Aerial view of the Rhine River near Originals Hotels in Germany

Travel Guide of West Germany

Western Germany is the first part of the country that many visitors from the UK see. Instead of travelling through to some of the more visited places of Germany in the country, like Berlin and Bavaria, stop in western Germany. Our hoteliers highly recommend the region; indeed it is not necessarily the heavily industrialised area you might think. North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate are both excellent tourist destinations with plenty of natural wonders as well as exciting towns and cities to explore. Sharing borders with the Benelux countries and France, Western Germany offers plenty attractions and things to do.

Nature préservée, Gastronomie, Découverte

West Germany: THE HOTELS

DISCOVER ALL HOTELS

West Germany: Be inspired

What to do, to see, to hear...

Bonn Bonn, the former capital of the old West German Republic, is the place to head if you love music because it was the birthplace of Beethoven and you can visit the composer's former home.

Rhine Valley A UNESCO World Heritage Site, much of the Rhine Valley offers stunning views and river trips that are unforgettable.

The Crater lakes The oddly beautiful blue crater lakes of the Eifel area are like few others in the whole of Europe. They were formed by volcanic activity centuries ago.

The Pflaz area Known across Germany for its great climate, the area of Pflaz sees lots of pink almond blossom each spring which is a joy to the senses.

Cologne The city of Cologne is something of an urban paradise with lots of parks to enjoy as well as a sumptuous twin-towered cathedral.

Teutoburg Forest The hilly Teutoburg Forest extends into Lower Saxony from North Rhine-Westphalia. If you like hill walking, then try heading up the 468-metre high Velmerstot, a gently inclining peak

Local Transportation in West Germany

Some cities, such as Münster and Dortmund, seem to be totally geared up for cyclists with plenty of road infrastructure given over to pedal power. All over West Germany, the roads are well-maintained and should cause you no trouble with navigation. ICE trains offer the fastest inter-city connections. If you are looking to stop at a regional station, then take an R service.

The Best Time to Go to West Germany

Spring is a good time to come to western Germany especially if you are seeking out its natural beauty. Many of the towns and cities of western Germany hold Christmas markets and festivals these days. Most will run from early December until the New Year is out. If you opt to come in the early autumn, then make a beeline for the Düsseldorf Festival which is staged in the second half of September every year. It features dance, music, circus performers and theatre.

Things to do in West Germany

West Germany has plenty of exciting activities, attractions and things to do that make the region worth visiting in their own right.

Tours along the Upper Rhine

Increasingly popular, river tours along the Upper Rhine that stop off for wine tasting at the vineyards that lie on its banks are run by a number of different operators.

Dortmund

Dortmund is a great place to go to if you want to enjoy a game of football as well as some of the best beer in the western part of Germany. It also has some of the greatest shopping in the region.

Aachen

Aachen has plenty to entertain visitors on a rainy day. It is home to virtual reality gaming centres, puzzle room experiences and several laser tag businesses.

Food and Drinks

There is little that marks out western Germany from the rest of the country in terms of its regional cuisine but you can still enjoy some fine dining in the area. Try Kaspar's Restaurant in Bonn, for example, as a place where you can enjoy good food on the banks of the Rhine.