Top 10: Germany′s largest cities | All media content | DW | 09.03.2020

Visit the new DW website

Take a look at the beta version of dw.com. We're not done yet! Your opinion can help us make it better.

Go to the new dw.com

We use cookies to improve our service for you. You can find more information in our data protection declaration.

More info OK
  1. Inhalt
  2. Navigation
  3. Weitere Inhalte
  4. Metanavigation
  5. Suche
  6. Choose from 30 Languages

Travel

Top 10: Germany's largest cities

Berlin, Hamburg, Munich — Germany has many cities worth seeing. Let us introduce you to the 10 largest and their characteristics and tourist highlights.

  • Germany| Berlin | Panorama | Skyline (imago images/Panthermedia)

    Berlin

    The undisputed number 1 is the German capital of Berlin with almost 3.8 million inhabitants. Every district has its own unique atmosphere: chic, grungy, hip, international. Of course, there are plenty of places of interest here, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. And rising above it all is the iconic TV tower at 368 meters (1,207 ft).

  • Hamburg Binnenalster with town hall

    Hamburg

    Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city with almost 1.9 million inhabitants. The striking northern city on the Elbe offers maritime flair and elegant buildings, especially along the Binnenalster (picture). The weather here in the north does not always play along, but there is still a lot to see on a tour. For example the Speicherstadt with old warehouses and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

  • Germany Munich cityscape (picture-alliance/Arco Images)

    Munich

    Munich, the third-largest city in Germany, has over 1.5 million inhabitants. Tradition and the cozy Bavarian "Gemütlichkeit" shape this southern city. It is not uncommon to encounter people wearing traditional clothing on the streets, especially during the Oktoberfest, the largest public festival in the world. Hearty cuisine and good beer are of course a must when visiting Munich.

  • View of Cologne city center with cathedral (picture-alliance/J. Schwenkenbecher)

    Cologne

    Almost 1.1 million people live in Cologne on the Rhine River. What the Oktoberfest is for Munich, "Karneval" is for the Rhinelanders. Dressed in colorful costumes, revelers take to the streets to celebrate. In general, cheerfulness is a trademark of the open-minded people of Cologne. They are not only proud of their carnival traditions, but also of their landmark, the Cologne Cathedral (picture).

  • View of Frankfurt from the riverbank (picture-alliance/dpa/F. Rumpenhorst)

    Frankfurt am Main

    Frankfurt is Germany's banking metropolis with over 752,000 inhabitants. The city on the Main River is also called "Mainhattan" because of its many skyscrapers. On the opposite side of the river you'll find a fabulous view of the skyline — best enjoyed with a glass of "Äppelwoi", apple wine from the region. While here don't miss the town hall, called "Römer", as well as the newly-built old town.

  • New Castle in Baden-Baden. Fotolia/World travel images)

    Stuttgart

    Stuttgart has a population of around 635,000 and is home to the Swabians, who are known as hard-working and thrifty. Hearty food and good wine are typical for the region. The city also offers a lot of art and culture. Especially beautiful is the "Neues Schloss" or New Castle in the city center (picture). Stuttgart is perfect for car fans with its two museums: the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museum.

  • Marina with Gehry buildings in the evening light in Düsseldorf

    Düsseldorf

    Some 620,000 people live in Düsseldorf, putting the North Rhine-Westphalian state capital in 7th place among Germany's major cities. The Rhine metropolis is known for fashion and art. Luxury stores line the shopping mile Königsallee, or "Kö" for short. Along the river, you can enjoy a wonderful walk to the Media Harbor (picture) with its extraordinary buildings designed by famous architects.

  • Booming metropolis Leipzig (picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas)

    Leipzig

    Leipzig, with almost 602,000 inhabitants, attracts mainly young and creative people, because rents here are still modest and there is plenty of room for experimentation. Leipzig is therefore also called the "new Berlin" or "Hypezig". The university is located in the middle of the compact town center, surrounded by many shopping facilities, restaurants and parks — making it a very liveable city.

  • The creative center Dortmunder U (DW/C. Machhaus)

    Dortmund

    In 9th place with around 601,700 inhabitants is Dortmund, the largest city in the Ruhr area. This region in western Germany was once dominated by the coal and steel industry. Many industrial monuments such as the old Phoenix-West blast furnace plant in Dortmund are a reminder of this time. The landmark of the city is the Dortmunder U, a center for art and creativity (picture).

  • UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein (Thomas Willemsen/Stiftung Zollverein)

    Essen

    Essen is also located in the Ruhr area. Around 591,000 people live here. During World War II about 90% of the city center was destroyed. Essen might not shine with beautiful architecture, but it has a lot of green and a World Cultural Heritage Site, the Zeche Zollverein. The former coal mine these days is home to exhibitions, events, a swimming pool and plenty of space to enjoy life.


  • Germany| Berlin | Panorama | Skyline (imago images/Panthermedia)

    Berlin

    The undisputed number 1 is the German capital of Berlin with almost 3.8 million inhabitants. Every district has its own unique atmosphere: chic, grungy, hip, international. Of course, there are plenty of places of interest here, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. And rising above it all is the iconic TV tower at 368 meters (1,207 ft).

  • Hamburg Binnenalster with town hall

    Hamburg

    Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city with almost 1.9 million inhabitants. The striking northern city on the Elbe offers maritime flair and elegant buildings, especially along the Binnenalster (picture). The weather here in the north does not always play along, but there is still a lot to see on a tour. For example the Speicherstadt with old warehouses and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

  • Germany Munich cityscape (picture-alliance/Arco Images)

    Munich

    Munich, the third-largest city in Germany, has over 1.5 million inhabitants. Tradition and the cozy Bavarian "Gemütlichkeit" shape this southern city. It is not uncommon to encounter people wearing traditional clothing on the streets, especially during the Oktoberfest, the largest public festival in the world. Hearty cuisine and good beer are of course a must when visiting Munich.

