From Berlin’s pulsating center to the lovely Black Forest, there is more to keep tourists occupied than it first appears. Today, Germany is much more than just bratwursts and lederhosen. Craft beer and Michelin-starred restaurants, world-class museums and traditional folk festivals, half-timbered medieval towns, and modern cities—Germany is just as diverse today as it was when the nation was a patchwork of sovereign nations. Find out about its cool capital, Berlin, listen to the classical music that was made there, try some of the best local wines, and drive through lush meadows, dense forests, and charming villages until you reach the horizon.
Current entrance criteria and travel restriction
Time to go is best
The ideal months to visit are April through October, with June through August being the busiest travel months. Carnival celebrated in Cologne in February with street events and parades. Even though there may be fewer tourists in late April or early May, you may still see trees blooming, beer gardens opening, and locals enjoying the arrival of spring. Typically, summers are warm, but not oppressively so. The biggest beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest, gets underway in September. There is a potential of snow starting in late November, but for visitors coming to the charming Christmas markets in December, that may simply be the cherry on top.
Top cities and regions
- Bavaria
Also, medieval castles, grand palaces, Baroque churches, and city centers in Bavaria can be seen in the background of traditional events and opera festivals. In addition to the Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany, Regensburg is a treasure, a Danube Valley city with a famous bridge and aristocratic towers. In the Allgäu area, home to the mythical castle of Neuschwanstein, one may admire the architecture of Bavarian monarch Ludwig II. The Romantic Road, the Castle Road, and the German Alpine Road are some of the most popular tourist routes. These routes are the best way to see how different the area is.
- Berlin
Since Germany came back together as one country, Berlin has changed more than any other city in Europe. It has become a center for architecture, culture, entertainment, nightlife, and shopping. Take a stroll around the beautiful boulevards that the Prussian rulers once had built. On Museum Island, which is actually a museum, you can look at ancient things like the bust of Nefertiti, the Greek Pergamon Altar, and statues of Donatello. Find out about the city’s history during the Cold War, especially at the famous TV Tower, Checkpoint Charlie, and the parts of the Berlin Wall that are still standing. Explore the neighborhoods, the hub of a fresh, lively atmosphere. In Neukölln, Prenzlauer Berg, and Kreuzberg, you’ll find theaters, flea markets, hip cafés, and cutting-edge fusion restaurants with flavors from all over the world.
Berlin’s top hotels
White Forest
Germany’s largest forest is well recognized outside of its borders for its thatched roof homes, the cake that bears its name, cuckoo clocks, and red pom-pom bollenhut hats. The dark, tightly clustered fir trees on the top slopes are where the name originates. Watery canyons, deep valleys, and breathtaking mountain vistas are unmatched in their raw beauty. There are more than 30 spas and health resorts in the area where you can go to relax. Don’t miss Baden-Baden, a spa town with Germany’s oldest casino and a breathtaking cathedral vista. The Kaiserstuhl region is famed for its Sekt (sparkling wine), smoked fish, kirsch, and Black Forest ham, all of which are great gastronomic offerings for foodies.
Vineyards, castles, stories, and boat cruises in Rhineland -Palatinate: A place rich in history is located in the middle of Germany. In charming Trier, visitors can gaze at Roman ruins from the year 16 BC. The oldest city in Germany was the home of the emperor, and it is now a World Heritage Site because so many historically important buildings have been kept. The city of Worms, which tucked away between the Rhine, Moselle, and vineyards, appeals to lovers of nature and culture. Both the Nibelungenlied about the dragon-slayer Siegfried and the iconic table white wine of Liebfraumilch, also known as “Blue Nun,” have their roots in this region. Take a cruise on the Neckar River to Heidelberg and its renowned castle ruins, or go cycling through the greatest Riesling-growing region along the German Wine Route.
