CMT 2026: Inspiration for your travel year in Germany

Updated on February 1, 2026 by Angelika Klein

The CMT in Stuttgart is a good moment for me every year to pause and look ahead: Which destinations arouse curiosity for the coming year? And where do anniversaries, new buildings or special programs create opportunities to rediscover familiar places? 2026 will also show how diverse and surprising Germany as a travel destination can be.

In this article, I will take you to Vacation regions and road trips, City breaks between antiquity and modern times and to selected destinations in Baden-Württemberg. The focus is on places where history, culture, landscape and the present come together - from major UNESCO World Heritage Sites to new architectural accents and cultural formats. CMT 2026 will provide the impetus for this, but the real voyage of discovery only begins on the ground.

On the road in Germany - road trips & regions for 2026

Road trips and larger vacation regions are particularly suitable for placing landscapes, cities and cultural highlights in a larger context. They leave room for discoveries along the way, for detours off the beaten track and for a slow approach to a region. For the 2026 travel year, there are some attractive routes and regions where history, nature and culture are closely interwoven - I would like to introduce you to some of them here.

Swabian Alb - cultural route between castles, monasteries and natural wonders

If you are looking for a region in 2026 that History, landscape and culture in a small space is the Swabian Jura (or Swabian Alb, in German "Schwäbische Alb") an ideal destination - especially for an individual trip by car. A great starting point for the travel year is the 60th anniversary of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route, which also has impressive stops on the Alb itself. These include the Ulm Minster, the monumental monastery complex Wiblingen, the magnificent Zwiefalten Minster as well as the towering tower high above the Danube Hohenzollern Castle Sigmaringen, which combines baroque architecture and princely history.

How closely culture and landscape are interwoven here is also shown by the UNESCO World Heritage Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura, . The oldest known works of art and musical instruments known to mankind were found in the caves of the Ach and Lone valleys and are now on display in the museums of Tübingen, Ulm and Blaubeuren are on display. This cultural foundation is complemented by striking natural experiences: the Urach waterfall, the mysteriously shimmering Blautopf near Blaubeuren, the extensive Federsee near Bad Buchau or the Princely Park Inzigkofen with its views of the Danube valley can be wonderfully combined with cultural stops. Famous palaces and castles such as the majestic Zollerberg Hohenzollern Castle and the romantic Lichtenstein Castle set striking accents. The cities Tübingen, Ulm and Rottweil also show how diverse urban life can be in the Alb - from university town to cathedral city to the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg.

In my article on the 52 highlights of the Swabian Alb I take up precisely this mixture of nature, cities and cultural sites. If you prefer to discover the region along a clear route, you will find the following in the large article Road trip Germany - the most beautiful routes mine Road trip across the Swabian Alb, which logically links castles, monasteries, towns and natural highlights. This makes the Alb 2026 not only a versatile travel destination, but also a region whose history is revealed landscape by landscape.

Ammergau Alps - royal castles, monasteries and alpine cultural landscapes

The inclusion of the Ludwig II's royal castles on the UNESCO World Heritage List makes the Ammergau Alps 2026 a particularly attractive travel destination. Neuschwanstein Castle, , Linderhof Palace:, Herrenchiemsee Palace and the royal house at Schachen now officially represent the romantic world view of the Bavarian fairytale king and his visionary architecture. Linderhof Palace in particular, Ludwig II's only completed palace, is located in the middle of the Ammergau Alps and can be ideally combined with hikes and moments in nature.

But the region doesn't just thrive on royal splendor. With the Wieskirche near Steingaden is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the cultural landscape of the Ammergau Alps. The rococo church is one of the most impressive examples of southern German church architecture. Together with places like Oberammergau, famous for the Passion Play and the Lüftlmalerei, as well as the baroque Ettal Monastery a cultural landscape that has evolved over centuries. Gentle alpine pastures, the Ammertal valley and well-developed hiking trails also make the region an ideal destination for slow travel.

If you want to discover the Ammergau Alps in a wider context, you can also integrate them perfectly into the Top tour through Bavaria which I have described in the article Road trip Germany - the most beautiful routes present. In 2026, the Ammergau Alps will become a destination that combines the enjoyment of nature and cultural history in a particularly elegant way.

Bauhaus sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau - modern architecture on a cultural route

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Site offer the Bauhaus sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau near Berlin 2026 as an extraordinary road trip for architecture and culture enthusiasts. Hardly any other architecture and design movement has had such a lasting impact on the 20th century as the Bauhaus. Its ideas can be traced particularly vividly at these three locations: from the early sites in Weimar to the iconic Bauhaus building and the Masters' Houses in Dessau to the Bundesschule in Bernau, a masterpiece of functional modernism.

