European Championship in Germany: Your Guide to the 10 Host Cities

The European Championship in Germany is just around the corner, and 10 German cities are set to attract tens of thousands of soccer fans from all over the world as European Championship host cities. In this video, we shine a spotlight on each city, revealing what makes it and its people so special, and which must-see highlights you shouldn’t miss during your visit. 

From Hamburg's infamous Reeperbahn and the student pub in Leipzig, to Berlin's Currywurst and Maultaschen in Stuttgart – these are our top tips for each European Championship host city.

A former German chancellor described the Currywurst as the power bar of German skilled workers – but it is also the fuel of local soccer fans. An excellent sausage can be found at the Imbiss Olympische Brücke, which is conveniently located just 800 meters from the Olympiastadion, where six European Championship matches are being held. But no matter where you are walking around, the Currywurst Finder Berlin will guide you to the nearest place for this Berlin delicacy. If the combination of German bratwurst and Indian spice powder sounds suspicious, try the kebab at Superhahn in Charlottenburg. Even star chefs like Tim Raue enjoy this kebab.   

How about chilling out at a beach bar that isn't a beach bar at all? At the Club der Visionäre on the Landwehrkanal, you can dangle your feet in the water from the wooden jetty during the day while sipping your favorite drink. If you’re in the mood to dance, just stick around until the electronic beats crank up and the crowd grows. Alternatively, you can head to the former Bärenquell brewery. This old brick building is now home to the RSO, currently one of the hottest techno clubs in the city. 

Fried black pudding, known as Flönz in Cologne, served with mashed potatoes, apples and fried onions – this hearty combination is called Himmel un Ääd. This delicious dish can be enjoyed at Brauerei Zur Malzmühle or Kleine Glocke pub, washed down with a Kölsch beer, of course. Waiters will keep bringing you a new 0.2 liter beer as soon as you have finished drinking. To take a break, just place the beer mat on top of your glass, known locally as a Stange. 

In Dortmund, the third-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, a visit to the Dortmunder U is a must. The former fermentation and storage cellar of the Dortmunder Union brewery has been transformed into a creative center where you can marvel at one of the changing art exhibitions on the sixth floor or, on selected days, watch a movie in the cinema. 

After soaking up some high culture, why not explore Dortmund's vibrant pub scene. Be sure to order a Stößchen and Salzkuchen – a small beer and a roll topped with caraway seeds and served with minced meat and onions. You can’t get more Dortmund than that! 

Düsseldorf doesn’t just have a well-developed public transport network, but pedestrians can also get around safely – it is the only city in Germany where pedestrian lights have a yellow light. The Rhine promenade is also best explored on foot.  And if you've enjoyed a Killepitsch, the famous Düsseldorf herbal liqueur, after a meal, it's best to leave your bike and car behind altogether. 

Perhaps it's the large number of bankers and business people in Frankfurt that makes lunchtime so popular here – even when there are no big deals on the table. A great spot for lunch is the Kleinmarkthalle, where you will be spoiled for choice. For a more relaxed setting, head to Zum Gemalten Haus in Sachsenhausen, where you should definitely try a dish with Frankfurt green sauce, paired with apple wine. 

With your energy levels replenished , you’re ready to explore Frankfurt's rich cultural offerings. Don’t miss the Städel Museum, one of the most important art museums in Germany. 

In Gelsenkirchen, almost everything revolves around soccer. More specifically, around Schalke 04. A popular hangout for fans is the Schalke 04 Bosch clubhouse. Here you can experience first-hand how open-minded, friendly and chatty people in this part of Germany are. One tip, though: avoid showing any signs of support for certain club from Dortmund. 

City or harbor cruise? Why not both! In Hamburg, you can experience an amphibious bus that takes you through the city streets and then cruises through the harbor. The HafenCity RiverBus lasts about 70 minutes. 

For a taste of local cuisine, we recommend Hamburg’s fish delicacies. Check out the quaint cult restaurant Veddeler Fischgaststätte, where you can sample sour fried herrings and fish cakes. For a quick bite, grab a typical Hamburg fish roll at Kleine Haie, große Fische on the Reeperbahn. Right across the street you’ll find another St. Pauli classic: the Zum Silbersack pub. 

The best place to soak up Leipzig's lively student scene is at Noch Besser Leben, a combination of student pub, hostel, and venue for live music and cultural events. Feel like dancing afterwards? The Institut für Zukunft (IfZ) may sound like a government office, but it is one of the coolest electro clubs in the city. And if you’re looking for late-night bars, Leipzig rivals Berlin with places like Lazy Dog in the alternative Connewitz district, where you can buy drinks and small items late into the night.   

Munich locals love their mixed drinks in summer. A beer with lemon soda is called a Radler, while a mixture of cola and orange soda is called Spezi in southern Germany. Both can be enjoyed in the middle of town at Sendlinger Tor, where you will also feel like you're in a mini forest. This is thanks to a new beer garden in Nussbaumpark since this year, which is run by fesch, a queer pub. If you want to get out of the town centre, cycle to the Großhesseloher Brücke in Pullach. Either pack a few Radlers and chill by the Isar or grab a refreshment at the Kosum kiosk, where sometimes a DJ plays and gets a spontaneous party started. 

While the English Garden is a must-see in the Bavarian metropolis, consider a stroll through one of the many other parks for a true Munich feel. For example, the somewhat hidden Rosengarten in Untergiesing or Westpark, where you’ll find Gans am Wasser, an idyllic spot that combines a café and beer garden atmosphere. Grab a bite from the food trucks serving many vegetarian and vegan dishes and enjoy the diverse music program. 

When in Stuttgart, there are two must-try dishes: Maultaschen and Käsespätzle. You can eat Maultaschen, a delicious filled-pasta dish, at Herr Kächele Maultaschen und mehr. And if you enjoyed this Swabian specialty, you can even buy it vacuum-packed to take home as a souvenir. For some excellent Käsespätzle, an egg noodle pasta smothered in cheese, visit Weinstube Fröhlich.  

Another unique feature of Stuttgart are the Besenwirtschaften. These cozy pubs are run by wineries that serve their own wine directly, but only for a maximum of four months a year. You can tell if a Besenwirtschaft is open if you see a broom hung at the entrance. 

Header image © Imago