Spectacular views: Germany at your feet

Top of Germany

Aussichtsplattform AlpspiX vor Garmisch-Partenkirchen ©Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (fendstudios.com)

Zugspitze (Bavaria)

At 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is the highest peak in Germany, which naturally makes it a spectacular viewpoint. A cable car runs up to the summit above Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From the panoramic windows of the striking mountain station hewn into the rock, visitors can enjoy an amazing view of around 400 alpine peaks in four countries. And for an extra thrill, you can step out onto the Alpspix viewing platform, a steel walkway suspended over the precipice. From this lofty height, you can enjoy a bird's eye perspective of curious giant mountain formations and untamed valleys – an exhilarating alpine adventure between heaven and earth.

Impressively steep

Bremm:The Calmont, Europe's steepest vineyard, view over the Moselle at dusk ©Getty Images (Jörg Greuel)

Calmont by the Moselle River (Rhineland-Palatinate)

It's really steep! At just short of 400 metres, the Calmont in the Moselle Valley may not be a particularly high hill, but it is extremely steep. The grapevines are its remarkable feature: they cover its slopes with gradients of up to 65 degrees, making it one of the steepest vineyards in the world. A rocky trail leads up the hillside. Anyone attempting this very demanding tour can look forward to the most scenic reward. From the summit, you can look down over the gently flowing Moselle River, which carves a perfectly shaped loop through the rocks here. Surrounded by shimmering water, on the headland you can see the ruins of Stuben Abbey, now an atmospheric backdrop for cultural events such as jazz concerts.

A throne in nature

Nationalpark Jasmund: The landmark of Rügen - the 'Königsstuhl' ©Nationalpark-Zentrum Königsstuhl Sassnitz (Peter Lehmann)

Königsstuhl on Rügen (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)

The best view is naturally reserved for the King. So it's only fitting that a rocky spur with the name Königsstuhl (King's Chair) is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Germany. Where can you find it? In the far north-east of Germany, on the country's largest island: the Baltic Sea island of Rügen. The Königsstuhl is the highest peak in Rügen's chalk cliffs and is located in the Jasmund National Park. The coastal formation here features striking, deeply fissured and brilliantly white chalk cliffs. A long time ago, German painter Caspar David Friedrich was entranced by the view. He captured this natural scene on canvas around 200 years ago and created a painting that's now world famous. Anyone climbing the 118-metre Königsstuhl today can look forward to majestic views over the deep blue Baltic Sea and lush green beech forests.

Urban summiteering

Berlin: Gasometer in Berlin Schöneberg in the evening sun ©AdobeStock (thign)

Gasometer (Berlin)

Be warned, this adventure needs a head for heights! 420 steps lead up steeply between steel struts to the top ring of the Berlin Gasometer. The former gas container in the district of Schöneberg is now an industrial monument. Visitors can take a guided tour to find out more about how it works, and – the absolute highlight – enjoy a tremendous view of the city by the Spree from a height of almost 80 metres. From this impressive height, the entire city is at your feet: the Zoological Garden, Reichstag building, Victory Column – a 360° view of Berlin!

A scholarly stroll

Heidelberg: The castle overlooks the city and the Neckar valley, sunset ©DZT (Markus Pioro)

Heidelberg Philosophers' Walk (Baden-Württemberg)

Covering a distance of some two kilometres, the Philosophers' Walk high above the venerable university city of Heidelberg offers picturesque panoramic views and may even inspire some wise insights. The view from this sunny natural balcony takes in the harmonious triad of Heidelberg old town, the gently flowing River Neckar and the surrounding mountains, including the Königsstuhl, the city's local mountain. Lots of benches along the way offer top-tier uninterrupted views and invite you to linger for a while. And, thanks to its sunny location, cypresses, gorse, lemon trees and palms thrive almost as well on the Philosophers' Walk as in Tuscany. The name of the walk is thought to be a reference to its popularity among Heidelberg students in days gone by as a place for romantic and secluded strolls.

Picturesque vistas

Saxon Switzerland: Hiking in the Elbsanstein Mountains ©DZT (Jens Wegener)

Bastei, near Rathen (Saxony)

At the Bastei and Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland, you can look forward to unforgettable views with that 'wow' factor. The curious rock formations near the Czech border transport you to a fairy-tale world that might even tempt you to look out for elves and trolls. From the viewing platform on the Bastei, a magnificent natural spectacle unfolds before your eyes. This vantage point high up on the cliffs offers extensive views over the picturesque Elbe Valley and the deeply fissured Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The most beautiful view on the 77-metre-long Bastei Bridge with its seven impressive stone arches is from the "Ferdinandstein" – an unforgettable and achingly beautiful panorama.

From the temple of music

Hamburg: Elbphilharmonie at sunrise ©Hamburg Marketing GmbH (Cooper Copter GmbH)

Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg)

The Elbphilharmonie isn't just an impressive building in its own right, it also offers one of the most captivating views over the city of Hamburg, the "Jewel of the North". The spectacular concert hall constructed in 2016 in the HafenCity district features an inviting terrace from which visitors can enjoy bird's eye views over Hamburg, from the bustling activity of the harbour to the traditional landing stages and the city's striking church towers, including the "Michel". An 80-metre-long escalator transports you up to the platform of the "Elphi". Those lucky enough to have got hold of concert tickets for this new temple of music can enjoy the panoramic vistas from even higher up through the concave and convex shaped windows.

Greetings from Hercules

Kassel: View from the cascades in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe ©AdobeStock (fotobeam.de)

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel (Hesse)

Europe's largest hillside park is located in the documenta city of Kassel and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. This natural plateau is called Wilhelmshöhe and guarantees breathtaking views. The best vantage point is beside the copper statue of the Greek demigod Hercules. He's staring out across the city. Visitors can follow his example. From a height of 530 metres, you can enjoy a view of the densely wooded hillside park, with Wilhelmshöhe Palace and Löwenburg Castle in the distance and, on a clear day, the Harz and Rhön mountains on the horizon.