When looking for property in south Germany, there are only two states which reach the country’s most southerly border. Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria are also two of the larger states in the country, providing a wider choice of locations in which to buy property.

Away from the sun, sea and sand-style breaks of the far north and the ever-changing culture of Berlin and its surroundings, Baden-Wuerttemberg offers a slightly slower pace of life with activities that allow visitors to engage in its history and heritage, as well as to enjoy its natural geography.

Bavaria, meanwhile, is divided into four further regions, each with its own attractions and, in some cases, some of Germany’s best-known cities.

Property in Baden-Wuerttemberg for a relaxing getaway

For some relaxation, property in Baden-Wuerttemberg could be your best bet. The state’s portal claims that it has a greater variety of wellness offerings than any other area of Germany. They include convalescent resorts and mineral spas designed to boost the body, mind and spirit in equal measures.

The natural landscape of the region allows for some physical activity to help get the blood pumping and give a further impulse to the system, with hiking trails and geography including river valleys, moorland, forests and mountains to explore while breathing in the clean Baden-Wuerttemberg air.

Property in Bavaria for Oktoberfest and winter fun

A stay in property in Bavaria can provide an escape as the weather turns colder toward the end of the year. Munich in particular is famous for hosting the Oktoberfest – which was originally held in October. Early in its 200-year history, the start of the event was moved to mid-September to catch the last of the summer sun, but the schedule still reaches into the early days of the month for which it is named.

The city also meets the needs of winter sports enthusiasts, thanks to its close proximity to the Alps. The mountains add a spectacular background to the skyline of the Bavarian capital itself, with Munich’s churches and palaces standing in contrast against the blue-grey rock and snow. Further attractions for ski, snow and ice enthusiasts include the Ice Hockey Cup and the Tollwood Winter Festival, held each year on the Theresienwiese.

Property in Germany’s interior southern states

Away from the southern border, there are still opportunities to buy property in Germany’s more southerly areas. Saxony, Thuringia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and the tiny state of Saarland all lie below the rough east-west line that runs across the country.

Saxony is another cultural destination, with attractions ranging from the musical city of Leipzig to the architecturally striking Dresden. The Elbe Valley in Dresden is among the most recent additions to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with monuments and royal residences lying along the 20 km feature.

Saarland was officially part of France as recently as 1956, with limited self-ruling rights from World War II onwards; on January 1st, 1957 it returned to German rule and was subsequently reintegrated into the nation’s economy. The industrial state has seen further change as the mining industry declines and alternatives, such as automotive manufacturing, have moved into the area.

Rhineland-Palatinate is divided into seven regions, each offering variety to visitors. The medium-sized state is a similar size to Thuringia and Hesse but, with the Rhenish slate mountains at its heart, has some spectacular scenery and mountain-based pursuits to attract active holidaymakers to its slopes and valleys.

Thuringia and Hesse are truly interior states of Germany, with no external borders. The former is densely cultural, with an annual Bach Festival celebrating the composer and the Goethe Hiking Route taking in sights including the writer’s home and summer house. A particular milestone in the history of the state comes in the form of 2011, the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer Franz Liszt.

Hesse, meanwhile, is a dichotomy of developing cities and unspoilt nature. Frankfurt is described by the state’s tourism body as "a fast-developing European metropolis", while nearby attractions including Vogelsberg, Taunus and the Odenwald offer contrast with untouched wilderness just an hour away.