Your ultimate guide toGermany
Germany contrasts gritty, industrial cities such as Munich and Dusseldorf with fabulous forested landscapes and fairytale castles. Echoes of its storied past are everywhere from the Nazi camps that still scar the landscape to the colourful remains of the Berlin Wall, now a gallery for Europe’s coolest street artists. Welcome to our Germany travel guide.
Meaty bratwurst and rowdy beer halls, magnificent, windswept beaches lapped by the Baltic Sea and the endlessly evolving creative scene – there are so many incredible things to do in Germany, it is guaranteed to capture your heart.
So where to start when planning your German adventure?
Here are our picks of the best things to see and do in Germany.
Best Time to Visit Germany
With so many things to see and do in Germany, there’s never a bad season to visit. For pleasant weather and fewer crowds, it’s best to visit Germany in the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October.
If you’re timing your visit to fall during the spring months of March and April, the black forest will be looking particularly beautiful as the leaves come out. The best places to visit in Germany in May are the Mecklenburg Lake District, a romantic landscape of lush hills and glassy lakes, and Stuttgart, which hosts Europe’s biggest spring carnival every year.
The weather in Germany in summer is generally sunny with a few showers, and the climate is fairly consistent wherever you go, although the south of the country tends to be slightly warmer. Cologne is one of the warmest cities in the country, while Berlin tends to be warm and rainy in the summer. Music fans are in luck as there are hundreds of electronic music festivals in Germany at this time of year.
If you’re after snow sports, head to the mountains in winter. Or get into the festive spirit with a steaming cup of gluhwein (mulled wine) at Nuremberg’s famous Christmas market.
How to get there
You can fly to Germany from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth although there are no direct flights. Stopovers are typically in Dubai or Singapore and the major international airports in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. Once you’ve arrived, the rail network is a famously efficient way to explore the country.
Exploring Germany in the winter
There is no doubt that Germany takes on a particular charm in winter, when the gingerbread cottages in The Alps are dusted with snow and icicles glitter on the historic castles’ roofs. Cochem is a picturesque medieval town that is chock-a-block with snug taverns, perfect for whiling away chilly afternoons, while ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen clears 110 km of hiking trails through snowy forests. Discover the best of Germany in winter with our practical guide.
Best spots to Visit in Germany
Its beguiling combination of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity make Germany an incredibly rich destination. Where you go entirely depends on what sort of trip you are looking for, although with so much variety it’s easy to combine several different holidays into a single visit. Known for its boundary-pushing creative scene, Berlin is a natural place to start – check out our insiders’ guide for the best places to see, stay and eat.
Munich has a slower, more sedate atmosphere and some fascinating cultural sights, while the North Sea Islands boast nostalgic fishing villages and fabulous hiking.
Unravelling history in Nuremberg: A city of trials and tribulations
From medieval emperors to untouchable hangmen, there is more to the history of Nuremberg than meets the eye. As I look out rounde...
The 7 cutest German Christmas towns to feel merry in
If you're looking for a magical winter getaway in Europe, it's hard to find a better option than these festive German towns. Whil...
Five-minute guide to Munich
This vivacious German town is festive all year round. Words Megan Arkinstall, illustrations Lauren Merrick (more…)...
Top Things To See & Do in Germany
With so many must see things in Germany, you may find yourself struggling to pick.
Wine-lovers will enjoy discovering some of Europe’s lesser-known wine regions in Franconia and Baden, while foodies will adore comforting dishes such as apple strudel. History buffs, culture vultures and architecture addicts will be entranced by cities like Berlin, Cologne and Potsdam, while those who love the feel of the wind in their hair and fresh air in their lungs can’t miss out on a hike through the black forest.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Germany, no matter what kind of holiday you’re looking for.
Cultural Events & Popular Festivals
Germany’s traditional festivals are as ancient as they are eccentric. Kaltenberg is a medieval festival, Asparagusfest in Schwetzingen celebrates the harvest, while Munich’s Oktoberfest is the biggest beer event in the world.
