Visitors Rank Germany’s Top 100 Attractions

by James Ruggia
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Wed July 16, 2014

PHOTO: Neuschawnstein Castle was named one of the Top 100 Attractions by German visitors.

Give the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) credit. They listen to the market itself and don't rely exclusively on marketing gurus. Once again they've gone to travelers in Germany themselves to rank the country's top 100 attractions in order. For the third time in three years, the voters made Neuschwanstein Castle, Europa-Park Rust and Cologne Cathedral at the top of the list of the 100 most popular sights for foreign tourists in Germany. The "Top 100" survey was conducted by the GNTB between August 2013 and April 2014. The survey button-holed 11,000 foreign travelers in Germany. They also gave the GNTB website a good rating as 75 percent said it was good or very good.

For the first time in the three-year existence of the survey, events were incorporated into the Top 100 in addition to the sights. You guessed it: Munich's Oktoberfest received most votes among events and ranked 10^th. It was good to see that the European country that invented Christmas Markets is getting its due. German Christmas markets ranked high especially Christkindelsmarkt in Nuremberg, the Dresden Striezelmarkt and the Frankfurt Christmas Market.

Buildings, architectural ensembles, landscapes, testimonies of intellectual and cultural history and even theme parks made the list as did 21 of the country's 39 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The ranking can be found as an update in the free GNTB app, "Germany TOP 100." The app can be found in German and English for iOS and Android devices. The app provides information on all of the sights via a list or interactive map: short descriptions, information on accessibility, entrance fees, opening hours, arrival options via car or public transport, links and suggestions for further touristic highlights in the area. There are also coupons for some of the listed destinations and an event calendar.