  • View of Cologne city center with cathedral (picture-alliance/J. Schwenkenbecher)

    Cologne

    Almost 1.1 million people live in Cologne on the Rhine River. What the Oktoberfest is for Munich, "Karneval" is for the Rhinelanders. Dressed in colorful costumes, revelers take to the streets to celebrate. In general, cheerfulness is a trademark of the open-minded people of Cologne. They are not only proud of their carnival traditions, but also of their landmark, the Cologne Cathedral (picture).

  • View of Frankfurt from the riverbank (picture-alliance/dpa/F. Rumpenhorst)

    Frankfurt am Main

    Frankfurt is Germany's banking metropolis with over 752,000 inhabitants. The city on the Main River is also called "Mainhattan" because of its many skyscrapers. On the opposite side of the river you'll find a fabulous view of the skyline — best enjoyed with a glass of "Äppelwoi", apple wine from the region. While here don't miss the town hall, called "Römer", as well as the newly-built old town.

  • New Castle in Baden-Baden. Fotolia/World travel images)

    Stuttgart

    Stuttgart has a population of around 635,000 and is home to the Swabians, who are known as hard-working and thrifty. Hearty food and good wine are typical for the region. The city also offers a lot of art and culture. Especially beautiful is the "Neues Schloss" or New Castle in the city center (picture). Stuttgart is perfect for car fans with its two museums: the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museum.

  • Marina with Gehry buildings in the evening light in Düsseldorf

    Düsseldorf

    Some 620,000 people live in Düsseldorf, putting the North Rhine-Westphalian state capital in 7th place among Germany's major cities. The Rhine metropolis is known for fashion and art. Luxury stores line the shopping mile Königsallee, or "Kö" for short. Along the river, you can enjoy a wonderful walk to the Media Harbor (picture) with its extraordinary buildings designed by famous architects.

  • Booming metropolis Leipzig (picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas)

    Leipzig

    Leipzig, with almost 602,000 inhabitants, attracts mainly young and creative people, because rents here are still modest and there is plenty of room for experimentation. Leipzig is therefore also called the "new Berlin" or "Hypezig". The university is located in the middle of the compact town center, surrounded by many shopping facilities, restaurants and parks — making it a very liveable city.

  • The creative center Dortmunder U (DW/C. Machhaus)

    Dortmund

    In 9th place with around 601,700 inhabitants is Dortmund, the largest city in the Ruhr area. This region in western Germany was once dominated by the coal and steel industry. Many industrial monuments such as the old Phoenix-West blast furnace plant in Dortmund are a reminder of this time. The landmark of the city is the Dortmunder U, a center for art and creativity (picture).

  • UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein (Thomas Willemsen/Stiftung Zollverein)

    Essen

    Essen is also located in the Ruhr area. Around 591,000 people live here. During World War II about 90% of the city center was destroyed. Essen might not shine with beautiful architecture, but it has a lot of green and a World Cultural Heritage Site, the Zeche Zollverein. The former coal mine these days is home to exhibitions, events, a swimming pool and plenty of space to enjoy life.


More in the Media Center

Dokus KW 2 | Mit dem Zug durch Japans Süden

Southern Japan by rail 03.06.2021

More from German News Service

Why the South American country is anything but enthusiastic about these immigrants.

The German anti-vaxxers in Paraguay 18.08.2022

DW talks to epidemiologist Ralf Reintjes from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.

The pros and cons of relaxing COVID restrictions 18.08.2022

Afghan refugees urge Germany to honor its promises Ort: Berlin Schlagwörter: Afghanistan, Germany, refugees, Berlin Sendedatum: 18.08.2020 Rechte: DW Bildbeschreibung: Afghans in Berlin stage a demonstration

Afghan refugees urge Germany to honor its promises 18.08.2022

Made in Germany oceanfloor

Mining on the ocean - deep sea in danger? 16.08.2022

Read also

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - APRIL 09: VfL Wolfsburg fans show their support prior to the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and DSC Arminia Bielefeld at Volkswagen Arena on April 09, 2022 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Bundesliga ticket prices: Borussia Dortmund pricey, Bayern Munich among cheapest 04.08.2022

How much does it cost to attend a Bundesliga game? Which club offers the cheapest tickets? Can you really watch Bayern Munich every week for less than €10? And why is DW considering buying a season ticket at Wolfsburg?

26.10.2021, Lufthansa: Geparkte Maschinen der Kranichairline am Frankfurter Flughafen

Lufthansa cancels almost all flights in Germany over planned Wednesday strike 26.07.2022

Ahead of a planned strike on Wednesday, Lufthansa announced it is cancelling flights at airports in Frankfurt and Munich. Both cities are hubs for the German carrier.

27.07.2022 Cancelled flights are displayed on the flight board at the international airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Lufthansa went for a 24-hours-strike on Wednesday, most of the Lufthansa flights had to be cancelled. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Germany: Lufthansa ground staff strike, hundreds of flights canceled 27.07.2022

The carrier's ground staff went on strike, prompting more than 1,000 flights to be canceled. The walkout comes as the air travel industry faces several crises.

30.10.2021, Luftfahrt. Lufthansa Maschine am Frankfurter Flughafen Fraport.

German union calls for Lufthansa ground staff to strike 25.07.2022

The all-day strike on Wednesday is expected to cause flight cancellations and delays — adding to the travel chaos that has plagued German airports this summer.