Germany Travel Guide

The best things to do in Germany come from the country’s variety. It stretches from the North Sea and Baltic coast to the Alps, covers about 357,000 square kilometres and has more than 83 million people, the largest population in the EU (see the Wikipedia overview). Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Frankfurt each feel different, and the countryside between them holds medieval towns, river valleys and forests.

Germany suits travellers who like their trips organised and easy: trains are frequent, signage is clear and most places are well run. It is a strong choice for history, from Roman Trier to the Cold War in Berlin, for music and museums, for hiking and cycling, and for food and beer. It also works for families and for first-time visitors to Europe who want a mix of cities and scenery without much friction.

The best places to visit in Germany are easy to combine, because major cities are one to six hours apart by train.

Berlin

The capital is the main draw for history and culture. The Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, the Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum Island sit in or near the centre, and neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg carry the café and nightlife scene. Give it at least three days.

Munich and Bavaria

Munich combines beer halls, the Marienplatz old town and good museums. Day trips reach Neuschwanstein Castle, the Alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.

Rhine Valley

Between Koblenz and Bingen, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is lined with vineyards, castles and small towns such as Bacharach. Travel by train along the bank or by river boat.

Hamburg and the north

Hamburg is a port city with canals, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and a lively harbour. From here the North Sea and Baltic coast, and the old Hanseatic town of Lübeck, are within easy reach.

Heidelberg and the Black Forest

Heidelberg has a ruined hilltop castle above the Neckar River. To the south, the Black Forest offers hiking, cuckoo clocks and cake in towns such as Triberg and Freiburg.

Cologne and Dresden

Cologne is known for its Gothic cathedral, and Dresden for a rebuilt baroque centre on the Elbe. Both suit short stays.

The top things to do in Germany combine big-ticket sights with outdoor time and food. This list works for most itineraries.

• See the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag: book the free Reichstag dome visit ahead, as slots fill up.
• Tour Museum Island in Berlin: five museums on one site, including the Pergamon and the Neues Museum.
• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle: reserve timed tickets online, especially in summer.
• Cruise the Rhine: boats run through the castle-lined gorge between Koblenz and Mainz.
• Walk the Cologne Cathedral towers: the south tower climb gives a view over the Rhine.
• Drink beer in a Munich beer garden: locals bring their own food to many of them.
• Hike in the Bavarian Alps: trails around Berchtesgaden and Garmisch suit most fitness levels from June to September.
• Explore Hamburg’s Speicherstadt: the warehouse district and harbour are best at dusk.
• Visit a Christmas market: markets in Nuremberg, Dresden and Cologne run from late November to Christmas Eve.
• Ride the high-speed trains: ICE trains link the main cities in comfortable and quick hops.

The best time to visit Germany is May to September for warm weather, long days and outdoor life, with September and early October adding wine harvest festivals and fewer crowds. Winter is colder and darker, but December is popular for Christmas markets, and the Alps are busy for skiing from January to March.

Oktoberfest in Munich runs from mid-September to early October and drives hotel prices up sharply, so book early or avoid those dates.

Yes, Germany is safe to visit, and most travellers will have no problems. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, and cities are generally fine at night. Check your government’s current travel advice, such as the UK FCDO or US State Department pages, before you go.

Pickpockets. Theft is the most common issue, especially around main stations, tourist sights, Christmas markets and on crowded public transport in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. Keep bags closed and phones out of back pockets.

Neighbourhoods. Areas around some major train stations can feel rough after dark. Stay aware, as you would in any large European city.

Public events. Security is visible at large events and markets, with bag checks at some venues. Demonstrations occur in cities, and are usually peaceful; avoid them if you prefer to keep clear of crowds.

Weather and mountains. Winter ice and Alpine weather can change quickly. Check forecasts and avalanche reports before off-piste skiing or hiking. Emergency services respond on 112, and healthcare is high quality, so carry travel insurance.

Whether you need a Germany visa depends on your nationality. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, and citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, have been able to visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa from a German embassy or consulate before travel.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure and issued within the past ten years. Border systems are changing: the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors with fingerprints and a photo, and ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, is planned to follow. Check the official German foreign office or federal police source for the current picture rather than relying on a guide.

You can learn about the country’s heritage sites on the UNESCO page for Germany, though it does not cover entry rules. Internal Schengen borders usually have no routine checks, but carry your passport anyway, as spot checks happen.

Most international visitors arrive at Frankfurt or Munich, the two main hubs, or at Berlin Brandenburg, Hamburg, Düsseldorf or Cologne Bonn. Germany also has good rail and bus links to neighbouring countries, from Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Prague and Copenhagen.

