12 Unique Experiences You Can Only Get in Germany

With the Germany – Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) up and running, most of us are excited to visit Germany soon. But besides sightseeing in the famous city of Berlin, what else can we do in this beautiful European country?

 

More than just being known for a place with affordable beer, here are 12 wonderful experiences to check out in Germany!

 

Psst, as you read on, you’ll also find out that Germany holds several world records too!

 

1) Play on rides at a former nuclear power plant — Wunderland Kalkar

Photo credit: Wunderland Kalkar

This may be the only place in the world where you can play on a nuclear power plant, without worrying about radiation. 

Wunderland Kalkar was built on an old nuclear power plant that never went into operation due to construction problems and protests. It was later transformed into a hotel and theme park complex, even incorporating a 58m Vertical Swing ride into existing facilities like the cooling tower — a ride that involves spinning as you’re lifted up into the air on a swing!

Cost: From €27,95 (~S$44), varies depending on the date and time 

Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (Park may be closed during certain periods)

Address: Griether Straße 110-120, D-47546 Kalkar

 

2) Visit the world’s first dachshund museum — Dackelmuseum Kleine Residenz

Photo credit: Dackelmuseum Kleine Residenz

Dog-lovers will love this one! With over 4,500 exhibits, Dackelmuseum Kleine Residenz or Dachshund Museum Small Residence, is the world’s first museum dedicated to dachshunds. Here you’ll find 25 years worth of collection on all things dachshund on display — from toys and porcelain figurines to Christmas ornaments.

Cost: From €5,00 (S$8)

Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM 

Address: Große Messergasse 1, 94032 Passau

 

3) Listen to drain pipes sing — Kunsthofpassage Courtyard of Elements

Photo credit: Kunsthofpassage Dresden

Most rainy days can ruin your day’s plans but this may be the only place we’re hoping it rains. 

Only in Germany’s Kunsthofpassage neighbourhood can you listen to drain pipes sing. This beautiful blue building is covered with funnels and gutters zigzagging around windows. When rain falls, the pipes amplify the rain sounds to create music. 

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours 

Address: Kunsthofpassage, 01099 Dresden

 

4) Splurge on spaghetti-looking ice cream — Spaghettieis

Photo credit: @dafrancogelato via Instagram

Spaghetti or ice cream? You’ll only know if you try. Spaghetteis was invented by the son of an Italian immigrant and the owner of an ice cream shop in Germany. It’s popular among locals and you can find this dessert in restaurants across the country.

A traditionally savoury dish, you’ll be surprised to find the “spaghetti” made of vanilla ice-cream, the “tomato sauce” made of strawberry sauce and to top it off, the “parmesan cheese” made of white chocolate shavings. It can definitely be confusing if you aren’t a local!

 

5) Enter a magical and colourful cave of wonders — Saalfelder Feengrotten

Photo credit: Saalfelder Feengrotten

There are plenty of grottoes out in the world so what makes this one in Germany unique?

Saalfelder Feengrotten or Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are caverns of an old mine and are famous for their colourful mineral formations formed over the years — even earning them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most colorful cave grottoes in the world.

Cost: €13,00 (S$21)

Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM

Address: Feengrottenweg 2, 07318 Saalfeld

 

6) Squeeze into the narrowest street in the world — Spreuerhofstraße

Photo credit: @pozdniyepereselntsy via Facebook

Germany is yet another Guinness Book of World Records holder for having the world’s narrowest street.

Hidden in the small German town of Reutlingen is Spreuerhofstraße, a gap between two buildings measuring 31cm at its narrowest point and 50cm at its widest. Try squeezing through it but be careful not to get stuck!

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours

Address: Spreuerhofstraße, 72764 Reutlingen

 

7) Snap IG-worthy photos on a long inhabited bridge  — Krämerbrücke

Photo credit: German Embassy Singapore

Named the Merchants’ Bridge or Krämerbrücke, this is the longest series of inhabited buildings on any bridge in Europe. Spanning 120m long and with 32 houses of galleries, cafes and boutiques, there’s plenty of things to see on this medieval bridge. Not to mention the amazing sights you can capture here!

