A Short Travel Guide To Germany - Plan Your Next Trip To Germany For Stress-free Holidays

Are you planning to visit Germany this year? If yes, then you are going to have a blast and memorable holidays. Synonymous with beer, sausages, outstanding hiking experiences, magical castles, and wild techno parties, Germany is one of the most diversified and charming countries on the continent. With its vibrant international art and music culture in Berlin, gorgeous forests in the west, jaw-dropping cathedrals of Munich and overlooked historic cities and beaches in the north, the country is huge, diverse, and exciting to visit. Lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south, the city attracts its visitors across the world with Europe’s most popular sights, iconic high-peak alps, shining rivers, beautiful forests, and farms as well as a wide variety of churches, museums, and other historical sights. located in the heart of Europe, Germany is a perfect combination of history, culture, and natural beauty is best known for its World War II history and Berlin Wall. 

The most popular cities or metropolitan areas to visit in Germany are Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich for those who are great admirers of art-culture while for those who are looking for a paradise for recreational activities should visit the popular places such as the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, or the Rhine Valley, etc. In Germany, you can find lovely and grand palaces everywhere but some of the smaller towns and villages consist of the charm of Old Town along with the centuries-old traditions like traditional Christmas markets, festivals and fairs continue till today. Tourists find the country a beautiful, and varied place with an impressive culture and countless travel opportunities. These destinations are famous for their incredible architecture, and speechless charm but if you are visiting the country for the first time, you need to know every important thing about Germany to avoid any type of struggle or hassles.

In this travel guide, we will help you find what to do, see, eat, and ways to save, budget travel, and many more things you need to know to ensure a safe journey. Let’s find out.

Quick Facts To Know About Germany:

• Capital - Berlin

• Currency: Euro (EUR)

• Population - 83,783,942 (2020)

• Population Density - 236 per sq meter.

• Electricity Socket - 230V AC electricity.

• Language - The main language of Germany is German.

• Transportation - Germany is an easy-to-explore country with a sound and organized public transportation system. You can easily wander most parts through trains or buses. If you want more privacy, comfort, and style, Private airport transfer services are also available. 

• Visa and Passport -Germany is a member of the European Union but if you are from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries, you are not required a visa to enter into Germany but you will need a valid passport with at least 90 days or 3 months validity after your departure date. If you want to stay for more than 90 days, you must apply for the Schengen visa.

Best Time To Go To Germany

Though you can visit Germany throughout the year, but enjoy the place to the fullest, you need to be aware of climate change so that your plans would not get ruined.

• Summers - If you want to go in summers - the best time is April to November. You can enjoy beer gardens, swimming in the lakes and but the prices are higher due to the peak season. 

• Winters - To enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports in the cold and wet weather on high-peak alps, the best time is November to March. The season is also best for theater, concerts, and opera.

How To Go To Germany?

Germany is easy to explore the country from its nearby airports and it depends on where you are coming from and where you are going. The nearby airports to Germany are Stuttgart, Friedrichshafen, Memmingen, Munich, Frankfurt Am Main, Dusseldorf, Berlin Tegel, Berlin Schoenefeld, etc. You can board any flight among them as per your traveling preferences but when you are flying outside Europe, most people fly into Frankfurt (FRA). It is the largest airport in Germany and one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe. It also has tons of direct flights and after reaching Germany, you can take a commuter flight, train, bus, or private airport transfer services to your final destination. The country also has a sound and organized public transportation system of trains and buses to connect to different cities of the country.

Top-sights To Explore In Germany

Full of rich culture, friendly locals, and exciting beer scene, Germany is one of the most captivating travel destinations in Europe. There are plenty of reasons to visit Germany, be it delicious food and medieval villages or fairytale castles, exciting cities, festivals and last but not the least is adrenaline-pumping activities during Oktoberfest, it is worth visiting. You can explore its timber-framed houses, mighty black forests, and outstanding neighborhood of metropolis as well as the immortal capital Berlin.

1. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin - If you are wondering about where to start your journey from in Germany, we would recommend you to visit Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. Built-in 1791, this popular sandstone monument in Berlin's Mitte district was the first Neoclassical structure of the city measuring in stunning 26 meters in height. The 18th-century neoclassical monument can be an amazing picture-perfect location to drop-by during your visit to Germany.

2. Museum Island, Berlin – Berlin is one of the most popular cities to visit in Germany and your trip would be incomplete without visiting Berlin’s Museum Island. Lies between the River Spree and the Kupfergraben, it includes many of the city’s oldest and most essential museums to visit. The notable attraction of this pedestrian-friendly district is the Old Museum with the royal treasures displayed. 

3. The Berlin Wall - Your itinerary to Germany is incomplete without visiting Berlin’s iconic Wall - one of the most famous attractions to visit in the country. Built-in 1961, you can explore all the remains of the wall with small graffiti-covered sections reminding of more than 70 people who died trying to escape from the east. 

4. Cologne Cathedral - The most famous Gothic architecture masterpieces, Cologne Cathedral is one of the most popular and largest Catholic churches to visit in Germany that covers an area of 6,166 square meters with 56 huge pillars. Located on the banks of the Rhine, it is the most impressive landmark of the country. The other highlights of the cathedral include panoramic views from the South Towers, Three Kings Chapel, and the Treasury.

5. The Black Forest, Germany - One of the most incredible and outstanding places to visit in Germany is The Black Forest. The lush wooded hills fall under the top-rated tourist spots in Germany and a great place to enjoy the panoramic views, luxury spa facilities of Baden-Baden, Germany's oldest ski area at Todtnau, and many more. Located in the southwestern corner of Germany, the forest is spread over 160 kilometers from Pforzheim to Waldshut and is a paradise among hikers.

6. Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg - Located in the heart of the historic Port of Hamburg, the most notable attraction of the magnificent Miniatur Wunderland is the world’s largest model railway. It boasts more than 12,000 meters of the track with 890 trains, more than 3 lakh lights as well as various sections dedicated to the USA, England, and Scandinavia. It is one of the most visited places in Hamburg, Germany.

7. Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau- Germany is well-known for its plethora of royal castles and surrounding architectures, and one of the most famous royal castles of Europe is Neuschwanstein Castle. It is located between the Ammergau and Allgäu Alps and believed to be a legacy left behind by the German King Ludwig II. The landscape around the castle - the town of Hohenschwangau is a beautiful place to wander magical drawbridges and turrets.

8. Marienplatz, Munich - Your trip to Germany would be incomplete without exploring Marienplatz - one of the most popular and beautiful places to visit in Munich. Also known as Marien Square, it is located in the heart of this historic city with plenty of other attractions to visit such as the New Town Hall, Clock Tower, Historic Buildings, etc. 

9. The Rhine Valley - The magnificent and beautiful river in Europe, The Rhine Valley features in every list of best places to see in Germany. The sparkling river flows through Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. You can explore approx 60 medieval towns with 40 castles while wandering along the river. With a total length of 1,320 kilometers, this is the most important waterways in Europe.

10. The Bürgerstadt And Bamberg - One of the most interesting things about visiting Europe is visiting the exciting and charming old towns and cities. Located in the valley of the Regnitz, Bamberg is the old imperial city and most notable town in Upper Franconia. You can also explore Bürgerstadt with an exciting pedestrian zone, Grüner Markt, and home to the 17th-century Baroque church of St. Martin.

Other Top-sights to Visit In Germany

1. St. Michael’s Church

2.  Zugspitze Massif

3. Frauenkirche

4. The Island of Rügen

5. Kings Lake Aka Königssee

6. Sanssouci Palace And Park

7. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

8. Berlin Zoological Garden

9. Sanssouci Park and Palace, Potsdam

10. Tierpark Hagenbeck

Make Your Trip A Budgeted Journey In Germany

Though Germany is not an expensive country to visit, going for river cruises are quite expensive. Plus, it offers plenty of high-end must-try cuisine throughout the country which you cannot miss trying at once. If you are in Frankfurt, the expenses will cost you even more as it is the finance capital of the country. But overall, it is a cheap country for a Eurozone country and if you follow these tricks, you can even save more money.

