The results are in: Europa-Park is Germany’s most popular tourist attraction for visitors from abroad in 2015, followed by Neuschwanstein Castle and Cologne Cathedral.

The results follow an online survey carried out by the German National Tourist Board over the last two years.

The aim of the poll, which is now in its fourth year, is to find the country’s 100 most popular attractions. 

Petra Hedorfer, chief executive of the GNTB, explained how the online votes were cast.

“Travellers from more than 40 countries took part in the survey, and the results demonstrate how well our voting system works: eight of the ten most popular attractions from the previous year retained their top-ten ranking in 2015.” 

Europa-Park and last year’s winner Neuschwanstein Castle switched places at the top of the rankings.

Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, held on to third spot.

In the positions below them and returning from last year were Heidelberg Castle and old quarter, Brandenburg Gate, the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Lake Constance with Mainau Island and the Monastic Island of Reichenau (another UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Berlin Wall.

New in the top ten were Mount Zugspitze and the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Romantic Road. 

Visitors to Germany cast their votes for famous monuments, historical towns, natural landscapes, sports venues and theme parks but also for traditional events and festivals.

The top 100 are spread right across the country, from north to south and from west to east, and demonstrate the rich diversity of the sights and attractions in Destination Germany. 

The top 100 attractions are being highlighted in the in-depth content on the GNTB websites.

They are also being presented with digital awards to use in their own online activities and stickers to use for advertising.

The top 20 attractions will receive signs with which they can publicise their success in the survey.