There’s always a good reason to visit Germany, and 2025 is no different. From events celebrating legendary composers and writers, to milestone anniversaries for national parks and walking trails, this European great has an abundance of cultural and natural highlights worth travelling for in the year ahead. The question is, where will you go?
To take an iconic road trip
Germany will celebrate not one, but two legendary road trips in 2025. The Romantic Road is the oldest holiday route in the country, and 2025 marks 75 years since its creation. It weaves more than 460km through 29 culture-filled towns, and past the much-loved 19th-century Neuschwanstein castle. Alternatively, the Fairytale Road is celebrating five decades of existence. It begins in the city of Hanau, the birthplace of Brothers Grimm, and continues to follow in their footsteps on a magical 600km route ending in Bremen, Northern Germany.
Read next: In the footsteps of the fairytale king in Germany
To celebrate a literary great in Lübeck
On 6 June 2025, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lübeck will celebrate the 150th birthday of renowned German writer Thomas Mann. Known for literary masterpieces like Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain, and Death in Venice, Mann’s legacy will be honoured with special festivities in his birthplace. While more events are still being planned, an exhibition dedicated to Mann’s political evolution, inspired by his 1950 speech ‘My Time’ has been confirmed to take place between 6 June 2025-18 January 2026.
Read next: Germany’s most charming towns
To hike a historic path in the Black Forest
In 2025, the iconic Westweg Trail celebrates its 125th birthday. Stretching 288 kilometres from Pforzheim to Basel, and divided into 12 legs, Germany’s oldest official hiking trails remains one of the most popular for outdoor enthusiast. Hiking through spruce forests, across historic bridges and along narrow mountain trails, you can soak in the best of the Black Forest’s scenery on this route, while stopping to enjoy local delicacies such as Black Forest ham and gâteau en route.
To appreciate an influential art movement in Dessau
A series of exhibitions are set to take place in Germany to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus in Dessau from 2025. Renowned for changing the direction of architectural design, Bauhaus is said to have been the single-most influential art school of the 20th century. The city of Dessau is home to three UNESCO-listed Bauhaus buildings, known for their simple, boxy designs, with the Bauhaus Museum Dessau dedicated to the story of the art movement. From 4 December 2025, the museum will host the Birthday Presents exhibition, while the following year will see another anniversary exhibition titled The Dessau Songbook.
To visit an enchanting new UNESCO Word Heritage Site
Nicknamed ‘Neuschwanstein of the North’, Schwerin Castle and its surrounding landscape were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024. Schwerin was once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and resided by the House of Mecklenburg dynasty. The current castle structure has existed since the late-19th century, and is something out of a fairytale, with numerous turrets and towers piercing the sky, while the interior features stunning chandeliers and stucco features with gilding detail. Beyond the castle, buildings including manors, churches, artillery barracks, a theatre and a railway station make up the UNESCO listing, which has more than 30 components.
Read next: This fairytale castle has just become Germany’s newest World Heritage Site
To enjoy the cultural capital of Chemnitz
In 2025, Chemnitz will shine as one of three European Capitals of Culture, showcasing its rich industrial heritage, creativity and modernist influences. This city was at the centre of Germany’s Industrial Revolution, being a world-leader in textile and machinery production – much of which can be learnt about at the permanent Chemnitz Museum of Industry. This year’s cultural programme will feature over 1,000 events including art exhibitions, musical performances and urban projects, with themes around community, innovation and cultural diversity.
To connect with nature in Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
Designated a national park 40 years ago, Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. These titles not only make the area desirable for travellers, but also provide this 10,000-year-old environment with the vital protection it needs. Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is home to the largest bird habitat in central Europe, with around 250 out of the 3,000-plus species here found only in the Wadden Sea’s salt marshes. Other wildlife to spot includes porpoises and seals. Visit during its anniversary year to celebrate this special ecosystem.
To celebrate the musical legacy of Bach in Leipzig
The Bach Festival in Leipzig will take place from 12-22 June 2025, celebrating the legacy of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach in the 275th anniversary year of his death. The event will feature a variety of concerts performed by renowned international and local artists and orchestras. Attendees can also participate in master classes, lectures, workshops and exhibitions to gain deeper insight into Bach’s music. Set in historic venues like the St. Thomas Church, where Bach once worked, this festival offers a unique opportunity to experience his timeless compositions in an authentic setting.
