I can’t say I used to dream of exploring Germany as I do about other places, but after this trip, I am eager to see more. The country has so much to offer in many ways.
Although Germany was never on our radar as a tourist destination, our friends who live in Frankfurt invited us to visit. Of course, we couldn’t stop there. Instead, we opted for a “3 cities in 8 days” adventure.
Tickets from Tuzla to Frankfurt were 30 euros per person, and from Memmingen to Tuzla 20 euros per person with WizzAir. The plan was to spend three nights in Frankfurt, two in Stuttgart, and two in Munich. In Frankfurt, our friends generously offered to let us crash at their place. In Stuttgart and Munich, we found reasonably priced hotels that cost us 230 euros in total.
Even though our appetite for Germany was poor, I still had some places in mind to see and visit. In Frankfurt, however, we let our friends take us to their favorite spots, and our main goal was to spend time with them. Aside from that, I had a perfectly curated itinerary, which the universe chose to ignore.
First Stop: Frankfurt
We were supposed to land in Frankfurt at 8:30 pm but arrived after 10 pm due to the flight delay. Luckily, our friends were waiting for us at the airport and drove us to the other friends we were staying with. Even tired, we couldn’t help but stay up long chatting over dinner and wine.
The next day was for sightseeing. After a few short walks and a metro ride in between, we found ourselves at Römerberg, a town square with picturesque timber houses, bars, and gift shops. This square is the historical heart of Frankfurt and has been the site of numerous festivals, including Christmas markets.
The Römer, Frankfurt’s city hall since the 15th century, is a beautiful Gothic building with a rich history. The square was heavily damaged during World War II but has been meticulously restored to its former glory. We had a drink there and then walked to a rooftop bar, CityBeach Frankfurt. After several beers and a snack, we walked some more before hopping on a metro back home. Around 10 pm we headed to Sapo Rey, a Colombian place with a great vibe and music. We stayed there until 5 am dancing, drinking and having too much of a great time to go home.
Healing in Nature
After a very late breakfast the next day, we went to Palmengarten to try and heal in nature. Palmengarten is one of the largest botanical gardens in Germany, with a vast collection of plants from around the world. It was founded in 1871 by the citizens of Frankfurt and offers a serene escape from the bustling city. We spent at least 3-4 hours just admiring the life around us. Chilling on the grass, and walking over tiny bridges connecting parts of parks divided by a weird-shaped pond helped us recover.
The next morning, we had enough time to grab breakfast at the city before the bus to Stuttgart. We were almost at the station, comfortably early, when I got a notification that our Flix bus would leave from a different station. Across the town. We had to catch a metro and run to make it on time. This was the second time in Germany that transportation has tested our patience. Luckily, the drive was smooth and comfortable.
On to the Next One
We arrived in a cloudy Stuttgart and decided it was not the weather for the planned vineyard tour. Instead, we headed to the supermarket to stock up on essentials and strolled around the neighborhood. We were pleasantly surprised to discover a beautiful Japanese Garden. Located in the Killesbergpark, the garden was designed as part of the International Horticultural Exhibition in 1993, blending traditional Japanese elements with local flora. After a short walk around we discovered a cute restaurant and decided to grab a bite.
Back at the hotel, we had another drink chatting about the day, before calling it a night before 10 pm. In the morning, we bought coffee to-go and went back to that Japanese Garden to plan the day. We had the Mercedez-Benz Museum booked and I wanted to visit the City Library. Aside from that, we decided to let the atmosphere take us. The idea was to get to the city center and then get lost.
The walk to the city center was 40 minutes, which wasn’t overly picturesque due to the cranes and building sites all around. But the city center did not disappoint. After walking around for about 10 minutes, we sat down for a drink and watched people pass by, immersing in the city atmosphere. We liked it. It felt different from Frankfurt but still great. It was calmer, but full of life.
Exploring the Charms of Stuttgart
At the heart of Stuttgart’s city center lies Schlossplatz, the largest square in the city, surrounded by historical buildings and beautifully landscaped gardens. The New Palace (Neues Schloss), a Baroque-style palace built in the late 18th century, dominates the square.
Running through the center of Stuttgart, Königsstraße is the city’s main shopping street and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Germany. It stretches for over a kilometer from the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) to Schlossplatz. Along this bustling street, visitors can find a mix of modern retail stores, historic buildings, cafes, and restaurants.
