Germany's 10 most beautiful cities in winter

With sights such as the Imperial Cathedral, the Little Venice district or the ornate New Residence palace, the UNESCO World Heritage city is a tourist magnet. It's especially worth experiencing the romantic flair of the Baroque and Gothic architecture when it snows in winter. If you get too cold while taking in the sights, a stop at one of the many breweries will certainly remedy the situation.

Schwäbisch Gmünd is located at the foot of the Swabian Alb and the Drei Kaiserberge mountains. Historic buildings characterize its center, which is packed with churches, monasteries and beautiful squares. Not far from the city, the Hohenrechberg castle (pictured) offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, which is popular with winter sports enthusiasts and hikers.

Not far from Stuttgart lies the former royal castle of Ludwigsburg. The residential palace is one of the largest preserved Baroque buildings in Europe. Visitors can tour the royal residence year-round — perhaps to warm up after a stroll through the palace gardens. The old town offers plenty of charming alleys and Baroque churches to admire, regardless of the weather.

Visiting Hattingen in Germany's Ruhr region is akin to stepping back in time. Winding alleys with 150 half-timbered houses lead to St. George's Church in the center of town. The surrounding countryside also has much to offer, including great hiking through the romantic Ruhr Valley and the medieval castles of Isenburg, Blankenstein and the Haus Kemnade moated castle.

Freudenberg is an undeniable winter beauty. The town of 18,000 inhabitants is an hour's drive from Cologne and has recently gone from being a sleepy village to an Instagrammable hot spot. From the spa park, you have a good view of Freudenberg's old town, which features 80 half-timbered houses from the 17th century.

The Harz Mountains, a low mountain range in Saxony-Anhalt, attract many winter sports fans who enjoy skiing, tobogganing and hiking on the slopes. Yet in addition to the region's natural attributes, there is no shortage of picturesque towns to admire, such as Wernigerode. Known as the "colorful town on the Harz," its half-timbered houses are especially attractive in winter with a dusting of snow.

It's hard to imagine Christmas in Germany without its typical decorations, such as nutcrackers or carved "Weihnachtspyramide," aka Christmas pyramids. Yet few people know that these festive classics are actually made in the town of Seiffen, in the Ore Mountains. Even when Christmas is over, Seiffen is worth a visit. There's plenty of skiing and hiking to be done in the area.

One of the oldest cities in Saxony is located 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Dresden on the Elbe River: Meissen. There are few sights more romantic than the city's silhouette glimmering on the water in winter. After touring the historic old town, visit the Albrechtsburg Castle and the cathedral on Schlossberg Hill, before warming up in one of the city's many restaurants and cafes.

Located near Hamburg, the Hanseatic city of Lüneburg gained wealth over 1,000 years ago thanks to the salt trade. Traces of its former glory still characterize the old town in the form of its ornate merchants' houses, winding alleys and historic water tower, among other architectural gems. Those seeking the tranquility of nature can take a wintry hike through the nearby Lüneburg Heath.

The Hanseatic city of Stralsund on the Baltic Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its magnificent brick buildings. Even in winter, it's easy to enjoy the views while strolling the streets and admiring beautiful gabled houses, ornate churches and the unique town hall. For a top-notch outing in nature, drive to visit the national park and the beaches on Rügen, Germany's largest island.