8 Can’t-Miss Experiences in Germany and Italy, According to Your Travel Style

Home to some of the most iconic and historic cities anywhere — many of which Lufthansa flies to from major US hubs — Germany and Italy offer something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re looking to celebrate food in Rome, fashion in Milan, or the holiday season in Munich, these are world-class destinations steeped in their own transportive traditions. For your next Eurotrip, focus more on the “Euro” and less on the “trip” by beelining to these conveniently accessible cities in Germany and Italy, based on your travel style.

MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS

Dive deep into German history in Berlin…

By day, Berlin bustles with iconic attractions, from the Berlin Wall and Museum Island to Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum. Among its architectural icons are the glass-domed Reichstag Building, the seat of the German government, and the Brandenburg Gate, the city’s instantly recognizable monument that’s a symbol of old and new, East and West. Beyond its monuments, Berlin’s neighborhoods brim with creativity, from Kreuzberg’s street art to Neukölln’s multicultural imports. Together, these must-sees make Berlin not only a living museum of European history but also a dynamic cultural hub.

…stroll through Frankfurt’s Römerberg…

In the 16th century, Frankfurt’s Old Town — Römerberg — was regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the Holy Roman Empire, marked by Gothic and Baroque architecture and the grandiose Imperial Hall, festooned with paintings of all 52 Roman emperors. Today, it’s among the most architecturally striking districts in Germany, home to the Fountain of Justice and buildings meticulously designed to mimic their 15th- and 16th-century origins. A picturesque place for a stroll, Römerberg also hosts popular annual events like the holiday market — which technically stretches across the city’s whole historic center.

…and explore unexpected antiquities in Rome.

Rome has more than its fair share of world-famous architecture, but one structure that flies comparatively under the radar is the Pyramid of Cestius. After the Roman Empire conquered Egypt in 31 BC, tombs in Rome began to borrow inspiration from those in Egypt. Gaius Cestius, a wealthy Roman magistrate, opted to erect a pyramid made mostly of concrete and marble as his tomb. The only surviving Egyptian-style pyramid in Rome, it rises 120 feet tall, spans 97 feet on each side, and is incorporated into the city walls constructed around it. The interior is accessible to visitors on the third and fourth Saturdays and Sundays of each month, with tours conducted in Italian.

FASHION & FESTIVITIES

Shop and sip at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan…

Italy’s oldest active shopping arcade, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has been a world-class destination since its completion in 1877. It’s housed within a four-story arcade in the center of town, right next to the Duomo di Milano, and is laid out in a giant cross shape, stretching nearly 650 feet in its longest direction and rising about 155 feet to its majestic glass-domed roof. Initially created as a covered passage between the Duomo and the Teatro alla Scala, it quickly filled in with upscale retailers and restaurants. Its pioneering steel-and-glass architecture is said to have influenced the construction of Paris’s Eiffel Tower.

Nowadays, beneath the dome, shoppers can find the highest fashions, like Prada, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta, along with the historic Libreria Bocca bookstore (open since 1930) and Milanese restaurants like Savini Restaurant and Camparino, an aperitivo bar established in 1915. In winter, the Galleria’s glass dome sparkles with holiday lights, while window displays and café terraces fill with Milanese shoppers escaping the cold.

…and visit one of Europe’s oldest holiday markets in Munich.

Every December, Munich’s Old Town transforms into a beloved holiday destination, drawing countless merrymakers to one of Europe’s oldest holiday markets. Christkindlmarkt brings thousands of twinkling lights to the city’s historic Marienplatz square, complemented by the sound of carols echoing from the glockenspiel at the nearby New Town Hall.

You can easily spend a whole afternoon at the market, browsing more than 100 wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and toys, as well as sampling seasonal treats like roasted chestnuts, gingerbread hearts, and warm pretzels. The scent of cinnamon and pine fills the air, while artisans demonstrate time-honored crafts that reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. Pro tip: For a panoramic view of the festivities, climb to the balcony of the New Town Hall overlooking the market, or wander toward nearby Rindermarkt for the charming Nativity Market.

CULINARY & NIGHTLIFE

Eat your way through Testaccio Market in Rome…

Mere mention of Rome conjures images of the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Vatican City — all requisite destinations with well-earned prominence. But right up there with the architecture, the Eternal City is also one of Italy’s foremost food destinations. Among the sea of pasticcerias (pastry shops) and rosticcerias (delis), Testaccio Market — in the city’s food-filled Testaccio neighborhood — is like an edible theme park.

Inside, hungry visitors will find more than 100 stalls organized by type of food, like produce, meat, cheese, seafood, and ready-to-eat snacks. Some popular stops include Mordi e Vai for crispy tripe panini, Casa Manco for zucchini blossom pizza, and Spiros for moussaka and couscous. Visiting in winter means more space to enjoy Rome’s famous landmarks, including this one, and a chance to see the Eternal City at its most relaxed.

…and dance the night away in Berlin.

By night, the energy in Berlin reaches a new crescendo, with hundreds of clubs pulsing until the wee hours — and some that stay open for 24 hours on weekends. One such club is Berghain, a legendary techno temple that contains three main dance floors and enough space for 1,500 club-goers, though it’s notoriously tricky to get past the bouncers. To help your odds, it’s advised to come alone or with a small group and dress in all black to match the vibe inside. If that’s not your speed, or you don’t make it in, no problem — there’s always a cocktail bar, late-night beer garden, jazz club, or other evening venue nearby in Berlin.

All this and more lies within reach of a flight from the US on Lufthansa. What type of traveler will you be on your next Eurotrip?