Best off-the-beaten-path locations
- Baltic Sea
Foreign tourists haven’t yet found the Baltic Sea, even though it has beautiful fishing villages, woods, and red brick buildings. Cycling enthusiasts will discover a utopia of flat-land trails with a tailwind, plenty of swimming chances, and little to no traffic. The long-distance Baltic Sea Hiking Trail offers hikers a scenic route across the coastal region’s chalk cliffs, dunes, nature preserves, fields, meadows, and forests. Wismar, a Hanseatic city, shines with its late Gothic princely court, city wall, and medieval townhouses made of red brick.
- Arctic Ocean
The North Sea coast is a great place for beachgoers and people who like the outdoors because of the unique landscape and the protected Wadden Sea. While the major North Sea islands, like Sylt and Föhr, have benefited from tourism development, East Frisia still has many traditional fishing and farming communities. Life moves quite slowly here, and most of the islands are car-free.
Best activities
Consider white asparagus.
To a German, the white spargel stalks are the perfect symbol of spring. From mid-April until June 24, asparagus, sometimes known as the “vegetable of kings,” “edible ivory,” or simply “white gold,” sends the entire nation into an asparagus frenzy. Try it in Frankfurt with schnitzel, melted butter, cooked potatoes, and a few pieces of smoked or cured ham.
Stop by a beer garden.
German culture is inextricably linked to both outdoor beer gardens and indoor brewery bars. Nothing brings people together more than sitting on benches with other locals and drinking cold beer. This long-standing tradition reaches its peak every year at Oktoberfest in Munich and in smaller versions in many other towns and cities.
With its charming cities, Baroque palaces, and medieval castles, the nation’s oldest and most popular tourist route is easy to fall in love with. Drive 400 km past the luxurious Würzburg Residence, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and the beautiful Wieskirche, a Rococo church in its own alpine meadow. Preferably, rent a deluxe “Made in Germany” vehicle.
All of Germany is easy to get to by car, train, or plane thanks to the country’s good and extensive transportation system. All major cities are connected by domestic flights in a little over an hour. The German freeway system, called the “autobahn,” makes it easy to get around quickly by car, but the high-speed train is often the most pleasant and fastest way to get around because it doesn’t hurt the environment. More rural locations are accessible by regional trains. Long-distance bus services like FlixBus have gained popularity as an affordable alternative in recent years.
Getting there
Flying with EasyJet into Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, or Munich, as well as the seasonal airport of Friedrichshafen, is the most affordable way to go to Germany (December to March). While Ryanair offers additional destinations, certain airports, like Frankfurt/Hahn, are in remote areas, so it could take longer to get to your final destination even with cheap tickets. There are no longer any ferries from the UK to Germany, but you can still drive, passing through France, Belgium, or Holland. It is feasible to go by high-speed rail using Eurostar to Brussels and then the ICE train to Cologne or Frankfurt. Additionally, you can change trains in Paris for a number of German locations.
Saving advice
If you prepare ahead of time and/or go with others, taking the train can be quite inexpensive. For the best prices, book at bahn.com more than three months in advance. You may pay as little as £16 for a Hamburg-Munich ICE train ticket. The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket costs £36 and is valid for up to five passengers on regional trains for a 24-hour period.
Answered: Your Most Burning Questions About A Travel guide to Berlin
How is the weather today?
The weather in Germany is similar to the weather in Britain, but the seasons are more clear. Summers are hot, and winters are chilly and overcast. All year round, it rains a considerable amount. The nicest weather is frequently seen in the spring and autumn shoulder seasons.
In which time zone is it?
GMT+1 puts Germany one hour ahead of the UK.
What kind of money do I need?
Euros.
Which language they are using here?
German is the official language; however, younger people and those who live in large cities speak English fluently. On the other hand, residents in rural areas and the older generation from the former GDR, where Russian was taught in schools, might not understand a word you’re saying, so it’s always a good idea to know a few words in German and to greet with a pleasant “Guten Tag.”
