The Creepy Rakotzbrucke Devil’s Bridge
The Rakotzbrucke Devil’s Bridge can be found in Gablenz, Saxony. It was completely free to visit to the public, other than a $1 parking fee. This stunning bridge is an example of Gothic architecture, with a unique curve that reflects into the water below. It has become so popular amongst tourists due to the fact that the arch appears more like a ring when viewed from a specific angle. According to the locals, the bridge was built with the help of the devil himself.
The bridge has been closed off to the public due to its age and general wear and tear. Despite this, the Rakotzbrucke remains one of Germany's most unique and historical landmarks.
A Cow Parade That Goes Through the Bavarian Alps
Every country has its own unique festivals and traditions that other nationalities might find a bit odd. For example, Spain has the bull run, while Switzerland is known for its cheese-rolling festivals. In Germany, one of the most beloved and famous traditions has to be the iconic cow parade. Every year, this takes place in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, and is completely free to attend. The aim of the parade is to show off the Bavarian Alps, as well as the cows themselves. The cows spend the entire Summer grazing on the lush alpine meadows, only to be dressed up as beautifully as possible and herded down the mountains by their owners.
Essentially, the festival is a celebration of the country's harvest season. Bovine activists around the world are obsessed with this festival, making it a yearly German attraction.
The Sloshy Mud Olympics
The German Mud Olympics is an annual event that the residents of Brunsbuttel always look forward to. While most athletes dread playing their respective sports in the rain and mud, it’s a little different in this part of Germany. The official name of this sporting event is Wattolympiade, and it is a celebration of muddy athletics. It’s significantly harder to play most sports in muddy conditions - which is exactly how these athletes like it. This sporting event has taken place every year since 1978. Not only do the athletes enjoy the competition, but it also attracts thousands of spectators from across the country.
You can watch sports such as football, volleyball and handball at the event. On top of this, the participants always go out of their way to design the craziest costumes possible.
Finger Pulling Competitions
Germany is home to a number of crazy competitions. From the Mud Olympics to log rolling - you will find it all. However, nothing seems quite as strange as the annual Finger Pulling Championships. Essentially, two competitors will insert their pointer fingers into a Fingerhakeln, which can be rather difficult to remove. As a result, they will compete to see who can release their finger first, which usually requires quite a bit of force. While the competition might seem simple, it is actually incredibly fierce.
In fact, competitors will train for months prior to the event, which shows how seriously the Germans actually take it. With that being said, it does lack major sponsors, such as Nike. Even so, the competitors are hopeful for the future.
A Stairway to Nowhere, Heaven, or Who Knows Where
Munich is a city filled with a number of weird and wonderful things. In fact, it is considered one of the most vibrant and unique locations in the world. If you are an art enthusiast, you will be sure to love this particular attraction. In the heart of the city, you will find the Umschreibung, which is essentially a sculpture featuring a spiral staircase. However, unlike most staircases, this sculpture leads up into the sky before spiraling back down again. In other words, it leads nowhere. The staircase was designed to challenge traditional ideas of growth and progress.
While most people consider progress to be linear, it actually includes a number of highs and lows, such as this staircase. There is no denying the fact that this is a unique and thought-provoking attraction.
The David Hasselhoff Museum
David Hasselhoff was one of the biggest stars of his day. In fact, Germany has never quite gotten over his stardom, which is why it opened their very own David Hasselhoff museum. There, you will find a number of trinkets from his career, including the very same costume that he wore during his time on Baywatch. On top of this, the museum is home to the talking car featured in his hit series Knight Rider. There is so much to see and do at this museum that it is a standout attraction in the city of Berlin.
You will even be able to take a photo with a David Hasselhoff cutout or enjoy a themed cocktail at the iconic museum bar.
Awesome Oktoberfest
When most people think of Germany, they are sure to think of Oktoberfest. This iconic festival is undoubtedly one of the main tourist attractions in the country. In fact, it attracts thousands of people from around the world every year. Held in Munich, Bavaria, there is so much to see and do at this celebration of authentic German culture. From traditional German music to pretzel stands and all-you-can-drink beer, you will never get bored at Oktoberfest. The first ever Oktoberfest took place in 1810 and has played an integral role in German culture ever since.
Every year, breweries release their very own Oktoberfest specials. More so, visitors are able to indulge in authentic German cuisines, such as Currywurst, Bratwurst, and Doner Kebap.
The Berlin Wall "Art Gallery"
The Berlin Wall is one of the most significant pieces of German history. It is a constant reminder of the atrocities of the past, motivating people around the world to push for a better future. For this reason, the German people have made it their mission to keep the memory alive by scattering numerous memorials of the Berlin Wall around the city. For example, if you visit the East Side Gallery, you will find a mile-long stretch of the wall decorated with colorful graffiti and artwork. You can also view the official Berlin Wall Memorial.
