The Best Cultural Experiences in Germany

Visitors will be spoilt for choice by the number of cultural experiences in Germany when deciding what to do and see during a trip. To help narrow this down here are some of the very best things you may want to try when visiting this centrally placed country:

Attend an Opera

With a long and illustrious history of opera, and with prices a steal compared to British and American tickets, the opera is a great place for cultural experiences in Germany. Some of the best include Bayerisches Staatsoper in Munich which attracts top singers. Other notable venues include Komisches Oper in Berlin, the legendary Semper Opera House in Dresden, Festspielhouse in Baden-Baden and Aalto Theatre, Essen.

Enjoy A Handball Game

German people adore handball, so get in on the act and find yourself a handball game to visit. Although football is a national sport, those who visit often don't realise just how popular handball actually is, and it is played in a range of areas, not least in smaller cities which do not attract football crowds. The game attracts large numbers, and the German handball league is considered to be the best on the international circuit.

Visit A Museum

As with the opera you will find it difficult not to come across a museum when looking for cultural experiences in Germany as there are more than 6,200! Just by walking into any city centre you will come across a good selection, and some to consider visiting include:

Germanisches Nationalmuseum

Situated in Nürnberg this is the largest museum of art and culture in the country with an array of paintings, sculpture, crafts, weapons, textiles and early scientific instruments.

Deutsches Museum

Munich is the place to visit if you want to explore collections covering science, astronomy and technology.

Neandertal Museum

As it's name suggests this museum near Düsseldorf houses the very first discoverys of Neanderthal Man in 1856 and shows the evolution of mankind. Outside is an archaelogical park with a stone age workshop amongst other things.

Museum für Naturkunde

This natural history museum in Berlin has collections that will appeal to the whole family including the world's largest dinosaur skeleton.

Hike The Alps!

Germany is perfectly placed for hiking the alps and there are a range of trails and points of interest. A few of the key ones include a visit to Zugspitze which is Germany's highest peak which could take two days to climb for those fit enough, or you can enjoy a trip to the top by cable car. A stunning vista awaits at Partnachklamm which is one of Germany's most beautiful gorges, and visitors can experience traditional Bavarian hospitality in mountain huts.

Listen To An Orchestra

Classical operas are a must for many tourists to Germany, and there are approximately 50 symphony orchestras in the country with a history that goes back many decades and includes as number of famous composers, conductors and soloists. Try the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian State Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic to name a few of the top orchestras.

Hang Out In A Kneipe

For a typical German experience do as the locals do and visit a Kneipe, or pub. These tend to be found in more working-class neighbourhoods and there are lots of them around. They offer an authentic experience of the country with tasty food in a homely, traditional venue.

Experience a Gallery

Germany is an eclectic mix of the old and new, not least in it's many art galleries which can be found throughout the country. Some to try out include the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin with sculpture and paintings from the 19th century and many highlights from key art movements. The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister is located in Dresden and is renowned for Baroque and Renaissance Collections, and the Bauhaus Museum in Berlin is a delight for those who like modern 20th century styles of art.