Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen
To visit sights
Literally: to inspect things worthy of being seen
In 15 Seconds
- Used for visiting famous landmarks and historical monuments.
- Combines 'see-worthy things' with the verb for 'inspecting'.
- Perfect for travel planning and describing vacation activities.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you go out to explore the famous landmarks, monuments, and historical spots of a city or region.
Key Examples
3 of 6Planning a trip with a friend
Wollen wir morgen die Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen?
Do we want to visit the sights tomorrow?
A formal company outing
Nach dem Seminar werden wir die historischen Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen.
After the seminar, we will visit the historical sights.
Texting a travel update
Bin in Rom und werde den ganzen Tag Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen!
I'm in Rome and will be visiting sights all day!
Cultural Background
In Germany, 'besichtigen' often involves a very orderly process. Guided tours (Führungen) are extremely popular and are considered the 'proper' way to besichtigen a castle or parliament building. In Vienna, sightseeing is often linked to the imperial history (Habsburgs). 'Besichtigen' here often refers to the opulent palaces like Schönbrunn. Swiss sightseeing often focuses on nature as much as buildings. You can 'besichtigen' a famous waterfall or a mountain pass station. German tourists are famous for being well-prepared. If they say they are going to 'besichtigen' something, they likely have a map, water, and a historical fact ready.
The 'Be-' Rule
Remember that 'be-' verbs are almost always transitive, meaning they need an object. You always besichtigen *something*.
No People!
I'll say it again: don't besichtigen your friends. It's a very common and funny mistake.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for visiting famous landmarks and historical monuments.
- Combines 'see-worthy things' with the verb for 'inspecting'.
- Perfect for travel planning and describing vacation activities.
What It Means
This phrase is the ultimate tourist expression.
It means going to see famous places.
Think of the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum.
In German, we call these "things worthy of seeing."
It is more than just looking.
It implies a purposeful visit to learn something.
You are exploring the highlights of a city.
It is the classic activity for any traveler.
How To Use It
You use the noun Sehenswürdigkeiten with the verb besichtigen.
The noun is long but very logical.
Sehen means to see.
Würdig means worthy.
So, they are literally "see-worthy things."
The verb besichtigen is for places and objects.
You don't besichtigen a person.
That would be very weird and creepy!
Keep it for buildings, museums, and monuments.
In a sentence, besichtigen often moves to the end.
When To Use It
Use it when planning a vacation.
It fits perfectly in a travel guide.
Tell your friends about your weekend trip.
"We want to see the sights in Berlin."
It works in professional settings too.
Maybe your company organizes a city tour.
It sounds organized and polite.
Use it when you want to sound cultured.
It shows you are there for the history.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a quick coffee.
If you go to a park to sleep, don't use it.
It implies activity and focused attention.
Also, avoid it for people.
Use besuchen for your grandma.
If you besichtigen your grandma, you are inspecting her!
She might think you are checking her for dust.
Don't use it for shopping trips either.
Cultural Background
Germans are world champions at traveling.
They love history and architecture.
A vacation isn't just for the beach.
It is for "Bildung" or self-improvement.
Visiting sights is a way to respect history.
You will see many Germans with guidebooks.
They actually read the plaques on the walls!
It is a sign of being a "cultured" traveler.
They take their sightseeing very seriously.
Common Variations
Younger people might say Sightseeing machen.
It sounds a bit more casual and modern.
You can also say eine Stadttour machen.
If you just want to walk around, use bummeln.
But for the big monuments, stick to besichtigen.
It makes you sound like a sophisticated visitor.
You can also just say Sights angucken in slang.
Usage Notes
The phrase is standard German and works in almost any context. Just remember that 'besichtigen' implies a level of attention—you are there to look at the details, not just pass by.
The 'Be-' Rule
Remember that 'be-' verbs are almost always transitive, meaning they need an object. You always besichtigen *something*.
No People!
