The 9 Best Winter Activities in Germany

1.Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 676 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28Our pick

Cruise Cologne’s winter-lit Rhine for 90 minutes with live festive music, warm Glühwein, cathedral views, and table service for $28.

“This was a great way to spend an afternoon! The live singer was very good and the atmosphere was brilliant! Highly recommend the cruise at Christmas time, it definitely gets you in the spirit! Also, for people afraid of boats or water, it was very smooth and hardly felt you were moving. There was a great selection of food and drink too. 5 stars!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Paddle Steamer Winter Cruise to Pillnitz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 178 reviews · 3 hours · from $37

Cruise Dresden’s Elbe on a historic paddle steamer to Pillnitz Castle, with winter views, mulled wine, castles, and the Blue Wonder Bridge.

“freundlicher Service, schöne Einrichtung, nette Erklärungen, gute Länge”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bohemia & Saxon Switzerland Winter Day Tour from Prague

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 8 hours · from $154

Cross two countries from Prague on a winter day tour to Bastei Bridge and Pravčická brána, with hiking, lunch, and hotel pickup.

“Our guide was very nice and helpful, great directions and also very funny and sociable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Ehrwald: Zugspitze Snowshoe Hiking Tour with Mountain Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours · from $80Top rated

Snowshoe beneath the Zugspitze near Ehrwald with guide Simon, free snowshoes, mountain views, wildlife tips, and flexible weather plans.

“This hiking tour was one of the highlights of my visit in Ehrwald. Very relaxed hike with beautiful views. There was a bit of a climb but the guide was great and really took his time so this was no problem at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Winter Sunday Brunch Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · from $40

Review the Stuttgart winter Sunday brunch at Riverhouse, with a waterside setting, broad buffet, coffee, lunch, and practical booking tips.

“The location was absolutely beautiful, with a direct view of the water. There was good parking, the buffet was delicious, and the restaurant was good and the atmosphere was very friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Winter Alster tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · from $25Best value

Cruise Hamburg’s Outer Alster by winter evening, with city lights, rowing clubs, grand homes, and optional mulled wine aboard a cozy steamer.

“Boat tour was nice but issues with the ticketing as the company wanted a QR code and all we had was a bar code so nearly missed the boat trying to get it sorted out. Trip was good as it was getting dark so lots of lights and gluwein from the bar”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip All inclusive-Winter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $172

Explore Bastei Bridge, Neurathen Castle, and Pravcicka Gate from Dresden with transport, snacks, Czech lunch, and a small group.

“I suppose that the success of this tour depends very much on the weather. We were extremely lucky as, although mid-December, the weather was extremely kind. Walking over the Bastei Bridge and later in Czech Bohemia would have been difficult in heavy rain and dangerous in heavy snow. The tour itself went exactly as advertised we were picked up at our hotel in Dresden and driven to the Bastei bridge. There, our small party of three was amalgamated with a larger group of eight from Prague. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and he and our driver from Dresden professional and solicitous. Snacks and water were included as was a…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Snowshoe hike in the Allgäu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 3h 30m · from $57

Snowshoe through the Allgäu near Riedberger Horn with local guides, full equipment, a hot drink, and flexible routes for your fitness level.

“Such a wonderful guide supportive and flexible we were delayed arriving due to an accident and diversion on the motorway. Incredibly scenery.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Bohemia and Saxon Switzerland Winter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 8 hours · from $116

Cross from Dresden into Saxon Switzerland and Bohemia for Bastei Bridge, Pravčická brána, an 8km hike, and Czech lunch.

“Great tour guide, nice hiking trip. Would absolutely recommend the interesting experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review