The appeal of this route lies not only in the architecture itself, but also in the contrasts. An exciting panorama of German cultural history unfolds between the classic cultural city, industrially influenced modernity and the green surroundings of Berlin. The road trip is ideal for a compact cultural tour - but can just as easily be extended.

If you have more time and want to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural highlights would like to discover the Bauhaus route in my Road trip East Germany - cultural route from Eisenach to Berlin integrate. On this route, Bauhaus modernism and medieval world heritage come together quite naturally: with the Wartburg in Eisenach and Wörlitz Park near Dessau as well as with cultural stops in Leipzig and Berlin. The result is a multi-layered cultural journey that shows how different and at the same time closely connected Germany's cultural landscapes are.

City breaks between antiquity and modern times

While road trips and vacation regions are ideal for combining nature experiences with historical contexts, city breaks allow a particularly concentrated approach to history, architecture and urban life. In 2026 in particular, it is worth taking a look at cities that are opening up new perspectives with anniversaries and special theme years.

Würzburg - Baroque splendor and UNESCO anniversary

On the Road with 45th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will publish its Würzburg Residence with Court Garden Würzburg 2026 is a particular focus for city tourists interested in culture. The baroque ensemble is considered one of the most important palaces in Europe and impresses with its monumental staircase and the world-famous ceiling fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo - a masterpiece of baroque spatial art. The extensive courtyard garden forms a tranquil counterpoint to this and underlines the prestigious character of the complex.

But Würzburg is much more than a single UNESCO highlight. The city combines the former prince-bishop's center of power with lively city life and the Franconian way of life. A stroll across the Old Main Bridge, a look up to Marienberg Fortress or a tour of the old town show how naturally history blends into everyday life here. It is precisely this balance that makes Würzburg an ideal destination for a relaxed city break with cultural depth.

In my big Würzburg-Guide I cover both the Residenz and the city as a whole in detail - ideal if you want to explore your visit in more detail. At the same time, Würzburg can be easily integrated into larger itineraries, for example as a cultural prelude or conclusion to a trip through Main-Franconia. The anniversary year 2026 therefore offers a particularly good opportunity to rediscover Würzburg - not just as a UNESCO site, but as a city with character and history.

Trier - Roman heritage, Christian tradition and European ideas

The 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Trier invites you to take a fresh look at Trier in 2026 as an extraordinary historical ensemble of Roman heritage and early Christian architecture. As a former Roman imperial city, Trier was a political and cultural center of the empire for centuries - and thus a place where European history took shape early on. Buildings such as the Porta Nigra , the Imperial Baths, , amphitheater or the Palastaula are exemplary of this claim to power and together form a remarkably coherent testimony to Roman urban history north of the Alps.

However, the UNESCO World Heritage Site includes not only the Roman monuments, but also the St. Peter's Cathedral, Germany's oldest episcopal church, as well as the neighboring Church of Our Lady - an early masterpiece of Gothic sacred architecture. They mark the transition from Roman antiquity to the Christian era and make Trier a place where historical breaks and continuities can be traced particularly well.

This historical arc stretches right up to modern times: Karl Marx was born in Trier and his ideas had a global impact in the 19th and 20th centuries, shaping political systems and social debates alike. Trier therefore not only stands for the beginnings of Europe, but also for approaches that have written global history - an arc of tension that makes the city of 2026 particularly complex and relevant.

Regensburg - From Roman border town to European trading metropolis

The UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Regensburg and Stadtamhof celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026 - a great opportunity to (re)discover Regensburg as a city with extraordinary historical depth. Its history begins long before the Middle Ages: the legionary camp was already established here in Roman times. Castra Regina (which gave the city its name) was an important military and administrative center on the northern edge of the empire. The still preserved Porta Praetoria, once one of the gates of the legionary camp, is now one of the oldest preserved Roman buildings in Germany. As part of the Danube Limes reminds us that Regensburg played a key role on a European border early on.

In the Middle Ages, one of the most important trading cities in the empire developed on these Roman foundations. The old town with the Stone bridge forms an exceptionally cohesive ensemble that still tells the story of Regensburg's role as a hub on the Danube. For centuries, trade routes between north and south, east and west crossed here - economic interests, political power and cultural exchange were closely intertwined.

Regensburg also made history as a place of European politics. The St. Peter's Cathedral stands for the heyday of Gothic architecture in southern Germany, while the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), The Imperial Hall is a reminder of the time of the Perpetual Imperial Diet. Envoys from all over Europe met here to negotiate imperial policy - Regensburg was therefore not only a trading center, but also a stage for European decision-making processes.

