Surprisingly Green: Cities For Nature Vacations

Are you planning a vacation in Germany and can’t decide between a city break and nature? You don’t have to, because many German cities offer both city life and beautiful nature.

For nature lovers, a city vacation is certainly not the first choice. In a ranking, over 65 cities were analyzed, and the top 20 cities for nature experiences in Germany were determined. They are also the perfect place to try out the new Azurslot. Several factors were taken into account:

The number of outdoor activities offered in the city

The Google search volume for outdoor activities per 100,000 inhabitants

The accessibility of outdoor activities via Google Maps

Hashtags and search volume on Instagram and TikTok related to nature and the outdoors

The climatic conditions of the respective cities for outdoor activities (weather, temperatures, and more)

Our Rankings

1. Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt offers a lot of urban space, but that’s not all. 

This big city has:

13 easily accessible outdoor activities in the city and the surrounding area

23 well-developed hiking trails

Average summer temperature: 18.8 degrees Celsius

Frankfurt is particularly well known for its skyscrapers. But in first place in the Sixt ranking, this megacity surprises with its exceptionally high potential for outdoor activities. Particularly noteworthy are:

Urban green spaces and numerous parks such as Palmengarten and Stadtpark

Main riverbank: perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, or relaxing by the water

Proximity to the Taunus mountains and thus numerous opportunities for hiking, cycling, and other excursions into nature

2. Munich

The location of the city of Munich allows for a wide range of outdoor activities. 

Munich has:

17 outdoor activities

55 hiking trails

Located directly at the foot of the Alps, the Bavarian capital offers ideal conditions for year-round outdoor activities:

Hiking, cycling, walking

Mountain biking

Winter sports

The city also boasts one of the largest city parks in Europe, the English Garden. The Isar floodplains are also worth a visit. In addition, there are many lakes within easy reach of Munich, such as Lake Starnberg and Lake Ammer.

3. Stuttgart

The Stuttgart area is a paradise for nature lovers. 

In Stuttgart, there are:

16 outdoor activities

Surrounded by vineyards, hills, and forests, Stuttgart is perfect for nature lovers. From here, you are practically already in the Black Forest or the Swabian Alb. In addition to numerous other outdoor activities, Stuttgart offers perfect conditions for

Hiking trips (for example, to the Schönbuch Nature Park)

More challenging tours at altitude (for example, around the Killesberg)

Enjoying nature in the middle of the city thanks to its many parks

The largest network of historic stairways for exploring the city

The open-air wine festivals in Stuttgart are also particularly recommended in summer.

4. Berlin

Berlin has many activities to offer, especially in the open air. 

The German capital offers:

15 outdoor activities

Berlin may not necessarily be the first destination on the travel list for outdoor enthusiasts, but it ranks fourth in Sixt’s ranking and is actually perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities – thanks to parks such as the Tiergarten and the Botanical Garden. But there is also a lot to discover in the surrounding area. For example, the following destinations are perfect for cycling, paddling, or hiking:

Grunewald

Müggelsee

Spreewald

The capital also offers several experiences that you can only have here: for example, you can inline skate, cycle, or land a kite along the runways of an old airport (Tempelhofer Feld).

5. Nuremberg

Nuremberg offers an enchanting mix of historic old town and green nature in the middle of the city. 

The southern German city has:

14 outdoor activities

45 hiking routes

Nuremberg impresses above all with its wide mix of nature in the city center and its proximity to famous natural highlights such as Franconian Switzerland and the Fichtel Mountains. With so many destinations for outdoor activities, there is something for everyone. Among other things, there is plenty to experience at these popular destinations:

Reichswald

Pegnitz Valley

Wöhrder Lake

Numerous nature parks

From beach vacations to bike tours: there is something for everyone here. Nuremberg is also known for its beautiful historic old town, including medieval sights such as castles and ruins. Around Christmas time, beautiful Christmas markets also attract visitors.