You may associate carnivals more with Venice than Germany, but Cologne has embraced the idea with a huge parade on Rose Monday, as well as plenty of other street parties over a two-week period.
Berlin’s Berinale is the biggest film festival in the world, while Wurstmarkt is the world’s biggest wine festival.
Christmas markets
The fragrant smell of gingerbread and steaming glühwein (mulled wine), the sound of Silent Night and twinkling trees… the majority of traditions we associate with Christmas actually started in Germany and you can find them all at the many Christmas markets up and down the country.
Nuremberg is one of the most famous, while Stuttgart is ideal for families with its skating rink and Grimm’s fairy tale figures. To really embrace the Christmas spirit head to the Konstanz Market which is framed by vistas of the snow-capped Alps.
Visit castles
Germany was divided into hundreds of fiefdoms until it was united and it has the castles and palaces to prove it. Think curvaceous turrets and soaring spires, austere battlements and precisely manicured gardens.
Schloss Neuschwanstein is a wedding cake castle perched on a hilltop in Bavaria, Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace is a trove of artistic booty including huge hordes of precious porcelain while Schwetzingen has enchanting gardens where peacocks roam freely.
A driving holiday along Germany’s Beer and Castle route does is every bit as great as it sounds! Plan your own trip with our handy guide.
Popular beaches in Germany
The south of Germany is peppered with idyllic lakes but if you’re looking for sunbathing and swathes of white sand, the north coast is the place to be as it’s home to the most popular beaches in Germany.
Pack a picnic and explore Sylt Island’s 40 km of coast by bicycle. Characterised by thatched cottages, historic lighthouses and winding lanes, this is one of the most traditional and genteel resorts in the country.
Ahlbeck Beach on Usedom Island is scattered with strandkörbe (traditional wooden benches with stripy sun covers) giving it a charming, nostalgic air, while the only way to reach Langeoog Beach is by horse-drawn carriage as there are no cars on Langeoog Island.
Germany tours
In a country as large and diverse as Germany, a tour can be a great way to get under the skin of the culture and provide a focus for your trip.
A must visit is the Black Forest, a deep, dark landscape that occasionally reveals waterfalls and sturdy timbered farmhouses. Try exploring it by van or hike the Westweg trail, which runs the length of the forest from Pforzheim to Basel.
The Danube River is the mighty artery that flows through the whole country. Explore the Danube Cultural Route, which mostly passes through Bavaria, to see beautiful wetlands and sights such as Regensburg Old Town, which has Unesco status for its medieval bridges and gothic spires.
Petrol heads will love the Mercedes Benz factory tour, while an eagle’s nest tour will take you to a beautiful mountain tea house originally built for Adolph Hitler.
Inside Munich’s most thought-provoking museum
Munich’s striking Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism confronts the city’s dark past through its illumi...
Iconic German places that inspired these famous fairytales
Have you explored the fairytale route yet? Explore the place where Cinderella and Rapunzel were born... One of Germany’s most ...
The Black Forest and Bavaria by van
In part one of International Traveller's Europe by campervan odyssey, Freya Herring goes in search of legendary cake and fairy-tal...
These are the world’s best cities for street art
The artistic antidote to urban greyness, street art has become increasingly popular across the globe. But for the best cities to ...
Bach, battles and bratwurst: Germany’s cultural icons
From Berlin to Leipzig, IT reader Michael Azize explores Germany’s historical depths and cultural icons. (more…)...
Germany’s best beer festivals, beyond Oktoberfest
In a country where beer is king – some 5 billion litres of it is produced annually – it’s not surprising that Germany is hom...
Review: Real Berlin Experience Tour
We lace up our walking shoes and go undercover to review the Real Berlin Experience Tour, to get a local's insight into the city's...
Choosing Where To Stay
There are sixteen states in germany and they all have a very different personality, with an equally different hotel scene.