Here, you will notice original watch towers, as well as ‘death strips’. The Checkpoint Charlie Museum is another iconic memorial site in Berlin, exploring the history of the Berlin Wall.
Treasure Vault of Items From The Neverending Story
The Neverending Story is one of the most iconic movies of all time. Even though the film is quite old, it is still a fan-favorite in Germany. For this reason, just outside of Munich, you will be able to find a dedicated Neverending Story amusement park. This location offers a special, behind-the-scenes look at the beloved film. There, you can see the exact puppets and models used in the film, including the Luck Dragon.
On top of this, the studio features exhibits from other iconic films, including Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If you fancy yourself a film enthusiast, the Bavaria Filmstadt is a must-see attraction.
Roman Festivals
Germany is known for its over-the-top festivals and celebrations. This includes their iconic Swords, Bread, and Games festival, which is essentially the world’s largest Roman celebration. This festival takes place every second year in a town called Xanten, famous for its rich Roman history. Strangely enough, the festival is used to symbolize the taking and stealing from commoners. With that being said, the festival is still incredibly fun, with a number of games and competitions on offer.
The festival takes place over an entire week, attracting tourists and locals from far and wide. It is certainly something that must be seen to be believed.
The Cold War Devils Mountain NSA Spy Station
In Berlin, you will be able to find an abandoned NSA field station. The landmark, known as Teufelsberg or Devil’s Mountain, is set on top of an artificial hill made using the rubble of 400,000 buildings destroyed during World War 2. This structure was essentially used by the US to eavesdrop on East Berlin during the Cold War. However, after the Berlin Wall was destroyed, the center was completely abandoned - but not destroyed.
Today, visitors can walk around the remains of the buildings, and it's a popular spot for industrial and alternative photography.
The Breathtaking Bastei
Germany is famous for its many medieval castles and structures. However, none quite compare to The Bastei. This blast from the past is located in Lohmen, Germany, and was constructed during the 11th century, making it one of the oldest remaining structures in the country. Even though the majority of the structure was destroyed by besieging armies over a century ago, people still visit the ruins. Additionally, the Bastei is surrounded by a valley of stunning sandstone mesas, making for quite the spectacle.
On top of this, the area is very popular amongst rock climbers. You wouldn't catch us on these cliffs, but if you fancy yourself a mountain goat, this is the place to be.
Hanging Items That Are Lost in Trees
Germans have a number of weird and unique habits. One of these habits is tree hanging. If you ever visit the country, you may be surprised to find a number of random objects hung in trees, such as socks, shoes, gloves, or even wallets. As it turns out, Germans believe that hanging lost items in trees will help the owner find them again. While some people may find this habit weird, it is actually a clear sign of how helpful and selfless German people are.
While most people would simply steal a lost wallet for themselves, Germans are much more likely to try and find the rightful owner.
The Lush Auerworld Palace
The Auerworld Palace is yet another art sculpture that attracts thousands of tourists every year. Created by Marcel Kalberer, this living sculpture took over 300 people to construct in 1998. Designed by weaving living saplings together, Kalberer was able to create a domed cathedral using techniques popular amongst ancient Sumerians. There are a number of structures just like this one across Europe. However, The Auerworld Palace is by far the most popular and impressive.
This beautiful natural structure is well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy seeing nature, albeit human-assisted, at its finest.
Sausages Available in Vending Machines
When you think of authentic German cuisine, you are more than likely to think of sausages. Sausages are an incredibly popular meal choice across Germany and form the base of the country's most iconic dishes, including currywurst and bratwurst. If you’re ever in Germany and feel like a sausage, you won’t have to look very far. In fact, while most countries use vending machines to sell snacks and junk food, Germany has vending machines dedicated specifically to sausages.
Look, we love a good sausage, especially if it's German, but this is definitely a bit of a strange one. Imagine walking up to a vending machine for a packet of gummies only to see this? Odd.
The World’s Narrowest Street
It’s no secret that Europe has some of the narrowest streets in the world. However, Germany takes the title for housing the narrowest street in the world: Spreuerhofstrasse. If you have claustrophobia, we wouldn’t recommend visiting this particular attraction. The street extends up to 65 feet in length while only measuring about a foot in width. This street was the result of a lack of space during the 18th century.
As a result, houses were built incredibly close together, resulting in narrow streets that even people struggled to pass through comfortably.
Pillow Fighting Is Considered Illegal
According to German law, a pillow is considered to be a weapon. For this reason, if you hit someone with a pillow, you have technically assaulted them, which could result in arrest. To be more specific, pillows are a form of passive weapon used to shield or protect oneself from harm. We aren’t quite sure how popular pillow fights are anymore, but one thing is for sure: If you’re ever in Germany, be careful not to whack anyone over the head with your pillow, especially if there are police nearby.
