More and more people are choosing to travel sustainably, discovering the world responsibly: moving by train or bike, taking long walks in the midst of nature and consuming 0 km products are all excellent solutions for doing good for the environment without giving up fun. In Germany, there are some dream places that offer numerous opportunities to engage in sustainable tourism. Let’s find out which are the most beautiful.
The Allgäu, between nature and good food
Let’s start with Allgäu region, located in southern Bavaria on the border with Austria: considered the perfect winter tourist destination for those who love snow sports, it has a lot to offer in other seasons too. It is a geographical area rich in history and culture, with its splendid cities waiting to be discovered and the beautiful castles that stand out imposingly with their towers. But it is the natural panorama that reigns supreme: high mountains and deep green valleys, turquoise lakes and rolling hills make it a postcard landscape.
Many tourists go there for long walks in the open air or to go for nice bike rides, or to take advantage of the thermal waters that flow in the area. But sustainability also passes through the table, since the culture of 0 km products is widespread: in local restaurants it is easy to find fresh fish from the local lakes, mountain honey, cheeses produced in high altitude mountain pastures and, of course, an exquisite beer among the many of the region’s historic breweries.
Sylt, for a beach holiday
Let us now move to the opposite front, to discover theisland of Sylt: it is the largest of the North Frisian islands, surrounded by the waters of the North Sea, and is part of the Watt National Park of Schleswig-Holstein. This is where the city of List, the northernmost in Germany, is located. Although it has just 2,500 people, it is very lively and rich in culture, and the ideal place to enjoy oysters. But there are many others villages to visitfor those who want to take a dive back in time and admire unique landscapes in the world.
The island is best known for its white sand beaches, always beaten by the wind. The Germans have always considered it one of the main holiday destinations for the summer, where you can disconnect from everyday life for a while. Half of the territory of Sylt is part of the protected area, to preserve its uncontaminated and wild nature. It can be explored thanks to the important network of cycle paths and numerous hiking trails. And, to be truly sustainable, you can travel around the island by bike or electric scooter and can take part in initiatives such as “Beach Clean Days”to clean the beaches from waste.
The Thuringian Forest, breathtaking adventure
Another uncontaminated place is the Thuringian Forest, a 120 km long ridge that crosses lush hills, the highest of which barely reaches 1,000 meters above sea level. We are north-east of the city of Frankfurt, a place that is absolutely worth a visit. For a sustainable holiday, trekking lovers can explore the Rennsteig: it is an ancient route which, with ups and downs, follows the peaks of the hills for 170 km of walking. A cycle path has also been inaugurated next to it, for those who prefer mountain biking.
But the real surprise of the Thuringian Forest is its own standard gauge funicular, the steepest in the world. We are talking about the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn, a true historical masterpiece: inaugurated in 1923, it allows you to connect Obstfelderschmiede to Lichtenhain, located just over 1.4 km away. The climb has a difference in altitude of 323 metres, with a total gradient of 25%: the journey is not very long, it takes about 18 minutes, but it allows you to admire a wonderful panorama. Furthermore, it is doubly sustainable. Not only because it is railway mobility, but also because, when descending, the funicular generates energy which is then used to ascend again.
The Eifel National Park, still uncontaminated
On the border between Germany and Belgium, here comes the wonderful panorama of Eifel National Park: it is an uncontaminated area located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, which extends for 110 km between beech forests, beautiful lakes and sparkling rivers. It seems incredible to think that, in the past, this area was used for anything but noble purposes. Inside there is in fact the estate Ordensburg Vogelsang, which at the end of the 1930s was built as a training center for the leaders of the Nazi party. Later, a Belgian barracks used by the army for military purposes was moved there.
Today, the entire area has returned to its wild beauty. It is the ideal place to immerse yourself in nature and take long walks, taking advantage of the many paths that unravel there. One of them is the Wilderness Trail, 85 km long: it is a fascinating itinerary through the most enchanting landscapes of the park. You can then admire wild animals, such as beavers, bats and owls, and still be enchanted by the expanse of splendid daffodils that bloom in spring. The park also offers an uncontaminated sky: the first is found there International Dark Sky Park, where you can gaze at the stars at night. Walks in the dark and astronomy seminars complete the offer, which is absolutely sustainable.
Freiburg, a sustainable city
Finally, let’s discover the city of Freiburg: nestled at the foot of the Black Forest, it is undoubtedly an excellent starting point for those who want to visit this truly surprising naturalistic region. Why can a sustainable holiday be organized here? The historic center of Freiburg is almost completely pedestrianised, while alternative mobility systems are highly developed, including trains, buses, trams and bicycles. You can also visit the Vauban neighborhood, a former military area that was rebuilt in recent years following green building criteria. It is a true jewel of sustainability, where access to cars is prohibited, where renewable sources are used and where separate waste collection is encouraged.
