Berlin

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Berlin has modest beginnings as a trading centre in the 13th century, but over time it grew into a European powerhouse and finally hogged centre stage throughout the turbulent 20th century. Since reunification in 1990, it has evolved into a dynamic, sexy and creative city where a surprising lightheartedness lurks beneath an austere exterior.

Berlin is the heart of modern Germany, with a stoic beat that echoes through grand public buildings, glorious museums and theatres, urbane restaurants, bustling pubs and raucous nightclubs. It's a city that thrives on change and that has made a virtue out of reinventing itself.

Stuttgard

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Set in a lush valley ringed with vineyards, Stuttgart is one of the greenest cities in Europe. The citizens pride themselves both on the fine cars built in their city and on their environmentalist spirit. Stuttgart is also one of Germany's top wine-growing centres.

With its moderate climate, proximity to the Schwaäbische Alb (Swabian Jura) and unique Swabian heritage, Stuttgart is a great place to experience a vibrant, well-to-do south German city without hordes of tourists. For a more raucous time, visit during the Cannstatter Volksfest, Germany's second-largest Oktoberfest celebration.

Frankfurt

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Frankfurt is often seen only as a transit hub or a business centre, but it's so much more. It boasts Germany's most spectacular skyline, mirrored in the Main River, and Europe's tallest office building. It's also the country's most international town; more than a quarter of its citizens are foreign.

Frankfurt throws more money at the arts than any other European city so you'll most likely catch a ground-breaking exhibition at one of its museums. And if you do happen to get stuck at the mega-airport there's a nightclub, art gallery and X-rated cinema to help while away those in-transit hours.

Munich

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Munich, rivalled only by Berlin as Germany's most popular destination, is a sophisticated city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don some ironic Lederhosen and head down to the capital of Bavaria, where folk traditions ride alongside BMWs and hearty meals share the table with haute cuisine.

The city is a haven for all sorts of culture, with a staggering array of museums, a vibrant arts scene and the infamous revels of Oktoberfest. Bavaria is souvenir-icon Germany at its postcard best, and the fairy-tale Gothic, Biergarten-filled city of Munich is no exception.

Dresden

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You can't keep a great city down. Despite brutal wartime bombings and a devastating flood, Dresden has dusted itself off, restored many of its stunning baroque buildings to their former glory, and is now all gussied up following its 800th anniversary. This Saxon capital is well and truly back at the forefront of Germany's tourist towns.