City trip: These 3 metropolises in East Germany you should visit

Whether you want to discover the highlights of Germany's largest metropolis, experience the country's music capital, or immerse yourself in one of its most exciting art scenes – Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden are perfect destinations for a city trip to eastern Germany. Each of these three cities has its own unique history, but all share a mix of change, diversity, and a special flair, both historical and new. We'll introduce you to the highlights of these cities and show you the best places to stay.

Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden offer a wealth of highlights for your next city trip. If you're looking for a central, flexible, and affordable stay, MEININGER Hotels are the perfect choice. The hotel group operates 36 locations across Europe, including 15 in Germany – with six hotels in Berlin and one each in Leipzig and Dresden.

MEININGER Hotels impress with their central location, convenient public transport connections, and excellent value for money. Each hotel is individually designed and reflects the character of its city – in keeping with the motto "Step out and explore." Rooms range from double rooms and family rooms to beds in shared dormitories – ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, groups, or backpackers.

Building of the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station with large letters MEININGER, below two men talking and inscription

The MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station lives up to its name and is located directly at the main train station.

Source: MEININGER Hotels

Particularly convenient: The reception is staffed around the clock, and early check-in and late check-out are easily possible. A varied breakfast buffet awaits you in the morning, and in the evening, a hotel bar invites you to relax and unwind. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available in all areas.

Common areas such as a fully equipped guest kitchen with laundry facilities and a game zone with foosball, pool table, and children's play area make your stay even more enjoyable. Families also benefit from a 15 percent discount for children up to 12 years old when booking directly. Children up to six years old eat breakfast free, and children aged seven to 12 eat half price. Spacious family rooms and free cribs upon request round out the offerings. Pets are also welcome for a small surcharge.

View of the illuminated Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at night

Berlin is always worth a city trip.

Source: IMAGO/robertharding

Berlin is not only Germany's largest city, but also one of its most diverse: history, politics, culture, and the vibrant scene are often just steps away from one another. A good starting point for your exploration is the Brandenburg Gate – a symbol of German unity and a historic site of division after the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The former checkpoint Checkpoint Charlie and the artistically painted 1.3-kilometer-long East Side Gallery are reminders of the era of the Berlin Wall. Incidentally, the East Side Gallery is considered the longest open-air gallery in the world.

Following the "Unter den Linden" boulevard, you'll reach the Berlin Cathedral with its monumental dome and one of the largest organs in the country. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a sweeping view of the city. Right next door is Museum Island – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to world-famous museums such as the Pergamon Museum and the Old National Gallery. Speaking of museums: Modern sites such as the Humboldt Forum and the Museum of Natural History are also worthwhile destinations.

Politics is also visible in Berlin: The Bundestag (German Parliament) meets in the Reichstag building. A highlight there is the walkable glass dome with panoramic views – it is free to enter with advance notice! The neighborhoods of Kreuzberg, Neukölln, and Prenzlauer Berg offer even more of a Berlin lifestyle, with trendy cafés, street art, bars and Berlin pubs, and international cuisine. In the heart of the city, the expansive Tiergarten park, with its shady avenues and quiet corners, invites you to recharge from the hustle and bustle of the big city. And the crowning conclusion to your city trip: the view from the TV tower at Alexanderplatz, Germany's tallest building at 368 meters.

View into a lounge in the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Tiergarten with wooden tables and a swing seat

The bar at the MEININGER Hotel Tiergarten invites you to linger with its hanging swings and relaxed atmosphere.

Source: Wolfgang Scholvien Photograph, MEININGER Hotels

The MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz is located in the lively Prenzlauer Berg district, directly on Schönhauser Allee at the Senefelderplatz subway station. The MEININGER Hotel Berlin Tiergarten is located in Moabit, just minutes from the leafy Tiergarten park. And if you're looking for accommodations right next to Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Airport is the perfect choice.

All six MEININGER Hotels in Berlin offer convenient, well-connected locations. The MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof, as its name suggests, is just a few minutes' walk from the main train station. The MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus also boasts a prime location near Museum Island and Alexanderplatz. The MEININGER Hotel Berlin East Side Gallery is located in the immediate vicinity of the historic section of the Berlin Wall of the same name, which is covered in graffiti and other works of art.

