Must-See Places on a Cycling Holiday in Germany

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Vineyards with bright yellow autumn leaves overlooking a river and small town with a church spire, Moselle.

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Roman Ruins of the Moselle River

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It’s a perfect mix of cultural landmarks and gentle cycling routes, making the area a classic highlight of any cycling holiday.

Views on the promontory Koblenz the Deutsches Eck Island

Koblenz Deutsches Eck

At Koblenz, the Rhine and Moselle meet at a dramatic headland called the Deutsches Eck. A monumental statue of Emperor Wilhelm I marks the confluence, with panoramic views of both river valleys. Broad riverside promenades make it a natural pause point for cyclists, with plenty of cafés and shaded benches to rest. It’s one of the Rhine Valley’s most symbolic sites and a true orientation point on the route.

Trier

Trier is Germany’s oldest city, founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Highlights include the Porta Nigra city gate, the amphitheater, and the basilica—all UNESCO-listed. These monuments bring history right onto the cycling route along the Moselle, with well-preserved ruins that give a vivid sense of life in the Roman Empire. Stopping here combines sightseeing with the chance to experience one of Europe’s oldest urban landscapes.

Moselle Valley

The Moselle Valley is famous for its Riesling wines, produced in steep terraced vineyards that rise dramatically above the river. Villages like Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues are dotted with half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and family-run wine taverns. Cycling here means blending cultural exploration with scenic rides, where tastings and cellar tours are part of the experience. It’s a region where cycling and wine tourism flow seamlessly together.

Marksburg Castle

Perched high above the Middle Rhine, Marksburg is the only hilltop castle along the river never destroyed. Inside, rooms furnished with medieval weapons, kitchens, and dungeons bring the Middle Ages to life. Its commanding position offers sweeping views over vineyards and villages, making it as rewarding for the scenery as it is for the history. For cyclists, it’s a memorable detour and a striking landmark visible long before you arrive.

Badenweiler

Badenweiler has been known for healing waters since Roman times, with ruins of a 1,700-year-old bath still preserved. Today, Cassiopeia Therme offers indoor and outdoor pools filled with mineral-rich water at around 34°C, plus saunas and panoramic relaxation areas. The spa’s hillside location provides sweeping views of the southern Black Forest.

Lake Constance

Shared with Germany and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) offers a mix of cross-border culture and sweeping alpine views. The lakeside cycling paths are flat and well-marked, making it one of Europe’s most accessible long-distance rides. Medieval towns, vineyard slopes, and ferry crossings give variety to each stage, while the scenery of the surrounding Alps never leaves your side.

Bavaria

Bavaria is Germany’s storybook cycling region, where fairy-tale castles, half-timbered towns, and rolling landscapes create unforgettable rides.

Neuschwanstein Castle with autumn foliage, mountains, and blue sky with clouds.

The Romantic Road Cycling Tour

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Alpine lake with turquoise water reflecting sunlit mountains and pine forests at sunrise or sunset.

Bavaria Cycling Holidays

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Routes here combine cultural icons with countryside charm, often linking medieval history with world-famous landmarks. From cobbled old towns to palaces and beer gardens, it’s the Germany many riders dream of experiencing.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Perched dramatically on a Bavarian hilltop, Neuschwanstein is one of the most photographed castles in the world and famously inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. Built in the 19th century for King Ludwig II, it reflects a romantic vision of the Middle Ages rather than authentic medieval design. Cyclists on the Romantic Road routes often pause here for its storybook views.

Historic city of Würzburg, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

Würzburg Residence

A baroque masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Würzburg Residence is often called Germany’s Versailles. Inside, the grand staircase and frescoed ceilings by Tiepolo are among Europe’s finest examples of baroque art. The palace gardens add a calm pause for cyclists, combining cultural exploration with a chance to stroll shaded paths before continuing along the Romantic Road.

City-center square & transport hub with towering St. Peter's church, two town halls and a toy museum, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe.

Munich’s Main Square

Munich is Bavaria’s lively capital, with a historic core that blends Gothic and baroque architecture. Marienplatz, the city’s central square, is famous for its town hall and glockenspiel. Just a few steps away, Viktualienmarkt offers stalls of Bavarian specialties—perfect for a pre- or post-ride taste of local life. Dedicated bike lanes run through much of the city, making it surprisingly cycle-friendly for a metropolis.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This medieval walled town along the Romantic Road looks like it hasn’t changed in centuries. Cobbled streets, preserved towers, and colorful facades make it one of Germany’s best-preserved old towns. It’s a rewarding stop on cycling tours through Bavaria, with plenty of quiet squares and bakeries to pause between exploring the town’s historic gates and alleys.

Wörthsee Lake

Wörthsee covers about 4 square kilometers and is one of Bavaria’s warmest lakes, with summer water temperatures reaching 25°C. Its shores are dotted with small beaches, boat docks, and shady picnic spots, making it a favorite among locals for swimming and sailing. The surrounding countryside is easily explored by bike, with gentle paths looping through meadows and forests. On clear days, the distant Alps are visible across the lake’s shimmering surface.