Trains are the best way to cover long distances. ICE services run between the main cities: Berlin to Munich takes around four hours, Frankfurt to Cologne about one hour, and Berlin to Hamburg about two. Delays are common on Deutsche Bahn, so leave slack for tight connections. The Deutschlandticket, a monthly pass for regional transport, is worth considering if you stay a few weeks, while regional day tickets suit shorter trips.

Cities have excellent U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus networks. A rental car helps in the Black Forest, the Romantic Road and the Alps. The autobahn has stretches with no speed limit, but most sections do, and drivers keep to the right and pass on the left. Many city centres have low-emission zones that require a sticker.

Germany costs more than Eastern Europe but less than Switzerland or the Nordic countries. The currency is the euro (EUR), and cards are widely accepted, though cash is still used in small cafés and bakeries. The figures below are rough per-person estimates for 2026.

• Budget: around EUR 55 to 90 per day, with hostel dorms, bakery breakfasts, supermarket food and regional trains.
• Mid-range: around EUR 90 to 170 per day, with a private hotel room, restaurant meals and a few paid sights.
• High-end: from around EUR 250 per day, with upscale hotels, fine dining and first-class rail.

Accommodation is the main swing factor, and prices spike in Munich during Oktoberfest and in cities during trade fairs. Booking rail tickets early, using day passes and eating lunch menus can cut costs. Many museums are free or cheaper on certain days, and Berlin’s free walking tours cover the central sights.

Germany food is hearty and regional, with bread, sausage, potatoes and beer at the centre, and a strong bakery culture. The idea that it is only sausages misses a lot, as cooking changes between Bavaria, the Rhineland and the north.

• Bratwurst and currywurst: grilled sausage in a roll, and Berlin’s sliced sausage with curry-ketchup sauce.
• Schnitzel: breaded veal or pork cutlet, often with potato salad.
• Schweinshaxe: roast pork knuckle with crisp skin, a Bavarian favourite.
• Käsespätzle: egg noodles baked with cheese and onions, common in the south.
• Brezel and Brötchen: pretzels and bread rolls, the base of a German breakfast.
• Black Forest cake: chocolate, cherry and cream layers from the south-west.
• Riesling and Pilsner: Riesling from the Rhine and Mosel, and a huge range of local beers.

Vegetarian and vegan options are now easy to find in cities, though traditional inns may serve few. Bakeries, Imbiss stands and Turkish döner shops are cheap places to eat. Tap water is safe, and restaurants usually charge for bottled water.

German is the national language, with strong regional dialects. English is widely spoken in cities, tourism and among younger people, but a few words, such as bitte (please), danke (thank you) and Guten Tag (good day), are appreciated, especially in smaller towns.

Germans value punctuality, directness and rules. Arrive on time for tours and reservations, and expect to share a table in busy beer halls. Greet shop staff and quietly say goodbye when leaving. Recycling is taken seriously, so sort your waste, and keep the bottle deposit (Pfand) system in mind: return bottles and cans to a machine for a refund.

Shops are generally closed on Sundays and public holidays, so shop on Saturday, and many cities have quiet hours on Sundays. Cyclists have priority on marked lanes, so stay out of them. Remarks about the Nazi period are sensitive, and Nazi symbols and salutes are illegal. Discuss history respectfully, and treat memorial sites as solemn places.

This Germany itinerary links Berlin, Munich and the Rhine by train with realistic transfer times.

1. Day 1, Berlin: arrive, see the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, and eat dinner in Kreuzberg.
2. Day 2, Berlin: tour Museum Island, then visit the Berlin Wall Memorial in the afternoon.
3. Day 3, Dresden: take the train (about two hours) to see the rebuilt old town and the Zwinger.
4. Day 4, Munich: travel by train, about four to five hours, then walk Marienplatz and visit a beer garden.
5. Day 5, Neuschwanstein: day trip by train and bus to the castle, around two hours each way.
6. Day 6, Heidelberg: travel north via Stuttgart or Mannheim, about three to four hours, and climb to the castle.
7. Day 7, Rhine and Frankfurt: take a regional train along the Rhine to Bacharach, then continue to Frankfurt for your flight.

In winter, swap the Rhine for a Christmas market in Nuremberg. With extra days, add Hamburg or the Black Forest.

• Money: the euro is the currency. Cards are common, but some small shops and rural inns prefer cash, so carry some. ATMs are widespread.
• SIM and eSIM: prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are cheap and coverage is good along main routes. EU visitors can usually roam at home rates.
• Plugs: types C and F at 230 V.
• Tipping: round up or give around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants, saying the total when you pay.
• Health: healthcare is excellent, pharmacies (Apotheke) are widely available, and EU visitors should carry their EHIC or GHIC.
• Packing: layers and a rain jacket in every season, sturdy shoes for cobbled streets, and warm clothes for winter.
• Booking: reserve Neuschwanstein tickets, Reichstag visits and hotels during Oktoberfest well in advance.

For wider background, see the Wikivoyage Germany guide.