As is typical for MEININGER, each hotel features an individual design. For example, the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz creatively incorporates the city's landmark – the TV tower – through stylized wallpapers and carpets, giving the hotel a modern, Berlin atmosphere.

Monumental Monument to the Battle of the Nations made of dark stone and with a wall in Leipzig, in front of which is a moat

The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is Leipzig’s landmark.

Source: imago images / Eibner

Leipzig is considered Germany's music capital and, with its vibrant music scene, is often referred to as "the new Berlin." Indeed, the city combines history, student life, classical heritage, and urban creativity in a unique way.

One of Leipzig's landmarks is the Monument to the Battle of the Nations: 91 meters high, with 500 steps to the viewing platform, offering a fantastic view over Leipzig. From there, it's not far to the Old Town with its market square, magnificent merchant houses, and the Old Town Hall, which today houses the City History Museum. Just a few minutes' walk away is St. Thomas Church, the place where Johann Sebastian Bach worked and whose grave is located inside the church. The Gewandhaus and the Mendelssohn House are also among the city's musical highlights.

A special place is the Mädlerpassage, with its elegant shops and Auerbach's Cellar, famous from Goethe's "Faust." Art lovers will enjoy the Museum of Fine Arts—a modern, light-filled building with works by Friedrich Klinger, and Neo Rauch. Those who want to experience Leipzig's creative side should visit the Spinnerei: a former industrial site that now houses galleries, studios, and exhibitions. Leipzig is also a great place for families. The zoo is one of the oldest in Europe, yet is ultramodern. It is home to over 800 animal species and the tropical "Gondwanaland" under a giant dome.

Double room at the MEININGER Hotel Leipzig with modern, bright design, desk and mirrored wardrobe with shelves

The interior design of the MEININGER Hotel Leipzig is a creative mix of shapes and colors.

Source: Wolfgang Scholvien Photograph, MEININGER Hotels

The MEININGER Hotel Leipzig Hauptbahnhof awaits you in Leipzig, just 400 meters from the train station. This excellent connection allows guests to easily reach sights such as St. Nicholas Church, the Opera House, and the market square on foot. The design is inspired by Leipzig's creative art scene. The hotel was awarded the "German Design Award – Special Mention" in 2019 for its original spatial concept.

View over Dresden with the Frauenkirche and the roofs of the old town

Dresden is also called “Florence on the Elbe” for good reason.

Source: IMAGO/Sylvio Dittrich

Dresden is not nicknamed the "Florence on the Elbe" for nothing: The old town, with its baroque buildings, appears like a living work of art. At its center is the Frauenkirche, rebuilt in 2005. Those who climb its 67-meter-high dome are rewarded with a stunning view of the city.

Right next door stands the Residenzschloss (Residenz Palace) with its Historic and New Green Vaults, exhibiting gold, jewels, and art treasures from the time of the Saxon Electors. Another highlight is the Zwinger Palace – one of the most important Baroque buildings in Europe. Here you can admire masterpieces by the Old Masters, including Raphael's "Sistine Madonna." Directly adjacent is the Semper Opera House. Even without attending a performance, a guided tour of the magnificent opera house is worthwhile. From there, you can reach Brühl's Terrace, the "Balcony of Europe," with views of the Elbe, the Old Town, and the Church of the Holy Cross in just a few minutes.

Dresden also surprises with its modern side: In the Outer New Town, around the equestrian statue of Augustus the Strong, you'll find colorful, creative shops, exciting street art, and cool bars. The Kunsthofpassage is particularly worth a visit – a fascinating labyrinth of courtyards, cafés, and galleries. The Grosser Garten, Dresden's largest park with tree-lined avenues, meadows, and palaces, offers a relaxing break in the countryside. Right next door is the zoo with over 1,000 animals.

Double room in the MEININGER Hotel Dresden with bed, desk and green-framed window

The MEININGER Hotel Dresden is located close to the most interesting sights.

Source: Lutz/MEININGER Hotels

The MEININGER Hotel Dresden Zentrum is just a five-minute walk from the main train station. Sights such as the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House, and Dresden Castle can also be reached on foot in approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The interior design is inspired by Dresden's rich musical culture—with vinyl wallpaper, disco balls, and colorful accents evoking the atmosphere of a concert hall. The concept is complemented by an open-plan layout designed to bring people together. Paid parking is available for guests arriving by car.