1. Plan Your Meal or Eat At Street Vendors - Germany is an easily accessible country to wander its markets, supermarkets, and local stores. To save money on food, you can either plan your cheap shopping like bags of rice, pasta, and soups to store for later or you can find cheap outdoor sausage vendors which will only cost you a couple of Euros.

2. Avail Free Tours – The bigger and popular cities like Germany have their free tours which are an economical and organized way to explore the city and history. You can save lots of money through these tours instead of struggling through local public transports or driving on your own in unfamiliar routes.

3. Explore by Bike - Cycling is one of the cheapest, enjoyable and pleasant ways to wander around the city. Plus, a prominent way to keep yourself fit during your holidays. According to some estimates, there are 43,000 miles of cycling paths to explore the ride in the city roads.

4. Rideshare - If you have enough time and are fine with a flexible schedule, you can consider Rideshare service and enjoy rides with the locals between cities or countries. It is a good way to save money on public transports as well as to spend some time with the locals and to reach safety and perfection.

5. Couchsurf - Though Germany offers cheap accommodation for its travelers across the world, if you are interested to catch some glimpses of local people’s lives, Couchsurf is a good idea. You will not only be able to save your lots of money on accommodation but also meet locals who can help you showing around the city.

Other Cities To Explore In Germany

There are many great cities to visit in Germany if you do not want to just stop at Munich, Cologne, and Berlin.

1. Hamburg - If you want to explore a city with lush green spaces, the place is famous for its parks and canals.

2. Dresden - Also known as “the Florence on the Elbe” before World War II, it is one of the most popular cities to visit with its architecture and art treasures.

3. Weimar - Popular for being the birthplace of Weimar Classicism, the city in central Germany is famous for its plenty of geniuses who visited or lived here.

4. Regensburg - The best-preserved medieval city in Germany, it is famous for its amazing Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Oberwesel - A must-visit town - Oberwesel is located on the Middle Rhine in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Other notable cities are Lindau, Frankfurt, Monschau, Quedlinburg, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Görlitz and many more.

Top-renowned Places To Eat In Germany

A paradise for all the food-lovers out there, you will never be exploring hungry while in Germany. From the high-end quality cuisine in its neighborhood such as Spain, France, and Italy to traditional items like Schnitzel, Spätzle, Rouladen, and Bratwurst in Germany, the country is more than just meat. You will always find a great variety of fresh and quality food whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. If you are looking for the best restaurants, pubs or cafes, here we have tried to explain some of the hidden gems of the city with delicious food. Let’s have a look:

1. Kin Dee - A great place to taste the mouth-watering dishes by chef Dalad Kambhu - known for her unique approach to regional ingredients in Berlin. This Thai joint brings you the fine dining experience by combining seasonal ingredients from Berlin and Brandenburg. You can have confit octopus - the must-try dish.

2. Marjellchen – If you are looking for one of the best fine dining restaurants in Berlin, this is the place. Popular as one of the best restaurants in Berlin, where you will get traditional German food as well as the delicious dishes from East Prussia with beautiful surroundings.

3. Venetian Restaurant - A well-furnished restaurant with winter garden and mountain terrace - Venetian Restaurant is located in the Residenz Heinz Winkler. The restaurant offers you to taste the signature dishes by owner-chef Winkler with three Michelin stars. Here, you can have quince and pine nuts, sturgeon fillet with wasabi and char caviar, as well as warm chocolate cake with rum cream and Bresse pigeon, etc.

4. Delhi 6 Indisches Restaurant - Do you want to try Indian food in Germany? If yes, head to this place - one of the popular Indian restaurants in Germany. It has friendly and supportive staff to serve some of the delicious Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian food throughout the country. The place is affordable and high-quality food at higher prices.

