A land of forested mountains, verdant hills, winding rivers and vineyards, Hesse is certainly striking. Set in west-central Germany, the region is home to Frankfurt — Germany’s main financial centre — as well as to a whole host of pretty medieval towns and villages perfect for laid-back weekends away with friends and family. Accommodation options are enormously wide-ranging, with the best places to stay in Hesse including intimate B&Bs, swish city hotels and gorgeous rural retreats aplenty.
Most business or city break-focused travellers will find themselves in Frankfurt, where glittering high-rises sit alongside historic church spires, fabulous museums and lively squares lined with terrific taverns and hip bars. Don’t miss the German Film Museum, the German Architecture Museum, the Museum of Modern Art or the Goethe House & Museum. Other urban hubs include the beautiful Baroque city of Fulda and striking Wiesbaden, perched on the banks of the Rhine River. Hesse’s capital, this elegant city has long been known for its healing thermal waters — a restorative dip is a must!
For a more low-key retreat, look to the region’s little towns and villages, where half-timbered houses jostle for space between well-preserved town halls and buzzy beer gardens. Frankenberg is one such favourite, with both the old and new towns promising dazzling views over the Eder Valley. These friendly communities are ideal springboards for days of hiking and cycling, or fantastic bird watching in Hesse’s hills and forests. Hide away in restored hunting lodges, medieval castles or tranquil riverside wineries for food-focused tours and tastings. Quiet and characterful, these are undoubtedly some of the best places to stay in Hesse.