It is precisely this continuity that makes the city so appealing. In Regensburg, Roman traces, medieval structures and modern city life go hand in hand. flowing into one another, without the past becoming a mere backdrop. The anniversary year 2026 provides a good occasion, one of the most beautiful cities in Germany where over two millennia of European history can be traced in today's urban space - from the Roman legionary camp to the medieval trading metropolis to the political center of the German-Roman Empire.

Excursion destinations in Baden-Württemberg - cities, views and new architecture

Not every journey has to go far to leave new impressions. In my home state of Baden-Württemberg in particular, cities, landscapes and architecture can often be combined in a small space. For 2026, the focus is on excursion destinations that add a new facet to familiar places through anniversaries, new buildings or additional cultural offerings - ideal for a day trip or a relaxing weekend.

NECKARLINE - New perspectives over the Neckar valley

With the NECKARLINE, a new suspension bridge over the Neckar valley, receives Rottweil 2026 is an excursion destination that combines the experience of nature and proximity to the city in a special way. The bridge spans high above the course of the river and opens up impressive views of the landscape - a change of perspective that makes it possible to experience the Neckar in a completely different way. The NECKARLINE is an attractive addition to the existing offers around Rottweil, especially for those who enjoy being outdoors but don't want to plan extensive hikes.

The contrast is also exciting: on the one hand, the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg with its towers, alleyways and medieval structures, and on the other, a modern structure that deliberately focuses on lightness and openness. The suspension bridge does not blend into the landscape as a spectacular end in itself, but invites you to connect the city and its surroundings - whether as part of a walk, a day trip or a longer stay.

Rottweil can also be a particularly good stop on the NECKARLINE as part of a Road trips across the Swabian Alb experience. Nestled between towns, castles, natural and cultural landscapes, this is a stop that combines movement, views and urban history. For 2026, the NECKARLINE is therefore a great opportunity to visit Rottweil not only because of its past, but also because of the new paths that open up here between the city and the countryside.

Tübingen - history, art and nature on the edge of the Swabian Alb

Tübingen is one of the cities in Baden-Württemberg where culture, history and beautiful surroundings are combined in a particularly dense way. From October 2026 the celebrations for the 550th anniversary of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, which will be celebrated in 2027. This will once again bring the city into focus as a place of thought, research and discussion - a tradition that still characterizes the cityscape today.

Within this evolved cultural landscape, the New Art Museum Tübingen a contemporary accent. It complements the city's classic cultural points of reference with current artistic positions and creates a conscious dialog between the historical surroundings and contemporary art. It is precisely this contrast that makes a visit so exciting: half-timbered houses, the Neckar front and university buildings outside - new perspectives and social issues inside.

Tübingen also has a lot to offer in terms of scenery. In the immediate vicinity, the Fruit toast with its cycling and hiking trails through orchards, vineyards, river valleys and extensive forests, invites you to combine a visit to the city with an experience of nature. Tübingen is therefore ideal for a varied day trip or a relaxing weekend with a variety of experiences.

Stuttgart television tower - vantage point, architectural icon and cultural venue

With its 80th anniversary is the Stuttgart television tower 2026 is a special occasion to rediscover one of the most important buildings of post-war modernism. As the world's first television tower made of reinforced concrete, it is considered a milestone in the art of engineering and became a model for numerous towers worldwide. At the same time, it is still one of the most impressive vantage points in the city: from the platform, the view extends from Stuttgart to the heights of the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest, and on clear days even as far as the Alps.

The visit can be combined particularly well with a walk, as I described in my article about the most beautiful viewpoints between the television tower and Weißenburgpark introduce. The route connects well-known and lesser-known visual axes above the city basin and shows Stuttgart from its green and hilly side. Alternatively, the television tower is also an excellent program item for a Weekend trips to Stuttgart, combined with city walks, parks and cultural highlights.

To mark the anniversary, the TV tower is also gaining in importance as a cultural venue. With the series of events CULTURE regional artists perform high above the city and combine music, literature or performance with an extraordinary location. The TV tower is increasingly evolving from a mere vantage point into a lively meeting place for architecture, views and contemporary culture - a good reason to plan a visit for 2026.

Outlook for your travel year 2026

Whether it's a big cultural trip, a city break or a spontaneous day trip: if you take the time to take a closer look, Germany 2026 will show you a new side to many familiar places. I hope my inspirations will help you to plan your travel year consciously and experience familiar destinations in a different way.