Top 10: Germany's most popular tourist attractions in 2017

A new arrival: this year the Moselle Valley took tenth place in the online vote. From Trier to Koblenz, the Moselle - Mosel in German - separates two low mountain ranges, the Eifel and the Hunsrück. Deeply cut valleys, terraced vineyards and numerous castles and ruins are typical of the region.

Hellabrunn Zoo is another newcomer to the top 10 this year. More than 750 animal species live in this nature reserve in the Isar meadows. Hellabrunn is considered the world's first geo-zoo: since 1928, the animals here have lived in complex communities according to their geographic distribution.

The third newcomer in 2017 is a theme park, Phantasialand, in Brühl, not far from Cologne. Divided into various themed sections, Phantasialand offers numerous roller coasters, carousels and shows. In 2017 the park celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Heidelberg has remained in the top 10 for years, although in 2017 it dropped from second to seventh place. The city on the banks of the Neckar is considered the epitome of German romanticism. Every year its famous castle ruins attract about a million visitors from around the world.

The Zwinger palace in Dresden with its museums and the Church of Our Lady are among the city's most important Baroque buildings. Dresden's distinctive skyline earned the Saxon state capital on the River Elbe the nickname "Florence on the Elbe." The city improved its standing from tenth to sixth place.

Strolling through the historical old town district is like taking a trip back in time. In hardly any other German town have so many towers, fountains and fortifications from the Middle Ages survived. That kept Rothenburg in fifth place - the same as last year.

Landscaped parks on the flower island of Mainau, Romanesque churches with UNESCO world heritage status on the monastic island of Reichenau, picturesque towns and Mediterranean flair - all those make Lake Constance a perennial favorite with tourists. The lake and its islands climbed from sixth to fourth place.

The fairy-tale castle in Bavaria has moved up by one place compared to last year. The Bavarian King Ludwig II had it built to look like a medieval knight's castle. Construction began in 1869. When Ludwig died in 1886, work still wasn't finished. Now the castle is one of the best-loved sights in Germany.

Last year's third favorite has risen to second place in 2017. With 13 roller coasters, a 4D cinema and more than 100 other attractions and shows, Europa-Park in Rust is Germany's largest theme park. It attracts more than 5 million visitors a year.

Last year this newcomer shot to first place, and it has been able to defend its position in 2017: the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. In the world's biggest model railway exhibition, countries, cities and landscapes are reproduced on a small scale in loving detail.