5. Restaurant Amador - The restaurant offers you the top-notch Spanish food prepared by the Michelin-three-star chef Juan Amador. The famous dishes include roast Mannheimer pork with pa amb oli, Caesar salad, goat cheese, olive brittle, and many more. One of the most famous restaurants in Germany, the place has a mar y montaña combining sole with beef marrow, garnished with fried onions and saffron. Other specialties of the restaurant include asparagus with jumbo shrimp, ice hollandaise, and Asian-style suckling pig with eggplant.

Must-try Food In Germany

Germany has a wide range of restaurants and cafes to try some of the delicious food from all over the world but still, there are a few Traditional German dishes that you must-try at once during your trip to Germany. It includes Sauerbraten, Schweinehaxen, Maultaschen, Currywurst, Leberkäse, Falafel, Bratkartoffeln, Currywurst, salads, Pretzel, Brötchen filled with meat and/or cheese or pastries, cakes, etc.

Top Places To Shop Around In Germany

There is no denying that Europe is a perfect place for shopping and fashion-enthusiasts. Whether you are visiting the city for a couple of days or on weekends, here you will find a great range of best shopping places in most-incredible cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, Milan, etc. In Germany, there are the best luxury brand outlets and boutique stores packed with some of the best things to buy in the country.

1. The Schildergasse - Cologne's Shopping Street - The popular pedestrian zone in the city center of Cologne is known as Schildergasse - one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe. With international department stores and modern architecture, the place overtakes London's Oxford Street with 13,000 people strolling around every hour. 

2. Zeil -Frankfurt's Shopping Street -    Popularly known as Fifth Avenue of Germany, Zeil is the most premier place to shop in Frankfurt especially the areas between Konstablerwache And Hauptwache. Here you can explore chic boutiques to international departments such as Zeilgalerie - A 10-floor shopping center or Goethestraße with world-class jewelers and designers like Armani and Versace.

3. Königsallee - Düsseldorfs Shopping Street - In the heart of Dusseldorf, you can find plenty of boutiques and designer stores to shop for some luxury high-end shopping in Germany. The city is home to the most stylish shopping boulevard in Germany including the Königsallee. 

4. Kaufinger and Sendlingerstraße - Munich's Shopping Streets - In Munich's city center, you can start your shopping at Marienplatz, in the heart of Munich's Old Town. for food-lovers, the place offers Viktualienmarkt - a must-see attraction where you can buy clothes, books, jewelry and shoes, and many more.

5. Ku’damm - Berlin's Shopping Street - The most popular shopping street in Berlin, is filled with international shops like Armani, Chanel, YSL, hotels, restaurants, and movie theatres. It can be the best place to enjoy and hang out the whole day. You can explore the levels of KaDeWe - the biggest departmental store in Europe.

Top Hotels To Stay In Germany

Germany offers a wide range of cheap and good accommodation options for its travelers in comparison to other European countries. From hostels to budgeted and luxury ones, the tourists have lots of possibilities to choose from, but sometimes it turns out to be a dilemma where to stay in Germany due to a range of options. Here, we have explained the best accommodation options for every type of traveler. Let’s have a look:

1. Top Luxury Hotels

• Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

• Hyperion Hotel Hamburg 

• Radisson Blu Senator Hotel, Lübeck 

• Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munchen

• Hyatt Regency Cologne etc.

2. Mid-range Hotels

• Hotel Laimer Hof Munich

• Filla Andre

• Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels Munich

• Hotel Der Wilde Schwan, Sagard, etc.

• The Alex Hotel

3. Budgeted Hotels

• Holiday Inn Express - Ringsheim 

• Hotel Indigo Dresden - Wettiner Platz 

• me and all hotel Mainz 

• NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt 

• Super 8 by Wyndham Dresden etc.

Germany is an incredible, beautiful and safe place to visit but if you keep this travel guide in mind and follow at the same time during your next visit to Germany, you can avoid the hustle-bustle of exploring the places, restaurants, and hotels as well as make your trip more enjoyable and memorable with a stress-free and refreshed mind.