German Avenues Route
Germany
An 868 km loop through four central German states, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, and Saxony, following the tree-lined baroque avenues commissioned by Prussian and Saxon nobles: 19,000 trees on 150 avenue roads, through Bauhaus Dessau, Worlitz Park (the first English landscape garden in Germany), and Quedlinburg's UNESCO-listed medieval hill.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Dessau-Rosslau
Birthplace of the Bauhaus movement. Gropius's 1925 building and the Masters' Houses are UNESCO-listed; the Dessau Art Museum holds the finest Bauhaus collection anywhere.
- Wörlitz Park
The first English landscape garden on the continent, 112 ha of lakes, temples, and Gothic follies commissioned in 1764, best explored by gondola. UNESCO World Heritage.
- Quedlinburg
UNESCO-protected medieval town of 1,300 half-timbered houses. The Collegiate Church of St Servatius crowns a rock above the Bode valley, founded by Empress Mathilde in 936.
- Halberstadt Cathedral
13th-century Gothic cathedral housing Germany's richest medieval treasury: 650 pieces of sacred art including the famous Halberstadt Unicorn textile.
- Magdeburg
Home to Germany's first Gothic cathedral (1209) and the Otto I equestrian statue, the oldest surviving secular sculpture in Germany, on the Elbe's baroque waterfront.
- Schwerin Castle
A fairy-tale 1857 chateau on a lake island, modelled on Chambord and reflected in Schwerin Lake. The most romantic building in northern Germany.
- Wismar
A Hanseatic port city with Sweden's only surviving colonial-era building outside Scandinavia. The Market Square's brick Gothic churches are UNESCO World Heritage.
- Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Where Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517. The Luther House museum holds the world's largest Reformation-era collection; the entire town is UNESCO-listed.
Where to Eat
- KornhausGerman
A Bauhaus-style restaurant overlooking the Elbe River, offering traditional German cuisine in a historic setting.
- Restaurant Zum Alten DessauerGerman
A cozy eatery serving hearty German dishes, known for its warm atmosphere and local specialties.
- Café am MarktCafé
A charming café located in the heart of Wismar, perfect for enjoying coffee and homemade cakes.
- Schweriner SchlossrestaurantEuropean
Elegant dining within Schwerin Castle, offering a refined menu with panoramic views of the surrounding lake.
- Brauhaus WittenbergBrewery
A traditional brewery in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, serving craft beers and regional dishes in a rustic setting.
Things to Do
- Bauhaus DessauMuseum
Explore the iconic Bauhaus building, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing modernist architecture and design.
- Wörlitz ParkPark
A picturesque English-style landscape garden featuring lakes, bridges, and classical architecture.
- Quedlinburg Old TownHistoric Site
Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses in this medieval UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Magdeburg CathedralLandmark
Visit the impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the oldest in Germany, known for its stunning architecture.
- Schwerin CastleLandmark
Explore the fairy-tale castle set on an island, surrounded by picturesque gardens and lakes.