Discover the cultural, historical and culinary experiences that make travelling in Northern Germany a complete adventure for travellers everywhere. It's a region with a truly remarkable culture, showing that Germany is much more than Berlin's techno beats and hot dogs.
Start with Hamburg: a bustling, entrepreneurial and fun city. Head to Bremen, the place where fairy tales begin and Germany's fairy tale road ends.
Then there's more princess-worthy wonders in Schwerin, with a palace that's every bit the equal of Disney's. And then slow down and head to the easy-going and oh-so-easy beach resort of Warnemünde. Not a bad way to spend a few days on the road.
1 Hamburg - high bar
Recommended number of days: 1
Hamburg is no stranger to success. Throughout its history, Hamburg has successfully developed international trade and today has more millionaires than any other German city.
But don't panic if your bank account balance is not that impressive. You can still have a great time in this lively port city, which is the first stop on your tour of northern Germany and where every traveller, whatever their mood or taste, will find something to do.
Start in Altstadt, the historic heart of the city. Then move into modernity with a visit to the Elbphilharmonie, a futuristic glass and brick building.
For a taste of old-world cleanliness, take a stroll through the red-light district of the Reeperbahn - after all, Hamburg was the home of sailors. Relax by the Binnenalster, one of the city's great lakes.
Get up early to check out the fresh fish at Altona Fischmarkt, where parrots and palm trees are also for sale by chance. And visit the Holsten Brewery - this is Germany, isn't it?
Don't miss this city on your itinerary in Northern Germany, even if it's just a weekend in this city full of history, wonderful museums and stunning architecture.
Visit
Kunsthalle
one of the most important art museums in Germany.
Historic Christmas Fair
everything from gingerbread to wood carvings.
Miniature Wunderland
The world's largest installation of model trains.
Parking
Landesbetrieb Verkehr, Hopfenmarkt €€€€
central uncovered parking.
Catering
Café Paris €€€
French brasserie in an Art Deco setting.
L'Orient €€
Lebanese food, very popular, book in advance.
Alt Helgoländer Fischerstube €€
modern adaptations of traditional seafood dishes.
Accommodation
Wohnmobilstellplatz Elbepark Bunthaus €€€€
quiet campsite; bus to town.
2 Next, the incomparably idyllic Bremen
Recommended number of days: 1
Bremen is the last stop on the 600 km (~373 miles) long German Fairy Tale Route - that should give you an idea of what's ahead. The popular Brothers Grimm fairy tale about the musicians of Bremen is just one of the reasons why this city is magical and romantic.
Hamburg calls itself "the gateway to the world", while Bremen likes to retort: "But we have the key". Head to the next stop on the Northern Germany tour and find out what they're talking about.
Start at Marktplatz Square, bounded by the magnificent Gothic cathedral and German two-storey houses. And of course, see the bronze sculpture of the Four Musicians of Bremen, whose story is reenacted by performers every Sunday.
Take a look around the narrow streets of Schnoorviertel, lined with artists selling everything from porcelain dolls to pipes, and consider buying all your Christmas shopping in one go. Then swap the cute stuff for the creepy stuff at Bremen Cathedral with its eight 400-year-old mummies in glass coffins.
Visit
Worpswede
a former artists' colony in the marshes.
Oldenburg
Historic town with a castle.
Universum
Interactive science exhibits that appeal to children.
Parking
Bürgerweide Theodor-Heuss-Allee 15 €€€
P+R 8 minutes by tram from the centre.
Catering
Bremer Ratskeller €€€
restaurant in the wine cellar under the town hall.
Scharfrichter Lounge €€
More than 100 types of cow meat are served.
Das Theaterschiff €€€
Floating restaurant overlooking the river.
Accommodation
Campingplatz Fährhaus €€€
riverside campsite 25 minutes' drive from Bremen.
3 To dream of fairy tales, head to Šverina
Recommended number of days: 1-2
For more of that wonderful German romance, look no further than the next stop on your tour of Northern Germany. In Schwerin stands a castle straight from the pages of a fairy tale.
Surrounded by lakes on an island, Schwerin Castle, with its 15 towers, onion-shaped domes and classic Hanseatic gables, is charmingly ornate. Once you've pretended to be a 14th-century courtier, you'll see that the rest of Schwerin is designed to delight.
Start at the Alter Garten, see the extravagant neo-Renaissance State Theatre and perhaps visit the Kunstsammlungen art museum. Climb to the top of the Gothic cathedral for views of the old town and the lake - don't let the 219 steps get the better of you.
Of course, a visit to the palace and its gardens, including the conservatory and ponds, is a must. Top tip: Before you go, stop by Der Käseladen Mühlenberg, a delicatessen with everything you need for a picnic fit for a king.
Visit
Galerie Alte & Neue Meister
a gallery with a large collection of Marcel Duchamp.
Mecklenburg State Theatre
watch a play, opera or ballet.
Ludwigslust Palace
are considered the Mecklenburg Versailles.
Parking
Nahverkehr Schwerin GmbH, Altstadt €€
central unfenced parking.
Catering
Buscheria €€
Modern bistro with seasonal offers.
Zum Freischütz €€
An atmospheric tavern with cheap meals.
Weinhaus Wöhler €€€
characterful old brewery with terrace.
Accommodation
Campingplatz Süduferperle €€€
lakeside campsite 20 minutes from Šverinas.
4 The last stop on your sightseeing tour is Warnemünde
Recommended number of days: 2
The last stop on your Northern Germany itinerary is a rest stop. The white sands of the Blue Flag beach resort of Varnemünde are the perfect complement to a trip full of culture and history.
Full of maritime charm, Varnemünde doesn't require much from visitors. It just encourages you to take your time, stroll along the promenade, eat lots of seafood and spend the afternoon in Strandkorb - a straw beach bag.
Take a stroll along the Alter Strom, a boat-lined main canal with charming houses. See Rathus, which looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie. Climb the 135-step spiral staircase of the lighthouse for spectacular views.
Bring ice-cream and people-watch on the beach, where you can also barbecue and build bonfires. And be sure to try the fischbroetchen, Warnemünde's famous fish sandwich, made with a variety of fish from halibut to herring.
Visit
Rostock Zoo
more than 4 000 animals.
Stasi-Knast Rostock
a former prison where you can learn about the Stasi.
Edvard-Munch-Haus
the house where the painter Edvard Munch lived.
Parking
Parkplatz Mittelmole €€
cheap parking near the quay.
Catering
Fischerklause €€€
Traditional German seafood at the pier.
Restaurant Hopfen Keller €€€
a steakhouse in the basement of a former brewery.
Herberts restaurant and café €€€
terrace with views.
Accommodation
Ostseecamp Rostocker Heide €€€€
Forest campsite near the beach.