Take your pick from industrial chic warehouses in Berlin, a cosy mountain crash pad or a gracious renaissance villa set in manicured gardens.
Whatever your hotel penchant is, your guaranteed to find it in Germany. Take a closer look at your accommodation options here.
Where to stay in Frankfurt
A contemporary financial powerhouse, Frankfurt’s skyline is a gleaming jungle of steel, glass and concrete. Yet turn down a side street and you’ll suddenly stumble on a half-timbered tavern warmed by a roaring fire, where old timers gather to drink apple-wine. There are 46 neighbourhoods to choose from. Creative hub Lindenberg is always a good choice – try the Libertine Lindenberg, a quirky haven with just five rooms. Hotel und Restaurant Schmärrnche is in a picturesque historic building in Bornheim, a charming mass of cobbled alleys lined by the city’s best shops. After a long night of bar hopping in happening Bahnhofsviertel, rest your head at hipster Hotel und Restaurant Schmärrnche
Where to stay in Berlin
Glamorous, gritty and oozing historic interest, Berlin has a creative pulse that is hard to resist. But in a city this sprawling, choosing the right neighbourhood is crucial. Mitte is at the very centre, within walking distance of key hubs such as Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz and has plenty of high-end options such as Hotel de Rome and Das Stue Berlin. Home of the city’s punk scene in the 70s, Kreuzburg is still a cultural melting pot with funky, good-value hotels like Hotel the Dude. Known for its high-end boutiques, leafy Charlottenburg is the place to go for classic luxury. Hotel em Steinplatz was once a favourite with Brigitte Bardot and Vladimir Nabokov.
Accommodation in Hamburg
A laid-back harbour city, Hamburg is finally putting its best foot forward after years of construction and development. New waterfront districts such as HafenCity and Überseequartier are ready to welcome visitors and they have the new hotels to prove it. 25Hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt combines style and value, as well as an excellent cocktail bar. Louis C Jacob is a classically elegant option that looks over the Elbe River. Looking for something a little special? The Atlantic Kempinski is fantastically luxurious. In fact, legendary German singer Udo Lindenberg loved it so much when he stayed there he has made it his full time residence ever since.
The best luxury hostels in the world
Forget backpacker horror stories, Michelle Tchea discovers how hostels are stepping up their game and catering to the luxury trave...
Where to Eat in Germany
So what food do they eat in Germany? Think comforting regional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Fluffy dumplings from Central Germany and fried fish in the North, green sauce, sausages and pasta pockets are just some of the mouth-watering things on offer.
Discover where to eat in Germany here.
Where to get Bratwurst
Bite into a salty, flavoursome bratwurst and you’re eating a bit of German history, harking back to freezing winters when food was scarce and people needed a way of using up every bit of the animal. There are more than 40 sausage recipes to choose from. The most famous come from Thuringia (where many people think they were invented), including the Coburg Bratwurst, which is grilled over pinecones. Weisswurst in Munich are steamed and served in a bowl of boiling water while Frankonia sausages are cooked in a broth of vinegar, wine and onions.
The best German beer festivals
Beer is Germany’s national drink and Oktoberfest is high on any beer-loving traveller’s list. But what cities host Oktoberfest? Munich’s Oktoberfest is the biggest celebration, but you can also celebrate in Frankfurt and Stuttgart. To get a little further off the beaten track, check out our list of Germany’s best beer festivals beyond Oktoberfest.
Bremen Freimarkt is Germany’s oldest fair and very traditional while Frankfurt Apple Wine Festival is a good alternative for people who want all the fun of the festival but aren’t big beer drinkers.
The Black Forest and Bavaria by van
In part one of International Traveller's Europe by campervan odyssey, Freya Herring goes in search of legendary cake and fairy-tal...
Bach, battles and bratwurst: Germany’s cultural icons
From Berlin to Leipzig, IT reader Michael Azize explores Germany’s historical depths and cultural icons. (more…)...
