1. Berlin is both the German capital and the biggest city in Germany. After being separated into East and West during the Cold War, Berlin was reunited in 1990; it quickly emerged as the most cosmopolitan and exciting city in Germany for art, architecture, and nightlife.
2. Munich, the capital of Bavaria and gateway to the Alps, is one of the most beautiful and green cities in Germany. It offers first class museums and traditional German architecture, a salute to Bavaria's royal past. Get a true taste of Munich's hospitality, culture and world-famous beer at its Oktoberfest, which attracts more than 6 million visitors every year.
3. Thanks to its International Airport, Frankfurt is the major hub for Germany and Europe. The city is also the financial center of the country, which is reflected in Frankfurt’s gleaming skyscrapers. Frankfurt is host to many important events, among them the International Book Fair in October, the biggest of its kind in the world.
4. Hamburg is the country's second largest city and located in the North of Germany. It boasts one of the biggest harbors in the world and is famous for its legendary nightlife hub "Reeperbahn", which is also home to the city’s red light district. With several waterways running through its center, Hamburg has maritime charm – with more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined.
5. Cologne, founded by the Romans, is one of Germany's oldest cities. The soaring Cathedral of Cologne is the centerpiece of the city and its rich architectural history. Cologne is well-known for its contemporary art scene, excellent museums, and the largest carnival celebrations in Germany.
6. Dresden, spread out on both banks of the river Elbe in Saxony, is also called "Florence at the Elbe", due to its idyllic location, excellent examples of baroque architecture, and world-renowned art treasures. Although 80% of Dresden’s historic center was destroyed in World War II, all landmarks have been rebuilt to their former splendor.
7. Leipzig has been home to some of Germany’s best-known artists for a long time; Goethe was a student in Leipzig, Bach worked here as a cantor, and today, the New Leipzig school brings fresh wind into the art world. Besides being a center for German art and culture, the city also became famous in Germany’s recent history, when Leipzig demonstrators initiated the peaceful revolution, which lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
8. Heidelberg is one of the few German cities that wasn't destroyed in World War II; plenty of old world charm fills the narrow cobble stone streets of its Old Town, which was the center for Germany's romantic period. The ruins of the once grand Heidelberg castle, the oldest university in the country, and the idyllic river valley make Heidelberg one of the most picturesque destinations in Germany.
resource: http://gogermany.about.com/od/citiesandregions/tp/best_german_cities.htm