We aren't sure who came up with the idea that pillows are considered as a weapon, but they must have had a big thing against the creature comforts of life.
There Are Places With No Speed Limit
If you’re a car fanatic, Germany should definitely be up there on your list of to-visit places. Not only is the country home to some of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, but it also has numerous museums you can visit. On top of this, it is one of the only countries in the world that does not have a speed limit (on certain roads). The Autobahn refers to the highway system in Germany, where there is no speed limit in place.
For this reason, cars often travel more than 200 km/hour. However, it is worth noting that a Bugatti owner once received a fine for traveling over 400 km/hour… So there are some restrictions.
Fake Bus Stops
Germany is known for its well-maintained public transport system. In fact, you will find working bus stops around every corner in every town. However, if you ever see one of these signs, you will end up waiting indefinitely for your bus. This is due to the fact that this bus stop is actually fake. In fact, they are strategically placed around old age and nursing homes so that any wandering residents with Alzheimer’s are not able to board a bus unattended.
Whenever a patient with Alzheimer’s goes missing, nurses immediately know to look for them at these bus stops.
Beautiful Milk Shops
Germany is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. From castles to ancient residences… this European country comes across as an architect's paradise. However, one of the most stunning buildings in all of Germany is actually a milk shop. In fact, the Pfunds Molkerei, located just outside of Dresden, has held the record for being the most beautiful milk shop in the world since 1997.
There, you will be able to purchase a number of uniquely German items, such as milk, cheese, creme, chocolates, and soap (made from milk, of course).
The Upside Down House
Germany is home to a number of unique art sculptures. This includes the upside-down house, or Kopf UberHaus, in Putbus Rugen Island. Known for being a masterpiece of playful architecture, this house is completely upside down. Furnished with upside-down lights and decor, you will also be able to find the wine cellar on the top floor. This house attracts thousands of visitors every single year. Most people love to share images of the Kopf UberHaus on Instagram and Snapchat.
All this social media attention has made it a social media phenomenon. If you’re ever in the area, we highly recommend visiting the upside-down house!
The World's Oldest Rose Bush
As it turns out, rose bushes can live for a very long time. In fact, the oldest rose bush in the world, located near the St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hildesheim, was planted in the year 800. To this day, the bush is going strong despite having been burnt during World War 2. In fact, the bush has grown so much in recent years that it almost covers the entire cathedral. The bush still blooms light pink roses during the Summer months.
The residents of Hildesheim see the bush as a symbol of resilience and fortitude because it has withstood so much throughout its time.
Musical Drain Pipes
There are so many stunning works of art to see around this unique country. However, if you could appreciate the fusion of both art and music, the musical drain pipes of Dresden should definitely be added to your list of to-see attractions in Germany. These pipes, known as the Kunsthofpassage singing drain pipes, attract thousands of tourists year-round. The pipes are constructed in such a way that they produce unique whistles when it rains. They form a part of the Courtyard of Elements, an artwork attraction in the student district of Dresden.
According to the locals, there is nothing quite like walking down the streets of Dresden on a rainy day only to hear the beautiful harmony of the drain pipes.
Shopping Bags as Fashion Accessories
The Germans are known for having a very strong sense of fashion. In fact, some people even take their fashion with them to the grocery store. If you ever visit the city of Freiburg, you will be sure to notice a number of extremely bright and bold grocery bags. The street markets of Freiburg are known to sell these fashionable bags if you are ever looking to buy one yourself.
Over the years, they have even become a popular tourist trinket, representing the distinguishable style of the area.
Raw Mince Hedgehogs
Anybody who has ever been to Germany knows they love meat, from sausages to raw mince hedgehogs. The Germans will be sure to incorporate meat into any meal that they can. Raw mince hedgehogs are usually found at any sort of German party. Essentially, it is just a pile of raw mince formed into the shape of a hedgehog. They are traditionally used as a centerpiece for any party table. The mince can then be used as a spread for bread, crackers, or any other food.
While raw meat isn’t exactly our cup of tea, who are we to judge the traditional German delicacies?
A Depressed Loaf of Bread
Germany has a number of iconic characters, including Bernd the bread, a depressed loaf of bread. Bernd is essentially the most depressing character from any children’s show ever written - however, he is a fan favorite. From his looks to his signature catchphrase… Everything about him is simply miserable. One of his most iconic catchphrases is ‘My life is hell’. We have to admit that it’s rather strange to see such a depressing character in a children’s show.
Even so, there are a number of Bernd the bread statues plastered around the country, showing off just how popular he actually is.