I'll say it again: don't besichtigen your friends. It's a very common and funny mistake.
Plural is Key
You'll almost always use the plural 'Sehenswürdigkeiten' because nobody ever visits just one sight!
The 'Sights' Shortcut
If you forget the long word, most Germans under 40 will understand 'Sights', but using the full word will impress older speakers.
Examples
6Wollen wir morgen die Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen?
Do we want to visit the sights tomorrow?
A standard way to suggest a tourist activity.
Nach dem Seminar werden wir die historischen Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen.
After the seminar, we will visit the historical sights.
Professional and organized tone.
Bin in Rom und werde den ganzen Tag Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen!
I'm in Rome and will be visiting sights all day!
Excited and informal communication.
Ich bin so müde vom Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen.
I am so tired from visiting sights.
Using the phrase as a gerund to describe the activity.
Ich wollte schon immer die Sehenswürdigkeiten in Paris besichtigen.
I have always wanted to visit the sights in Paris.
Expressing a long-held desire.
Welche Sehenswürdigkeiten kann man hier besichtigen?
Which sights can one visit here?
A polite inquiry for recommendations.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'besichtigen' in the Perfekt tense.
Gestern ______ wir {den|m} Berliner Dom ______.
The Perfekt of 'besichtigen' uses 'haben' and the participle 'besichtigt' (no 'ge-').
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Ich besichtige meine Tante. B: Ich besuche {das|n} Museum. C: Ich besichtige {das|n} Museum.
You can 'besuchen' (visit) a museum or 'besichtigen' (inspect/sightsee) it. You cannot 'besichtigen' a person.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
1. Sehenswürdigkeiten 2. besichtigen 3. Reiseführer 4. Denkmal
These are key vocabulary items related to the main phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the correct words.
A: Was wollt ihr heute machen? B: Wir wollen ein paar ______ ______.
This is the standard collocation for sightseeing.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Besichtigen vs. Besuchen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ______ wir {den|m} Berliner Dom ______.
The Perfekt of 'besichtigen' uses 'haben' and the participle 'besichtigt' (no 'ge-').
A: Ich besichtige meine Tante. B: Ich besuche {das|n} Museum. C: Ich besichtige {das|n} Museum.
You can 'besuchen' (visit) a museum or 'besichtigen' (inspect/sightsee) it. You cannot 'besichtigen' a person.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are key vocabulary items related to the main phrase.
A: Was wollt ihr heute machen? B: Wir wollen ein paar ______ ______.
This is the standard collocation for sightseeing.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it's very common. You can also use 'besuchen'. 'Besichtigen' sounds a bit more like you are looking at the architecture and the exhibits thoroughly.
Not always, but 90% of the time. You can say 'Das Brandenburger Tor ist eine wichtige Sehenswürdigkeit.'
'Besichtigen' is for places/objects (inspection). 'Besuchen' is for people, events, or places (visiting). You visit a friend, but you sightsee a castle.
Break it into: SEHEN (to see) + S (connector) + WÜRDIG (worthy) + KEITEN (plural suffix).
It's becoming common due to English influence, but 'Sehenswürdigkeiten besichtigen' is much more 'proper' German.
No. The prefix 'be-' is never separated. It's 'ich besichtige', not 'ich sichtige be'.
No. It's 'Ich besichtige {die|f} Stadt', not 'in die Stadt'.
Yes! 'Eine Wohnung besichtigen' is the standard phrase for viewing an apartment you might want to rent.
It's neutral. It's appropriate for any situation, from a casual chat to a formal travel guide.
It's the opposite of a famous 'Sehenswürdigkeit'—a 'secret tip' or hidden gem that tourists don't know about.
Related Phrases
sich etwas ansehen
similarto look at something
eine Stadtführung machen
builds onto do a guided city tour
etwas bewundern
similarto admire something
bummeln gehen
contrastto stroll/window shop
einen Ausflug machen
similarto go on a trip/excursion
