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German States & Regions

Discover the diversity of Germany's 16 federal states, each with its own unique culture, landscapes, and traditions.

16 Regions

Highlights Across Germany’s 16 States

From the white‑sand beaches of Sylt in Schleswig‑Holstein to the glacier‑capped Zugspitze in Bavaria, Germany’s regions span rugged coastlines, river‑carved wine valleys, dense evergreen forests, and lofty Alpine peaks.

Journey south‑west to Baden‑Württemberg’s Black Forest where cuckoo‑clock villages sit beside biosphere reserves, or cruise the UNESCO‑listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Hesse and Rhineland‑Palatinate, dotted with hilltop castles and terraced vineyards.

In the east, Saxony and Brandenburg offer baroque splendour in Dresden, palaces in Potsdam, and easy rail links to Berlin’s cosmopolitan culture scene, while North Rhine‑Westphalia dazzles with industrial heritage routes and vibrant Düsseldorf‑Cologne city breaks.

Regions

Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is a state in southwest Germany known for its diverse landscape, from the Black Forest to Lake Constance. It's home to major automotive industries, world-renowned spa towns like Baden-Baden, and charming cities such as Stuttgart, Heidelberg, and Freiburg.

Population: 11,100,000Explore
Regions

Bavaria

Bavaria is the largest German state, known for its Alpine scenery, fairy-tale castles, traditional culture, and world-famous Oktoberfest. From the capital Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria embodies the romance and traditions of southern Germany.

Population: 13,140,000Explore
Regions

Berlin

The vibrant capital of Germany and city-state with a rich history from the imperial era through division to reunification. Center for politics, culture, and innovation.

Population: 3,669,491Explore
Regions

Brandenburg

Brandenburg surrounds Berlin and is known for its forests, lakes, and historic Potsdam.

Population: 2,521,893Explore
Regions

Bremen

Bremen is a city-state in northern Germany, known for its maritime heritage and historic town center.

Population: 681,202Explore
Regions

Hamburg

Hamburg is a city-state and major port city in northern Germany, famous for its maritime heritage, historic Speicherstadt warehouse district (UNESCO World Heritage), vibrant nightlife, and attractions like Miniatur Wunderland.

Population: 1,900,000Explore
Regions

Hesse

Hesse is a central German state known for Frankfurt am Main, Germany's financial center, and its rich cultural heritage.

Population: 6,265,809Explore
Regions

Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony is the second-largest German state by area, featuring diverse landscapes from the North Sea coast to the Harz Mountains.

Population: 7,982,448Explore
Regions

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern features the Baltic Sea coast, numerous lakes, and historic Hanseatic cities.

Population: 1,609,675Explore
Regions

North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most populous state and economic powerhouse, home to the Ruhr industrial region, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and vibrant cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund.

Population: 17,900,000Explore
Regions

Rhineland-Palatinate

Rhineland-Palatinate is known for its wine regions, the Rhine Valley, and historic cities like Mainz.

Population: 4,084,844Explore
Regions

Saarland

Saarland is Germany's smallest state by area, known for its French cultural influences and industrial heritage.

Population: 990,509Explore
Regions

Saxony

Saxony is a state in eastern Germany known for its baroque architecture, cultural heritage, and cities like Dresden and Leipzig.

Population: 4,056,941Explore
Regions

Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt is known for its medieval cities, the Harz Mountains, and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Population: 2,194,782Explore
Regions

Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein is Germany's northernmost state, bordered by the North and Baltic Seas.

Population: 2,896,712Explore
Regions

Thuringia

Thuringia is known as the "Green Heart of Germany" and features the Thuringian Forest and historic Weimar.

Population: 2,120,237Explore

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Each region of Germany offers unique landscapes, traditions, and experiences waiting to be discovered.

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