The Goseck Circle
If you are into everything weird and strange, the Goseck Circle might just be the perfect stop on your trip to Germany. Essentially, this 49th-century circular structure was designed to perform sacrificial rituals. Archaeologists have found multiple sets of animal and human bones lying around the perimeter, as well as evidence of fires. The structure is composed of a 75-meter ditch and two sets of rings. Since it was first discovered, the structure has been remodeled using oak palisades and is open to the public.
However, you should be prepared to find some weird and creepy stuff lying around… But would you really expect anything less in a place like this?
German Traffic Signs
One thing that Germany takes very seriously is its traffic safety. In fact, if you’ve ever visited the country, you might feel a little bit overwhelmed at first, as there are so many traffic signs. Road planners make sure that these signs are visible from every angle, which means that there are often many of the exact same signs on the same street corner. When it comes to pedestrian crossings, you will find so many warning signs that it’s almost impossible to miss. While it may seem a little bit extreme, it’s definitely safe.
In fact, Germany has one of the lowest death-by-motor-vehicle rates in the world, which goes to show just how effective their traffic sign method actually is.
The Karlsruhe Truck
Germany has a number of unique artworks scattered around the country. This includes the ‘sliding truck’, which appears to be sliding down the side of a building. However, it is actually just an optical illusion. Funnily enough, a police officer didn’t get the memo and decided to place a parking ticket on the truck’s windscreen. Found in the popular city of Karlsruhe, this truck is definitely a must-see for any art enthusiast.
The artist should be proud because, from most angles, the truck definitely looks to be sliding down the building!
Currywurst
When it comes to European cuisine, Germany has to be up there with the best. One of their most popular dishes is currywurst, a signature German dish consisting of (you guessed it) sausage. Usually served with a side of fries, you will not be disappointed with this flavorsome combination. Currywurst is essentially a bratwurst cut into slices, served with a delicious tomato-based sauce. Finally, the sausage is sprinkled with a layer of curry powder for additional taste and seasoning.
When visiting Germany, this traditional dish should be on your to-eat list without a doubt, even if you're not normally a sausage fan.
Crocodile Warning Signs
If you ever see one of these warning signs, you might think that the town of Friedberg allows its children to swim with crocodiles. Strangely enough, that actually used to be the case! One specific zoo in Friedberg, Hesse, used to allow people to swim with, feed, and touch their crocodiles. However, after only a few months, nature conservatives visited the zoo and put a stop to these activities.
Today, if you visit this zoo, you will still see the signs warning parents not to feed their children to the crocodiles.
Lederhosen for Dogs
Everybody has heard of the traditional German lederhosen. However, some people might not know that it’s not only the people of Germany who wear this unique fashion accessory. In this image, you can see that some Germans even have their dogs groomed to appear to be wearing lederhosen. Most of the time, this only occurs for specific German festivals, such as Oktoberfest. When lederhosen were invented, they used to only be worn by working-class men.
However, back then, they used to be made out of leather. In recent years, lederhosen have gained popularity amongst other cultures and nationalities, even though they were first invented in Germany.
Pumpkin Boat Racing
As we already know, Germany is famous for its multitude of unique festivals and celebrations. One of its strangest tourist attractions has to be the annual pumpkin boat race. Essentially, competitors carve massive pumpkins into boats and have races down a specific section of a river. Pumpkin boat racing is an annual Fall event that takes place in Lohmar, Germany. Before the race begins, the boats are also weighed and measured. In the end, the biggest and most impressive boat also wins a unique prize.
While many take pumpkin boat racing very seriously, it is more of a fun event for the entire family. More so, this festival attracts hundreds of people from across the country.
The German Doner Kebab
Arguably the most popular German dish has to be the Doner Kebab. If you’ve ever visited the country, you would know that just about every city and town has its own Doner shop. More so, you will be able to find a designated Doner shop at almost every train station, showing just how popular the meal actually is amongst the locals. Essentially, the Doner Kebab is made by stuffing a flatbread with a variety of ingredients, including shawarma meat, vegetables, and even fries.
This traditional food is usually reasonably priced, making it more of a street food than a delicacy. However, there is no denying the fact that Doner’s are absolutely delicious! If you’re ever in the country, we highly recommend giving one a try.
Beer as a Food
It is no secret that Germans absolutely love their beer. However, many people don’t know that beer is actually considered a food in the country. To be fair, beer does contain an extremely high amount of calories, meaning that it will fill you up if you drink a lot of it. More so, beer is a carbohydrate, meaning that it offers the same nutritional effect as eating bread or pasta.
Research shows that Germany is the fifth highest beer-drinking country in the world, with the average German drinking around 95 liters of beer a year. Festivals, such as Oktoberfest, are also responsible for the high level of beer consumption.