Our next stop was the Stuttgart Library. An architectural marvel of the modern era, the Stuttgart City Library stands out with its cube-shaped design and minimalist white interior. Designed by Korean architect Eun Young Yi and opened in 2011, it quickly became a cultural icon and a popular spot for both reading and architectural photography. After walking around and sitting silently for a while, we left the land of the books and decided to walk back to the hotel through Schlossgarten, a huge park stretching over a big part of Stuttgart.
Back at the hotel, we showered, changed, and embarked on another walking tour, this time to the Mercedes-Benz Museum. We are no car enthusiasts or Mercedes fans, but we find the historical and technological aspects fascinating. The museum showcases over 130 years of automotive history and is a must-visit for anyone interested in the evolution of cars. The building itself, designed by UNStudio, is an architectural marvel, with a unique double-helix structure.
After the museum, we met up with some old friends from back home for a few (too many) drinks and an amazing evening, catching up and evoking memories. Exploring Germany turned out to be quite a drive down memory lane.
Two Down, One to Go: Munich
The next morning, we had an early train to Munich, which was a couple of hours late. Aside from having to wait, this wasn’t too much of a hassle considering our check-in time was 3 pm. We had our transport city pass, so when we arrived at 12:30, we decided to take a tram to the hotel, leave our stuff at check-in, and then get back to the city to explore a little bit.
After a couple of hours of walking around Munich Center, we stopped for a burger. Standing outside and discussing if we should head back to the hotel or stay a little longer, I noticed an old friend whom I hadn’t seen for a while, so we sat down for a drink and agreed to meet him and his girlfriend later. We had Schloss Nymphenburg booked, and we enjoyed walking through the parks, around the ponds, and trees. Schloss Nymphenburg is a magnificent Baroque palace that served as the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Construction began in 1664, and the palace has been expanded and renovated over the centuries, featuring beautiful gardens and intricate interior decorations.
Our friends picked us up, and we went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. After another great evening, we woke up ready to take on the rest of Munich. Due to our detour yesterday, Olympiapark was the first thing on our itinerary. Olympiapark was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, which were intended to showcase a new, modern Germany. It is renowned for its innovative design, particularly the sweeping, tent-like structure of the Olympic Stadium. The design, inspired by the Bavarian Alps, was created by architect Günter Behnisch and engineer Frei Otto.
Inhale, Adjust, and Adapt
Very early it became clear that the day would bring some challenges. I dropped my phone and broke the screen beyond repair. Then I realized I couldn’t access our boarding passes or any other document. Everything was on my Google account which I couldn’t open from any other device. For the next two hours of trying different options, I somehow managed to take screenshots of our boarding passes and Munich city passes and sent them to my hubby via Viber. Although I was angry at myself for making so many stupid mistakes, from dropping that phone to not having my password saved elsewhere, I decided I would not let that take any more of our day.
We agreed to skip the BMW Museum and go directly to Allianz Arena for the tour. It was exactly what we needed after such a morning. The tour guide was entertaining, smart, and funny. The tour was well-planned with access to different areas. Allianz Arena is one of the most modern and innovative stadiums in the world, home to Bayern Munich. Opened in 2005, it is known for its unique exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels, which can be lit in different colors.
From there, we took a metro to The English Garden, one of the largest urban parks in the world. It was created in 1789 by Sir Benjamin Thompson and has since been a beloved green space for locals and tourists alike. After chilling there for an hour, we hopped on a tram again and visited our other friends who lived in Munich. Exhausted from the eventful, stressful but fulfilling day we were in bed before midnight.
What Has Exploring Germany Taught Me? A lot!
On our flight back, I thought this might have been one the most important trips I have ever taken. Firstly, it taught me that although some places might not seem appealing, they could turn into a pleasant surprise. It reminded me how lucky we are to have friends everywhere, although I miss them all dearly and hate that they had to leave. It taught me adaptability when there are last-minute changes and delays. Lastly, it taught me I had to change all my passwords and take some steps so that I never find myself in a situation where I have to waste two and a half hours because I broke my phone. Lessons learned!
Now I have all my passwords safely stored and can access all accounts from any device. We also carry physical copies of the most important documents and tickets. I’ve learned to be more flexible in case of delays, changes, and other incidents. Finally, exploring Germany taught me that their public transportation is not the most reliable one. Have that in mind when planning your trip!
Have you visited Germany? Let me know about your experience in the comments.
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Until the next odyssey,
Asya