Bamberg Old Town

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bamberg is famed for its medieval street layout, half-timbered houses, and riverside setting. The town is also known for its unique smoked beer (Rauchbier), brewed with malt dried over open flames. With canals weaving through the old town, Bamberg is often nicknamed “the Venice of Franconia.”

Landsberg am Lech

This Romantic Road town is known for its colorful pastel facades and the Gothic Bayertor, one of the best-preserved medieval city gates in Bavaria. The 15th-century Town Hall and the baroque Church of the Holy Cross showcase its rich architectural mix. Landsberg’s setting on the Lech River adds to its charm, with riverside paths perfect for a relaxed ride or evening stroll. Its lively main square is often filled with open-air cafés, making it a rewarding final stop of the journey.

Augsburg

Founded by the Romans in 15 BC, Augsburg is one of Germany’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The Renaissance Town Hall with its Golden Hall is considered one of the most important secular buildings north of the Alps. The Fuggerei, the world’s oldest social housing complex still in use, dates back to 1521 and continues to house residents for a symbolic rent. Cycling its narrow streets reveals a mix of medieval guild houses, fountains, and lively squares.

Danube Valley

The German section of the Danube Cycle Path is one of Europe’s classic cycling routes. Here, riders follow the river through Bavaria’s historic towns, baroque abbeys, and scenic river bends, before crossing into Austria.

Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

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Gentle terrain and strong cultural highlights make this one of the most accessible yet rewarding regions to explore by bike.

Regensburg Old Town

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage city with more than 2,000 years of history. Its medieval stone bridge, Gothic cathedral, and narrow alleys offer a dense cluster of sights just steps from the Danube. Cyclists can roll straight into the old town, lock up their bikes, and wander through one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval centers.

Passau

At the meeting point of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau is often the gateway to the Danube Cycle Path. Its pastel-colored old town is compact and easy to explore on foot, while the baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses one of the largest church organs in the world. It’s a natural starting point or finishing stop for Danube cycling holidays.

Weltenburg Abbey

Founded nearly 1,500 years ago, Weltenburg Abbey sits in a dramatic gorge along the Danube and is home to what many call the world’s oldest monastic brewery. The abbey church is a baroque jewel, while the riverside beer garden offers a classic Bavarian pause for cyclists. Many tours include this as a stop for both culture and refreshment.

Ulm Minster

Ulm is famous for its towering Gothic cathedral, which boasts the tallest church spire in the world at 161 meters. Climbing the spire offers panoramic views of the river and the surrounding countryside. For cyclists, Ulm is a cultural highlight that combines awe-inspiring architecture with a bustling town atmosphere, perfectly placed along the Danube route.

View from the Braunsberg Hainburg an der Donau

Donau-Auen

The Danube’s floodplain landscapes, known as the Donau-Auen, provide a natural counterpoint to the towns and cities along the route. These wetlands are rich in birdlife and crisscrossed with quiet paths and meadows. Cycling through them offers a serene pause between cultural stops, showing the Danube as both a historic and ecological corridor.

Elbe & Saxon Switzerland

The Elbe River flows through a landscape where culture and nature meet, linking the baroque elegance of Dresden with the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Saxon Switzerland.

Pink cherry blossoms frame the Dresden skyline across the river in spring.

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Elbe River Cycling Tour: Prague to Dresden

Gravel / E-bike

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Curious to find out more about cycling this path? Take a look at our Elbe path cycling guide.

Semperoper Opera House

The Semperoper is one of Europe’s great opera houses, famed for both its performances and ornate design. Even if you don’t attend a concert, admiring its richly decorated façade and riverside setting is worthwhile. Its position by the Elbe makes it an easy detour, and the square in front is often alive with street performers and local energy.

Bastei Bridge and Mesa Lilienstein, Saxon Switzerland, Saxony, Germany, Europe.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

The Bastei Bridge is the crown jewel of Saxon Switzerland, perched among jagged sandstone spires high above the Elbe River. Reached via a short climb from the cycle path, it offers dramatic views of cliffs, forests, and winding river bends below. It’s one of Germany’s most photographed landscapes and a must-see for riders passing through.

Side view of Konigstein fortress, Saxony (Germany)

Königstein Fortress

Towering over the Elbe Valley, Königstein Fortress is one of Europe’s largest hilltop strongholds. The site has served as a military base, a state prison, and now a museum, with massive walls that date back to the 13th century. Cyclists stopping here are rewarded with panoramic views that stretch far across Saxon Switzerland.

Meissen

Meißen is world-famous as the birthplace of European porcelain, and its old town is filled with charm. The Albrechtsburg Castle rises above the river, while the porcelain museum and workshops showcase centuries of craftsmanship. For cyclists, it’s a cultural stop that combines riverside views with an authentic slice of Saxon history.

Lake Constance & Swabia

Lake Constance (Bodensee) is one of Europe’s classic cycling regions, where Germany meets Switzerland and Austria.

Lion statue and lighthouse flanking a boat on Lake Constance with mountains in Lindau, Germany.