4 unforgettable cities in northern Germany

Exploring Hamburg often feels like a treasure hunt. Vast warehouses contain third-wave coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants. Long waterfronts offer travellers the chance to see Germany's second-largest city from new perspectives. No matter which neighbourhood you choose to explore, you're sure to discover something unforgettable. 

• On a sunny day, there’s nothing like renting a canoe or paddleboard and exploring the Outer Alster, stopping for lunch at one of the many waterside restaurants on the lakeshore.
• The fun continues at Miniatur Wunderland, said to be the world´s largest model railway, located in Hamburg’s UNESCO-recognised Speicherstadt. 
• Jumpstart your day in Hamburg with a visit to the Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei to pick up yout favourite caffeinated beverage.

Founded in the 1100s, Lübeck was once the “Queen City of the Hanseatic League,” a significant trading hub.

Today, travellers can meander through its Old Town, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, getting lost in its charming courtyards and twisting passageways. 

• Spend time wandering through Lübeck's Old Town, ducking down quiet lanes and taking a moment to relax in its peaceful courtyards. 
• Don't miss the Holstentor gate, constructed in the 1400s, one of the city's most iconic structures. 
• Sample some of  Lübeck's  famous marzipan, which can be purchased at sweet shops as well as at the Marzipan Museum. 

Lavish architecture and serene greenspaces come together in Potsdam, a small city just outside Berlin. Travellers can find plenty of places to luxuriate among the palaces and parks dotted across the city. 

• Spend time relaxing in the city’s lush parks and visiting its palaces, beginning with Sanssouci, Frederick the Great’s grand summer residence.
• A network of walking paths can be taken to reach the New Palace, Charlottenhof Palace, and other luxe highlights in Potsdam. 
• Take time to find Ruinenberg, a park area with enormous columns that seem straight out of ancient Rome, plus a tower that offers a sweeping view of Sanssouci Park and beyond.

Bernd Neff, owner and general manager of Berlin Travel Club and Berlin Travel Festival, has called Berlin home for more than three decades. In late 2023, he shared his tips for making the most of a trip to his city. 

What makes Berlin a special place? “The quality of life that you have here," Neff said. "You have the creativity, you have the internationality, you have the openness and the tolerance.” 

• Spend time getting to know Berlin's vast arts scene. “I really recommend Fotografiska, a very new photography museum,” said Neff. “There’s also C/O Berlin, another photography museum, and the Neue Nationalgalerie is definitely a place that you need to visit.” 
• Don't forget about the nature surrounding Berlin. "When you look at the map of Berlin, it is actually super green," Neff said. He recommends travellers explore the Tiergarten and some of the lakes in the area, such as the Tegeler See and Müggelsee. 
• Save time to experience sunset at Teufelsberg, a forest in the west of Berlin. "From there, you can see the whole city," Neff said.