The German city of Freiburg has been praised in the latest Lonely Planet travel guide as one of the top three cities in the world to visit in 2022. 

German cities often don’t make the Lonely Planet list

In one of its first full global top 10 lists since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-respected Lonely Planet travel guide has chosen to honour Freiburg as one of the best cities to visit in 2022. 

Freiburg beat out the likes of the German capital, Berlin, and other large and well-known German cities such as Munich and Hamburg, to make it into the top three of the ranking. The travel guide praised the city for its fresh air, stunning surroundings, eco-friendly feel, and its “enviable quality of life”. 

"The charismatic, environmentally conscious Black Forest metropolis can show many of us a few more tricks on how to live responsibly," says the guidebook, adding that Freiburg is a "pioneer of the German environmental movement."

Freiburg’s 30-centimetre long sausages are a hit

Aside from Freiburg’s green side, Lonely Planet also praised the city for its stunning gothic Minster cathedral and regional food. Freiburg’s “Lange Rote”, a 30 centimetre long grilled sausage in a bread roll, is the guide’s top food recommendation. 

Coming just ahead of Freiburg in the 2022 listing lie the cities of Auckland, in New Zealand, and Taipei, in Taiwan. The winning city, Auckland, was given the top spot thanks to its 53 volcanoes, 50 islands, three wine regions and stunning beaches.

Lonely Planet's top destinations for 2022

Lonely Planet’s top picks for travel in 2022 are:

• 1. Auckland, New Zealand
• 2. Taipei, ROC Taiwan
• 3. Freiburg, Germany
• 4. Atlanta, US
• 5. Lagos, Nigeria
• 6. Lefkosia, Cyprus
• 7. Dublin, Ireland
• 8. Merida, Mexico
• 9. Florence, Italy
• 10. Gyeongju, South Korea

For more information about each of the cities, and other travel rankings for 2022, see the Lonely Planet guide.