Northern Germany offers not only natural beauty, but also rich culture and charm. The coastline bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea is rich in sandy beaches, while inland, there are countless lakes, plus the contrast of the lowlands that transition through hills to the highlands of the Harz Mountains. This northern region has immense natural beauty as well as historic architecture, cultural centers and major cities. Small islands off the northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein are famous for their white sand beaches and attract wealthy Germans who visit for relaxation. Lakes and mudflats in Meckelburg-Lower Pomerania support water sports, while the national park offers the beauty of landscape and forests. Throughout the north, cities and towns offer fascinating architecture, castles and palaces, cathedrals and churches, some dating from the Renaissance and Romanesque eras.

MAIN CITIES & TOWNS OF EACH NORTHERN STATE:

FEDERAL STATE OF LOWER SAXONY: formed in the 19th century merging the kingdom of Hannover with the duchy of Brunswick, Oldenburg & Schaumburg-Lippe.

Independent City States of Hamburg & Bremen:

Smaller towns: Hannover Goslar, Seesen, Hildesheim, Duderstadt, Göttigen.

The Weser Renaissance Trail covers an area of 70 miles/112 km. Here, travelers can see the northern decorative style dating from the mid 16th-17th centuries. Tall roofs and gables inspired by dutch architecture, plus regional castles.

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN: Northernmost state situated between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. It is bordered by the Elbe River and Denmark.

MAJOR CITIES:  Lübeck Ratzeburg

TOWNS: Glückstadt, Meldorf, Fensburg, Schleswig, Kiel,

ISLANDS: Sylt and Helgoland

MECKELBURG-LOWER POMERANIA:  a large , mostly agricultural region with only minor roads.

MAJOR CITIES: Rostock and Stralsund on the coast.

Smaller Towns: Wismar or Schwerin with its fairy-tale castle.

National Park of Müritz with the lake district of Meckleburgisch Schweiz (Swiss Meckelberg).

MAPS:  Left:  1. Map of Germany. Dark Green: The state of  Baden-Wurttemburg. Right: Map of Germany. Dark Green: The state of Lower Saxony. Noted are the two other northern states: Schleswig-Hostein and Meckelburg-Lower Pomerania.