest where cuckoo‑clock villages sit beside biosphere reserves, or cruise the UNESCO‑listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Hesse and Rhineland‑Palatinate, dotted with hilltop castles and terraced vineyards.
In the east, Saxony and Brandenburg offer baroque splendour in Dresden, palaces in Potsdam, and easy rail links to Berlin’s cosmopolitan culture scene, while North Rhine‑Westphalia dazzles with industrial heritage routes and vibrant Düsseldorf‑Cologne city breaks.
Regional Traditions and Folklore
Many regions have unique traditions. For example, Thuringia is the birthplace of the Gartenzwerg (garden gnome), a charming and iconic figure in German folklore.
Baden-Württemberg
Germany inventive southwestern region featuring Stuttgart automotive heritage, Black Forest national park, Lake Constance recreation, and renowned spa towns like Baden-Baden with most Michelin stars and sunshine hours in Germany.
Bavaria
Germany largest state featuring Munich capital with world-famous Oktoberfest, stunning Bavarian Alps, fairy tale Neuschwanstein Castle, and authentic lederhosen culture representing traditional German heritage.
Berlin
The vibrant capital of Germany and city-state with a rich history from the imperial era through division to reunification. Center for politics, culture, and innovation.
Brandenburg
Surrounding Berlin with Potsdam UNESCO palaces, Spreewald biosphere reserve, pristine lakes, forests, and historic towns offering natural beauty and royal heritage just outside the capital.
Bremen
Historic Hanseatic city-state featuring UNESCO World Heritage Town Hall and Roland statue, maritime heritage along Weser River, and 1,200 years of independent civic autonomy representing medieval European trade power.
Hamburg
Germany major port city and city-state featuring historic Speicherstadt warehouse district, modern Elbphilharmonie concert hall, vibrant Reeperbahn entertainment area, and maritime heritage as Gateway to the World.
Hesse
Central German state featuring Frankfurt financial center, Brothers Grimm fairy tale heritage in Kassel, Wiesbaden spa culture, and over 30 thermal spa towns making it Germany top wellness destination with diverse cultural attractions.
Lower Saxony
Germany only state with both sea and mountains, featuring Hannover UNESCO City of Music, North Sea coast with Wadden Sea National Park, Harz Mountains, and medieval Goslar with UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Germany Gateway to Baltic Sea featuring 1,900km coastline with white sandy beaches, Schwerin Castle on island, Central Europe largest lake district with 1,000+ natural lakes, and UNESCO World Heritage Hanseatic cities.
North Rhine-Westphalia
Germany most populous state featuring Cologne Cathedral UNESCO site, Düsseldorf fashion capital, Ruhr Area industrial heritage with Zollverein Coal Mine complex, and unparalleled concentration of museums and cultural centers.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Southwest German state featuring Mainz wine capital, UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley with 40 castles, Moselle wine region, Trier Roman heritage as second Rome, and eight UNESCO World Heritage designations including Roman Limes.
Saarland
Germany smallest state featuring unique French-German cultural blend, UNESCO Völklingen Ironworks industrial heritage, Saar River valley landscapes, and cross-border European integration representing post-war reconciliation.
Saxony
Eastern German state featuring Dresden Florence on Elbe with baroque architecture, Leipzig music heritage home to Bach, Meissen porcelain birthplace in Europe, and Erzgebirge Mountains UNESCO World Heritage mining region.
Saxony-Anhalt
Eastern German state featuring medieval UNESCO cities Quedlinburg and Magdeburg, Harz Mountains with Brocken peak, Dessau Bauhaus heritage, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg Protestant Reformation history connecting heritage and nature.
Schleswig-Holstein
Germany northernmost state between North Sea and Baltic Sea featuring pristine coastlines, historic Lübeck UNESCO Hanseatic city, Kiel Week sailing festival, and maritime heritage connecting Scandinavia to Central Europe.
Thuringia
Germany Green Heart featuring Weimar cultural capital with Goethe and Schiller heritage, Wartburg Castle UNESCO site where Martin Luther translated New Testament, Erfurt historic capital, and 16 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Explore Germany by Region
Each region of Germany offers unique landscapes, traditions, and experiences waiting to be discovered.