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours

Address: Krämerbrücke, Erfurt, 99084

 

8) Sail-ebrate at the world’s largest sailing festival — Kieler Woche

Photo credit: Kieler Woche

If you couldn’t already tell, Germany holds many world records. Adding to the list is Kieler Woche, the largest sailing festival in the world.

Travellers can expect sailing competitions, live concerts and spectacular parades featuring more than 100 ships and yachts. Fun fact: this is Germany’s second largest public festival, right under Oktoberfest.

Cost: Free

When: Held annually in the last week in June

Address: Soling 26, 24159 Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein

 

9) Get lost in an “alien” crop circle — The Goseck Circle

Photo credit: @ancientoriginsweb via Facebook

On the ground, it might just look like a random wooden ridge-like structure, but from above it resembles a crop circle created by aliens!

Not to fret though, it’s just a giant circular ridge found in Goseck, a small German town. While there’s nothing supernatural about it, it’s a major archeology discovery as it turned out to be the remains of an ancient solar observatory.

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours

Address: Goseck 06667

 

10) Marvel at a bridge built by “Satan” — Rakotzbrücke Devil's Bridge

Dangerous yet beautiful, Rakotzbrücke or devil’s bridge is a thin arched bridge purposely built to create a full circle when reflected over the water. 

The bridge is so dangerous that locals thought it must have been built by Satan and visitors aren’t allowed to cross over it. So remember, you can look from afar all you want, but no touching!

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours

Address: 6 Halbendorfer Street, Gablenz 02953

 

11) Drive through Germany’s most romantic road — Romantische Straße

Photo credit: Romantic Road Germany

A popular tourist spot in Germany but for good reason is Romantische Straße or Romantic Road. It spans from Würzburg to Füssen and is a picturesque route to go on a road trip with your significant other. As its name suggests, you’re sure to fall in love here — with the scenic views along the way.

Walk through charming historic towns, grand palaces and even a popular landmark rumoured to have inspired Sleeping Beauty’s fairytale castle — Neuschwanstein Castle.

Cost: Free

Opening hours: 24 hours

Address: Würzburg City (Starting point)

 

12) Indulge at the largest wine festival in the world — Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt

Photo credit: Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt

Many people know that Germany holds the world’s largest beer festival – Oktoberfest, but did you know they hold the world’s largest wine festival too? Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt has a history of more than 550 years! Besides the large selection of alcohol, visitors are treated to live music, carnival rides and fireworks.

From traditional wine stands to large halls, wine connoisseurs wouldn’t want to miss this!

Cost: Free

When: Held annually over two weekends in September (Cancelled in 2021 due to Covid-19)

Address: Kurbrunnenstraße, 67089 Bad Dürkheim

 

Some pro-tips before booking your VTL trip to Germany

Thinking of traveling from Singapore to Germany during this period? Here’s what you need to know about the Germany – Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).

 

When planning your trip, check if you’ve met the requirements for entry into Germany. Start booking your flights but make sure that your return to Singapore is on a designated VTL flight. 

 

If you’re an UOB Cardmember and are looking to save a few bucks, take note of these:

Flights: Get S$50 off Singapore Airlines flights to Frankfurt and Munich when you book via Trip.com

Accommodation: 9% off hotel bookings via Expedia

 

*Pro-tip: Be the first 500 to spend S$800 on selected travel-related merchants and receive a 20" Crossing luggage worth S$169!

 

Deals aside, ensure that you’re fully vaccinated and have downloaded your vaccination certificate. A PCR test is not required if you’re fully vaccinated currently, however, do check on the latest measures 3 days before your flight as these are constantly changing.

 

Even though we’re in this precarious situation now, we’re thankful that we can finally travel again! Take safety precautions and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in Germany!