Exploring Germany: Our Cologne Stopover, Hamburg House Sit and Schwerin Castle
- Jenn & Leon
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
Germany was never meant to be a major chapter in our travels. In 2019, we had a short stopover in Cologne, then later spent six weeks based in Hamburg during a house sit.
What began as a practical stay became one of those slow-travel experiences that showed us a quieter, more everyday side of the country, with a final trip to Schwerin giving us the fairy-tale moment we had not expected.
This is not a checklist of every German city or a claim that we have seen it all. It is our honest introduction to a country we experienced in small pieces: a famous cathedral city, a residential neighborhood near Hamburg, local supermarket shelves, easy transport connections, and one spectacular castle by a lake.
Our First Taste of Germany:
Cologne in 2019
Our first visit was a brief 2019 stopover in Cologne, enough time to feel the energy of a major German city and see the unmistakable outline of Cologne Cathedral.
It was not a long stay, but it left an impression of a country where medieval landmarks sit comfortably beside busy stations, shopping streets, and a very practical rhythm of daily life.
For first-time visitors, Cologne makes sense as an entry point because it is well connected and immediately recognizable. But the experience also reminded us that Germany is better understood slowly.
In our opinion, the most useful travel memories often come after you leave the obvious sights and start seeing how people shop, commute, relax, and organize ordinary life.
Six Weeks in Hamburg:
A Quieter Residential Side of Germany
Our longer stay came through a six-week house sit near Hamburg. We were based in a quiet, clean residential area with a park nearby, useful transport links, and a small shopping hub within easy reach.
The location suited the kind of routine we value when we stay somewhere longer: enough calm to work and settle in while still being able to get around without much fuss.
We enjoyed the simple parts of the experience most. Local supermarkets became a small adventure in themselves, with different foods to try and the kind of everyday browsing that makes a place feel less like a destination and more like somewhere you are briefly living.
Hamburg felt efficient and easy to navigate, especially from a well-connected residential base.
We had considered using Hamburg as a jumping-off point for Berlin, but the train price we found at the time was far higher than we expected. In hindsight, it is worth comparing advance fares and regional options before writing off a domestic trip.
Germany has excellent transport connections, but the cheapest choices are not always the ones you see first.
The Day Trip That Stood Out: Schwerin Castle
The real highlight of our time in northern Germany was Schwerin. The city felt manageable and peaceful, but it was Schwerin Castle that stayed with us.
Set beside the water and surrounded by gardens, it has the kind of turreted silhouette that looks designed for a storybook, yet it is a real place with several centuries of history behind it.
If you are planning time in northern Germany, our full guide to Schwerin Castle covers the palace, its lakeside setting, and why we think it deserves more attention than it receives.
For us, it was easily the most memorable part of the trip and a reminder that some of Germany’s best experiences are beyond the biggest headline cities.
What Germany Felt Like to Us
Our experience of daily life was generally easy and comfortable. The neighborhood around our Hamburg stay was clean and calm, transport was useful, and shopping was straightforward.
We did find that people could initially seem a little reserved, but we know that is a broad impression rather than a rule.
As with anywhere, place, timing, and individual interaction matter far more than a national stereotype.
Germany also worked well for a slower style of travel. You can build a trip around big cities, but you can just as easily choose one base and let local routines, nearby parks, regional rail journeys, and smaller cities shape the experience.
That is the version we came away valuing most.
Planning Your Own Germany Trip
If Germany is on your Europe itinerary, leave room for both the obvious and the unexpected.
Cologne is great for a short urban stop, Hamburg can work well for a longer stay with a local feel, and Schwerin is ideal when you want architecture and history without the intensity of a major capital city.
✅ Book longer-distance trains in advance and compare regional options before committing to the first fare you find.
✅ Look beyond Berlin and Munich for smaller cities, lakeside landmarks, and regional history.
✅ Use a residential base when you want a slower, more everyday view of a city.
✅ Allow time for supermarket visits, local parks, and unplanned wandering. These are often the details that make a stay feel personal.
For broader route ideas, explore our Europe travel hub and browse more Germany travel stories.
We may not have explored every corner of the country, but Cologne, Hamburg, and Schwerin gave us three very different reasons to return.
Have you ever explored the quieter, residential side of a country you visited, or do you prefer hitting the main landmarks?
Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Germany good for slow travel?
Yes. Our six weeks near Hamburg showed us how easy it can be to settle into a routine, use local transport, and enjoy a quieter residential side of the country. A longer stay also gives you more flexibility to add day trips such as Schwerin.
Is Schwerin Castle worth visiting?
Absolutely. Schwerin Castle was the standout experience of our time in northern Germany. Its lakeside setting, gardens, and fairy-tale architecture make it one of the most memorable castles we have visited in Europe.
Can you visit Berlin from Hamburg by train?
Yes, but prices can vary considerably depending on when you book and which service you choose. Check fares early and compare the options before finalizing your itinerary.
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